Written by Jimco Electric | Published on June 2025
ComEd is responsible for the electric meter itself, but you are responsible for the meter base, the meter socket, and all the electrical equipment on your side of the connection. In the Chicago area, this line of responsibility causes a lot of confusion for homeowners and business owners alike.
This post explains exactly where ComEd’s duties end, what falls on your plate, and what to do when something goes wrong. Whether you’re in Chicago proper or in a suburb like Joliet, Naperville, or Elgin, the same basic rules apply.
Understand How the Meter System Is Divided
Your electrical service has two distinct sides, and ownership of each side determines who pays for repairs. ComEd owns the utility infrastructure, and you own everything that connects your building to it.
Here is a simple breakdown of how the system is divided:
- ComEd’s side: The power lines coming to your property, the meter itself, the meter seal, and the utility connection point.
- Your side: The meter base (also called the meter socket), the service entrance cable, the main disconnect, and your electrical panel.
- Shared concern: The weatherhead at the top of your service entrance, though ComEd may handle the drop line attached to it.
If the meter itself is cracked, malfunctioning, or reading incorrectly, call ComEd directly at 1-800-334-7661. They will replace or repair it at no charge to you. But if the meter base or socket is corroded, burned, or loose, that repair falls on you as the property owner.
Identify What ComEd Will Fix for Free
ComEd handles a specific set of equipment as part of your utility service. Knowing what’s on their list saves you time and prevents you from paying for something that should cost you nothing.
| Component | Who Owns It | Who Repairs It |
|---|---|---|
| Electric meter (the glass unit) | ComEd | ComEd (free) |
| Meter seal | ComEd | ComEd (free) |
| Service drop (line from pole to weatherhead) | ComEd | ComEd (free) |
| Utility transformer | ComEd | ComEd (free) |
| Meter base / meter socket | Property owner | Licensed electrician |
| Service entrance cable | Property owner | Licensed electrician |
| Main electrical panel | Property owner | Licensed electrician |
| Weatherhead (service mast) | Property owner | Licensed electrician |
If there is an outage or you notice the meter is damaged, start by calling ComEd. They will send a technician to assess the situation. If the problem is on their side, they fix it. If the issue is in your meter base or service entrance, they will tag the problem and require you to hire a licensed electrician before they reconnect power.
Know When You Need a Licensed Electrician in Chicago
In Chicago and the surrounding Illinois suburbs, ComEd will not reconnect your power after a repair until a licensed electrician has completed the work and the job has passed inspection. This applies to meter base replacements, service entrance repairs, and weatherhead fixes.
Here are the most common scenarios where you will need to hire an electrician before ComEd can restore your service:
- The meter socket is burned, corroded, or physically damaged.
- The service entrance cable (the thick cable running from the meter base to your panel) is frayed, exposed, or deteriorated.
- The weatherhead (service mast) is bent, cracked, or pulling away from the structure.
- Water has gotten into the meter base, causing corrosion on the contacts.
- Your panel has been damaged by a power surge, storm, or electrical fault.
At Jimco Electric, we handle these exact repairs throughout Chicago and in communities up to 40 miles out, including Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Lawn, and Bolingbrook. We work directly with ComEd’s reconnection process so the job gets done right and power is restored as quickly as possible.
Compare Common Meter-Related Repair Costs in the Chicago Area
Understanding typical costs helps you budget appropriately and avoid surprises. These are realistic estimates for the Chicago metro area. Actual prices depend on the age of your home, the scope of damage, and local permit fees.
| Repair Type | Estimated Cost Range | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|
| Meter base / socket replacement | $300 to $600 | Yes, in most Chicago-area municipalities |
| Service entrance cable replacement | $400 to $900 | Yes |
| Weatherhead replacement | $250 to $500 | Yes |
| Full service entrance upgrade (100A to 200A) | $1,500 to $3,500 | Yes |
| Panel replacement combined with service repair | $2,500 to $5,000 | Yes |
Permit costs vary by municipality. Chicago itself, along with suburbs like Cicero and Berwyn, each have their own permit schedules. Your electrician should handle pulling the permit. If a contractor tells you no permit is needed for a meter base or service entrance replacement, that is a red flag.
