I need to replace a window that is right next to the power meter for my
house. The meter is about 18 to 24" away from the window.

Is there something that I need to make sure of before removing the window or
cutting into the siding? Is the meter mounted on something that would
otherwise prevent me from cutting the siding? Should I contact the power
company before doing this in the off chance I hit the cables? Or, is this
no big deal and I can effectively treat the meter like I would an external
outlet?

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
...
I need to replace a window that is right next to the power meter for my
house. The meter is about 18 to 24" away from the window.

Is there something that I need to make sure of before removing the window
or cutting into the siding? Is the meter mounted on something that would
otherwise prevent me from cutting the siding? Should I contact the power
company before doing this in the off chance I hit the cables? Or, is this
no big deal and I can effectively treat the meter like I would an external
outlet?

Generally, the power cable goes straight down from the meter into the
distribution panel. Is your panel (load center) directly under the meter?

"Charles" wrote in message
. ..

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
...
I need to replace a window that is right next to the power meter for my
house. The meter is about 18 to 24" away from the window.

Is there something that I need to make sure of before removing the window
or cutting into the siding? Is the meter mounted on something that would
otherwise prevent me from cutting the siding? Should I contact the power
company before doing this in the off chance I hit the cables? Or, is
this no big deal and I can effectively treat the meter like I would an
external outlet?

Generally, the power cable goes straight down from the meter into the
distribution panel. Is your panel (load center) directly under the meter?

My panel is, again, about 18 to 24" from the window on the interior - so
basically the meter is on one side of the wall and the panel is on the
other.

"Meat Plow" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 09 Jun 2007 14:02:38 -0700, Eigenvector wrote:

I need to replace a window that is right next to the power meter for my
house. The meter is about 18 to 24" away from the window.

Is there something that I need to make sure of before removing the window
or
cutting into the siding? Is the meter mounted on something that would
otherwise prevent me from cutting the siding? Should I contact the power
company before doing this in the off chance I hit the cables? Or, is
this
no big deal and I can effectively treat the meter like I would an
external
outlet?

Don't treat the meter like an outlet but otherwise cutting siding and
replacing the window isn't a big deal.


I wasn't sure if the meter was mounted to the plywood sheathing on a plate
or some sort of protective box. I'm also not totally sure how the meter and
the panel are connected. The power lines connect in through the roof
directly above the meter.

I'm assuming that the panel is framed with 2x4's and the window is obviously
(I HOPE!!) framed with 2x4's so everything should be isolated from each
other. It's not like I plan on cutting the plywood sheathing, rather just
the siding, but you never know ... I'd hate to find out something nasty
while holding a circular saw standing on a metal scaffolding.

Eigenvector wrote:
"Meat Plow" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 09 Jun 2007 14:02:38 -0700, Eigenvector wrote:

I need to replace a window that is right next to the power meter for my
house. The meter is about 18 to 24" away from the window.

Is there something that I need to make sure of before removing the window
or
cutting into the siding? Is the meter mounted on something that would
otherwise prevent me from cutting the siding? Should I contact the power
company before doing this in the off chance I hit the cables? Or, is
this
no big deal and I can effectively treat the meter like I would an
external
outlet?
Don't treat the meter like an outlet but otherwise cutting siding and
replacing the window isn't a big deal.


I wasn't sure if the meter was mounted to the plywood sheathing on a plate
or some sort of protective box. I'm also not totally sure how the meter and
the panel are connected. The power lines connect in through the roof
directly above the meter.

I'm assuming that the panel is framed with 2x4's and the window is obviously
(I HOPE!!) framed with 2x4's so everything should be isolated from each
other. It's not like I plan on cutting the plywood sheathing, rather just
the siding, but you never know ... I'd hate to find out something nasty
while holding a circular saw standing on a metal scaffolding.

That far away there should certainly be a full length stud beyond the
window, but if there's any question, investigate before just cutting...

I would expect there to be a full sheet of ply in each corner as the
stress membrane simply cut for the window opening and the meter to be
mounted to it. If I had reason to suspect otherwise, as noted, I'd do
the demolition carefully enough to be sure first.

But, in general, from the description sounds like _should_ be no problem.

--

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
...

"Charles" wrote in message
. ..

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
...
I need to replace a window that is right next to the power meter for my
house. The meter is about 18 to 24" away from the window.

Is there something that I need to make sure of before removing the
window or cutting into the siding? Is the meter mounted on something
that would otherwise prevent me from cutting the siding? Should I
contact the power company before doing this in the off chance I hit the
cables? Or, is this no big deal and I can effectively treat the meter
like I would an external outlet?

