Mobile Home Power Pole
Short answer: A mobile home power pole (also called a meter pole) holds the utility meter and the home’s main service disconnect, and a 4-wire feeder runs from it to the home. To get power connected you need your utility’s approval and specs, an electrical permit and a passed inspection, a disconnect outside the home within sight of it and no more than 30 feet away (NEC 550.32(A)), service rated at least 100 amps, and proper grounding. A licensed electrician usually does the wiring, and the utility sets the meter and connects power after the inspection passes.
Installation guide, cost breakdown, and what you need to know to connect your mobile home to the electrical grid on private land.
What Is a Mobile Home Power Pole?
Essential Electrical Connection
A mobile home power pole is the critical electrical infrastructure that connects your mobile home to the utility grid when placed on private land. It serves as the main electrical service entrance and distribution point.
The power pole system includes the utility pole, meter base, main disconnect panel, and all necessary electrical components to safely deliver power according to National Electrical Code standards.
Essential Materials You’ll Need
Here’s what a typical mobile home power pole installation calls for. Your electrician and local inspector have the final say on exact parts and ratings.
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Meter Base (100A or 200A Service)
The meter base has to match the service size. The NEC requires mobile home service equipment rated at least 100 amps at 120/240 volts. Both 100-amp and 200-amp services are common — the right size depends on the home’s panel rating (check the panel label and data plate), its heating, cooling and appliance loads, and your utility’s requirements. Your electrician can confirm with a load calculation.
Look for an outdoor weatherproof rating — this lives on the pole.
Cost: $150–$300
→ Shop Meter BoxesElectrical Disconnect Panel
Required main disconnect for safety and code compliance. Must be easily accessible and properly rated.
For a mobile home, the service disconnect goes outside the home (not mounted in or on it), in sight of the home and no more than 30 feet from its exterior wall (NEC 550.32(A)). From there, the feeder to the home is four separate insulated wires: two hots, a neutral and a ground. Your inspector and utility have the final say.
Cost: $200–$400
→ Shop Disconnect PanelsGrounding System
Critical for electrical safety and code compliance. Includes grounding rods and conductors as required by the National Electrical Code.
Most installs use two ground rods at least 8 feet long, spaced at least 6 feet apart. The NEC allows a single rod only if it tests at 25 ohms or less, and some areas require other electrodes — your inspector has the final say.
Cost: $50–$150
→ Shop Grounding RodsMounting Hardware
Professional-grade brackets and hardware for secure pole mounting. Must withstand weather and load requirements.
Use hardware rated for outdoor use, such as galvanized or stainless steel.
Cost: $100–$300
→ Shop Mounting BracketsMobile Home Electric Panel
Most mobile homes have built-in panels, but older homes may need upgrades to meet current electrical demands.
An older 100A panel may need an upgrade if you’re adding big loads like central air — have your electrician run a load calculation.
Cost: $150–$400
→ Shop Electric PanelsInstallation Tools
Professional wire strippers and electrical tools required for safe installation and proper connections.
Even if you hire an electrician, a quality strip set is worth owning.
Cost: $50–$200
→ Shop Wire StrippersAdditional Required Materials
- Utility Pole: $200–$800 (usually bought locally from a lumber yard or utility supply — too big to ship economically)
- Feeder Cable: $200–$600 (see the feeder cable guide for sizing and selection)
- Permits & Inspections: $100–$500 (varies by location)
- Professional Installation: $400–$3,600 (hire a licensed electrician for safety)
Step-by-Step Installation Process
Follow these essential steps for proper mobile home power pole installation.
Permits & Planning
Obtain electrical permits from local authorities and coordinate with your utility company. Site planning and utility location are critical first steps.
Pole & Hardware
Install the utility pole (usually sourced locally) and mount the electrical equipment including meter base and disconnect panel.
Electrical Connection
Connect the service entrance wiring, install grounding system, and complete utility company connection. Final electrical inspection required.
Installation Timeline
Expect anywhere from about a week to several weeks from permit application to power on. The physical install is usually a short part of that; permit approval, inspection, and the utility’s schedule for setting the meter and connecting the service drop take the most time. Utility scheduling for a new service in rural areas, weather, and code-violation rework can stretch it out. Ask your utility for its current lead time before you start.
Meter Pole Requirements Checklist
Go through this list before you buy parts or dig. Exact rules vary by utility and jurisdiction; the code specs and diagram are in the next section.
- Utility approval and spec sheet: call your electric utility first. Most publish service requirements for meter poles — meter height, pole size and burial depth, approved meter bases, and where the service drop attaches. Some utilities supply the meter socket; others have you buy one.
- Electrical permit and inspection: a new service needs a permit in almost all areas, and the utility won’t connect power until the installation passes inspection.
- Service size: at least 100 amps at 120/240 volts (NEC 550.32(C)) — 100 or 200 amps depending on the home’s panel rating and a load calculation.
- Disconnect location: outside the home (not mounted in or on it), in sight of the home, and no more than 30 feet from its exterior wall (NEC 550.32(A)).
- Feeder to the home: four insulated conductors — two hots, a neutral, and a separate ground. See the feeder cable guide.
- Grounding: a grounding electrode system at the service — usually two rods at least 8 feet long and at least 6 feet apart, unless a single rod tests at 25 ohms or less.
- Clearances: an overhead service drop at least 12 feet over residential yards and driveways and 18 feet over public streets or alleys (NEC 230.24(B)); your utility may require more.
