Electrical connection cabinet: what it is, where it is fitted and what it costs
The connection cabinet (firida de bransament) is the physical interface between the public distribution grid and your building’s electrical installation. In practice, it is the official “boundary”: everything before the cabinet belongs to the distribution operator (Retele Electrice Romania S.A.), while everything after it is your responsibility. Understanding its role helps you avoid costly mistakes during design and at the handover of the works.
What the connection cabinet is
The connection cabinet (firida de bransament, also called a grid cabinet or connection box) is a protective enclosure, usually made of glass-fibre reinforced polyester, UV- and weather-resistant, in which the grid connection equipment is installed. It houses:
- The metering and protection block (BMP / BMPT) – this is where the electricity meter and the connection fuses/circuit breaker are located;
- The connection terminals to which the cable coming from the distribution grid is connected;
- The outgoing supply column towards the main distribution board inside the building.
In short, the cabinet is the point where the grid “links” to you, where consumption is measured and where the installation’s first line of protection is provided. Without a compliant cabinet, correctly fitted, the final connection cannot be accepted by the operator.
Why its position matters
The location of the cabinet is not an aesthetic choice but a technical and legal one. The operator must have permanent access to the meter (for reading, sealing, interventions), and you must be able to switch off the supply safely. That is why its placement is established in the connection design and confirmed in the Technical Connection Approval (ATR).
Types of cabinet: E1 and E2
In the practice of low-voltage connections in the area served by Retele Electrice Romania S.A., cabinets are classified according to the number of connections they serve and the way they are mounted.
| Cabinet type | Typical use | Usual mounting | Connections served |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | Individual dwelling / single consumer | Surface-mounted on the facade, in a wall recess or on a base/post at the property boundary | 1 connection |
| E2 | Two or more dwellings / consumers | Surface-mounted on a wall or on a shared base at the boundary of the properties | 2 or more connections |
In addition to type, cabinets also differ according to their equipment:
- Single-phase cabinet – for a single-phase connection, with an approved power of around 11 kW, sufficient for most single-family homes without large three-phase loads. See details under single-phase connection.
- Three-phase cabinet – for a three-phase (400V) connection, recommended when you have a heat pump, an EV charger, a workshop or high-power air conditioning. Details under three-phase connection.
The exact type, the cable cross-section and the characteristics of the BMPT are not chosen “by eye”: they result from the calculation summary of the connection design and are validated by the operator through the ATR.
Where the connection cabinet is fitted
The general rule is simple: the cabinet is fitted at the property boundary, in an area accessible to the operator from the public domain, without the reading/intervention team needing to enter the yard.
The most common placement options are:
- At the fence / on a post (base) at the property boundary – the most frequent solution for individual houses; the E1 cabinet is mounted on a concrete plinth or on a metal support, with the door facing the street.
- On the building’s facade, when the construction is right on the street alignment.
- In a wall recess provided in the fence or in the building’s wall, with an inspection door.
Practical requirements we take into account when fitting:
- a mounting height that allows safe reading and operation;
- an accessible door and the possibility of sealing by the operator;
- appropriate mechanical protection and sealing against water and dust;
- a correct and protected run of the column from the cabinet to the main distribution board.
The installation’s earthing electrode (priza de pamant) is also coordinated with the cabinet, being essential for protection against electrocution. Building the earthing electrode and verifying it (PRAM report) are separate works, but closely linked to the acceptance of the connection.
What a connection cabinet costs
The cabinet itself is not purchased and not fitted “separately” from the rest of the connection – it forms part of the connection execution works. That is why, when you ask “what does the cabinet cost”, the correct answer is “what does the connection cost, with the cabinet included”. The prices below are indicative; the final amount is set after the ATR is issued by Retele Electrice Romania S.A.
| Service | Indicative price (from) |
|---|---|
| Single-phase connection (cabinet included, ~11 kW) | 1,800 lei |
| Three-phase connection (cabinet included, 400V) | 2,900 lei |
| Underground connection | 3,500 lei |
| Temporary site connection | 2,200 lei |
| Dossier + connection design | 900 lei |
| ATR assistance | 350 lei |
| Power upgrade (spor de putere) | 350 lei |
| Earthing electrode | 900 lei |
| PRAM verification | 250 lei |
The factors that influence the final cost:
- the type of connection (single-phase vs. three-phase, overhead vs. underground);
- the distance from the grid to the cabinet and from the cabinet to the main distribution board;
- the type of cabinet (E1 for one consumer, E2 for several) and the BMPT equipment;
- related works: earthing electrode, pavement reinstatement/excavations for underground works, support/base.
For a quick estimate tailored to your situation, use the connection cost calculator or check the full list under prices.
How the cabinet is obtained and fitted, step by step
As an ANRE-certified company (execution and design), SUN WATT SRL manages the entire process. In short, the stages are:
- Submitting the connection dossier to the operator (ownership documents, site plan, application) and drawing up the connection design.
- Issuing the ATR (Technical Connection Approval), where the approved power, the cabinet type and the connection solution are officially established. This is where ATR assistance comes in.
- Execution of the connection: fitting the cabinet at the property boundary, equipping the BMPT, running the cable from the grid and the column to the main distribution board.
- Building the earthing electrode and issuing the PRAM report.
- Acceptance and energisation (punere sub tensiune) by the operator, followed by signing the supply contract.
We work in Bucharest, Ilfov and Giurgiu, and for the internal installation documentation we issue the DIU (Utilisation Installation Dossier) nationwide.
Want to find out which type of cabinet suits you and exactly what it will cost you? Contact us or call 0733 097 440 for an offer based on your actual situation.