Section 6 the specific requirements of your Local Supply Authority
In Canada, the relocation or installation of a 350A, 347/600V three-phase service with a bypass meter is governed by **Section 6** of the **Canadian Electrical Code (CEC)** and, more importantly, the **specific requirements of your Local Supply Authority** (e.g., BC Hydro, Hydro One, Hydro-Québec). For a commercial upgrade of this scale, the installation must meet the following criteria: ### **1. Location Requirements (Rule 6-206)** The metering equipment must be placed in a location that is: * **Readily Accessible:** It must be in a spot where utility personnel can reach it without needing a portable ladder or moving obstacles. * **Safe from Mechanical Damage:** It cannot be in a location where it might be struck by vehicles (like a tight loading dock) unless it is protected by bollards. * **Not in Prohibited Areas:** You cannot install metering equipment in bathrooms, stairways, clothes closets, or rooms where the ambient temperature exceeds 30°C (like a small boiler room). ### **2. Indoor vs. Outdoor Installation** * **Utility Preference:** Most Canadian utilities prefer **outdoor installations** for commercial services to allow 24/7 access for meter reading and emergency disconnection. * **Indoor Option:** If installed indoors, it must be as close as possible to the point where the service conductors enter the building. It must be in a clean, dry, and well-lit area. Some utilities require a "meter room" for services of this size, which may need to be accessible via a master key (like a Knox Box). ### **3. Working Space and Clearances (Rules 2-308 & 6-206)** Because you are now dealing with **600V** and **350A**, the clearance requirements are strict: * **Headroom:** A minimum of **2 meters** of vertical clearance is required around the metering and service equipment. * **Front Clearance:** You must maintain a minimum of **1 meter** of clear working space in front of the meter socket and the bypass switch. * **Mounting Height:** The meter socket is typically required to be mounted between **1.5m and 1.8m** from the finished floor or grade to the center of the meter. ### **4. Specific 600V Considerations** * **Cold Sequence Metering:** For 347/600V services, Canadian utilities often require **cold sequence metering**. This means a disconnecting means (service switch) must be installed **upstream** of the meter so the meter can be de-energized for maintenance. * **Bypass Requirement:** Since you mentioned a bypass device, this is standard for commercial 350A services to ensure the building doesn't lose power during meter swaps. Ensure the bypass handle is accessible and has the required clearance to operate. ### **Summary Checklist** | Requirement | Specification | | --- | --- | | **Accessibility** | Readily accessible to utility personnel | | **Height** | 1.5m to 1.8m to center of meter | | **Working Depth** | 1 meter clear in front | | **Headroom** | 2 meters minimum | | **Protection** | Must be weatherproof (Type 3R) if outdoors | --- ### **Blogger Labels** * **CEC Section 6 Service Equipment,** * **347/600V Commercial Service,** * **Canadian Metering Standards,** * **Electrical Room Clearances,** * **Supply Authority Requirements,** **Would you like me to find the specific "Cold Sequence" metering diagram for your province's utility provider to see if you need the disconnect before or after the meter?**
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxeiK72PV70
