How Do I Replace My Electrical Meter Box?

If you’ve got a damaged or defective electrical meter box, you might be considering a replacement. The bad news is that a full replacement can be a lengthy and intricate process, and should only be carried out by a licensed electrician. The good news is that Rapid Access’ makes replacing your electrical meter box easy, especially if it’s only the box which needs to be replaced.

Replacing an Electrical Meter

If your electrical meter box has been damaged, including the meter itself, then you’ll need to ask a licensed professional to help. The general process for replacing a meter involves working with live connections. Depending on the location and type of your box, the process will look something like this:

1. Select a new meter. Your new meter needs to be compatible with your electrical service, and you need to make sure it complies with any local electrical codes. You may also need to acquire a permit from your local council building control team, so it’s always best to contact them to check requirements before proceeding.
2. Disconnect existing connections. An electrician will need to disconnect your meter from the network. The electrician should take note of the wiring connections to make sure they are reconnected properly later.
3. Remove the old meter. Unfasten your meter from the mounting surface, disconnecting grounding wires and additional components along the way.
4. Prepare the mounting surface. Check the surface for debris and ensure it’s structurally sound before proceeding.
5. Attach the new meter. Using the same procedures, secure the new meter in place with screws or fasteners, and then reconnect the electrical wires following the electrician’s notes.
6. Inspect the new meter. Make sure there are no loose wires and that the meter is securely installed. Once you’re satisfied, restore the power supply and test the new meter.

After installing your new meter, make sure to contact your local building department if you needed a permit to install the new box. They will likely need to schedule an inspection to make sure the installation meets code requirements.

Replacing an Electrical Meter Box

Sometimes, you’ll need to replace the meter box that surrounds your meter, too. These boxes can be difficult to remove and replace, especially in older buildings where considerations about replaceability may not have been implemented.

Thankfully, Rapid Access has you covered. Our 2 Hour Fire Rated Electrical Box is an excellent solution if you need a new meter overbox thanks to its easy-to-install and user-friendly design.

Our electrical boxes are designed to fit over an existing, damaged meter box where the original is inset into the wall – an expensive and disruptive repair in meter replacement. Rapid Access can produce bespoke boxes that scale to the dimensions that suit you; with a minimum size of 300mm x 200mm and a maximum size of 1070mm x 650mm, it’s never been easier to request a box that fits perfectly into your existing electrical box.

Fitting the new electrical meter box is also extremely simple. You’ll need a few tools to get started:

• A screwdriver and screws or fasteners
• Measuring tape
• Intumescent acrylic mastic

Additionally, you may require a drill if you need to create new fitting holes for the electrical meter box.

1. Ensure that the structural opening is at least 5mm smaller than the panel size, specifically the back of the frame opening size. For example, if the panel size is 605x605mm, the hole size should be 600x600mm.
2. Remove the door from the frame and place the frame on top of the prepared hole.
3. Securely fix the frame in place by using the appropriate fixing holes within the frame. Make sure the frame is pushed up against the surround of the structural opening.
4. Verify that the frame is square by measuring from one corner to the opposite corner.
5. Reattach the door and lock it in place. The door and frame should be flush.
6. Depending on the weight of the Access Panel, additional bracing or support may be necessary to ensure proper weight distribution.
7. Apply Intumescent acrylic mastic on the rear of the frame. The mastic should be approximately 5mm wide and used to seal the frame to the supporting construction.

Electrical Meter Box Replacement With Rapid Access

If you’re looking for a simple way to replace your electrical meter overbox that won’t require disruptive and costly repairs, Rapid Access has the perfect solution. Our electrical meter access panels are also fire rated for a maximum of two hours, providing you with the comfort of knowing that your building’s most important infrastructure is safe in the worst-case scenarios.

To get a quote for an electrical meter box that will work for you, get in contact with Rapid Access today by phone, email or through our contact page, and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.