this post was submitted on 12 Jan 2025
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Electricians
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If you can't find a master breaker between this box and the meter, you can just yank the meter to kill power to the house. Be safe, wear insulated gloves etc etc.
Most places I've lived, you're not permitted to remove the meter. You've gotta call in your electrical companies lineman for that. (or face some pretty substantial fines when they find the broken seal)
If the power company went after everyone who cut those seals, they would employ more lawyers than linemen. Nobody gives a shit if you pull the meter just so long as you don't self-immolate or steal electricity.
The main thing is to make sure there's no load on the panel (turn all appliances or fuses off). Loads can cause dangerous arcing, especially on reconnect.
Rubber gloves under leathers are standard PPE for meter work. Eye protection is non-negotiable. Anybody who's comfortable opening a panel is ready to pull a meter. You don't think the power company hires electricians to pull meters do you?
This. But contact a local electrician before doing so.