smart meter query

When one or other of the regulars in this forums asks for photos of 'the meter', what we really need is, ideally,

1. A close-up of the meter itself (with the display lit up by touching a button if necessary) clear enough to be able to read the display and all the markings on the meter itself. If it's a smart multi-rate meter (e.g. configured for Economy 7), give the precise time the photo was taken;
2. A view of the whole backboard or meter box so we can see the main supply cable coming in from outside, and all the cables to and from the meter itself, along with any other equipment mounted there;
3. If it’s not clear from the previous photo, if possible a close-up of any meter exchange label - the card left by the engineer giving the numbers and readings of both the old and new meters (assuming he did leave one, as he’s supposed to do);
4. A view of each consumer unit (fuse box) with the lid propped open, clear enough to be able to read any labels the electrician may have left to say which breaker is which.
     

This will usually be enough, but there may be a need for more photos in specific cases, like of an RTS unit somewhere else or of time controls for space- or water heaters.

NB: The meter itself should have its serial number (MSN) printed on the front of it; nowadays, the MSN always starts with the year of original certification often followed by a letter or two and more numbers, but older meters' MSN may have a different format. This number can be used by anyone who knows how to reveal not only who the supplier is, but also the address where it's installed. You may want to obscure it before posting a photo of the meter itself.