Can you install a sub main in a meter box

[Octopus]

I got this back from EDF a while ago regarding a "tight" internal cupboard:

"I have rang UK power networks to ask what size should be left to locate the meter and there recommendation is that a slot of 35cm high by 30 cm wide which is the size of there standard meter board this will then leave you the extra 20 cm to fit your double pole isolator"

 

[Guest111]

This is something that baffles me.
The householder pays for the box and the DNO/supply companies think they can dictate what is installed in the box.

I think it's a condition of supply that you provide somewhere to house their equipment IIRC it used to state something like "the customer to provide at a mutually agreed location a place for our equipment".

 

[Buckfast]

I have been advised by the DNO on several occasions that the reason for only their equipment in box is this scenario. DNO's main fuse burns out causing damage to meter cupboard and enclosed equipment, or your equipment burns out causing damage to metering equipment. There then could be a chicken and egg situation with no party accepting responsibility ?. By keeping both parts of system separate this cannot happen ?.

 

[Knobhead]

Mutually agreed is reasonable. It just galls me that they think they can dictate what goes where in the householder’s property.

I’ve been caught out twice moving meters and service heads. First time by the meter reader and the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] by a senior engineer. Both times new seals fitted and nothing said.

 

[Buckfast]

About 25 years ago i was working in an old empty property and needed to move meter to allow installation of DB in internal meter cupboard. Removed meter and made dead on saturday night and went back sunday morning to complete. In the mean time someone stole the meter ?. I was F----d up and down dale by DNO but thankfully no further action. Talking to a meter changer a couple of years later and he told me the best one he went to was when some idiot took meter off and it was stolen ?. Had to ask him what sort of an idiot would do that ????.

 

[applemac]

Went to look at a job other day, new granny annexe build in large garden next to six year old new build. The original spark put a kmf in the o/S meter box as the cu was about 10 meters from service head " poor design" dno said rip that out my box! So there's tails run into the building any old how!

 

[mechelec]

If you are concerned about space in existing meterbox why not fit another next to the existing one. You can run tails through to new box and fit your switch fuse isolator and anything else you need for the submain. May not be great if in a particularly visible place but could get you out of trouble.