Isolator & consumer unit fitted in meter box

[pauldreed]

Had solar panels fitted today, and was surprised to see that they fitted the isolator switch & a 1 gang consumer unit inside the external meter box.
A short time later, a Meter Plus inspector arrived and went berserk at the sight of 'other equipment' being fitted on the back-board, taking photos & reporting it to his manager.

Is this normal practice to fit solar stuff in the meter box?

 

[finchy]

Is the existing CU in the same box ?

We install Two AC isolators one next to the CU whether it be inside the house our external box and the other next to the Inverter along with the DC isolator.

 

[pauldreed]

The main CU is in the kitchen.
But do you ever fit a CU and AC isolator in the customers electric box next to the supply meter.

 

[screwdriver]

No, as we have all had experience of the meter reader getting stroppy about even a Henley block being fitted to the back board!!! We generally fit the gen meter in the meter cupboard and then run the tails to an externally ip rated consumer unit and ac isolator, assuming it isn't a meter cabinet that is facing onto the pavement!

 

[sedgy34]

the meter plus guy was probably crying cause if hes got to fit a new meter theres no room left for him and it would require a spark to get it all to fit and meter plus guy isnt a spark


im guessing the installer has split the tails for the new DB

 

[pauldreed]

The back board is my property - not Meter-Plus's, so shouldn't I be the one that say's what goes where??

 

[screwdriver]

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!! :jester:

 

[sedgy34]

theres no issue here, meter guy wasnt shown how to install meters with other things in the same box. hes just after an easy life IMO

 

[Guest111]

years ago the backboards used to have FOR SUPPLIERS EQUIPMENT ONLY stamped in big black letters on them.

 

[cbw]

OOOPPPSSSS!!!!

Guess I am in trouble!!!!

Customer insisted that he wanted it all in the same place!
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[pauldreed]

Looks good to me!

 

[jason121]

neat job

 

[cbw]

I got a bit carried away with the expanding foam.....Dont think I have ever done a neat job with the stuff!!!

 

[edexlab]

I've also done this on one job as the CU was positioned behind kitchen cupboards and impossible to access and there were difficulties in obtaining an Mcb to suit assuming I could get the cover off which turned out to be no go

So after discussing it with the client who wanted it in the meter cupboard I made enquiries with the Dno and meter operator and was told the meter cupboard belongs to the property and technically I could fit a CU or similar equipment in it within reason as long as it does'nt interfere with their equipment and access to terminations or cause any other adverse effect.

The people I spoke to said to think about ensuring that there is enough room for a smart meter which is a good idea as the meter operator can insist that the customer makes room for it which can result if further costs ,hassle changes of tarriff etc however I don't know all the details of this and whether this is accurate or not

so I would suggest make the enquiries yourself and try and find an alternative location and use this method as a last resort

 

[pauldreed]

...just how big are the smart meters?
'Meter Plus' told me the same thing too.