Meter move + landlord supply

[bob2611]

I am working with Western Power at the moment. I wanted a meter moved and a landlord supply put in. They told me there was no extra capacity and I would have to replace the whole system up to the meters.

The quote was very pricey for a supply just for emergency lighting. They then said you can someone else to do the work if want but I cannot find anyone else to give me a price or second opinion as this is very specialised.

Anyone offer me some advice ?

 

[Taylortwocities]

It sounds like the only work that Western needs to do is to move the meter.
Everything else after the meter is done by your electrician.

 

[JohnW2]

It sounds like the only work that Western needs to do is to move the meter.

Is not the issue being raised probably related to:

I wanted a meter moved and a landlord supply put in. They told me there was no extra capacity and I would have to replace the whole system up to the meters. The quote was very pricey for a supply just for emergency lighting.

... i.e. WPD see the 'landlord supply' as a new supply, and are saying that there is not capacity for 'two supplies' to be fed from the existing service. However, if, as OP suggests, the new supply is only for emergency lighting, there seems an element of Jobsworthism about that (presumably a tiny 'new supply' would be adequate)!

Everything else after the meter is done by your electrician.

I may be wrong, but I got the impression that the OP probably was 'the electrician'.

Kind REgards, John

 

[Taylortwocities]

Ahh yes. He has asked Western for a separate new metered supply for the landlord's supply to the emergency lighting. These days emergency lighting would be low energy so only a few watts per location. I'll bet they are still using a 100 watt per fixing guideline.

If you must have a meter from western they will have their own rules, and you'll have to live by them. Perhaps you could provide a PRIVATE METER for the 'landlords supply' and come to an agreement with one of the tenants to sub meter off their feed?
I have seen this done at a couple of places for amenity lighting in charity local housing.

 

[westie101]

Though the only way that WPD could make a decision about load and capacity is if they have been given that information on the application!

Is the reply given the result of a basic application but without the detail needed to give a final answer?

Though an additional meter is required this is more in the way of additional load on an existing supply (though it will need an additional main fuse) perhaps the OP needs to discuss it it those terms rather than as a new supply, (and possibly with someone who has sufficient technical knowledge rather than the call centre)

 

[JohnW2]

Ahh yes. He has asked Western for a separate new metered supply for the landlord's supply to the emergency lighting. These days emergency lighting would be low energy so only a few watts per location. I'll bet they are still using a 100 watt per fixing guideline.

Quite frankly, even if they were using 100W per fixing, the total demand of this 'new supply'would be so trivial (do they do 5A or 10A cutout fuses, I wonder? ) that I would have thought that they could use some sensible discretion to avoid the 'no extra capacity' issue. As westie has asked, I wonder if they actually do understand what it required of this 'new supply'?

Kind Regards, John

 

[phatboy]

Unless its a huge system to supply, isn't a new supply with its own service charges, going to make this expensive on an on-going basis?

If possible, it does sound like a private meter from an existing supply would save money?

 

[bob2611]

Thanks for the posts. Yes it is jobworthism. He took a load of pics and gave it to a technical architect (who I cannot speak to).

They gave me an extortionate quote and said I can go elsewhere if I was not happy with it knowing fully well they have the monopoly (unless someone here can tell me different).

The electrician said that the LL supply will not exceed the current supply, but this guy is just being difficult.

If Western Power were going to make me pay £5k, and rip it all out, I asked them to move the power to another location (cupboard under the stairs). They refused but seem to omit to mention this in the quote. Again my electrician says there are no regs or fire issues with having the power and meters in the basement (which is dry) or under the stairs. Anyone have any thoughts on this ?

BTW, How would I get a "private meter" ?

 

[JohnW2]

BTW, How would I get a "private meter" ?

Just buy it - they are freely available and very cheap. TTC gave you a link to an eBay listing, as an example. This is something that your electrician would install on the tenant's side of the supplier's meter - so is nothing to do with either DNO or supplier.

Kind Regards, John