Faulty installations of heat pumps, EV chargers, and solar panels are driving a rise in meter cupboard fires across the Netherlands, safety experts and industry data show.
Data tracked by consultancy firm Krado on behalf of Netbeheer Nederland reveals that domestic electrical incidents at meter and distribution boxes increased from two per week in previous years to three per week, totaling 176 incidents last year.
>>> Gordie Howe International Bridge Opens to Vehicle Traffic
Although overall registered grid incidents dropped by 6 percent to 913 in 2025, meter cupboard fires remain high due to older electrical systems being overloaded by high-power appliances operating over extended periods.
Expert Warnings on Installation
“All electricity in the home runs through the meter cupboard.
Fire safety therefore starts with a well-installed and well-maintained distribution board,” said Sjoerd van Gelder of Techniek Nederland.
“The electrical installation in your home is not a hobby project and not something you leave to a handy neighbor,” he added.
Electrotechnical expert Henry Lootens noted that many existing residential electrical panels were never designed to handle prolonged high voltage demands alongside multiple heavy systems.
“We draw more energy through the meter cupboard over long periods, and it has to be built for that,” Lootens said.
The problem is often worsened by partial upgrades that fail to account for total household energy usage. “Often a circuit is simply added.
And then they think: yes, it will probably be fine,” Lootens said.
Modern appliances like heat pumps require continuous power draws, unlike standard household appliances. “With a washing machine, the water is hot after about fifteen minutes.
