New Build: Location for Mains Meter and Isolation Switch

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › New Build: Location for Mains Meter and Isolation Switch

1 | 2 | 3

acsylaa

85 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 66

Just Internet

#3461411 14-Feb-2026 10:58

Meter locations can vary pending on lines companies, some lines companies stipulate there must be a external meterbox with point of isolation, mainly for the event of a fire so the fireguys can isolate there, also for replacing the meter while no one home

What area are you in? Have you checked with your lines company as to what theor standards are?

I have seen some inspectors refuse to liven with out an external meterbox when connection to the network back in the early days as this became a new trend, not sure how it is now as i still install external meetering for this reason of isolation.

https://assets.countiesenergy.co.nz/app/uploads/2023/10/10142332/Distribution_Code_Part_3__Metering_Requirements_for_Electrical_Installations.pdf

Twincamr2

108 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 17

#3461414 14-Feb-2026 11:10

acsylaa:

Meter locations can vary pending on lines companies, some lines companies stipulate there must be a external meterbox with point of isolation, mainly for the event of a fire so the fireguys can isolate there, also for replacing the meter while no one home

What area are you in? Have you checked with your lines company as to what theor standards are?

Very good question. I'm in central(ish) Auckland. Did some digging and found esa002 (2022) from vector:

Metering

5.8.1 LV Metering – residential and general customer (≤100A)

Each ICP must be metered for revenue purposes. Metering must be arranged through the customers’ chosen Electricity Retailer. Metering must be kept within the customers’ installation, not on Vector’s equipment.

Vector has a strong preference that external meter boxes be installed on new dwellings/buildings which will require whole current meter(s) to be installed and livened onto Vector's Electricity

Network.

Metering enclosure size shall be sufficient to accommodate the metering equipment with or without the control devices

Stu

Hammered
8740 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2391

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3461415 14-Feb-2026 11:13

acsylaa:

Meter locations can vary pending on lines companies, some lines companies stipulate there must be a external meterbox with point of isolation, mainly for the event of a fire so the fireguys can isolate there, also for replacing the meter while no one home

What area are you in? Have you checked with your lines company as to what theor standards are?

I have seen some inspectors refuse to liven with out an external meterbox when connection to the network back in the early days as this became a new trend, not sure how it is now as i still install external meetering for this reason of isolation.

https://assets.countiesenergy.co.nz/app/uploads/2023/10/10142332/Distribution_Code_Part_3__Metering_Requirements_for_Electrical_Installations.pdf

Looks like an old document. They haven't been Counties Power for a while. Also, I don't believe houses built in this area, over the last 7 or 8 years at least, have external boxes. None that we looked at anyway. There have been some Counties Energy people in the area over the last few weeks checking equipment. If I remember I'll have a chat when they get to where we are.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

Referral Links: Sharesies -

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? If so, please consider supporting us by subscribing.

No matter where you go, there you are.

acsylaa

85 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 66

Just Internet

#3461461 14-Feb-2026 11:39

Stu:

Looks like an old document. They haven't been Counties Power for a while. Also, I don't believe houses built in this area, over the last 7 or 8 years at least, have external boxes. None that we looked at anyway. There have been some Counties Energy people in the area over the last few weeks checking equipment. If I remember I'll have a chat when they get to where we are.

Yeah it is an old document, was just a Quick Google, They are still referring to that Document on their website so must Still be current, Local electrical and network requirements - Counties Energy

One thing I like to do on my installations is make the Meterbox the main DB and MEN point so that it saves the hassle of converting it later on to the main DB and MEN point, as in some installations we have multiple DB's fed form that Point.

acsylaa

85 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 66

Just Internet

#3461463 14-Feb-2026 11:44

Stu:

Looks like an old document. They haven't been Counties Power for a while. Also, I don't believe houses built in this area, over the last 7 or 8 years at least, have external boxes. None that we looked at anyway. There have been some Counties Energy people in the area over the last few weeks checking equipment. If I remember I'll have a chat when they get to where we are.

I found this ESA002 Electricity Network Connection Standard.docx but its a lot to go through.

Twincamr2

108 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 17

#3461465 14-Feb-2026 12:19

acsylaa:

I found this ESA002 Electricity Network Connection Standard.docx but its a lot to go through.

Indeed! I highlighted the relevant clause from that document a couple of comments back.

Geekzone support

Support Geekzone with one-off or recurring donations Donate via PressPatron.

gzt

18679 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7809

Lifetime subscriber

#3461472 14-Feb-2026 12:37

acsylaa: Meter locations can vary pending on lines companies, some lines companies stipulate there must be a external meterbox with point of isolation, mainly for the event of a fire so the fireguys can isolate there, also for replacing the meter while no one home

Is it legal to have EV charging wired to the meter box and the fuse in the meter box?

At some point I'll need to increase capacity and that arrangement seems sensible to reduce cable run.

acsylaa

85 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 66

Just Internet

#3461523 14-Feb-2026 21:28

gzt
Is it legal to have EV charging wired to the meter box and the fuse in the meter box?
At some point I'll need to increase capacity and that arrangement seems sensible to reduce cable run.

The only way to pull that off is if the meter box is the main distrubution point, meaning the main earth needs to be cabled back to there, the MEN link needs to be there and also breakers feeding the subcircuits such as the internal switchboard and so on.

I have made the meterbox the main DB for a number of installations as its easier for future expansion but also we saved the hassle of having BTS's being connected diasconnected and so on. But also there were mutiple.sub circuits being fed from that point.

1 | 2 | 3