A metering box (also called a meter box or revenue metering enclosure) and a regular distribution box serve fundamentally different purposes. A metering box is specifically designed to house the utility-owned electricity meter and provide a secure, tamper-proof connection point between the utility's incoming service cable and the consumer's electrical installation. It features a transparent window for meter reading, a utility-controlled lock, and a physical partition separating the utility-side metering compartment from the consumer-side distribution compartment. A regular distribution box, by contrast, contains the consumer's own circuit breakers and does not house the utility meter — it is downstream of the metering point. In many installations, the metering box contains both the meter and a small consumer-side breaker (as the GHBX does with its 1–2 outgoing MCB circuits), while a separate distribution board downstream handles the full circuit protection. The key distinction is that the metering box is utility-owned and sealed, while the distribution box is consumer-owned and accessible.

The GHBX (DBX-3000) metering box is designed for indoor installation only, with a protection rating of IP30 or IP40. It is not suitable for direct outdoor exposure to rain, snow, or direct sunlight. If outdoor mounting is required, the metering box must be installed inside a weatherproof kiosk, cabinet, or meter room that provides protection from the elements while maintaining the required clearances and ventilation. For outdoor pole-mounted or pad-mounted metering applications, GOHO offers alternative products such as the JP series outdoor comprehensive distribution box, which is specifically designed for outdoor service with higher IP ratings. We recommend consulting our engineers to select the correct enclosure type for your specific installation environment and utility requirements.

The standard GHBX (DBX-3000) metering box holds one single-phase electricity meter per unit compartment. For multi-tenant residential buildings or commercial complexes requiring multiple meters, multiple GHBX units can be installed side-by-side in a bank or row, each serving one tenant or consumer. This modular approach allows flexible scaling from single-meter installations to large multi-meter banks. Each unit maintains its own utility-consumer partition and locking mechanism, ensuring that each tenant's metering remains tamper-proof and independently sealed by the utility. For projects requiring a higher density of meters in a single enclosure, GOHO can provide custom multi-meter bank configurations — please contact our engineers with the number of meters, current rating per meter, and mounting arrangement required.

The GHBX metering box is compatible with both DIN-rail mounted and base-mounted (plate-mounted) single-phase electricity meters, covering both electronic and mechanical (induction) meter types. DIN-rail meters are modern electronic meters that clip onto a standard 35mm DIN rail inside the enclosure, offering compact dimensions and easy replacement. Base-mounted meters are typically traditional induction-type meters that bolt onto a mounting plate. The enclosure's standardized dimensions accommodate standard single-phase meter form factors used by most utility companies worldwide. For smart meters with communication modules (RF, PLC, GPRS), ensure that the selected meter's dimensions and antenna requirements fit within the enclosure — for smart meters with external antennas, we can provide modified enclosures with antenna cable glands. Please provide the meter model and dimensions when requesting a quote to confirm compatibility.

The choice between cold-rolled steel and ABS plastic depends on the installation environment and requirements: (1) Steel enclosure — recommended for commercial, industrial, and public premises where mechanical strength and fire resistance are priorities. The powder-coated steel provides excellent impact resistance, EMI shielding, and fire protection, and can be locked more securely. Steel is heavier and may require more robust wall mounting. (2) ABS plastic enclosure — recommended for residential buildings, dormitories, and humid or coastal environments. ABS is lightweight, non-conductive (providing an additional safety layer), and highly resistant to corrosion and chemical attack. ABS enclosures are also easier to drill or modify on-site. Both versions meet IP30/IP40 protection ratings and IEC 61439 standards. For most residential applications, ABS is the preferred and more cost-effective choice; for commercial and industrial applications, steel is generally specified.

The GHBX metering box uses an internal physical partition that divides the enclosure into two distinct compartments: (1) Utility-side metering compartment — accessible only to authorized utility personnel via the utility-controlled lock (padlock hasp or triangle-key lock). This compartment contains the incoming utility service cable, the meter's line-side terminals, and the utility's tamper-evident seals. The consumer has no access to this compartment. (2) Consumer-side distribution compartment — accessible to the consumer or their electrician. This compartment contains the outgoing consumer-side MCB (up to 63A) and the load-side cable connections. The partition prevents the consumer from accessing the meter terminals or tampering with the metering circuit, while still allowing them to reset their own breaker or connect their internal wiring. This separation is required by electricity supply regulations in most countries to protect utility revenue and ensure metering accuracy and integrity.