Moving a meter

We have UK Power Networks ... (after much delay (we placed the order back in December) and faffing with council street permits, Covid 19, Sunday working requirements - even though the streets are deserted etc etc) .....a date for installing a new supply, and moving an existing supply.

I am told the Utility company is responsible for moving the meter only and not the DNO (UK PN will not move the existing meter).
Currently with Covid we cannot get anyone to come move/install a meter.

Am I correct to say that normally the meter should be next to the head, and the CU no more than 2 mts from the meter (unless a 100a DP isolator is installed).

Will the DNO connect the moved supply to the existing meter, even if they are several meters apart, just temporarily, whilst we wait until Utilities are able to install/move new meters (which will be in a slightly different location).

When new meters are installed, does the Utility company break the crimps and use the DNO's isolator, so they can connect up the mete.
What is the situation if my spark cannot be present when meters are changed ... he is currently stuck abroad.

Should I be concerned about being left without a connected supply (at least just one) when UKPNM come ?.

Thanks

frank999 said:

I am told the Utility company is responsible for moving the meter only and not the DNO (UK PN will not move the existing meter).

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Correct.

Am I correct to say that normally the meter should be next to the head,

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Yes, in a normal house.

and the CU no more than 2 mts from the meter (unless a 100a DP isolator is installed).

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No, you will need a switch/fuse, after the meter, with a rating of fuse the same as or lower than the DNO's - probably 100A if new - if more than 2 or 3m to the CU.
You will have to supply it.
There is no point to this fuse but that is their rule.

Will the DNO connect the moved supply to the existing meter, even if they are several meters apart, just temporarily, whilst we wait until Utilities are able to install/move new meters (which will be in a slightly different location).

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I wouldn't think so, that will be the utility so it does not concern the old meter.

When new meters are installed, does the Utility company break the crimps and use the DNO's isolator, so they can connect up the meter.

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Yes, they will cut the seals but there is no isolator between the supply and the meter.
The switch/fuse will be after the meter and can be switched off for connection to the consumer unit by an electrician.

What is the situation if my spark cannot be present when meters are changed ... he is currently stuck abroad.

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A different one ?

When my son was working as a sole trader I had to attend a few times when a supply was being moved or installed, they would not do it unless an electrician was on site. I did not do anything in most cases, just had to be there, there was one when I had to attend as an emergency when the supply was moved early leaving the client without power until all circuits were moved to new consumer unit. After being caught out once, we started to fit an isolator both at old and new position with a cable able to carry 100 amp between both locations.

Please note not my jobs, it was son who was a sole trader, I just helped out when he needed to be in two places at the same time.

We worked in North Wales, and over the boarder and it did seem not all suppliers were the same, we had one house where it was rewired without there being a supply, the DNO was contacted and asked what supply would be installed, and was told TN-C-S so three tails left ready to be connected, this was at the time my son was getting divorced, and he became of no fixed abode as living on a narrow boat, so mobile phone only, for what ever reason that one he did not find out when the supply was going in, and he called to see when it was going to happen, only to find it had happened and the DNO had decided to supply using TT, so the house had no earth, so I can see why they insist on an electrician being present. How that house was connected without either of us being there I don't know.

Thank you for your replies.

there is no isolator between the supply and the meter.
At our existing head resides a pull out fuse (very old), I presume there will be some form of isolation (a pull out fuse) before the meter:

https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/electricity/replace-meter-board

I am concerned that UK Power Networks will move the head on the 24th, but I will not be able to get the meter moved by any utility company any time soon due to Covid, so leaving us without power onsite.

I wouldn't think so
If the position of the new incoming supply (head) was within 2mt's of the existing meter, and tails long enough to connect to the old meter are supplied (ie 2mt), in view of the times we are in, would they not help and connect the old meter to the new supply, until we can get the Utility Company in.

As an aside, where the supply has no isolator after the meter (ie tails are less than 2mt), how does an electrician isolate the supply to connect from the meter to the CU. Would it not make sense to install an isolator at this point regardless of whether the tails are 2mt or more.

Thanks

frank999 said:

there is no isolator between the supply and the meter.

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There never is - for obvious reasons.

At our existing head resides a pull out fuse (very old), I presume there will be some form of isolation (a pull out fuse) before the meter:

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No. Isolators are fitted after the meter.

https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/electricity/replace-meter-board

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As it states, they will talk it through with you.

I am concerned that UK Power Networks will move the head on the 24th, but I will not be able to get the meter moved by any utility company any time soon due to Covid, so leaving us without power onsite.

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Such is life. Rules are rules.

I wouldn't think so

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If the position of the new incoming supply (head) was within 2mt's of the existing meter, and tails long enough to connect to the old meter are supplied (ie 2mt),

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How would you do that without the utility company?
The 2 metres does not apply to the distance from head to meter but from meter to CU,

in view of the times we are in, would they not help and connect the old meter to the new supply, until we can get the Utility Company in.

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I wouldn't think so.

Thank you for your reply.

There never is - for obvious reasons.
But there is a pull out fuse, which has a crimped seal ?.

The 2 metres does not apply to the distance from head to meter but from meter to CU,
May I ask what the permissable distance is from Head to Meter

Such is life. Rules are rules.
Agree, but just looking for a solution to a problem, which now appears a very simple one, are their any approved/accredited 'agents' working for utility Companies, that can do this work ?

frank999 said:

There never is - for obvious reasons. ... But there is a pull out fuse, which has a crimped seal ?.

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Indeed - which is why there would never really be any point in having an isolation between the 'head' and the meter.

frank999 said:

The 2 metres does not apply to the distance from head to meter but from meter to CU, ... May I ask what the permissable distance is from Head to Meter

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You would probably have to ask the DNO (or, more likely, the supplier or their meter operator) about that - since it's well outside of the scope of the Wiring Regulations. I've certainly never seen, or heard of, a meter which was anything other than 'very close' to the 'head'. I would imagine that one of the considerations is that the connection between the two really has to be fully visible (usually well under 1m in length) - the moment any part of the cables become 'not visible', it would be difficult to detect any 'tapping off' of un-metered electricity!

Kind Regards, John

the moment any part of the cables become 'not visible', it would be difficult to detect any 'tapping off' of un-metered electricity!
Thats a great explanation of why ... thanks.

I have just spoken to an Electrician who tells me he is able to install a 'temporary' single socket directly from the Head, and provide a 'Minor Works Certificate', without the need to connect to any meters, existing or new ... I suggested that would allow unmetered electricity - to which he said 'it was only 1 socket'.

Is that correct and compliant ?

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Is Wormwood Scrubs far from your house so the family can collect you after you (and the “electrician” ). have served their sentences?

Is this a Smart Meter or not a Smart Meter?

Just asking.

frank999 said:

May I ask what the permissable distance is from Head to Meter

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Undefined, but if the cutout and meter are far apart, you will need another cutout adjacent to the meter for isolation. Generally one with a red link in rather than a fuse.
Same arrangement as used in blocks of flats where fuses are in the basement and meters are in the individual flats.

Is Wormwood Scrubs far from your house
It is reasonably accessable with current traffic loads.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
He made it sound like it wasn't a joke though, I'll go back to him and ask the question again, I'll also ask him to speak slower.

Generally one with a red link in rather than a fuse
Thanks