Recessed electricity meter box

[thebiochemist]

Hi, I need to move my meter and incoming electricity supply and it will need to be recessed into a timber frame wall. 

 

The depth of the timber cladding, battens, outer ply and framing timber is sufficient for the 150mm recessed part of the box to fit in easily with the inner ply and plasterboard untouched. 

 

My architect and electrician are both unsure of regs around recessed meter boxes in timber frame walls, SSE can't provide advice (but will not install if they turn up and are unhappy - but won't say what would make them happy in advance) so are little help. 

 

In advance of paying building control to come out and offer some words of wisdom - have any of you recessed a meter box in a timber frame wall or does it have to be block work? 

 

Also if anyone can point me to regs or an approved installation diagram that would be really helpful. 

Edited December 2, 2021 by thebiochemist

[TonyT]

https://ukpowersolutions.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/UKPS-Electric-Connections-Guide-2017_v1.1.pdf
 

half way down the document I think

[Conor]

Similar here in NI with my ICF wall. Asked if I can recess the box in the EPS and run the conduit through a channel. Never got a response. Just going to have to wing it and hope they connect me up.

[Carrerahill]

6 hours ago, thebiochemist said:

Hi, I need to move my meter and incoming electricity supply and it will need to be recessed into a timber frame wall. 

 

The depth of the timber cladding, battens, outer ply and framing timber is sufficient for the 150mm recessed part of the box to fit in easily with the inner ply and plasterboard untouched. 

 

My architect and electrician are both unsure of regs around recessed meter boxes in timber frame walls, SSE can't provide advice (but will not install if they turn up and are unhappy - but won't say what would make them happy in advance) so are little help. 

 

In advance of paying building control to come out and offer some words of wisdom - have any of you recessed a meter box in a timber frame wall or does it have to be block work? 

 

Also if anyone can point me to regs or an approved installation diagram that would be really helpful. 

It won't be an issue as long as you fit a compliant metal recessed box and fit all the correct glands and grommets and or use fire sealant where required. 

 

If it was me, I would call Wylex or MK and have them give you the model and details of the consumer unit you will need to mount into a timber frame. 

 

These boxes are made for this application. 

 

 

 

 

[TonyT]

3 hours ago, Carrerahill said:

It won't be an issue as long as you fit a compliant metal recessed box and fit all the correct glands and grommets and or use fire sealant where required. 

 

If it was me, I would call Wylex or MK and have them give you the model and details of the consumer unit you will need to mount into a timber frame. 

 

These boxes are made for this application. 

 

 

 

 

Isn’t the Op talking about the meter and cutout?  Not the internal consumer unit.

[Carrerahill]

1 hour ago, TonyT said:

Isn’t the Op talking about the meter and cutout?  Not the internal consumer unit.

So he was... my bad!

[Richardlexic]

On 02/12/2021 at 07:19, thebiochemist said:

Hi, I need to move my meter and incoming electricity supply and it will need to be recessed into a timber frame wall. 

 

The depth of the timber cladding, battens, outer ply and framing timber is sufficient for the 150mm recessed part of the box to fit in easily with the inner ply and plasterboard untouched. 

 

My architect and electrician are both unsure of regs around recessed meter boxes in timber frame walls, SSE can't provide advice (but will not install if they turn up and are unhappy - but won't say what would make them happy in advance) so are little help. 

 

In advance of paying building control to come out and offer some words of wisdom - have any of you recessed a meter box in a timber frame wall or does it have to be block work? 

 

Also if anyone can point me to regs or an approved installation diagram that would be really helpful. 

 

[Richardlexic]

Hi

I just wondered how you got on with SSE as I am having exactly the same issue. I can find out what the requirement is for a new connection and meter in a timber frame building. Any tips would be much appreciated. Thanks David

[Kelvin]

I couldn’t either so fitted it in a permanent kiosk on the edge of the plot. 

[TonyT]

 

https://bookshop.bmtrada.com/bookshop/view/8245D2F0-B0D4-468C-B166-B4910DA265C9/Timber_frame_construction_5th_edition

 

section 10.5.1?