I need to get a temp power for my home construction. I would like to keep it under $200. My local power company shows this meter/box compatible with their meters.

Siemens Panel

GFI breakers aren't cheap. Can I use regular breakers (20amp) and go with GFI outlets in a weather proof box/cover? I would use plastic conduit and everything screwed to plywood and a pressure treated 4 x 4.

What else do I need?

Please respond in layman's terms.

I am surprised that your local utility doesn't have what's called a 'temporary construction pedestal'. I worked on a utility line gang for a summer as a grunt and we set and connected a number of them. They had a meter socket with meter, a breaker panel, four 120 vac outlets, and one 240 vac outlet. When construction was done and the permanent service heated up, we'd remove it.

Resqguy, is this fed overhead or underground. Underground will come from a transformer on the ground or a hand hole “box” in the ground.

Does your electric company have a diagram and description for customer supplied overhead fed and underground fed temp service pole in an public document ?

Typically online and called:

Electric Service Requirements
Guide to Electric Service

Example:

https://library.sce.com/content/dam...-service-requirements-esr/ESR.pdf#page68

Example Diagrams:

https://www.ladbs.org/docs/default-...r-ib-p-ec2014-010.pdf?sfvrsn=7f96eb53_11

Resqguy,

I think I found it.

Is your electric company Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op?

If so, here’s their guide with requirements and diagrams. Page 3 & 4:

https://www.blueridge.coop/sites/blueridgeec/files/PDF/spec_sheets.pdf

It calls for a GFI outlet. Then calls for: “Water tight protective disconnect panel with inside cover or as required by local codes”

It doesnt sound like you need GFI breakers. But you need to check with county code inspection.

Does the electric company require a County Code Inspection and Approval before Electric Company energizes it?

I'm covered by Duke-Power which is one of the oldest electric companies in the US. The utilities are underground.

I am building in the county but their requirements defer to the power company and don't require anything special. I asked a builder about the difficulty with working and meeting county requirements. He answered that all I would need for the County is my checkbook.

At this stage I am focused on the construction of the pole itself. I need to make sure it is built properly and that I use the right components. Duke uses ring type MEG approved sockets for their meters. I was going to purchase regular (single pole?) breakers and go with GFI outlets in weather proof boxes. I have some 12 awg (with ground) wire for the outlets. Will all that be sufficient for 20a?

I'm staying with family in a new subdivision (same county) temporarily. There is construction going on and their temp power poles are real basic. I would prefer to do more than the minimum so I get off on the right foot with the inspectors in my area.

I will look up the requirements when I go into the office in a little while. I'm still a hostage at Dook! I think you only need a 100 amp base with the breakers underneath in a breaker box. You will have to get a licensed electrician to set it, and turn it in for inspection from the county electrical inspector. Just go and look at the other temp services at other construction sites in your subdivision , and copy one of them. The base/box in your link is more for a permanent service since it's 200 amp.

I found boxes rated below 200amp but they were upward of $500 or more. The Siemens box is $114, and I can get breakers and outdoor GFI outlets for another $50. Will it still work even though it is overkill? I did plan on having a licensed electrician set it up. The temp power boxes that they are using around here are old models and are no longer available. I'm trying to keep costs low on everything by doing as much of the work myself as I can. Turnkey builds are currently running about $240/sqft. Not something that I can afford.

Thanks for the help.

Our company gave out a spec sheet when you got your permit. I wouldn't use gfi unless it's required. Dang things trip too often with power tools.

This is Duke Power’s spec sheet on the pole:

Hey! I'm also looking for a good electrician, but at an affordable price. Because what i've found, was too expensive.

Sure, you can use regular 20amp breakers with GFI outlets in a weatherproof box. This setup is often more cost-effective and still meets safety requirements. Just ensure everything is securely mounted and properly insulated, especially since you’re using plastic conduit on a plywood board.

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