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	Subject - any advice? Chad036 Is there a way that I may not know about to change out a panel for an upgrade when it is a back-to-back with no disconnect at the meter without calling the power company to shut off the power?...without playing around with 150 amps live? Pierre Belarge Call the power company. Your life is not worth the little you may get from this job. An injury to you may affect you and your family for the rest of your life.... very costly! Pierre JimmyDee I cut my seal and just did it. They put a new seal on it and I never had any repercussions about it. You may not find your power company that willing to look the other way as mine did. Actually I've done this about a dozen times in the past 20 years or so and never had a problem. I would only do it for panel changes where the wire isn't changed. You then have the issue with inspection which I will say may or may not be important to you. On Edit: If you haven't done a ton of service up grades or are not an electrician by trade, do not attempt this because if something goes wrong, there is no forgiveness to a dead short in the service area. The ball of fire produced will be harmful to your health. Jim cs409 i pop the meter also,,,,as long as there isnt a lock out. Ryan_J In my state, you will get a charge of $75.00 for cutting a meter seal and as per policy there must be a full blown power theft investigiation. You would be charged for the man time on that as well. I would definatley call the power company first. lctrc789 Here it depends on the power company one of the larger ones , if you are licensed you can cut seal and they replace but you still have to call them. The other which is the largest in the rural areas unless it is emergency you do not cut seal they will charge you a tampering fee. the smaller company which is actually owned by its customers YOU CAN NEVER CUT A SEAL unless you are licensed and again you call them emergency or not. I would always call the local utility company just to make sure, No need for trouble they usually will work with you if you have the proper knowledge. Scott Vickrey If you have not cut a seal from that particular POCO before don't do it without calling. I have seen fines of $25 that where automatic. I have also seen POCOs that don't care as long as they can see you are an electrician and are working on something. You just don't know what their reaction will be until you have some history with them. Just remember, if there is a short here it will have to blow that big fuse on the pole. That will be a major arc flash! If I had to guess at the size of the fire ball, I would guess about two foot in diameter. dregsclamber I have worked in residential remodel. It has been common practice to go as far as relocating live drops. is this not a standard practice all over? If I was faced with Chad036s' problem and had a good drip loop i would ................ if he cant figure it out i wont tell him