Is there a better alternative to this standard PEA aluminium meter box?

The PEA box is of low quality and quickly deteriorates. Thanks in advance.

You should be able to get your local metal basher to knock up something in stainless or regular steel (painted or powder coated). Just take some photos and measurements to your chosen man.

 

If you have a local specialist 'lectrical supplier they may have something available, whether it's actually going to be any better than the PEA offering is debatable.

 

BUT

 

The box, like the meter inside, belongs to PEA, so mucking about with it may not be permitted. Best to talk to them first, it's not like it can be hidden.

 

Fixing it to the pole in a remotely straight manner would improve things aesthetically, maybe a lick of paint.

 

Aluminium should actually be pretty inert once it builds a layer of oxide (grey in colour) so just leaving it alone for a few months and letting it weather may actually be the best option.

 

Just add a couple of Hello Kitty stickers.... sorted.

 

 

Is it normal to have a box?  Around here, it's just the meters fastened to the pole.

6 minutes ago, bankruatsteve said:

Is it normal to have a box?  Around here, it's just the meters fastened to the pole.

 

3-phase meters seem to have boxes at least in our area, maybe they're not quite so "weatherproof" as the single-phase ones.

 

 

Wrap it in one of those old Tesco, sorry Lotus's, bags we used to get for free.    LOL

The OPs picture could almost have come from our village except most of ours have an assortment of advertising stickers pasted to them.

I have never understood why some individual householders don't at least try and keep the boxes straight or close the "door". PEA came and changed all the meters about 3 months ago. I did not notice them changing any boxes even though some are distinctly damaged. 

5 hours ago, Crossy said:

 

3-phase meters seem to have boxes at least in our area, maybe they're not quite so "weatherproof" as the single-phase ones.

 

 

 

I have a 2 phase meter, and have the same box as the OP, hanging there for 9 years now, and I can't notice any deterioration.

 

I hope you feed your goldfish in there.

 

 

 

 

5 hours ago, Crossy said:

 

3-phase meters seem to have boxes at least in our area, maybe they're not quite so "weatherproof" as the single-phase ones.

 

 

Did you notice any deterioration of service ????

7 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Wrap it in one of those old Tesco, sorry Lotus's, bags we used to get for free.    LOL

 

The modus operandi is milk cartons, still available at no cost.

Is the PEA 3 phase meter polyphase? I have a 3 phase supply but a single phase solar inverter. Am I losing any solar benefit? Thanks in advance.

If you have the spinning-disc type 3-phase meter it will sort out any excess on one phase for you.

 

The electronic "smart" meters won't, so you could be losing out.

 

If you have an electronic meter best you get all your daytime loads on the same phase as the inverter.