Can't get electric meter moved 2 feet the other side of a wall.

JanChris

He said he can't move it to the left because of consumer unit and to the right is that grey unit through in yet another cupboard. The outside wall is where the yellow and green cable goes down vertically on the right.
The only opening door is there one which is open in the photos.

Apodemus

Looks to me that the real issue is access rather than space.  I think my smart meter is the same width as my previous meter, but about twice the height.  You have plenty of height where the existing meter is, so I'm pretty sure the new one would fit - but it would be a pig to do without dismantling that divider between the two cupboards.

MattMattMattUK

Apodemus said:

Looks to me that the real issue is access rather than space.  I think my smart meter is the same width as my previous meter, but about twice the height.  You have plenty of height where the existing meter is, so I'm pretty sure the new one would fit - but it would be a pig to do without dismantling that divider between the two cupboards.

I agree it is an access issue. The cupboard has been built around it and will likely need to be dismantled if you want a smart meter fitted. 

Qyburn

The "grey thing" looks like the incoming supply.

If so I suspect the DNO would not like that somewhere where access is so restricted, as sometimes they have to work on these live. I wonder if the fuse could even be accessed.

[Deleted User]

if the op contacted octopus and explained the space problem do you think they might make sure the engineer had a smaller type? 

If only it was simple. My daughter is now looking at her 4th installer visit to get a pretty standard meter installation working.

FWiW, I think that the OP is addressing this problem from the wrong angle. Personally, I would be emailing my local councillors with photos explaining what is wrong with the present meter location. They need to badger Council officials to do the necessary work. 

If the present meter needs phone access to read it, I suspect that most smart meter installers would struggle to do safety critical rewiring in such an enclosed environment. 

chris_n

Someone at the council wants shooting for allowing a kitchen refurb / installation ttobe done like that! What is worse is it is a new looking consumer unit, you would have thought that at least would have been accessible in a bungalow.

Ps you might want to reattach the bottom hinge on the door

imeach

chris_n said:

Someone at the council wants shooting for allowing a kitchen refurb / installation ttobe done like that! What is worse is it is a new looking consumer unit, you would have thought that at least would have been accessible in a bungalow.

Ps you might want to reattach the bottom hinge on the door

Probably every council in the country has done similar .
And then private too

People box meters and everything in, gas emergency control valves are normally unreachable too.
The weirdest or funniest one I saw was a prepayment electric meter that was plasterboarded over except for a small hole tomput the key in!!!!!!!

Apodemus

chris_n said:

Someone at the council wants shooting for allowing a kitchen refurb / installation ttobe done like that! 

Just as likely to be tenant's improvements.

70sbudgie

I think you can apply to the DNO for the meter to be moved. Explain that you are on the priority register and in a council owned property. They may well be able to work with the council to get the meter moved to a more appropriate location. If nothing else, they should be able to put pressure on the council.

Edit to add: The electricity industry is under a lot of pressure right now to support vulnerable customers. This sounds like exactly the sort of situation that is only difficult to resolve because of beurocracy, so should be an esy "win" for them.