What is the electric meter box?⚡

1) An electric meter box is the box outside your property that houses the electric meter and also usually the incoming supply equipment.

If we look at the picture here, we can see in the very top left of the meter box sits the electricity meter. To the right of the meter is the isolator which cuts the electricity supply to the property and then a small consumer unit to the right-hand side. At the bottom left of the picture we can see the incoming supply and supply equipment with main fuse. In the middle of the picture, we can see some green and yellow wires going into a grey block. This is the main earthing terminal for the electrical installation.

2) What does an electric meter do?

An electricity meter is found in nearly all properties and its function is to measure the quantity of electricity that has been used in the property. The units it measures in are kilowatt hours or kwh for short. 1 kilowatt hour is equivalent to a 1-kilowatt (kw) toaster being on full blast for one hour or a 2-kw fan heater on full for an hour. 
Different electrical appliances will use different amounts of electricity when they are turned on. Some appliances use electricity even when they are turned off or in ‘standby’ mode. An electricity meter measures ALL of these appliances and their energy usage and then lets us know how many kwh we have used since we last checked the meter. 

3) Electric meter box in older houses?

Whilst it has been commonplace for many years to install the electric meter outside the property in an ELECTRIC METER BOX, there are older properties where the electric meter and supply equipment may well be located inside the home. Typical places where you might find the electric meter could be:

• In the garage
• Under the stairs
• In the hallway cupboards
• In the front room in the corner
• In a basement

The equipment should be protected by some form of enclosure ideally or be situated where accidental damage is not likely to occur to the equipment. If a cupboard or enclosure is to be built around the equipment then care should be taken to ensure that the enclosure does not hinder access to the equipment by an electrician and does not interfere with the safe operation of the equipment. We have been to a few jobs where the cupboard has had to be destroyed in order to safely access and repair equipment. 

4) Can an electric meter and / or other equipment be moved?

Electrical equipment can always be moved by the right person. Electrical supply equipment can only be moved by the electricity network and you should contact them to establish the possibility and costs for moving the equipment that you want moved. The electricity meter should be moved by your utilities supply company and as such, they should be contacted in order for the supply to be moved. 

Your electrician can move the consumer unit for you to anywhere you like. The only obstacles will be cost. Moving an electrical fuse box / consumer unit will not only mean moving and reinstalling a consumer unit but will mean that all cables have to be relocated, extended, or altered. The consumer unit will have to be a new modern unit, all circuits will need to be tested and comply with modern wiring regulations and there may be other works required also. The costs for moving a consumer unit are sometimes considerable but occasionally the unit may need to be moved for aesthetic reasons or for safety reasons. 

5) Can I move my own electrical equipment?

As outlined above, each company will need to be contacted in order to gain permission and costs to move equipment. Moving your own electrical equipment is highly dangerous and should not be attempted. Interfering with network equipment is likely to land you foul of the law and introduce danger to you and those around you. 
There are very few electrical tasks that can safely be undertaken in a DIY approach as electricity is a dangerous force and should only be handled by those trained and experienced to do so. 

6) Can an electric meter box be moved?

If you have an ELECTRIC METER BOX that is in the wrong place then it is possible to move it. The costs often outweigh the benefits however and should be considered before attempting a project like this. There will also be a large hole left in the outside property wall in the case of the style of meter box above, and this will need to filled by a bricklayer. 

You must also consider where you want all the equipment moved to. Will it be accessible if somebody needs to work on it, read the meter or get there in an emergency? 

7) The electric meter box is damaged, what to do?

If the external of the box is damaged, there are replacement doors that can be fitted or over box covers that can be sourced. Some of these can be found in different colours and can brighten up the outside of your home. 
If there is damage to the meter box and the door no longer shuts then careful consideration needs to be given to the weather getting into the meter box. If the weather can get in to the box, then there is a serious risk of electrical failure or fire as water and electricity really don’t mix. If you are concerned about the state of your meter box then contact a local electrician who should be able to repair the box for you. 

If your electric meter is damaged then you need to call your electricity supplier to have them come and assess the damage and possibly replace the equipment for you.

If your electrical supply equipment looks damaged then you need to call 105 to reach your local distribution network operator who will be able to assess any damage to their equipment. 

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