The Complete Guide to Meter Surrounds

What a meter surround is

A meter surround is the frame that trims the wall opening around flush-mounted metering. Where a surface-mounted box bolts to the face of a wall, flush metering recesses into a brick or rendered wall using a panel-and-surround format: the meter panel sits within the wall opening and the surround trims the edge to a clean, weathered finish. It is a common choice on new brick homes and renders where a proud surface box is not wanted.

EVO Electric supplies meter surrounds, panels and enclosures to the trade from our Sydney warehouse. We do not install metering — this guide explains when a surround is the right call and how to order it to suit the wall.

Flush versus surface metering

The surround is part of the flush-mounting method. Understanding the two mounting formats makes it clear when a surround is needed.

Flush metering suits masonry and rendered walls where a tidy, recessed finish matters. Surface mounting suits fibro, poles, retrofits and anywhere a wall recess is impractical.

Sizing the surround to the wall

The critical measurement for a flush install is the wall's finished depth, because the panel and surround must suit it. Ordering the surround without knowing the wall build-up is the fastest way to a return trip when the depths do not match.

• —Confirm the wall's finished depth including brick, cavity and render.
• —Match the surround to the panel size and the metering layout.
• —Allow for the panel to sit within the recess with the door closing flush.
• —Order the panel and surround together so they suit each other.

Materials and finish

Surrounds are specified for durability and appearance in an external position. Powder-coated steel is the common choice; stainless is used in coastal environments where salt attacks powder-coated finishes. The surround is visible on the face of the home, so the finish matters as much as the function.

• —Powder-coated steel — standard for metro and inland work.
• —Stainless steel — coastal and marine positions.
• —Match the finish to the metering enclosure for a consistent look.

Sealing, weathering and compliance

A flush surround still has to keep weather out and let the network seal its sections. The trim must weather the wall opening so water does not track behind the render, and the sealing provisions around the service fuse and meter must stay intact and accessible — the same compliance rules that apply to surface boxes apply here.

How to order a panel-and-surround combination

Because the surround, panel and metering all have to suit each other and the wall, order them as a set with the wall details.

• —Wall finished depth and construction type.
• —Metering layout — number of meters, phase configuration.
• —Panel size or a custom-cut panel to the aperture.
• —Material and finish to suit the environment.

Request a quote for the panel-and-surround combination together and it arrives matched to the wall and the metering, so the Level 2 recesses it once and it finishes flush.

Frequently Asked Questions