Told British Gas don't Fit isolators

[Stoday]

the DNO can be called out FOC to isolate in the AM and re-energise in the PM.

The DNO cannot charge for this service.

Not quite. This is what EDF says in their leaflet "Information for electricians and other parties seeking de-energisation of supplies to enable electrical wiring activity to be undertaken on a customer’s electrical installation".

The only parties EDF Energy permits to work upon distribution and metering equipment in EDF Energy’s ownership or control are EDF Energy’s own employees and contractors undertaking distribution activities, and the Meter Operator appointed to the premises concerned by the appointed Electricity Supplier. The appointed Meter Operator undertakes work under instruction from the appointed Electricity Supplier, with such work being limited to operating service termination cut-out fuse/isolation device and working upon associated metering and making or remaking connections to customer’s installation.

I guess the DNO does not charge for the service because they don't do it.

 

[LiamPope]

I must be lucky then. My supplier N-power came and fit a new meter, upgraded my tails to 25mm and fitted an isolator. All totally free of charge . Dunno if they still have that policy and if it applies to all regions, but worth checking. Then tell your existing supplier they'll lose your custom if they dont fit an isolator for a reasonable price, or at least pull the fuse for next to nowt.

 

[peterduckett]

From what i been told is BG are responsible from what I shall call the end of the fuse to the meter (not the tails Interesting enough)

DNO (EON) will not fit an isolator it has to be arrange though BG who subs this work out to the metering agent

 

[bongos]

Have a look here. If you're in Leicester then your DNO should be EON Central Networks.

EON contact numbers are on this site. Explain what you want doing and hopefully it should be alot cheaper than what BG said you'd have to pay.

 

[martinxxxxxx]

You have to demonstrate part P compliance for this to be granted though

How can you do that if you haven't done the work yet?

Oh no its you, er er, I am sorry I meant to say that you are going to be compliant with the part p process -- ie a competant person under a scheme or have evidence of BCO notice procedure (although the later I think may still not get you a replacement seal)

 

[securespark]

I should have said "should not", sorry.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I meant to say that you are going to be compliant with the part p process

OK - I thought you meant had complied with it, not were going to.

-- ie a competant person under a scheme or have evidence of BCO notice procedure

Do they think it's their job to police it, or something?

(although the later I think may still not get you a replacement seal)

So they only "allow" registered electricians to do it?

That makes sense, given how much training they all get in doing it safely....

 

[Deleted member 54734]

The DNO's dont actually charge much to pull the fuse, AFAIK (if anything, they will usually be on their way to a bigger job etc). It seems British Gas are charging you for arranging it.

Agree with the above.

As most on here know I work for a meter operator (owned by my local DNO) and fitting isolators is one of my jobs.
We don't do the fuse pulling and coming back later thing in my area and IMO it's a total waste of time when an isolator could be fitted then the meter chap could be done and dusted, spark wouldn't have to wait around etc etc.

Usually it's clear cut.
"I want an isolator"
"ok we will be there on such a day"
Turn up fit isolator, renew tails if needed off to next job.
Spark turns up afterwards can turn on and off at will and can clearly distinguish between the DNO's responsibility and the customers.

It seems that some SUPPLIERS (not DNO's) just like causing problems.

£120 to pull the fuse?
It's no wonder people pull the fuse risking flashovers and damaging cutouts.

 

[martinxxxxxx]

I meant to say that you are going to be compliant with the part p process

OK - I thought you meant had complied with it, not were going to.

-- ie a competant person under a scheme or have evidence of BCO notice procedure

Do they think it's their job to police it, or something?

(although the later I think may still not get you a replacement seal)

So they only "allow" registered electricians to do it?

That makes sense, given how much training they all get in doing it safely....

Probably more to do with the fact that if they hand out seal to someone on the a scheme, it gives them a get out; legally as to be on a scheme you need to have not only demonstrated you can do the job ( ) but also have in place a bona fidi company with Public Liability Insurance and a trading history in place, plus a H&S policy and a risk assessment in place.

OK there maybe people registered without the above, but they have their get out ready.

 

[peterduckett]

As most on here know I work for a meter operator (owned by my local DNO) and fitting isolators is one of my jobs.
We don't do the fuse pulling and coming back later thing in my area and IMO it's a total waste of time when an isolator could be fitted then the meter chap could be done and dusted, spark wouldn't have to wait around etc etc.

Do I guess your DNO charge for that service if so what is a ball park figure.
Do all Meter operators have to provide this service

 

[Deleted member 54734]

Do I guess your DNO charge for that service if so what is a ball park figure.

Not so long ago I could fit an isolator on request as the company I work for didn't charge.
But then certain suppliers were charging their customers for the work we were doing for free.
Supplier got 100% of the charge.
We were then told not to fit isolators willy nilly as my company had started to charge suppliers to fit an isolator as they were missing out on the cash.

Later we were told we could fit an isolator if one was needed for what ever reason.

So now I don't know when and where I can or can't fit an isolator or if my company charges for the privilege.

Do all Meter operators have to provide this service

Again sorry I have no idea but would have thought there had to be a way to legally change a consumer unit.

If I was in your position I would contact one of the bodies (OFGEM etc) and ask them.
It won't cost you much if anything to ask them the question on isolating the supply and you have something to fire at your supplier if they give you grief.