Short answer
A modem, a switch and a small recorder can go in the meter cupboard, provided there is ventilation and there are sockets. The wifi router does not belong there: under the stairs behind a door the signal gets nowhere. A cupboard on the landing is often the better place for the network.
Who this article is for Anyone who wants to give their tech a home without it becoming a mess.
Two problems with the meter cupboard
Heat. A modem, a switch and a recorder easily produce fifty watts of heat together. In a closed cupboard under the stairs the temperature rises, and warm electronics glitch or fail sooner.
Wifi. A router in a cupboard with a closed door, between a consumer unit and metal pipework, radiates almost nowhere. That is the most common reason for poor wifi at home.
What can go in
- the provider's modem, provided there is ventilation
- a switch, which makes little heat
- the patch points where the network cables come together
- a small recorder, if air can get to it
What is better kept out
- the wifi router: it belongs in the centre of the home
- equipment that makes a lot of heat
- anything you need often, because a cupboard under the stairs is awkward
Sorting out ventilation
Simple and effective: a vent at the bottom of the door and one at the top. That gives a natural draught. In a cupboard with a lot of equipment a small fan can be added, but vents are usually enough.
Vents are usually enough and a fan is not needed.
Mind fire safety here: in many homes the meter cupboard is a fire-resistant space, and then you may not just make holes in it. What can be done instead, I discuss on site.
The alternative: a cupboard on the landing
A shallow cupboard of thirty centimetres on the landing or in a storeroom is often better for the network:
- central in the house, so good wifi
- cooler and easier to ventilate
- reachable without bending down
- room to add something later
That is where the network cables then come together, with a socket or two. The meter cupboard then stays what it is: the place for the electrics.
What I hand over
A label on every cable, a diagram of what runs where, and the cables neatly tied up. That sounds like a detail, but it is the difference between five minutes and an hour if anything ever needs tracing.
From my own work
In a home in Meerssen everything was in the meter cupboard: modem, router, switch and a recorder. In summer the cupboard got so warm that the modem restarted every afternoon. The router was moved to the landing with a cable, the rest stayed put with a vent in the door. No more dropouts since.
When to call an electrician
- Network equipment needs a home
- The meter cupboard gets warm or equipment restarts
- You want a tidy cupboard with everything in its place
I fit out the cupboard and make sure there is power and ventilation. Request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Can my router go in the meter cupboard?
Technically yes, but it is the most common cause of poor wifi. Put it in the centre of the home and leave the modem in the cupboard if you like.
How do I get the heat out of the cupboard?
A vent at the bottom and at the top of the door gives a natural draught. Do mind the fire resistance of the cupboard.
What is a good place for network equipment?
A shallow cupboard on the landing or in a storeroom: central, cooler, reachable and room to add something later.
Further reading
Access point or mesh: which to choose
Mesh is quick to set up and works reasonably well. Wired access points work better and last longer.
Fibre at home: what happens and what you need to arrange yourself
The provider brings the fibre into the meter cupboard. From there it is your network, and that is where there is most to gain.
A camera by the door or on the front of the house: what is allowed and what works
A camera on your wall may film your own property. The neighbours and the pavement are another matter.
Questions and comments
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