Meter Socket Adapters

To get started:

1. Determine your desired outcome. If you’re installing a home battery system or EV charger, move to step two. If you’re looking for PG&E’s Backup Power Transfer Meter or Green Meter Adapter, proceed to those specific pages.
2. Start your project by talking with your contractor. They will help you gather the important information needed to request the installation of a MSA.
3. Wait while your contractor starts a request on your behalf.
4. Sign the authorization form via DocuSign. This will be emailed to you during the appointment request process. It grants your contractor approval to submit a request on your behalf.
5. Wait while your contractor completes your appointment request. This includes scheduling your appointment and paying the fee.
6. Let our field teams take over once the appointment is requested. We will come to the site and do the work you asked for during the assigned 10-day work window.
7. Expect a call from our teams when they are on their way or when they arrive. During the appointment, the power will be turned off for roughly 5 minutes.
8. Get updates about your appointment from your contractor. They have access to real-time information on PG&E’s Your Projects portal.

• Check in with your contractor. They are your best source of information on how to operate your system and the next steps.
• If the MSA is installed, your contractor will proceed with next steps to acquire necessary permissions to operate your system. Enjoy your system. No further action is needed from you.
• If the MSA was not installed, your contractor will receive information directly from PG&E. We will inform your contractor if any modifications are required. Once addressed, your contractor may submit a new request in PG&E’s Your Projects portal.
• Even if a door hanger was left behind, please do not call PG&E’s contact center. Your contractor will get an email with the appointment results and can schedule a new one if needed.

Installing a meter socket adapter is a team effort between you, your customers, and PG&E. Here’s how to request MSA installations for your customers:

1. Review PG&E’s program guidance. PG&E has important meter socket adapter program guidance for the installation of a meter socket adapter. Review these key documents, and the latest Greenbook safety standards. Or reach out to PG&E’s meter socket adapter program at metersocketadapterprogram@pge.com.
2. Prep the site. Complete all solar, battery, or EV charger installations first. Leave the meter socket adapter on site in a weatherproof bag with the communication cable connected.
3. Validate your access. Submit MSA requests through PG&E’s Your Projects portal. Ensure you have the "meter collar installer" role in your profile settings. If you need to make this request, you can do so directly on the portal. Or you can email PG&E’s meter adapter program team at metersocketadapterprogram@pge.com.
4. Submit a request. Use the Your Projects portal to submit your request. Customers will receive a DocuSign form to e-sign for authorization. Make sure they are prepared to review and sign.
5. Schedule the work window. Pay the fee and choose a start date for the 10-day appointment window. During this period, PG&E will work on the request. Note: This is not a fixed appointment date and may vary based on region and crew availability.
6. Let PG&E work the appointment. Customers don’t need to be present as PG&E teams are trained to conduct this work. They will be notified when our teams are enroute or on site. Only PG&E can remove and reinsert a PG&E meter for MSA installation.
   Note: Customers can expect power to be turned off for about 5 minutes during installation.
7. Review appointment outcomes and update customers. Receive updates via email from PG&E’s portal. If the job fails, review the feedback and make corrections before submitting another request.

Note: Some sites may need significant modifications to be eligible for a meter socket adapter. This could be costly and time-consuming. PG&E proactively provides program requirement information to contractors. This helps avoid ineligible requests. If the appointment fails because clearance standards aren’t met, work with the customer and the device manufacturer to explore other site options. These may include alternatives that don’t use an MSA.

1. Submit your device for evaluation
   • Review PG&E’s submission requirements, including UL 414 certification.
   • Email your request, certifications, pre-test data, and other documents to both emails:
     • metersocketadapterprogram@pge.com
     • microgridIsolationtechnologyevaluation@pge.com
       
   • PG&E’s team can meet with you before submitting for formal testing, if needed, to answer questions. Contact the team at the email addresses above.
2. Kickoff and coordination
   • PG&E reviews your materials, asks questions, and schedules a kickoff meeting within 30 days.
3. Testing and evaluation
   • Testing and evaluation take an additional 90 days.
   • Begins after the kickoff meeting, confirmation of a complete submission, and receipt of test units.
   • This includes safety, meter accuracy, and functionality assessments. More information is outlined below in the “Testing” section of this page.
   • Email metersocketadapterprogram@pge.com for a full, detailed list of tests.
4. Pilot installations
   • Starts after passing all necessary tests. Durations may vary.
   • Require a minimum of 100 installations, each evaluated over a period of at least 3 months.
   • Allow PG&E to test the devices in the field.
   • Offers PG&E the opportunity to improve training materials for field teams.
5. Steady-state approval
   • PG&E issues a formal communication after testing and pilot periods are completed.
   • Indicates the device can move into a post-pilot steady state and operate under PG&E’s Rule 31 and its associated electric form.

