Electric Meter Service Drop

**yahoo** · January 11th, 2009, 05:08 PM

i'll tell you what....that guy really knows his science!!! you have to give him that!!

**Hurricane9** · January 12th, 2009, 01:37 AM

I agree. Just like being a mechanic, if you can understand theory, and visualize what's going on inside an engine, or what's going on with the signal when you connect, then you are almost there.

**underground quester** · January 12th, 2009, 08:55 PM

Hey there Golden and Hurricane:

I have a question that is puzzling me and wondering if you guys can help me out.

In message number 2 Golden you say the signal travels along the common ground.

In message number three Hurricane you say the signal travels along the neutral.

Being that I need an "Electrical for Dummies" book to read, I would like to know if the "common ground" and the "neutral" are different words for the same wire, or, whether they are in fact separate wires.

I think WING might have published a picture of something like this on the old forum.

Can ya help an old dog out and 'splain these terms to me. Please speak slowly, very very slowly!

ThanX guys.

**Goldenboy** · January 12th, 2009, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by underground quester

Being that I need an "Electrical for Dummies" book to read, I would like to know if the "common ground" and the "neutral" are different words for the same wire, or, whether they are in fact separate wires.

They are one in the same. The electric secondary is made up of two hot legs and a neutral. The neutral is the ground which everyone uses. I don't have pictures and I don't claim to be a trainer.

**underground quester** · January 12th, 2009, 11:52 PM

ThanX Golden. I appreciate the clarification!

**Hurricane9** · January 13th, 2009, 04:50 AM

Ditto what Golden said. I am not a trainer, but I stayed in an Army barracks last night.......

Ok, ok, bad attempt at humor, i know.

**The Big-E** · January 16th, 2009, 01:16 PM

Another tactic I've found that works great, if you have trouble isolating a signal on electric service using the meter.

Try hooking your pos. lead to the copper from outside ac unit that goes into house and then do a sweep around meter, for me it gets a clear signal, and usually doesnt bleed off on tel/cable...

also good for when the dum-a%&es surround meter with siding or other nice obstacles and you have no access to the meter.

**headcipher** · January 16th, 2009, 05:53 PM

You can also hook to the backside of the gas meter, or a spigot (unless they used HDPE or PVC for house h2o). All pipes in the house, be they gas or h2o should be bonded together to the elec.