Generally, the power cable goes straight down from the meter into the
distribution panel. Is your panel (load center) directly under the
meter?

My panel is, again, about 18 to 24" from the window on the interior - so
basically the meter is on one side of the wall and the panel is on the
other.

The power panel, vertically speaking, is directly below the meter? If so,
you should be good to go.

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
. ..

"Meat Plow" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 09 Jun 2007 14:02:38 -0700, Eigenvector wrote:

I need to replace a window that is right next to the power meter for my
house. The meter is about 18 to 24" away from the window.

Is there something that I need to make sure of before removing the
window
or
cutting into the siding? Is the meter mounted on something that would
otherwise prevent me from cutting the siding? Should I contact the
power
company before doing this in the off chance I hit the cables? Or, is
this
no big deal and I can effectively treat the meter like I would an
external
outlet?

Don't treat the meter like an outlet but otherwise cutting siding and
replacing the window isn't a big deal.


I wasn't sure if the meter was mounted to the plywood sheathing on a plate
or some sort of protective box. I'm also not totally sure how the meter
and
the panel are connected. The power lines connect in through the roof
directly above the meter.

I'm assuming that the panel is framed with 2x4's and the window is
obviously
(I HOPE!!) framed with 2x4's so everything should be isolated from each
other. It's not like I plan on cutting the plywood sheathing, rather just
the siding, but you never know ... I'd hate to find out something nasty
while holding a circular saw standing on a metal scaffolding.


Why don't you cut the window out from the inside using a reciprocating saw?
Remove the interior molding and zip away.

Sometimes there may be a metal bracket or strap behind the meter and/or
somewhere on the conduit to hold it to the wall, this may extend out the
sides so that it can be anchored. I would go slow with using a circular saw
blindly on the wall until I was sure what was under that siding. Normally to
remove a window you don't need to do heavy cutting. You remove the casing on
the inside and then cut any nails or screws that anchor it into the frame,
then you take it apart in pieces because there is normally a flange or a
"brick mould" that is fastened to the outside of the sheathing either under
the siding or next to it with nails and/or screws into the frame.


"Eigenvector" wrote in message
. ..

"Meat Plow" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 09 Jun 2007 14:02:38 -0700, Eigenvector wrote:

I need to replace a window that is right next to the power meter for my
house. The meter is about 18 to 24" away from the window.

Is there something that I need to make sure of before removing the
window or
cutting into the siding? Is the meter mounted on something that would
otherwise prevent me from cutting the siding? Should I contact the
power
company before doing this in the off chance I hit the cables? Or, is
this
no big deal and I can effectively treat the meter like I would an
external
outlet?

Don't treat the meter like an outlet but otherwise cutting siding and
replacing the window isn't a big deal.


I wasn't sure if the meter was mounted to the plywood sheathing on a plate
or some sort of protective box. I'm also not totally sure how the meter
and the panel are connected. The power lines connect in through the roof
directly above the meter.

I'm assuming that the panel is framed with 2x4's and the window is
obviously (I HOPE!!) framed with 2x4's so everything should be isolated
from each other. It's not like I plan on cutting the plywood sheathing,
rather just the siding, but you never know ... I'd hate to find out
something nasty while holding a circular saw standing on a metal
scaffolding.

On Sat, 9 Jun 2007 14:19:15 -0700, "Eigenvector"
wrote:



I'm assuming that the panel is framed with 2x4's and the window is obviously
(I HOPE!!) framed with 2x4's so everything should be isolated from each
other. It's not like I plan on cutting the plywood sheathing, rather just
the siding, but you never know ... I'd hate to find out something nasty
while holding a circular saw standing on a metal scaffolding.

I'm curious. You have to stand on scaffoldign to reach the window
which is next to the meter? How did the electric company read the
meter? Before there was radio-reading of meters.

"Charles" wrote in message
...

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
...

"Charles" wrote in message
. ..

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
...
I need to replace a window that is right next to the power meter for my
house. The meter is about 18 to 24" away from the window.

Is there something that I need to make sure of before removing the
window or cutting into the siding? Is the meter mounted on something
that would otherwise prevent me from cutting the siding? Should I
contact the power company before doing this in the off chance I hit the
cables? Or, is this no big deal and I can effectively treat the meter
like I would an external outlet?

Generally, the power cable goes straight down from the meter into the
distribution panel. Is your panel (load center) directly under the
meter?

My panel is, again, about 18 to 24" from the window on the interior - so
basically the meter is on one side of the wall and the panel is on the
other.

