Meter, meter socket and service mast

Which parts are which

Looking at the outside of a house from the street, you can see four parts in a line.

1. The service drop or underground lateral. The utility’s wires coming to the house.
2. The service mast. On an overhead service, the pipe that rises from the meter socket or the roof so the wires clear the roof and ground. It is rigid conduit.
3. The meter socket. The box on the wall where the utility’s meter plugs in.
4. The main panel. Often right behind the meter, or inside.

The utility owns the meter and its lines. You own the mast, socket, wiring and panel. This matters because each side has its own rules, and the utility can say no to a change on its side.

When the mast or socket must change

A panel upgrade does not always touch them. The electrician replaces them when:

• the socket is rated below the new service, for example a 100 amp socket for a 200 amp service,
• the socket is cracked, corroded or has burned contacts,
• the mast is too small for the new conductors, or pulls away from the wall,
• the mast no longer clears the roof or the required height,
• the utility or inspector flags clearances to windows, gas meters or other equipment.

On a 200 amp service, one city chart lists 2/0 AWG conductors in a 1-1/2 inch rigid mast or riser. For 400 amps the same chart lists 2-1/2 inch conduit. These come from one city’s list, so your table may differ.

Rules inspectors check

Laguna Niguel’s checklist is a typical sample. It asks for:

• meter height between 4 ft 6 in and 6 ft 3 in above finished grade,
• a clear working space of 36 inches in front and 30 inches wide,
• an outdoor-listed panel if it mounts outside,
• approval from the utility for any change in location, with the working clearances kept,
• stucco repair that includes proper flashing and wire lath lapped as listed.

Underground conduit replacement is inspected by the utility. And the city requires underground service for new service or reconstruction of more than half a building. That is a local rule.

Emergency disconnect

Since January 1, 2023, California’s code (230.85) has required one- and two-family homes to have an emergency disconnect in a readily accessible spot outdoors. It must be marked “EMERGENCY DISCONNECT”. Some homes meet this with a main breaker panel outside. Others add a listed disconnect next to the meter. If you are changing the meter area anyway, this is the time to settle it.

Utility differences

SCE. The electrician contacts the SCE service planner first, before the panel goes in. The city has to clear the job before SCE sets the meter. Cities that publish the sequence, such as Laguna Niguel, ask for the SCE service order before they issue the permit.

SDG&E. Guidance from SDG&E for meter panel work says the electrician schedules the disconnect with SDG&E and the city inspection, and the city tells SDG&E when the work passes. If the meter panel moves, inspection and disconnect are scheduled separately, and the city informs SDG&E within two business days.

LADWP. LADWP handles load changes and meter work under its Electric Service Requirements. Inside the City of Los Angeles, the Department of Building and Safety inspects the work, and once it passes, the approval goes to LADWP, which then schedules the meter. LADWP has said charges must be paid and a service account opened before it sets meters, so do both early or power can be delayed.

Other utilities, such as Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale, Anaheim and Riverside, each run their own rules. The utility coordination guide lists differences.

Cost

A swap with the meter and mast in place is in the $2,500 to $4,500 range. A new service run, a meter or mast relocation, trenching or stucco work puts the job at about $5,500 to $10,000 as of October 2026, per the panel upgrade cost page. Add the utility’s own charges, which the electrician cannot predict. The timeline guide covers how long meter work can run.

Fire areas

Homes in high fire hazard areas can also face extra local rules and power shutoffs. See wildfire zones and electrical work.