Meter Panels & Main Control for Owners Corporations in Melbourne

Meter panel modernisation, GMP upgrades and main control — compliant, safe and ready for smart meter technology.

Meter Panel Modernisation

Meter panels are the gateway between the utility supply and the building. Older panels can be unsafe, non-compliant or incompatible with modern meters:

Outdated enclosures – old meter boxes that no longer meet AS/NZS 3000 requirements
Meter socket wear – corroded or damaged sockets that cause arcing and heat buildup
Insufficient capacity – panels rated for lower currents than the building now requires
Multiple meters – strata buildings with individual tenant meters plus a common area meter

GMP Upgrades

The General Metering Point (GMP) is the main connection point between the DSO supply and the building:

GMP replacement – upgrading the main isolation switch and meter socket to current standards
Multi-meter GMPs – panels that house multiple individual tenant meters plus a common area meter
DSO compliance – the GMP must meet the DSO's specifications for meter installation and access

GMP upgrades are typically required when the DSO is rolling out new meters or when the existing GMP fails inspection.

Main Control

Main control equipment for strata buildings:

Main isolation switches – the primary disconnect between the supply and the building
Surge protection – mains surge protection devices that protect the building from voltage spikes
Power factor correction – capacitor banks that improve power factor for large buildings with inductive loads
Energy monitoring – sub-meters and energy monitors that track consumption by tenant or zone

Smart Meter Rollout

Victoria is rolling out advanced smart meters across all premises:

Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) – two-way communication meters that report usage in near real-time
Panel compatibility – older meter panels may need upgrading to accommodate the new smart meter form factor
DSO scheduling – the DSO will schedule the meter swap, but the panel must be ready

We can upgrade your meter panel to be smart-meter-ready, ensuring a smooth transition when the DSO arrives.

What to Expect

1

Assessment

We inspect the existing meter panel, GMP and main control equipment. We check compatibility with current meters and DSO requirements.

2

Quote

Fixed-price quote including all new equipment, labour and any DSO coordination needed.

3

Installation

We install the new meter panel, GMP and main control equipment. Power is disconnected for a few hours during the swap. We coordinate with the DSO for meter installation if needed.

4

Testing & Certification

We test all connections, verify earthing and issue the compliance paperwork. We coordinate with the DSO to commission the new meters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will residents lose power during the upgrade?

Yes — the meter panel upgrade requires a power disconnection of approximately 2–4 hours. We schedule this at a time that minimises disruption and provide advance notice to all residents.

Can we upgrade the panel before the DSO installs the smart meter?

Yes — we recommend upgrading the panel in advance so it is ready for the DSO meter swap. This avoids delays and ensures the new meter fits correctly.

Who pays for the meter panel upgrade?

Meter panel upgrades are funded from the Owners Corporation sinking fund. We provide a detailed quote that the strata manager can present to the committee for approval.

Meter Panels & Main Control for Owners Corporations in Melbourne

Meter Panel Modernisation

GMP Upgrades

Main Control

Smart Meter Rollout