- Outdoor-rated equipment: a weatherproof meter base and disconnect, mounted securely on the pole.
- Call 811 before digging the pole hole or any trench.
Who Installs What
- Utility: handles your service application, sets the meter, and runs and connects the service drop (or underground service) to the pole — after the inspection passes. Who supplies the meter socket and the pole varies by utility, so ask.
- Licensed electrician: usually pulls the permit, mounts and wires the meter base and disconnect, installs the grounding, runs the feeder to the home’s panel, and schedules the inspection.
- Owner: applies for service with the utility, picks the pole location within the rules above, and gets the site ready (clear access, and any trenching the electrician and code allow). Some areas let homeowners do their own wiring under a homeowner permit — check with your building department.
- Local inspector: checks the work against the electrical code and releases it to the utility for connection.
Getting a home ready on its own land involves more than power — see putting a mobile home on private land and the cost to prepare land for a mobile home.
Mobile Home Power Pole Requirements & Code Specs
A mobile home power pole must meet specific code requirements before the utility company will connect service. These are the standard specifications inspectors look for — exact figures can vary by jurisdiction and utility, so always confirm with your local building department and power company before you start.
Mobile Home Electric Meter Pole Diagram
Typical service pole layout (100A or 200A) with common measurements
Typical layout for a mobile home meter pole. The 12 ft clearance is the NEC minimum over residential yards and driveways; meter height, burial depth, and other details are set by your utility and local inspector — verify before installation.
Complete Cost Breakdown
Materials Cost
- Meter Box: $150–$300
- Disconnect Panel: $200–$400
- Utility Pole: $200–$800
- Feeder Cable: $200–$600
- Grounding System: $50–$150
- Hardware & Misc: $100–$300
Installation & Permits
- Electrical Permits: $100–$500
- Utility Connection: $200–$800
- Professional Installation: $400–$3,600
- Inspection Fees: $50–$200
Low-End Installation Cost
Bottom of the range — about $1,650 all-in if every item above comes in at its low end
The minimum end of the range applies when you’re working with the simplest possible setup. You typically hit this number when:
- Utility service is already close to the install site (short pole run)
- Permit fees in your jurisdiction are at the low end ($100–$150)
- You source the pole locally for under $300
- You handle the trenching and prep work yourself before the electrician arrives
- No code upgrades are required — existing panel is current and compliant
- Simple, accessible terrain with no rock or obstructions
High-End Installation Cost
Top of the range — about $7,650 if every item above comes in high, and more when complications stack up
You’ll hit the upper end of the range — or exceed it — when complications stack up. Common drivers include:
- Long utility runs requiring multiple poles or extended trenching
- Full professional installation with no DIY portions ($2,500–$3,600 labor alone)
- Permit-heavy jurisdictions with multiple inspections required
- Upgrading the home’s panel or service size, if a load calculation calls for it
- Rocky soil or difficult terrain requiring excavation equipment
- Code violations on the existing electrical system that must be corrected before service connection
- Utility company connection fees in rural areas with no nearby infrastructure
Rough Total: $1,650–$7,650
Materials ($900–$2,550) plus installation and permits ($750–$5,100)
These are rough ranges. Costs vary by location, electrical requirements, and utility company fees — get quotes from local electricians and ask your utility about its connection charges.
Would You Rather Sell Than Repair?
If a new power pole is just one item on a long list — or the home already has electrical problems — selling it as-is is one option to compare. I buy mobile homes that need work, and you don’t have to fix anything first.
Electrical System Requirements
Mobile home power poles must meet specific electrical requirements including proper grounding, adequate amperage rating, and local electrical code.
The service must be rated at least 100 amps; whether you need 100 or 200 depends on the home’s panel rating and loads. In most areas the electrical connections are done by a licensed electrician, and the work has to pass a local electrical inspection before the utility connects power.
Mobile Home Power Pole FAQ
Common questions about mobile home power pole installation and requirements.
How much does a mobile home power pole cost to install?
Adding up typical item costs gives a rough range of about $1,650–$7,650: materials run roughly $900–$2,550, and installation and permits add roughly $750–$5,100. Where you land depends on location, how far the utility has to run service, local permit and utility fees, and whether the home’s panel needs work. Get local quotes.
Do I need permits for mobile home power pole installation?
In almost all areas, yes — a new electrical service needs a permit. You’ll need permits from local authorities ($100–$500) and coordination with your utility company. The installation must also pass electrical inspection before service can be connected.
Can I install a mobile home power pole myself?
While you can install some components yourself, most areas require licensed electricians for the electrical connections and utility company coordination. DIY installation can save on labor costs but requires electrical knowledge, proper tools, and still needs professional inspection and utility connection.
What size electrical service do I need for a mobile home?
The NEC requires mobile home service equipment rated at least 100 amps at 120/240 volts. Many homes run fine on 100-amp service; larger or all-electric homes (electric heat, central air, electric range, dryer and water heater) often need 200 amps. Match the service to the home’s panel rating (on the panel label and data plate) and have your electrician do a load calculation. Your utility may have its own requirements too.
How long does power pole installation take?
It can take anywhere from about a week to several weeks from start to finish, including permit processing, installation work, inspection, and utility company connection. Weather conditions, utility company scheduling, and permit approval times can affect the timeline.
Where can I buy utility poles for mobile homes?
Utility poles are usually too big and heavy to ship economically, so most people buy them locally from lumber yards, utility supply companies, or through their electrical contractor. Poles typically cost $200–$800 depending on height and material (wood vs. steel).