Moving electic meter from outside to inide?

Adam_151 · 6 May 2019

JohnW2 said:
Indeed so.
Others may have more specific knowledge, but I find it hard to see that it would be practical - since any key (or combination) would have to be pretty specific to a particular installation/cabinet. Particularly in the case of physical keys, that could become a horrendous exercise.

Its not done with meter boxes, but there are ways around DNO keys having to be specific to an installation, such things are necessary when DNO switchrooms are located on customer premised, theres two ways I have seen/

1) A gate is secured with a bar through the latch, the bar has a hole in each end, on one end a customer padlock is attached, and on the other end a DNO key'ed alike padlock is fitted, removing either lets you in
2) A simple padlocakable key safe containing a kley to the switchroom, secured with a DNO padlock, nearby, another copy of the switchroom key is kept by the customer, the switchroom key only opens that door, not the others on site

JohnW2 · 6 May 2019

bernardgreen said:
Can you still get lockable boxes with a window in the door that allows for the meter to be read without opening the box ?

Even if one can, reading the meter is but one reason why DNO/supplier might want access to the contents of the box.

Kind Regards, John

JohnW2 · 6 May 2019

Adam_151 said:
Its not done with meter boxes, but there are ways around DNO keys having to be specific to an installation, such things are necessary when DNO switchrooms are located on customer premised, theres two ways I have seen/
1) A gate is secured with a bar through the latch, the bar has a hole in each end, on one end a customer padlock is attached, and on the other end a DNO key'ed alike padlock is fitted, removing either lets you in
2) A simple padlocakable key safe containing a kley to the switchroom, secured with a DNO padlock, nearby, another copy of the switchroom key is kept by the customer, the switchroom key only opens that door, not the others on site

Yes, that's a variant of the method used for access to all sorts of keys.

However, in both the cases you mention, it would presumably still only be reasonably secure if the 'DNO key' were fairly specific to each individual installation. If it were simply a 'generic' key (which would open any {or a large number of} DNO padlocks or key safes, with countless copies being in existence), then it would not take long for copies of that key to start 'circulating' amongst people who should not have them!

Kind Regards, John

JBR · 6 May 2019

Thanks. Some very interesting and possibly encouraging suggestions.

I should also mention that my installation (it was done only two or three years ago) includes an isolating switch, so my concern is that some idiot scrotes could just come along (we are on a route from a 'rough' area to a pub!) and just switch off our power 'for a laugh'! A much quicker and simpler option to removing a fuse.

bernardgreen · 6 May 2019

JohnW2 said:
but one reason why DNO/supplier might want access to the contents of the box.

If they need access for anything that might interrupt the power supply to the house then they are required to notify the owner/tenant who could then open the locked box.

In emergency they "open" the box , with force if need be.

JohnW2 · 6 May 2019

JBR said:
I should also mention that my installation (it was done only two or three years ago) includes an isolating switch, so my concern is that some idiot scrotes could just come along (we are on a route from a 'rough' area to a pub!) and just switch off our power 'for a laugh'! A much quicker and simpler option to removing a fuse.

I can understand your concern.

You asked if a lock would be 'permissible' and, as has been said, the 'official' answer (i.e. the one you'd get if you ask) would probably be 'no'. However, as TTC has said, the solution probably is to 'just do it', and then wait for any complaints - after all, as he says, putting a lock on the box is essentially no different from putting a lock on his gate (through which one has to pass to get access to the box.

Kind Regards, John

JohnW2 · 6 May 2019

bernardgreen said:
If they need access for anything that might interrupt the power supply to the house then they are required to notify the owner/tenant who could then open the locked box.

It may be the case that "they are required to notify" - but, as you will recall, we very recently heard here of a case in which the first the occupier of a house knew was when the TV they were watching went off!

Kind Regards, John

JBR · 6 May 2019

JohnW2 said:
I can understand your concern.

You asked if a lock would be 'permissible' and, as has been said, the 'official' answer (i.e. the one you'd get if you ask) would probably be 'no'. However, as TTC has said, the solution probably is to 'just do it', and then wait for any complaints - after all, as he says, putting a lock on the box is essentially no different from putting a lock on his gate (through which one has to pass to get access to the box.

Kind Regards, John

You make a very good point.
If we had a locked gate or, as was actually the case until a few years ago, the meter was inside the house, anyone wishing to examine it would have to ask for access anyway.

Also, I don't remember anyone coming to read our meter for some years now. The routine is to estimate our use and occasionally ask for our own readings, so in practice as far as I know no-one has ever needed to open the cabinet for years!

I think the best thing to do is to just leave things for now and, if there is ever a malicious attempt to turn off our electricity, or if I hear of such a thing in our area, to fit a lock of some sort.

Thanks for your advice.

Taylortwocities · 7 May 2019

JBR said:
Also, I don't remember anyone coming to read our meter for some years now. The routine is to estimate our use and occasionally ask for our own readings,

The solution is, of course, to get a smart meter (i'll get my coat).

JohnW2 · 7 May 2019

Taylortwocities said:
The solution is, of course, to get a smart meter (i'll get my coat).

Hmmmm

As has been said/implied, readings taken by 'meter readers' seem so rare for many/most of us these days that that particular 'advantage' of smart meters is perhaps somewhat moot! In any event, as regards the 'locked cabinet' discussion, as I wrote ..

JohnW2 said:
Even if one can, reading the meter is but one reason why DNO/supplier might want access to the contents of the box.

Kind Regards, John

JBR · 7 May 2019

Taylortwocities said:
The solution is, of course, to get a smart meter (i'll get my coat).

Yes, may I suggest you do get your coat!

One thing I do not want (for all the usual reasons that have been stated) is a smart meter. EDF regularly attempt to persuade me of the 'benefits' of their smart meters which, you will not be surprised, they are presently in the process of installing in my local area. I receive telephone calls, emails and text messages almost every other day assuring me that they will install one 'free of charge' (until they decide to put up their charges of course).

fluorescence · 7 May 2019

Thanks all for the replies. I'll be enquiring with our DNO about moving the supply back indoors, but as suggested I suspect the answer will be 'no' or 'yes, for ££££'. I may or may not be in the process of putting a night latch type lock on the meter cupboard in the mean time

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Moving electic meter from outside to inide?

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