Outside electricity meter box

[RogerS]

The cottage we just bought is fed with overhead electric cables. These go into a rotten wooden box mounted on the outside wall. Inside it are the meter etc. The roof of the box has gone, the door is hanging off...it needs replacing.

Quite like the idea of a natty flush mounted meter box (but not quite sure how overhead cables get fed in to it in a waterproof fashion as most boxes I've seen on Google expect to be fed from underground).

But whose responsibility is it to replace this box?

 

[Scrit]

Yours

Scrit

 

[Woody Alan]

Down the wall and looped back underneath for entry I would expect, but I am only guessing, as it seems the only logical way to achieve what you want. Based on the old rules they will be happy to oblige and you pay a fixed fee for moving the supply which automatically includes a fee for extending the cable and if it doesn't need extending you claim back the excess, rules may well have chenged they were very helpful to me in the past, if you can get to speak to the right person "officially or not" you may be able to pick up a cavity box for free, which I did on a previous renovation albeit a while ago.

Alan

 

[davy_owen_88]

Your DNO will vary according to your location:

Give them a ring and see what they say. They might be able to supply you with a suitable box for cheaper than you can buy elsewhere. They will also give you a run down on likely costs if the cable needs replacing (if it is out of spec - (old lead sheathed cables or overhead lines that do not meet the new height regulations) might be replaced for free)

For a water tight seal you will need to use the correct size glands - I doubt a drip loop would be sufficient on it's own to prevent water ingress.

 

[Anonymous]

Roger,

I contacted Central Networks a couple of years ago about moving my meter. They said that if it's only by a small distance (up to a meter or two I think) then it was the responsibility of the electricity supplier. Ours was further so it would be done by Central Networks. We wanted an outside flush box so they sent us some info on these. The info on the boxes was just from Jewson (and another company). It was our responsibility to get the box fitted. They would then come and put the meter in. They wanted proof that we'd have an electrician coming round to reconnect things to the meter.

It was all going to be very expensive so we didn't go ahead with it at the time. We're now looking at getting it done within the next year or so.

Dave

 

[RogerS]

Thanks guys for the advice.

Central Networks Reactive Team will send out a contractor to repair/replace the existing wooden box for free.

If I want a fkush mounting box then that will be at my expense....to be advised.

Roger