What Information Is Needed to Order an Electricity Meter Enclosure?

If you have not found a suitable option in our range of electricity meter enclosures, we can manufacture a custom enclosure for you. To design the enclosure and prepare a quotation, we need specific information from the customer, electrician or designer. Please provide the following parameters:

1. Maximum current rating: Specify the rated or maximum current the enclosure must handle, for example 63 A, 100 A or 200 A. This is usually equal to or higher than the upstream fuses in the service connection enclosure. It can also be calculated from the total current of the circuit breakers upstream of the meters and their expected simultaneity. For a single customer connection, it is usually the rating of the main circuit breaker.
2. Distribution company: Each distributor has its own requirements for electricity meter enclosures. Specify which distributor serves the installation location. In the Czech Republic, this is usually ČEZ Distribuce, PRE Distribuce or EG.D (formerly E.ON Distribuce).
3. Installation method: For family homes, enclosures are most often installed in a plastic pillar at the property boundary or recessed into masonry on the façade. They may also be installed in a masonry pillar at the boundary, which requires a recessed enclosure. In apartment buildings, they may be installed in masonry in a meter room or corridor. If the enclosure is located on an evacuation route, state this in the specification because fire resistance is required. Other options include wall-mounted or pole-mounted installation.
4. Number of electricity meters: State how many meters the enclosure will contain—for example, one meter for the whole building or separate meters for individual flats or units. For each meter, also specify:
   • Main circuit breaker: State the current rating agreed with the distributor or required for the meter, for example 40 A or up to 63 A.
   • Number of phases: Specify whether the system is single-phase (230 V) or three-phase (400 V).
   • Tariff (off-peak electricity): State the required tariff. A single-rate supply is usually sufficient for garages, cottages and small consumers. Family homes, flats, facilities, businesses and other premises usually need a dual-rate supply with off-peak periods and appliance control. Charging stations and generation facilities are also best specified as dual-rate connections.
   • Photovoltaic system (PV): Specify whether the premises will have no PV system, a planned PV system, an existing PV system or another source of electricity generation.
   
5. Incoming conductor cross-section and arrangement: Specify the required cross-section of the incoming conductor from the distribution network. It depends on the maximum permitted current and cable length. For typical individual connections, up to 16 mm² is usually sufficient. The cable usually terminates in the enclosure. In apartment buildings, a riser arrangement may be used, with the supply continuing uninterrupted to another enclosure on the next floor. Specify which arrangement is required.
6. Outgoing conductor cross-sections: State the required cross-section of the outgoing conductors for each meter. This depends on the upstream circuit breaker rating, cable length and resulting voltage drop. For flats and smaller family homes, up to 16 mm² is usually sufficient.
7. Other specific requirements: Depending on the installation, the enclosure may need a surge protective device, CentralStop emergency shutdown, remote meter reading or other equipment. Include these requirements in your specification or inquiry. Also state any space constraints so they can be considered during the design.
8. Plan for the future: A service connection usually remains in use for decades, so consider future needs and allow for capacity. For example, you may later increase the main breaker rating or change from single-phase to three-phase supply. Consider a dual-rate meter for a home that currently uses a single-rate supply, or leave space for another connection if you may start a business or rent out part of the building. Include the desired future arrangement in your specification. Planning for it now can significantly reduce future costs.

These details—including current rating, number of meters, incoming and outgoing conductor cross-sections, number of phases and tariff control—affect the enclosure price. Precise specifications allow us, as the manufacturer, to design the right enclosure and calculate its production cost to meet your requirements.

Send your inquiry or specification using one of the contacts listed here, or use our electricity meter enclosure inquiry form.