The CT metering was obtained, only after contacting a supervisor at Texas Utilities. My photo studio is built on the back of my home, and requires 200 amp service. I told them that the house with its normal 200, plus the photo studio's 200 was close enough to go with the big box. They provided at no charge and I paid the electricians to do the install. If someone were to pull my meter, the service would continue without being recorded. Therefore, I have the only meter panel in the neighborhood with a TU keyed padlock installed.
My main reason for wanting this type of box is the fact that the standard version has a huge coil of wire with prongs that plug into your service panel. That way, if the meter is pulled, the service is disconnected. The problem with this is the stereo system is going through that crappy meter and those strange plugs and wires. The panel I have uses solid 8 gauge copper rods to connect the drop to the interior. The meter simply clips around these rods, and reads the usage like an Amprobe would.
All in all, the house has 4 breaker boxes. One is strictly for 220 AC, which branches off with 8 gauge to a sub panel that supplies 220 to my stereo system. I choose Hubbell twist locks and they are floor mounted. All the remaining stereo runs (12 others), are to Hubbell hospital grade with special ground (no strap).
The Photo studio has two panels, one for normal lighting and household outlets, and a heavy duty panel with 10 dedicated runs for photographic lighting and equipment. The remaining panel is a 200 amp Square D which supplies the home, regular stuff like hair dryers and lights.
The requirement for this service was 00 (double zero) drops from the transformer and service. The copper I wanted was available, but required an additional service pole in my back yard to support the additional weight. Calculations by TU said that the run in copper would pull the entire service off the side of my house. I did not want the creosote pole by our swimming pool, so I dropped this idea and went with the standard 00.
The three phase was already in the alley, and the laws concerning utility service in Texas are that the homeowner "must require" the service to obtain it. If it is required, then they must provide the service without penalty. I simply bought a 5 ton Lennox commercial air conditioner for my home, which is 220 three phase, and the drop was free. My electric bill dropped, due to the greater efficiency of the Lennox unit, combined with the greater efficiency of three phase.
The ground issue seems to not be a problem. The household ground is on a 8 gauge run to the copper water supply pipes and then to a big copper rod in the earth provided by the utility. My stereo system is grounded to three copper rods, one under the house, and two outside. They are in a large triangle, and are tied together. My VOM does not show any leakage, and the system is dead quiet.
The first reaction for everyone is that this whole thing is a bit over the top. However, if you consider the investment in stereo gear, the money saved on air conditioning, and the availability of 220 for European goods (should I wish), plus improved meter panel performance, it was a bargain. To put this in perspective, the completed cost was less than the retail price of three Purist Audio Dominus power cords (which I also use). My only regret is not having done it sooner.
