electric meter box
An **Electric Meter Box** is a specialized enclosure used for installing and protecting electricity meters, circuit switches, and related
electrical equipment. It is widely applied in residential, commercial, and industrial scenarios. The following are its core functions, types,
key installation points, and purchasing guidelines:
I. Core Functions
1. **Protecting the Electricity Meter**
- Isolate the electricity meter from physical damage, dust, moisture, and human misoperation.
2. **Circuit Distribution**
- Integrate **circuit breakers**, **Residual Current Devices (RCDs)**, etc., to achieve power distribution and control.
3. **Safety Protection**
- Have an **IP protection rating** (such as IP54 for dust and water protection), and some contain **anti-corrosion** and
**fire-retardant** materials.
4. **Compliance**
- Comply with national electrical safety standards (such as GB 7251 in China and IEC 61439 internationally).
II. Main Types
| Type Type | Installation Method | Material | Features | Applicable Scenarios |
| Surface-mounted Electric Meter Box | Wall-mounted | Metal (cold-rolled steel) | Easy to install, convenient for maintenance, low cost, but takes up space. | Old residential areas, industrial plants |
| Flush-mounted Electric Meter Box | Embedded | Plastic (ABS/PVC) | Flush with the wall, highly aesthetic, and the enclosure needs to be pre-embedded in advance. | Home decoration, commercial office buildings |
| Outdoor Electric Meter Box | Wall-mounted/Floor-standing | Stainless steel/Aluminum alloy | High protection rating (IP65+), corrosion-resistant, UV-resistant, and can be installed outdoors. | Residential area power distribution, outdoor facilities |
| Smart Electric Meter Box | Surface-mounted/Flush-mounted | Metal + Plastic | Integrate smart electricity meters and communication modules, and support remote meter reading and power consumption monitoring. | Smart communities, commercial complexes |
III. Core Components
1. **Electricity Meter**
- Single-phase/Three-phase electricity meters are used to measure electricity consumption (unit: kWh).
2. **Circuit Breaker (Air Switch)**
- Provide overload and short-circuit protection, divided into main switches and branch switches (such as those dedicated to lighting,
sockets, and air conditioners).
3. **Residual Current Device (RCD)**
- Detect leakage current (commonly 30mA) and cut off the power within 0.1 seconds to protect personal safety.
4. **Terminal Block**
- Connect the incoming and outgoing wires to ensure the stability of the circuit.
IV. Key Installation Points
1. **Location Selection**
- Indoor: In a dry and ventilated place, at a height of 1.6–1.8 meters from the ground (convenient for operation).
- Outdoor: Avoid direct sunlight and water accumulation areas, and fix it firmly.
2. **Circuit Planning**
- Distinguish between **incoming wires** (power source entrances) and **outgoing wires** (branches of each room),
with clear markings.
- Match the wire specifications with the load:
- Lighting: 2.5mm²; Air conditioners/Kitchens: 4mm²; Total incoming wires: 6–10mm².
3. **Grounding Protection**
- The enclosure needs to be connected to the **ground wire (PE)** to ensure that the leakage current is led into the ground.
4. **Professional Installation**
- It needs to be operated by a **licensed electrician** and comply with local electrical codes (such as the Code for Design of
Low-Voltage Power Distribution GB 50054 in China).
V. Key Purchasing Points
1. **Capacity and Number of Circuits**
- For households: 8–12 circuits (to meet the needs of lighting, sockets, air conditioners, etc.);
- For shops: 16–24 circuits, supporting three-phase power.
2. **Protection Rating**
- Indoor: IP30 (protection against solid foreign objects); Outdoor: IP65 (protection against water jets).
3. **Material and Craftsmanship**
- Metal enclosures: Thickness ≥ 1.0mm, with anti-corrosion plastic spraying on the surface;
- Plastic enclosures: Fire-retardant rating V-0, resistant to aging.
4. **Brand and Certification**
- Select products with **CCC certification**, brands such as Chint, Delixi, and Schneider.
VI. Precautions
1. **Prohibited Behaviors**
- Privately remove the lead seal, operate under overload, and operate with wet hands.
2. **Regular Maintenance**
- Check the aging of the lines and the sensitivity of the switches every year, and clean the dust inside the enclosure.
3. **Fault Handling**
- Cut off the power first to troubleshoot when the circuit trips, and do not force the switch to close; professional
maintenance is required for leakage faults.
VII. Examples of Market Products
1. **Chint (CHNT) Flush-mounted Household Electric Meter Box**
- 10 circuits, made of ABS material, with leakage protection, suitable for small apartments.
2. **Schneider Outdoor Stainless Steel Electric Meter Box**
- IP66 protection, supporting three-phase power, corrosion-resistant, suitable for industrial scenarios.
3. **Huawei Smart Electric Meter Box**
- Integrated with LoRa communication module, supporting APP remote monitoring, suitable for smart communities.
Conclusion
The electric meter box is the "safety hub" of the power system. When purchasing, it is necessary to select according to **scenario
requirements** (indoor/outdoor), **the number of circuits**, and **the protection rating**. During installation, ensure **grounding
safety** and have it operated by professionals to ensure the safety and compliance of electricity use.
