Options for Connecting a New House During Construction

There are several ways to connect electricity during construction of a family home. At the outset, consider the construction schedule, the requirements for the permanent connection and the overall cost.

1. Temporary connection for construction
2. Permanent meter enclosure with a temporary socket cabinet
3. Permanent meter enclosure with a permanent socket cabinet

In all cases, the electricity meter enclosure must be connected to the distribution company’s service fuse enclosure. Contact the distributor first about arranging the service connection. All installation work must be carried out by a person with the necessary electrical qualifications.

1. Temporary connection for construction

The connection is made through a portable meter enclosure fitted with sockets, also known as a site distribution board. It includes the necessary circuit breakers and residual current protection for the sockets. This option is especially suitable for construction companies that can reuse the site board on multiple projects. The site board is used only during construction. For normal operation of the family home, a permanent meter enclosure must be installed, for example PER 2/3f/40 pillar (Modul). The connection therefore needs to be arranged with the distributor twice.

Suitable enclosure:

PER-ST 40A site distribution board (Modul) (shown in the image)

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2. Permanent meter enclosure with a temporary socket cabinet

The meter enclosure is installed once and remains in use after construction. Family homes most commonly use three-phase, dual-rate metering. Because construction sites have specific needs, sockets require circuit breakers and residual current protection. A standard meter enclosure does not have room for these devices, so they must be installed in a separate enclosure. The lowest-cost option is to place a socket cabinet downstream of the meter enclosure. We do not recommend mounting the socket cabinet directly on a plastic pillar: unsuitable installation may compromise the enclosure’s ingress protection, and the meter enclosure’s seals can restrict access when modifying or removing the socket cabinet. Instead, mount it on a separate support beside the meter enclosure. Once construction is complete, remove the socket cabinet and support and reuse the cabinet in a garage, pergola or shed.

Suitable meter enclosures:

PER 2/3f/40 in pillar (AHVO) (shown in the image)

PER 2/3f/40 pillar (Modul)

PER 2/3f/40 33.1.3 pillar (3D)

Socket cabinets are available from electrical wholesalers.

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3. Permanent meter enclosure with a permanent socket cabinet

The meter enclosure and sockets remain in use after construction is complete. Family homes most commonly use three-phase, dual-rate metering. Construction sockets require circuit breakers and residual current protection in a separate enclosure because there is not enough space in a standard meter enclosure. Socket cabinets have a limited service life. UV radiation is a major cause of deterioration and can quickly degrade thermoplastics. Their service life can be extended by housing the socket cabinet in a thermoset polyester enclosure. The socket cabinet can be fully enclosed to deter unauthorised access. The sockets remain available after construction, and the overall installation can have a service life of more than 30 years. This is the most convenient option, but it also has a higher initial cost. Consider whether the sockets will really be needed after construction.

Example assembly:

PER 2/3f/40 33.1.3 pillar (3D)

PR 3.1.2 cabinet without equipment, base-mounted, IP43 (3D)

Lightning warning label, triangle, 10.5 × 10.5 mm

Single-point FAB lock

SO 3.1.2 base (3D)

ZK 0.1.2 foundation (3D)

All items are shown in the images. Socket cabinets are available from electrical wholesalers.

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