Meter Box FAQs: Your Guide to Box Queries & Info
3 Sales Queries
Yes, no problem. Please submit a message through our contact form and a member of our accounts team will process and order invoice within 1-2 working days.
Yes, this is possible. Please phone us on 0844 809 4206
10 Meter Box Doors
It is a legal requirement to have ventilation on gas meter boxes.
Hello, we do the over box door and frame for the medium Permali meter box if this what you require. Please see follow this link to the product page.
Hanging a Meter Box
No. All meter boxes are designed to get installed in one particular way. For example, the hinges are on the left- hand side on a UK Standard Recessed Electric Meter Box, so the door must get hinged on the left-hand side.
However, in certain circumstances, especially if replacing an older damaged box or renovating older houses, technically it can be fitted upside down. However, you will be to confirm with your meter equipment provider that they are happy for you to install their equipment that way.
Detailed fitting instructions are supplied with each product and are also downloadable from each product page. For a quick overview on how to fit a meter box door we've created a video guide.
37 General - Meter Boxes
INSTALLATION GUIDELINES:
To fit a recessed gas meter box to the wall, follow these steps:
1. Build the box into the wall in the position specified, ensuring it does not bridge the damp–proof course.
2. The base and sides of the box should be fully bedded into the mortar to hold it into the wall, with the sides of the architrave touching the outer leaf of the brickwork.
3. A 0.1mm thick polythene sheet or similar, at least 700mm wide, should be fitted as a damp-proof course above and behind the box. Alternatively, a suitable cavity tray may be used.
4. Where a spigot is fitted, build the inner wall around it, filling any space between the spigot and the wall with mortar. (The spigot will be cut flush with the inner finish of the wall by the pipework installer.)
*Full installation guidelines are supplied with the Meter Box*
Why would I need to repair or replace my meter box?
Here are the most common reasons that your meter box may need to be repaired or fixed:
- it has become unsightly over time due to wear and tear
- it has been vandalised
- it has broken parts
- the door has fallen away or is damaged
For a complete replacement, see our range of meter boxes here:
To repair your broken meter box, visit our range of meter box replacement tools here.
How to calculate the dimensions of my meter box:
By measuring your box's exterior or interior dimensions, you can identify the type of meter box you need. To find the equivalent box on our website, measure your meter box's length, height, and depth with a measuring tape. We would be delighted to assist you if you still havetrouble measuring your meter box. Please contact us for further support.
Replacing a MK1 gas meter box with the MK2 gas meter box:
This depends. If the MK1 front is damaged and needs replacing, we recommend that you take off the MK1 front and check the gas back. If the gas back is not damaged you do not need to remove it from the wall and can simply use our replacement gas cover for the MK1 to fix your damaged gas box.
However, if the back is damaged, you can buy the replacement MK2 surface gas meter box for a full replacement.
This is a complete meter box with a back, sides and door. Please see brochure.
The minimum wall cut out is 540 x 350 x 150mm for the EBP0016. Please see the specification sheet.
Hello, for fitting instruction please have a look at this page/guide.
Check our dedicated Electrical Hockey Stick page to find out more.
IP rating of our meter boxes
Most of our meter boxes are at least IP43 rated. Some of them are IP65 rated. For our kiosks, they are either IP43 or IP55 rated. To offer our customers the best in class products, we perform monthly water ingress testing on our entire range to ensure all our offerings are compliant with the current European and British standards. You can watch the video of our water ingress testing on our "How To Video" page.
Required clearance around meter boxes/kiosks
Depending on the product, there may be a specification regarding the required clearance issued by the electricity or gas company. It is best to consult with yours, especially for gas meter boxes as only certified gas installers can fit a gas box.
Nonetheless, we do advise as best practice not to place meter boxes under a window. However, sometimes, if you replace damaged products, they will be fitted in the same location as the defective product, and it may already be located under a window due to space constraints.
Freestanding kiosks do not require any special clearance, except for space needed for the opening of the box door and venting (if necessary for a particular application).
Installation of Meter Boxes
There are no specific regulations on who can install meter boxes. As long as it is carried out according to the BS Standards and Utilities Standards, you can even do it yourself using our tutorial videos or our spec sheets which also have fitting instructions.
However, in many cases, if the meter needs to be disconnected or moved, then the installation must be carried out by a regulated and certified company who is qualified to do this. We always advise contacting your utility company.
Painting your Meter Boxes
Yes, you can.
However, take extra care when painting your meter box. Indeed, you have to ensure that the paint you want to use won’t alter the properties of the meter enclosure. For example, particular paints can affect the insulation property of a GRP meter box against both heat and electricity.
Please also note that the paint used for pipes and other outdoor GRP product might not be suitable as the paint has to respect the fire-retardant property of the meter box. Therefore, fire retardant paints can be a viable option to paint meter boxes. However, make sure paint does not block the vents on the unit with drying.
Finally, if the wrong paint type gets applied, the paint might flake off, and the result might not meet your aesthetic expectations or remain intact over time.
Be sure to identify any safety requirements before initiating the painting process fully.
A single-phase electricity supply delivers less power than that of a three-phase. For example, a regular house will need single-phase, while large flats or commercial buildings will require a three-phase.
If your house is using a single-phase supply, your electric installation will have a 100amp fuse. If it is using a three-phase, you will find three 100amp fuses.
8 Delivery
Click & Collect
Orders can be collected in person between 12:00 – 16:00 from our depot in Tricel (Gloucester) Limited, Fox House, Stonedale Rd, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire GL10 3SA.
Please go to the reception area where you will be assisted with your collection.
Purchases need to be made online via meterboxesdirect.co.uk – we are unable to process any card payments on site.
Once the order is ready for collection, you will be notified by our warehouse team. Please allow at least one working day for collections.
To help us track your order, please fill in as much information as possible on our order tracking form. A member of our sales team will respond ASAP.
Delivery Costs Calculation:
The cost of the delivery is calculated according to the weight of the order. All items are despatched by courier with the exception of the "Replacement Key for Electric Meter Boxes", which is sent via Royal Mail. Check this page for our carriage prices - please note all prices exclude VAT.
Not at home for delivery?
You or a representative must be home to accept the delivery. We use a delivery service and cannot guarantee an exact time.
If the delivery fails twice because we are unable to hand over the parcel for signature or there is no additional information to help the carrier, the parcel will be returned to the local carrier depot and you will receive a card from them asking you to call. If you do not call or contact Meter Boxes Direct Tel: +44 (0) 1453 791616 or onlinesales@meterboxesdirect.co.uk , the parcel will be returned to us after 5 working days and we will have to charge you for the cost of the second delivery.
As an alternative you may provide us with details of a secure location or details of a neighbour where the package may be left in the event you will not be home to receive delivery. You must inform us during the order process in the comments section or through phone/email immediately after ordering. Please note this is entirely at your own risk and Tricel (Gloucester) Ltd. will not be liable for any losses or damages which occur as a result.
Delivery times
Deliveries placed Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) before 11am are generally dispatched on the same day. If you live in mainland UK you can normally expect delivery for the following working day (Monday-Friday).
For the Scottish Highlands / Islands please allow at least 2 working days for delivery.
If an order is placed after 11am on a particular day (Monday to Friday), the order will be dispatched on the following working day.
Weekend orders will be dispatched on Mondays (excl. bank holidays).