I agree the meter box generally belongs to the customer rather than the DNO or supplier, however as I understand it, part of the contract with the supplier is that the customer must provide sufficient suitable space for the meter, cut-out and anything else that might be needed by the DNO or supplier. Of course meter boxes are normally sized to just meet that requirement - and just because there's spare space in there at the moment is no guarantee that the DNO or supplier won't need it later on (e.g. for a check meter, or teleswitch if an off-peak supply is later requested, or occasionally even for a temporary extra cut-out). Even a switchfuse, required by DNO rules when the CU is more than about 3m away, strictly speaking isn't allowed in there. Officially, if you want anything close to the meter in that situation and it can't go indoors (e.g. directly behind the meter box) then the usual answer is a 2nd meter box installed adjacent to the first.

         - Andy.

I agree the meter box generally belongs to the customer rather than the DNO or supplier, however as I understand it, part of the contract with the supplier is that the customer must provide sufficient suitable space for the meter, cut-out and anything else that might be needed by the DNO or supplier. Of course meter boxes are normally sized to just meet that requirement - and just because there's spare space in there at the moment is no guarantee that the DNO or supplier won't need it later on (e.g. for a check meter, or teleswitch if an off-peak supply is later requested, or occasionally even for a temporary extra cut-out). Even a switchfuse, required by DNO rules when the CU is more than about 3m away, strictly speaking isn't allowed in there. Officially, if you want anything close to the meter in that situation and it can't go indoors (e.g. directly behind the meter box) then the usual answer is a 2nd meter box installed adjacent to the first.

         - Andy.

When it comes to money, especially in the domestic sector, using words like, officially, recommend, should, etc, counts for little! Nonetheless AJ is absolutely right about the contract with the DNO, at least in this part of the world. I have just looked through contract documentation sent to me by NIE for a new supply, which clearly indicates the space allocation required. Although a sensible reading of it would understand that the space had to be maintained after their equipment is installed, it doesn’t actually say that!