The power panel, vertically speaking, is directly below the meter? If so,
you should be good to go.
Yeah, that's right, the panel is just right below the meter, probably less
than 4 inches under it vertically.

Sounds like I'm clear then.

"mm" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 9 Jun 2007 14:19:15 -0700, "Eigenvector"
wrote:



I'm assuming that the panel is framed with 2x4's and the window is
obviously
(I HOPE!!) framed with 2x4's so everything should be isolated from each
other. It's not like I plan on cutting the plywood sheathing, rather just
the siding, but you never know ... I'd hate to find out something nasty
while holding a circular saw standing on a metal scaffolding.

I'm curious. You have to stand on scaffoldign to reach the window
which is next to the meter? How did the electric company read the
meter? Before there was radio-reading of meters.

Binoculars?? I would imagine they stood on the porch, but realistically
there isn't a good place for someone to stand and read it. My house is on
some pretty steep sloping land and the meter is about 8 feet in the air.

"EXT" wrote in message
anews.com...
Sometimes there may be a metal bracket or strap behind the meter and/or
somewhere on the conduit to hold it to the wall, this may extend out the
sides so that it can be anchored. I would go slow with using a circular
saw blindly on the wall until I was sure what was under that siding.
Normally to remove a window you don't need to do heavy cutting. You remove
the casing on the inside and then cut any nails or screws that anchor it
into the frame, then you take it apart in pieces because there is normally
a flange or a "brick mould" that is fastened to the outside of the
sheathing either under the siding or next to it with nails and/or screws
into the frame.


Normally I adjust my saw so that it only cuts as deep as the siding or
slightly below it. Realistically I wouldn't have a problem here anyway, I'm
not intending on penetrating the plywood but I've just never fooled around
in the area surrounding a meter.


"Eigenvector" wrote in message
. ..

"Meat Plow" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 09 Jun 2007 14:02:38 -0700, Eigenvector wrote:

I need to replace a window that is right next to the power meter for my
house. The meter is about 18 to 24" away from the window.

Is there something that I need to make sure of before removing the
window or
cutting into the siding? Is the meter mounted on something that would
otherwise prevent me from cutting the siding? Should I contact the
power
company before doing this in the off chance I hit the cables? Or, is
this
no big deal and I can effectively treat the meter like I would an
external
outlet?

Don't treat the meter like an outlet but otherwise cutting siding and
replacing the window isn't a big deal.


I wasn't sure if the meter was mounted to the plywood sheathing on a
plate or some sort of protective box. I'm also not totally sure how the
meter and the panel are connected. The power lines connect in through
the roof directly above the meter.

I'm assuming that the panel is framed with 2x4's and the window is
obviously (I HOPE!!) framed with 2x4's so everything should be isolated
from each other. It's not like I plan on cutting the plywood sheathing,
rather just the siding, but you never know ... I'd hate to find out
something nasty while holding a circular saw standing on a metal
scaffolding.

"dpb" wrote in message ...
Eigenvector wrote:
"Meat Plow" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 09 Jun 2007 14:02:38 -0700, Eigenvector wrote:

I need to replace a window that is right next to the power meter for my
house. The meter is about 18 to 24" away from the window.

Is there something that I need to make sure of before removing the
window or
cutting into the siding? Is the meter mounted on something that would
otherwise prevent me from cutting the siding? Should I contact the
power
company before doing this in the off chance I hit the cables? Or, is
this
no big deal and I can effectively treat the meter like I would an
external
outlet?
Don't treat the meter like an outlet but otherwise cutting siding and
replacing the window isn't a big deal.


I wasn't sure if the meter was mounted to the plywood sheathing on a
plate or some sort of protective box. I'm also not totally sure how the
meter and the panel are connected. The power lines connect in through
the roof directly above the meter.

I'm assuming that the panel is framed with 2x4's and the window is
obviously (I HOPE!!) framed with 2x4's so everything should be isolated
from each other. It's not like I plan on cutting the plywood sheathing,
rather just the siding, but you never know ... I'd hate to find out
something nasty while holding a circular saw standing on a metal
scaffolding.

That far away there should certainly be a full length stud beyond the
window, but if there's any question, investigate before just cutting...

I would expect there to be a full sheet of ply in each corner as the
stress membrane simply cut for the window opening and the meter to be
mounted to it. If I had reason to suspect otherwise, as noted, I'd do the
demolition carefully enough to be sure first.

But, in general, from the description sounds like _should_ be no problem.

--
That's really why I asked. It's one of those things where nothing should go
wrong, but if something does - it'll go south fast. I'm not expecting
trouble though.