Recognize the Warning Signs That Something Is Wrong
Meter and service entrance problems do not always show up as a total power outage. Sometimes the signs are subtle. Catching them early saves money and prevents safety hazards.
Watch for these warning signs that your meter base or service entrance may need attention:
- Flickering or dimming lights throughout the house, especially when appliances turn on.
- A burning smell near your meter or electrical panel.
- Visible rust, corrosion, or black scorch marks around the meter socket.
- A humming or buzzing sound coming from the meter area.
- Your breaker trips repeatedly for no clear reason.
- The meter itself looks cracked, fogged, or physically damaged.
If you see any of these signs, do not wait. A damaged meter base or service entrance cable is a fire hazard and a shock risk. Call ComEd first if the meter looks physically broken. For everything on your side of the meter, call a licensed electrician right away.
Chicago winters are especially hard on older service entrances. Freeze-thaw cycles can crack conduit, loosen connections, and allow water into the meter base. Homes built before 1980 in Chicago and the inner suburbs are particularly vulnerable to these issues.
Understand the ComEd Reconnection Process After a Repair
Once you’ve had your meter base or service entrance repaired, getting power restored involves a specific process. Knowing the steps in advance prevents delays.
- Your electrician completes the repair and calls for a municipal electrical inspection.
- The inspector reviews the work and approves it (or notes corrections needed).
- Once the inspection passes, your electrician or you contact ComEd to schedule reconnection.
- ComEd sends a crew to reconnect the service drop and reinstall the meter.
- Power is restored.
In the Chicago area, ComEd reconnections after permitted repairs typically take one to three business days once the inspection is approved. Emergency reconnections for safety-related outages may be faster. Your electrician should communicate directly with ComEd’s coordination team to keep things moving.
Jimco Electric manages this entire process for our customers. We coordinate inspections, communicate with ComEd, and stay on top of the reconnection timeline so you are not left in the dark longer than necessary.
FAQs on Meter Repairs and ComEd Responsibility
Can I replace my own electric meter base in Illinois?
No. In Illinois, meter base and service entrance work must be done by a licensed electrician and must be permitted and inspected. ComEd will not reconnect your service based on DIY repairs. Attempting this work yourself also creates serious safety and liability risks.
Who do I call first if my meter looks damaged in Chicago?
Call ComEd at 1-800-334-7661. They will send a technician to inspect the meter and the connection. If the damage is on ComEd’s side, they handle it. If it is on your side, they will document the issue and require a licensed electrician before power is restored.
What happens if ComEd says the problem is on my side?
ComEd will tag the service and de-energize it if there is a safety concern. You then need to hire a licensed electrician, pull a permit, complete the repair, pass an inspection, and call ComEd to reconnect. The timeline can range from one day to a week depending on permit scheduling in your municipality.
Does homeowners insurance cover meter base or service entrance repairs?
Sometimes. If the damage was caused by a covered event like a storm, lightning strike, or vehicle accident, your homeowners policy may cover the repair costs minus your deductible. Contact your insurance agent before paying out of pocket. Your electrician can provide documentation to support a claim.
How often should a meter base be replaced in older Chicago homes?
Meter bases on homes built before 1970 should be inspected every 10 to 15 years. Many older homes in Chicago, Cicero, and Berwyn still have original meter sockets that are decades past their service life. Corrosion, loose connections, and outdated amperage ratings are common in these homes.
Can ComEd upgrade my electrical service to 200 amps?
ComEd upgrades the line side of the connection, but a licensed electrician must upgrade everything on your side first. This includes the meter base, service entrance cable, and main panel. Once your electrician completes that work and it passes inspection, ComEd will upgrade the service drop to match the new capacity.
Wrap Up and Next Steps
The short answer is this: ComEd owns the meter, and you own everything the meter plugs into. When something goes wrong, start with ComEd to rule out their side of the system, then call a licensed electrician for anything connected to your property.
If you are in Chicago or anywhere within 40 miles, Jimco Electric is ready to assess your meter base, service entrance, or panel and get your power restored safely and correctly. Call us at 708-304-8687 to schedule an inspection or get a quote. Do not wait on a problem like this, it only gets more expensive and more dangerous over time.