Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Tjalfe t1_jbhz1cm wrote

Reply to comment by RL203 in Toronto, replace electrical panel by [deleted]

My experience from when I changed the panel is that the local utility disconnected the meter

9

Mnemosynesis t1_jbi36wo wrote

This, don’t touch the meter, and definitely do not install it after installing your own panel as you will probably fuck something up having no experience and dead short your meter during install and have it blow glass into your eyes.

Or do it… I’ll get double bubble for the call out.

7

Walkop t1_jbi5ssn wrote

This is not correct in Toronto. In Toronto, the ESA does not do meters, they subcontract to contractors or the homeowner. Everywhere else this is correct.

1

Mnemosynesis t1_jbi6a3t wrote

Who tests the meter socket?

2

RL203 t1_jbizjny wrote

It's built in a factory to any number of specifications. CSA, ULc, ASTM, etc etc.

The factory will have engineered it, signed and sealed the drawings, certified it, submitted it for testing and certification from the various governing bodies, then during production, the manufacturer will have a series of quality control procedures and protocols in place to ensure compliance, most likely ISO certified.

You don't need to inspect it.

0

Mnemosynesis t1_jbjcy6p wrote

You definitely need to test a meter socket with a voltmeter or test switch prior to installing a meter into the socket to ensure that the electrician or “homeowner with YouTube” did not fuck up his wiring.

4

Spoona1983 t1_jbi78ac wrote

Cmon dude thats a bit extreme you just pop the meter pins in the slots.

Perfectly fine if you have the service breaker off.

1

Mnemosynesis t1_jbi815z wrote

Unless you’re not an electrician don’t install your panel correctly and dead short your meter on install hot leg to a ground. I’m sure there are videos you can find on the internet.

0

DoctorWhisky t1_jbirejg wrote

So uuhhh, let’s say, hypothetically, that a younger guy trying to save money hired a Licensed electrician to replace the panel but saved by doing it without a permit and making it a cash on the side job….so it was done safely, but without any official inspection. Would walls have to come down for a wiring inspection to get an ESA stamp or after 10 years and no fires is it just ok to forget it ever happened?

1

RL203 t1_jbj0jiy wrote

I dunno.

But let's say that same formerly young guy was now getting older and had learned the pitfalls of cause and effect, like a fire and the insurance company sees a newer panel in an old house and asks about permits.

You could try calling the ESA and asking them to inspect the panel I suppose. They will always help you. And a panel is not hard to inspect. It usually doesn't require opening up walls.

But hopefully that same young guy didn't run any new and obviously new wires. Because new Romex wire is date stamped st the time of manufacture right on the outer insulation. They can easily tell when the wire was installed and if that young guy was the owner at the time, he's in for a world of hurt.

2

DoctorWhisky t1_jbm3zr4 wrote

And if there is? Say, an entire basement refinished and wired into that new panel? That world of hurt, is that ripping out drywall to inspect wiring or are we talking fines and legal penalties? Or more like, “hey you’re not insure for electrical fires now dummy”.

1

RL203 t1_jbo35ve wrote

I can't really speak for the ESA.

I suspect that if the inspector wanted to get all involved, he could look at the wires, check out the date stamp. He might ask you who installed these wires. I don't know.

Or he could just do the job he was asked to do, which was inspect your panel and go.

I'm just not sure how you phrase this with ESA. Do you call them up and say, "I have an existing panel in my house and would like to have it inspected"

To which they respond, "why wasn't it inspected when it was installed?"

To which you respond....I dunno what.

You could tell them the truth (The truth will set you free.)

You could lie and say it was there when you moved in and you want to make sure it's ok.

As far as inspecting the wiring goes, if the walls are closed and you don't have photos of the wiring when it was built, the ESA really can't do their job.

Allot of people have a basement built by a neighbourhood contractor who will wire it without permits. That's not that unusual. Some guys know what they are doing and others are hacks.

1

DoctorWhisky t1_jbp0v8m wrote

I wish I had the money and knowledge at 27 I do now at 40….but thanks for your replies and information man, I appreciate you taking the time.

1

TheRealRacketear t1_jbi7pv0 wrote

What kind of stupid stuff do you do where this would be a legitimate concern for you?

0

Mnemosynesis t1_jbi82th wrote

Me? I’m a Powerline Technician so very invested in anything related to the system.

3

Walkop t1_jbi5rm2 wrote

This is not correct in Toronto. In Toronto, the utility does not do meters, they subcontract to contractors or the homeowner. Everywhere else this is correct.

0

Mnemosynesis t1_jbi6jxf wrote

Also, are meters not tagged in Toronto. None of this makes sense to me. If I can fuck with my meter I can also steal power.

1

RL203 t1_jbiyfdn wrote

Meters are definitely tagged in Toronto, at least where I live, which is high park. In order to remove the meter head, there is a clamp around the circumference of the base of the meter that is loosened via a bolt. The tag runs through the bolt to prevent it from being tampered with. You can't remove the meter without cutting the tag.

I'm 100 percent sure of this.

Everything I've described, I've done myself.

And I'm currently in the process of a full rewire of my current house. The process for that is the same. Phone ESA, pull a permit. They will inspect at the rough in stage and the final stage.

You get 2 inspections at the rough in stage, if you fail the second inspection, you need to pay again.

2

RL203 t1_jbiyzq4 wrote

Ok. They contract the install of the tag to a contractor. But I call hydro to arrange for that. As long has ESA has inspected it, they will tag it.

1