What Happens When a Smart Meter Installation Is Rejected Because of Asbestos
When a smart meter installation is rejected because of asbestos, the meter installer stops work, leaves your existing meter in place and reports the site as not ready. The meter cannot be fitted until the asbestos-containing meter panel is replaced. Because the meter board is on the customer's side, arranging that replacement is usually the property owner's responsibility, and it needs a licensed electrician working under NSW asbestos safety rules plus a Level 2 ASP to isolate supply.
With smart meters being rolled out to all NSW homes by 2030, this is becoming a common situation in older Sydney properties.
Table of Contents
- Why do installers reject asbestos meter boards?
- How can you tell if a meter board contains asbestos?
- What happens next?
- Who can remove an asbestos meter board?
- Should the switchboard be upgraded at the same time?
- Can I refuse a smart meter to avoid the cost?
- How High Demand Electrical makes your meter board smart-meter ready
- FAQs
Why do installers reject asbestos meter boards?
Many homes built before 1990 have meter boards made from asbestos-containing sheet. Fitting a smart meter means drilling and fixing into the panel, which can release fibres. Under NSW work health and safety rules installers must manage that risk, so when asbestos is suspected they stop the job rather than disturb it. The NSW Government's smart meter safety requirements set out how installation work must be carried out safely.
How can you tell if a meter board contains asbestos?
You cannot confirm it by looking. Signs of a likely asbestos panel include a flat, grey or black compressed sheet with a fibrous edge, often marked or labelled on older installations. Only laboratory testing confirms it, which is why installers treat suspect panels as asbestos. See our guide to ceramic fuses and asbestos panels.
What happens next?
- You or your retailer are notified that the installation could not proceed.
- You engage a licensed electrician to replace the meter panel.
- A Level 2 ASP isolates the supply at the service fuse or point of attachment.
- The asbestos panel is removed and disposed of under NSW asbestos rules.
- A new meter panel or enclosure is installed, often with switchboard upgrades.
- Power is restored, a CCEW is issued, and the smart meter is rebooked with your retailer.
Who can remove an asbestos meter board?
SafeWork NSW allows removal of up to 10 m² of non-friable asbestos without a removal licence, but the work must still follow safe work methods and disposal rules. A meter panel is well under that area, so it is commonly removed by trained electricians who follow the SafeWork NSW requirements. Friable or damaged material requires a licensed asbestos removalist.
Should the switchboard be upgraded at the same time?
Usually it is worth it. Asbestos meter boards often carry ceramic rewireable fuses and no RCD protection. Replacing the panel and upgrading the switchboard together means one outage, modern protection, and room for solar, batteries or an EV charger later.
Can I refuse a smart meter to avoid the cost?
The AEMC's accelerated smart meter deployment rule aims for smart meters at all customers by 2030, as legacy meters are retired. Delaying usually only postpones the work, and the old asbestos panel remains a problem for any future electrical job.
How High Demand Electrical makes your meter board smart-meter ready
We replace asbestos meter panels safely, isolate and restore supply as a Level 2 ASP (Licence 397193C), and can upgrade your switchboard in the same visit so your retailer can rebook the smart meter upgrade. If the meter box also needs to move, we handle the meter relocation too.
FAQs
Related reading
- Ceramic Fuses, Asbestos Panels and Old Fuse Boxes
- Smart Meter Upgrade Process NSW: The Complete 2026 Guide
- What is a Smart Meter?
- Meter relocation cost in Sydney
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