Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Electric Meter Box damage

  • 15-02-2015 1:58pm
    #1
    rampantbunny
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 907 ✭✭✭


    Anyone have an electric meter box lately?

    Mine was fitted by block layers a while back but only noticed yesterday that it is damaged where the mains conduit enters the box. The hole is wider than the conduit itself (extra inch to one side) and bottom of the box is cracked at that side (sorry, no pic).

    To me it's nothing major, but there's a note in the box saying supply won't be connected if box damaged. Wondering if I have to replace it before plastering starts.
    I could fill the hole with expanding foam but not sure it would be acceptable.


Comments

  • #2
    salmocab
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,467 ✭✭✭✭salmocab


    In my experience they are usually okay about a small bit of damage but really if you posted a pic people might be able to say better. If its not a big deal work wise and its not going to break the bank then maybe just change it to be safe.


  • #3
    Calahonda52
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,888 ✭✭✭✭Calahonda52


    rampantbunny wrote: »
    Anyone have an electric meter box lately?

    Mine was fitted by block layers a while back but only noticed yesterday that it is damaged where the mains conduit enters the box. The hole is wider than the conduit itself (extra inch to one side) and bottom of the box is cracked at that side (sorry, no pic).

    To me it's nothing major, but there's a note in the box saying supply won't be connected if box damaged. Wondering if I have to replace it before plastering starts.
    I could fill the hole with expanding foam but not sure it would be acceptable.
    Is the 16 sq cable fitted or just the conduit.

    The hole is because rather than cut it out for the conduit it was given a belt of a hammer, typical.

    I wouldn't touch it.
    As long as there is no damage to the front and it locked properly then I don't think its an issue.
    However if you do decide to replace it make sure the next one doesn't get the same hammer job!

    One thing to note, this sort of damage can be a major source of letting air into the cavity in a cavity block wall, so you might consider it in that light.

    “I can’t pay my staff or mortgage with instagram likes”.



  • #4
    rampantbunny
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 907 ✭✭✭rampantbunny


    Thanks to both posters above for the replies.

    I'll probably replace the box entirely if I get to it before it's plastered in. Otherwise I'll get a piece of thin PVC and run it along bottom of box, glued in place.

    I'm sure the airtightness of the box even if fitted without damage wouldn't be great. You'd still have to seal around the conduit and cable coming in, and the feed to the house also.
    Could've wrapped solitex or the like around the back of the box to seal it better(taped around conduits), but IMO that is effort going beyond sanity. If I don't apply the brakes re. airtightness I might as well wrap the whole house at this rate.


  • #5
    Calahonda52
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,888 ✭✭✭✭Calahonda52


    Insanity is a state of mind!
    Am working with a number of others trying to retro airtight a large number of TF houses with brick facade and we are stumped with the esb, gas, tv and fone boxes, all of which are throght the brick leaf. Its a mess

    “I can’t pay my staff or mortgage with instagram likes”.



  • #6
    MicktheMan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,880 ✭✭✭MicktheMan


    Calahonda52 wrote: »
    One thing to note, this sort of damage can be a major source of letting air into the cavity in a cavity block wall, so you might consider it in that light.

    The cavity in a cavity wall is considered "outside" for air tight purposes. In other words, trying to seal or close air leakage paths in a cavity in order to address air tightness inside a house is a waste of time.


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    Calahonda52
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,888 ✭✭✭✭Calahonda52


    MicktheMan wrote: »
    The cavity in a cavity wall is considered "outside" for air tight purposes. In other words, trying to seal or close air leakage paths in a cavity in order to address air tightness inside a house is a waste of time.

    The benefit of a democracy is that we can beg to differ here which I do.

    “I can’t pay my staff or mortgage with instagram likes”.



  • #8
    dathi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,422 ✭✭✭dathi


    Calahonda52 wrote: »
    Insanity is a state of mind!
    Am working with a number of others trying to retro airtight a large number of TF houses with brick facade and we are stumped with the esb, gas, tv and fone boxes, all of which are throght the brick leaf. Its a mess

    the cavity is ventilated in a timber frame house


  • #9
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,822 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    Calahonda52 wrote: »
    One thing to note, this sort of damage can be a major source of letting air into the cavity in a cavity block wall, so you might consider it in that light.

    Whilst using a hammer is the height of laziness, I agree, the fact is in your example the cavity is supposed to be ventilated, not sealed, so it doesn't matter.

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



  • #10
    john f 4g63
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 ✭john f 4g63


    One thing to watch out for with the esb box is make sure water doesn't get in to it as it could rot the timber board which the meter is fixed to.

    I found this out the hard way as i got the power turned on to my house last Monday. The esb came to run in the wire but wouldn't finish the box as the bottom of the timber board was after getting wet. So i had to leave work, buy a whole new box and replace the board with the new one. I had asked if i could replace it with ply or some other board but they wouldn't accept this as it wasn't fire rated. Luckily i got it fixed in time so they were able to finish the job. If i couldn't though i would probably be waiting another few weeks to get them back and they would have charged me an extra call out charge.

    Just something to keep in mind!


  • #11
    rampantbunny
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 907 ✭✭✭rampantbunny


    john f 4g63 wrote: »
    One thing to watch out for with the esb box is make sure water doesn't get in to it as it could rot the timber board which the meter is fixed to.

    I found this out the hard way as i got the power turned on to my house last Monday. The esb came to run in the wire but wouldn't finish the box as the bottom of the timber board was after getting wet. So i had to leave work, buy a whole new box and replace the board with the new one. I had asked if i could replace it with ply or some other board but they wouldn't accept this as it wasn't fire rated. Luckily i got it fixed in time so they were able to finish the job. If i couldn't though i would probably be waiting another few weeks to get them back and they would have charged me an extra call out charge.

    Just something to keep in mind!

    Good advice.
    Wouldn't it be diligent of whomever makes the box to replace the ply with something a bit more durable. The whole box could do with some strengthening from what I can see..


  • Advertisement
  • #12
    john f 4g63
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 ✭john f 4g63


    rampantbunny wrote: »
    Good advice.
    Wouldn't it be diligent of whomever makes the box to replace the ply with something a bit more durable. The whole box could do with some strengthening from what I can see..

    Ya, as the wood they use is a type of chipboard which just seems to soak up the water anyway.


Advertisement