PG&E tests meter socket adapters (MSAs) for safety, meter accuracy, and functionality. These tests may be updated based on device design or new regulations.

Note: PG&E’s approval focuses on grid safety. Approval for installation does not mean PG&E endorses the product or its manufacturer.

Functional tests

• Grid outage and return scenarios
• Manual override behavior
• Communication loss between the device and inverter
• Voltage and frequency deviations
• Visual status indicators (for isolation-capable MSAs only)
• Inverter anti-islanding and safety shutdowns

Meter tests

• AMI network interference and meter accuracy
• Heat sensing and thermal monitoring
• High-voltage tolerance
• Fan failure response (if applicable)
• Rated continuous current thresholds
• Vibration resistance

For more testing and evaluation requirements, refer to PG&E’s Advice Letter 6687-E and the OEM Technical Checklist in Attachment A. A detailed list of tests may be provided, as needed. Email metersocketadapterprogram@pge.com to learn more.

*These MSAs are part of a ‘select pilot’. Contractors should first contact the device manufacturer and request to join their pilot before submitting a MSA appointment request to PG&E.

Note: These follow different installation and appointment request processes than third-party MSAs. Click on the device links below to learn more.

• PG&E’s Backup Power Transfer Meter
• PG&E’s Green Meter Adapter

• Only single meter socket panels in residential settings of 240 volts and 200 amps or less, with a form 2S meter socket configuration, are eligible.
• All meter sockets must comply with PG&E’s Greenbook clearance standards. Some meter sockets may be ineligible due to their design, placement, or intended use.
• PG&E may determine that installation is unsafe due to existing conditions. In such cases, equipment reconfiguration or relocation at the customer’s expense may be required.
• See PG&E’s Rule 31 for more information.

• Proper site assessments and proactive modifications can prevent many failures.
• Review PG&E’s Greenbook standards before submitting an installation request. Carefully review standards for gas meter clearances, workspace requirements and electric panel clearances.
  

• Gas and electric clearance standards are not met.
• Meter socket adapters are not present or the site is not ready.
• Access to the electrical panel is blocked or unsafe.
• Meter socket adapter is not in a weatherproof bag and damaged.
• Communication cable is too short or too long, making it unsafe to install the adapter.
• Communication cable is not connected.
• Meter sockets or panels are not suitable or safe for installation.

• Log into the company administrator or individual account. Go to settings, click on “special roles,” and select “meter collar installer.”
• PG&E’s team will receive an automated email and, if approved, will provide the necessary permissions.

• Cancel or reschedule appointments through the portal at least 2 days before the appointment window begins. Appointments cancelled before this deadline are eligible for a refund.
• For changes within 2 days of the appointment window, email PG&E’s team. No refund is available.
• Completed appointments cannot be rescheduled or refunded, even if they result in a failed outcome.

• Each appointment has a 10-day work window.
• Contractors select the start date for this work window during the request process. Contractors can access the portal to find it again.
• PG&E aims to work your appointment within 20-business days of a completed appointment submission. This can vary based on several factors including demand in the area.

• Locate the numbers on customer bills or by logging into the online PG&E account.
• If the meter number has changed, the customer can call PG&E’s Customer Care line or find it on the meter. For privacy reasons, the customer must call PG&E.

• Complete all other system modifications before installing a meter socket adapter.
• Contractors should understand local inspection procedures before submitting a request.

• Projects that normally require an interconnection application must still submit a separate interconnection application through PG&E’s Your Projects portal.

• Third-party meter socket adapters are customer-owned. The costs of any site modifications are the responsibility of the requesting customer.
• Each appointment request has a truck roll fee of $275, regardless of the outcome.

• PG&E is not responsible for the operation or maintenance of your MSA. All maintenance and repair questions should be directed to the MSA manufacturer or your contractor. If you need your MSA removed or replaced, work with your contractor to submit a new request through PG&E’s Your Projects portal.

• Each meter socket may only have one MSA. If you have a Backup Power Transfer Meter, please call the PG&E contact center to have it removed. Your contractor can submit a separate installation request through PG&E’s Your Projects portal. Please email the MSA program team to notify them of the situation so the work can be done at the same time. If you’d like a customer-owned MSA removed, work with your contractor to submit a request for removal through the Your Projects portal.