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Greendrake

86 posts

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#175017 14-Jun-2015 13:13
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Once upon a time having a nice walk in Winton (the heart of Southland) I came across this:

 

That wasn't a long drop. The thing was attached to a power pole and looked like a standalone power connection point: electricity meter on the back, power sockets inside. All weatherproof.

I thought that installing that kind of thing on my vacant section would be one of the first things to do prior to commencing any serious development. Power will be needed after all.

Does anybody know how that thing is actually called? If I want to have one on my section, would it be more difficult to get all necessary consents/papers for it comparing to connecting a house? Would it be regarded as a "building" from the point of view of those who require building consents? Any gotchas or stories of relevant experience will be appreciated.

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andrewNZ
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  #1324459 14-Jun-2015 14:54
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If you're building, forget about it. They will just install a builders temporary box on the section prior to starting work. The cable used will end up being the mains for the house.

Less money, less effort.



Greendrake

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  #1324476 14-Jun-2015 15:59
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They will just install a builders temporary box on the section prior to starting work.

Thanks but I am up to a sort of geeky DIY building (shipping containers etc.). "They" will be me :)

chevrolux
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  #1324492 14-Jun-2015 16:56
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Greendrake:
They will just install a builders temporary box on the section prior to starting work.

Thanks but I am up to a sort of geeky DIY building (shipping containers etc.). "They" will be me :)


I would sugest this is quite a common thing in rural areas. The meter is often put on the boundary and then anything can be connected behind that. So I guess you could just speak to the local power co and then once the meter is in speak to your sparky about connecting up to it.



gregmcc
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  #1324515 14-Jun-2015 18:02
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Most likely a water pump shed at some stage in it's past life

Sidestep
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  #1324516 14-Jun-2015 18:02
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That looks a lot like our old pump shed. The lines ran from a transformer at the road, across a couple of poles to a little shed with a meter like that.

Poles don't last forever & we've since undergrounded the power across to a workshop, then back underground to a submersible, down bore pump. Nothing's visible on the surface except a capped well casing.

Looks better & is safer with the power underground. From memory it was expensive to install both times - easily comparable to connecting a house.

Dynamic
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  #1324537 14-Jun-2015 19:12
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Greendrake: I am up to a sort of geeky DIY building (shipping containers etc.). "They" will be me :)

Keen to hear progress on this project and see photos as container houses tickle my fancy.  Perhaps when you make the first real move, consider starting a thread for us nosey parkers if you don't mind.




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