If you are asking this question, then I can only presume that you should not be
doing
the work. Hire a qualified electrician to "side job" it for you.

Some utility companies will do one free dis/reconnect without questions, or a
permit.

If you must do the work yourself there are insulated, mechanical terminals that
may
be used to facilitate the easy dis/reconnection of the pre-meter conductors.
They
are manufactured by Polaris. If you have not done a live splice before, forget
about
it. Is your life worth a shortcut?

They make a cheaper product than this one, but this gives the general idea:

http://www.polarisconnectors.com/pdf...ctors/SSWB.pdf

Again, if you don't know what you are doing and need someone to hold your hand,
don't
do this. After the work is complete you may leave them on or have the utility
company
come out and "properly" connect the service. That's your call.

As for removing the meter and working on the post meter wiring, some of the
seals may be
cut in a fashion that will allow repeated removal and installation of the seal,
thus providing
the same ability for the meter itself. Do the work and play dumb if questioned.
Though,
as someone else suggested, it would be a good idea to upgrade your meter main to
a
larger service, but this makes me ask, "does the meter not have a disconnect?"

I have not been doing a thorough read of this topic and might have missed some
information
that you have presented. So, forgive me if I am a bit presumptuous or seem to
be speaking
without all of the facts.

Number One: Be safe and do it right. It would suck to survive the install only
to die in a fire.