Electrical meter box location

[Kevan Marshall]

Hi,

I have just put in an application for getting Electric on my site, I am trying to get electricity from the pole at the edge of my plot to a location within 15mtrs as this should be classed as minor works, my house is within 15mtrs but shall be SIP’s style clad with cement board and K-Rend, I would rather not have a meter box on the house and have requested it to be just beside a boundary in its own freestanding meter box, has anyone come across a freestanding precast meter box that a grp enclosure fits in that would comply with all regulations or do I have to build a small block structure to place a GRP enclosure in?

 

kind regards,

kevan.

[dpmiller]

I don't have any answers, but do bear in mind that NIE can be a bit different to all the GB providers so...

[Kevan Marshall]

2 minutes ago, dpmiller said:

I don't have any answers, but do bear in mind that NIE can be a bit different to all the GB providers so...

Yes and you can not even phone anyone for advice nowadays or request a site visit to discuss anything 

[Bonner]

4 hours ago, Kevan Marshall said:

do I have to build a small block structure to place a GRP enclosure in?

No, you don’t need to build a structure, just a weather proof kiosk/cabinet to your DNO requirements https://exelgrp.ltd/product/model-d2/

[Redoctober]

Something like the above would do the trick but if you have a free standing structure like we have - you may wish to consider housing in there. Ours is in the corner of an open fronted Oak Framed structure. see image.

[Kevan Marshall]

4 minutes ago, Redoctober said:

Something like the above would do the trick but if you have a free standing structure like we have - you may wish to consider housing in there. Ours is in the corner of an open fronted Oak Framed structure. see image.

Unfortunately NIE require meter boxes to be outside on side of house or dedicated and approved box

[Conor]

NIE won't allow any of the suggestions above. At a push, they will allow a cavity meter box installed into a wall attached to the house, but within 2m of your consumer unit. 

 

We were in similar situation with our ICF build. Architect suggested either fitting in the return wall, or by building a false wall type protrusion against the house and flashing it into the main wall. First option was a no as we didn't have the return wall built, and the second option would potentially cause issues. In the end, as I added 100mm additional insulation, we had the depth to cut out insulation and fit a standard cavity box against the concrete core. A minor cold bridge in the grand scheme of things.

 

For you, I'd suggest the return cavity wall, if it fits in with your landscaping plans.

[Kevan Marshall]

On 21/12/2025 at 10:41, Conor said:

NIE won't allow any of the suggestions above. At a push, they will allow a cavity meter box installed into a wall attached to the house, but within 2m of your consumer unit. 

 

We were in similar situation with our ICF build. Architect suggested either fitting in the return wall, or by building a false wall type protrusion against the house and flashing it into the main wall. First option was a no as we didn't have the return wall built, and the second option would potentially cause issues. In the end, as I added 100mm additional insulation, we had the depth to cut out insulation and fit a standard cavity box against the concrete core. A minor cold bridge in the grand scheme of things.

 

For you, I'd suggest the return cavity wall, if it fits in with your landscaping plans.

Thank you Conor,

I shall speak to the SIP’s company after the holidays, maybe have to install a double panel or something to accommodate, the meter box shall back onto a storage cupboard, NIE said I could build a block built box that was attached to house but dimensions were nearly 1.8mtrs tall x 1.2mtrs wide