Hi,
I am in contact with my DNO (Western Power) to have my electric meter moved 0.5m to the right of it's current position. They did not believe the service cable would need cutting/extending and did quoted £135 for the work. I have agreed to arrange the contestable work myself and have begun digging down to expose the cable in preparation for their visit.
To my surprise, after digging down only 200mm, I exposed the top of the service cable. It was unprotected (no ducting) and surrounded by sharp stones and broken clay/ceramic pipe. The property is a 1960's semi bungalow. The meter is digital, so has obviously been replaced at some point. The square I have dug down was covered with tarmac, whereas the rest of the surrounding area is concrete. I suspect this cable is not original to the house and was replaced when the meter was changed.
I believe current standards are the cable should be 530mm below ground. If the DNO insist the cable is corrected, then who is responsible for paying for it? Will I be made to pay, or will the DNO pay as it's (in my opinion) unsafe?
Thank you.
I am in contact with my DNO (Western Power) to have my electric meter moved 0.5m to the right of it's current position. They did not believe the service cable would need cutting/extending and did quoted £135 for the work. I have agreed to arrange the contestable work myself and have begun digging down to expose the cable in preparation for their visit.
To my surprise, after digging down only 200mm, I exposed the top of the service cable. It was unprotected (no ducting) and surrounded by sharp stones and broken clay/ceramic pipe. The property is a 1960's semi bungalow. The meter is digital, so has obviously been replaced at some point. The square I have dug down was covered with tarmac, whereas the rest of the surrounding area is concrete. I suspect this cable is not original to the house and was replaced when the meter was changed.
I believe current standards are the cable should be 530mm below ground. If the DNO insist the cable is corrected, then who is responsible for paying for it? Will I be made to pay, or will the DNO pay as it's (in my opinion) unsafe?
Thank you.