Frequently Asked Questions

A Hot Socket occurs when the electrical connections inside a meter base exceed established standards of 90 °C. GEUS meters are set to trip at 110°C.

The new advanced meters continually monitor temperature and will alarm or trip if temperatures are over the limit.

High temperature conditions are typically caused by compromised electrical connections which can be caused by loose wires, loose meter jaws, or comprised connection due to a previous high temperature event.

The high temperature is occurring inside the meter base regardless of the meter type. The new advanced meter detects this condition and opens the meter, disconnecting service while the old meters did not have the ability to detect and isolate dangerous conditions such as elevated temperature.

There is no charge for the first disconnect and reconnect during business hours. Additional disconnects may incur additional charges. GEUS recommends replacement of all current carrying parts and advises to have parts on hand before power is disconnected.

Only GEUS staff can cut meter seals. We recommend having materials on hand during the scheduled disconnect. Call 903-457-2800 to schedule a disconnect.

Yes. In the past before smart meters, the high temperature would go undetected and destroy the meter base causing blackouts/ brownouts before the customer realized something was wrong. The customer would typically be without power for a while until an electrician could repair the damage.

The following may require additional work:

• Low overhead conductors
• Service conductors (before main breaker) inside structure 
• Nonservice wires passing through meter base
• Inadequate electrical installation (degraded or never installed correctly)

 While GEUS recommends installing an external electrical disconnect, it will not be required if it was not required when service was installed and no major upgrades are being done.

While tightening the wire could help in some cases, the presence of a hot socket alarm may indicate irreversible damage. GEUS recommends replacing all current carrying parts. While there are no charges for the initial disconnect for hot socket repair, subsequent GEUS disconnects may result in charges to recover disconnect costs.

While clips may help in some cases, in many cases the high temperature has caused aluminum lugs to expand stretching screws and causing irreversible damage. New internal parts that meet OEM specs may be able to be installed in existing enclosures.

We would be happy to review the test reports from a thermal run test or electrical integrity test. Please see details below. We reserve the right to verify results with our own testing. Our experience has shown that the meter accurately reports a high temperature event. Please keep in mind that the temperature may have to get well above the trip threshold to cause damage (such as discoloration, pitting and melted plastic) and the meter has prevented the problem from getting to this stage.

 The following tests may be used to verify meter socket integrity 

• Option 1 Thermal run test (GEUS must be present for test conducted in place) with full load for 15 minimum of minutes (electrical heat strips and all appliances running). A thermal camera verify temperature in meter socket is less than 90°C and no single connection is significantly hotter than the other connections.
•  Option 2 electrical integrity test. For up to 100 amp load. (Must be conducted on a deenergized socket unless GEUS present)

 Electrical integrity test must pass all of the following:

• No visible sign of compromised connections ( melted plastic, pitting, discoloration…)
• Jaw tension greater than 8 lbs for blade removal (prefer 10 lbs)
• DLRO between meter blade and wire less than 300 micro ohms
• DLRO readings are within 50% of each other
• Each of the following must be below 200 micro ohms
• Meter blade and jaw
• meter jaw and lug 
• Lug and conductor

The following meter base has a compromised electrical connection on one of the 4 jaws can you guess which one?

Figure 1 compromised meter base

These are thermal images of the same meter base pictured above under load

Figure 2 Thermal image of top connections on compromised meter base.

Figure 3 Thermal image of bottom connections on compromised meter base.

The resistance between the lug and the jaw are: