Electricity meter reconnection: required documents

A missing electricity meter does not always mean that the entire business premises must undergo an electrical inspection. You first need to establish why the meter was removed, whether a valid connection still exists, and what documentation the electricity distributor or supplier requires.

In some cases, a contractual transfer may be enough. In others, the meter cabinet and incoming supply cable must be inspected, and an inspection report or a form certified by an electrical inspector may be required. A completed inspection does not, in itself, guarantee when the meter will be installed.

First identify the situation you are dealing with

The term “electricity meter reconnection” may refer to several different procedures:

• establishing a new supply point,
• restoring a previously terminated supply,
• transferring a supply point to another customer,
• reconnecting after the supply has been interrupted,
• connecting after the meter cabinet has been renovated or relocated,
• changing the main circuit breaker, number of phases, tariff, or metering arrangement.

The difference is not merely the name of the application. It affects the connection agreement, the scope of the technical inspection, and the type of document that must be submitted.

ČEZ Distribuce also treats a previously connected supply point without valid reserved capacity as a new connection if more than four years have passed since the last connection agreement ended. By contrast, according to its guidance, an inspection report is not normally required for the transfer of a supply point alone. The decisive factor is therefore the recorded status of the specific supply point, not merely the empty space where the meter should be.

Why was the meter removed?

Before arranging an inspection, find the distributor’s most recent letter, the site report, any notice requiring defects to be remedied, and the original connection agreement. These documents should indicate whether:

• the previous supply ended without a follow-on agreement,
• the previous customer requested the removal,
• the supply was interrupted for contractual or payment-related reasons,
• the distributor identified technical defects,
• the meter cabinet was renovated or relocated,
• the technical parameters of the supply point changed.

An inspection report describes the technical condition of the equipment within a defined scope. It does not resolve outstanding debts, replace an agreement, or prove that a non-technical reason for interrupting the supply has been remedied.

If the distributor issued a defect checklist, give it to both the electrician and the electrical inspector. Among the situations covered by its “Výpis z revizní zprávy / Záznam o provedené dílčí kontrole OM pro měření na hladině NN” form, EG.D expressly includes the reconnection of a previously removed supply point where defects were found during removal and a defect checklist was issued. Under its connection conditions, a full initial or extraordinary inspection report is required when connecting a microgeneration system or electricity-generating facility.

Distributor, situation, and required document

The supplier and distributor are not the same. Customers choose their electricity supplier, while the distribution system operator is determined by the location of the supply point. The main distributors include ČEZ Distribuce, EG.D, and PREdistribuce; some supply points belong to a local distribution system.

PREdistribuce states that the electrical inspector’s declaration on this form is valid for three months. Its podniková norma MM 501 also states that documentation for restoring a supply may be issued only after verifying that “the reasons that led to the removal of the metering equipment no longer apply.” The standard does not limit these reasons to technical defects, so while the reason for removal persists, a completed inspection alone will not restart the process.

The table is intended as a guide. Before any alterations begin, request the distributor’s or supplier’s exact requirements for the specific EAN and connection agreement.

How much of the installation must be inspected?

The scope of the inspection depends on the alterations made, the actual condition of the equipment, and the required document. If the meter cabinet has been replaced, the inspection may cover the new cabinet and the associated incoming supply cable. This does not automatically mean that a new inspection of the entire business premises is required.

A broader scope may be necessary when:

• it is impossible to establish where the inspected cable continues,
• as-built documentation is missing,
• the cabinet was modified without any record,
• the condition of the connected installation prevents the altered section from being assessed safely,
• the required circuit breaker, number of phases, or tariff requires further wiring changes,
• the inspection identifies defects outside the originally agreed scope.

For small premises, the practical outcome may be a single comprehensive inspection report covering the connection and the related electrical equipment. For a larger property, it is particularly important to define exactly which cabinets, cables, and areas the document covers.

If you need to establish the scope before repairs begin or before submitting an application, SOHE provides electrical installation inspections and can use the available documentation to separate the inspection of the supply point from the inspection of other parts of the premises.

