External electric meter box/home security

fifthofwhisky

I have an externally mounted electric meter box which makes attempts at improving home security challenging. What are the regulations with siting/locking/access relating to the boxes?

Ebe_Scrooge

In what way does the meter interfere with home security ?


Whatever, the various regulations can be found on the links from this page : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/gas-and-electricity-meter-regulations#electricity-meters


Worth just pointing out, any changes / alterations can only be done by your electricity supplier - it's not something you can attempt to DIY !

fifthofwhisky

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

In what way does the meter interfere with home security ?

Anybody could open the box and switch the power off

Carrot007

fifthofwhisky wrote: »

Anybody could open the box and switch the power off

There is usually not a switch in the meter box. It should be in the consumer unit, or as a seperate isolator before it.

fifthofwhisky

Carrot007 wrote: »

There is usually not a switch in the meter box. It should be in the consumer unit, or as a seperate isolator before it.

Well in this case there is what looks like a double switch on red switch/one black switch side by side) between the meter and the wiring going into the house (to the breaker box)

Furts

Carrot007 wrote: »

There is usually not a switch in the meter box. It should be in the consumer unit, or as a seperate isolator before it.

My thought too. Mine has no switch in it - it is just a connection between incoming and the meters. Also to get in one needs a meter box key and typical hooligans and disreputables do not carry these round in their pockets, Consequently I do not see a problem with how things are.

Remember a meter box has to be located where it is accessible, and be able to be opened. If not it would be impossible to read the meters and check/service/renew the meters.

Carrot007

fifthofwhisky wrote: »

Well in this case there is what looks like a double switch on red switch/one black switch side by side) between the meter and the wiring going into the house (to the breaker box)

Ahh, a 100 amp isolator after the meter?

Like this? http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/products/0569685/?grossPrice=Y&cm_mmc=UK-PLA-_-google-_-PLA_UK_EN_Fuses_And_Sockets_And_Circuit_Breakers-_-Consumer_Units_And_Accessories&mkwid=sQKfBIDyW_dc|pcrid|88056658923|pkw||pmt||prd|0569685&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgtTJBRDRARIsADsXL6HurcYR5GJxJrksY72msrdqzL0K21LuU4JA5qYxcecppfUAyUmVKVoaApXVEALw_wcB

These are not standard. And since it is after the meter it is yours.

You could get a electrician to move it into the house before the consumer unit which is a saner place for it! (Or just remove it since the consumer unit has a isolator anyway, and anyone deaing with it should know safety procedures around electric anyway).

You can also get metal sheilds that go over the box that are lockable. Genrally used in problem areas with idiot kids! You need to give the electric company a key though. And general;ly expect that the meter man won;t be given it and you need to submit your own reads!

macman

If you are thinking of burglar alarms, then cutting the power before breaking in does not disable the alarm, as they have a back up battery.

Carrot007

macman wrote: »

If you are thinking of burglar alarms, then cutting the power before breaking in does not disable the alarm, as they have a back up battery.

If they are a decent one ;-)

In fact cutting power should result in a 30 second countdown and the alarm going off. Although again if you are in an area where kids might turn off your pwoer they will probably think that is funny too.

EssexExile

Carrot007 wrote: »

In fact cutting power should result in a 30 second countdown and the alarm going off.

That explains the flippin' noise every time we have a power cut! Ours doesn't alarm, it continues as normal, but the neighbours' ones do.

MisterP123

Or when say, for example, you're doing electrical work and knock the power off when the homeowner is out. Without first thinking about the alarm.

Resulting in sitting on the front wall with alarm screaming it's head off and neighbours' curtains twitching every 30 seconds......

Battery died eventually.