What to prepare for the electrical inspector

Before the visit, send the inspector as much of the following information as possible:

• the address and information about access to the supply point,
• the EAN, if known,
• the distributor’s name,
• the connection agreement or its draft,
• any written notice from the distributor or supplier,
• the meter removal report,
• the defect checklist,
• the required main circuit breaker rating and number of phases,
• the required distribution tariff,
• documentation for the cabinet and incoming supply cable,
• a description of the alterations and documents from the electrical installation contractor,
• photographs of the cabinet, labels, main circuit breaker, and metering compartment.

For indirect metering, details of the current transformers and the related documentation are also required. For a dual-tariff arrangement or equipment controlled by the distributor, the corresponding control-circuit wiring is inspected as well.

Missing documentation may not prevent the inspection, but it can make the visual examination and testing take longer while the actual wiring is traced. Any repairs to the cabinet, additional labelling, or preparation of documentation are separate tasks outside the inspection itself.

Who receives the document?

The distributor is not necessarily the direct recipient of the document. Depending on the type of application, the document may be submitted to the distributor, the electricity supplier, or both at different stages of the process.

Before submitting it, confirm:

1. who requires the document,
2. whether they require the full inspection report, an extract, a confirmation, or their own form,
3. how the supply point must be identified in the document,
4. which portal or customer service channel must be used to submit it.

ČEZ Distribuce distinguishes between documents submitted to the distributor and those intended for the electricity supplier. For some procedures, it accepts the prescribed confirmation that a report was issued instead of the full report. For EG.D and PREdistribuce, the process may include a form containing information certified by an electrical inspector.

Before submission, check the address and EAN, the scope of the inspection, the main circuit breaker rating, the number of phases, and the report’s conclusion. Any discrepancy between the application, the actual wiring, and the inspection document may result in the application being returned for additional information.

In brief

The same type of inspection document is not required every time an electricity meter is reconnected. The requirements depend on why the meter was removed, whether the original connection remains valid, what technical alterations were made, and exactly what the distributor or supplier requests.

Before arranging an inspection, establish the EAN, the distributor, and the reason for disconnection. Then have the required document and its scope confirmed.

Frequently asked questions

Is an old periodic inspection report for the premises sufficient?

Not necessarily. An older report may describe a different state of the installation or may not cover the meter cabinet, incoming supply cable, and current parameters of the supply point. What matters is the document recipient’s requirements and whether the report matches the installation as it currently exists.

Is an inspection required when transferring the premises to a new company?

A transfer alone does not necessarily trigger an inspection. ČEZ Distribuce lists it among the situations in which it does not normally require an inspection report. A different procedure may apply if the meter has been removed, the connection has expired, or the technical parameters are changing.

Is the entire business premises inspected?

Not automatically. The scope may be limited to the meter cabinet, incoming supply cable, or another altered section. If that section cannot be safely assessed in isolation, the electrical inspector will recommend extending the inspection.

How long is the document valid?

There is no single validity period for every distributor and every type of document. PREdistribuce states that its form for concluding a low-voltage supply agreement is valid for three months. In other cases, check the conditions stated on the relevant form or in the agreement.

Does a completed inspection mean the distributor will install the meter?

No. The inspection documents the technical condition within the stated scope. The meter will be installed only after the distributor’s and supplier’s contractual, administrative, and technical conditions have been met.

Sources for this article

• Electrical installation inspections – a service provided by SOHE.
• Inspection of a meter cabinet when changing the circuit breaker and tariff – when a distributor requires an inspection of modified metering equipment.
• Initial electrical inspection – the purpose of an initial inspection of a new or modified installation.
• Required contents of an inspection report – which details and scope definitions to check in the report.

This article is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. The specific procedure for reconnecting an electricity meter must be determined according to the actual operation, the manufacturer’s documentation, the environment in which the equipment is used, and the risk assessment.

Do you need an inspection for a new or restored connection? We provide electrical installation inspections, including inspection of the meter cabinet and definition of the scope based on the available documentation. Send us a no-obligation enquiry or email info@sohe.cz.