Meter must be 80A

Joined
7 Sep 2008
Messages
579
Reaction score
21
Location
Kent
Country
United Kingdom
I have been looking at UKPN's fuse upgrade information. I'm aiming to have an 80A fuse (up from 60A) and the info. says that my meter must be 80A. I still have one of the old style meters with a wheel - will this be compliant? If there's any doubt I suppose I'll have to have a smart meter.
 
Sponsored Links
The current rating of the meter will probably be written on it.
 
I noted the old Wylex fuse box main switch rated 60 amp
Wylex 60 amp.jpg
the same applies to some RCD's common to find a consumer unit with a 63 amp or 80 amp RCD feeding MCB's which exceed that limit, OK if DNO fuse is 60 amp, but not with 100 amp.

But the DNO should tell you fuse size and earth type, not up to you to tell them.
 
I noted the old Wylex fuse box main switch rated 60 amp the same applies to some RCD's common to find a consumer unit with a 63 amp or 80 amp RCD feeding MCB's which exceed that limit, OK if DNO fuse is 60 amp, but not with 100 amp.
Do I take it that you do not subscribe to the view that fuses (including the DNO fuse) in electrical installations exist only to protect cables?

Kind Regards, John
 
Sponsored Links
I was really asking about my mechanical meter and its ability to cope with 80A. (My CU is rated at 100A so no problem there.) The meter does have a 'Max 40A' rating printed inside , but I have read posts on here stating that this refers to the load up to which it is guaranteed accurate and is nothing to do with the load it can manage. I want to know if, when UKPN do their site visit, they will tut tut at my meter and say that it's not suitable for a bigger load. (I haven't bothered with a smart meter because the mobile signal here is almost non-existent, in case you're wondering.)
 
Last edited:
(I haven't bothered with a smart meter because the mobile signal here is almost non-existent, in case you're wondering.)
There many reasons not to have a smart meter. Just look at various threads on these forums. They are only of benefit to the supplier not the customer. They are not free. Tens of thousands (maybe more) of £ have been spent installing them.
 
The current rating of the meter will probably be written on it.
On the front metal plate (behind the glass) it will usually be written something like:
Volts 250
amps 80
Hz 50

OR

Volts 250
KW 20
Hz 50

I have several meters here from 40 to 100A, the only way to tell the difference is read the text.
 
I was really asking about my mechanical meter and its ability to cope with 80A. (My CU is rated at 100A so no problem there.) The meter does have a 'Max 40A' rating printed inside , but I have read posts on here stating that this refers to the load up to which it is guaranteed accurate and is nothing to do with the load it can manage.
My understanding is exactly the same as yours - i.e. that the 'maximum current' stated on a meter relates to 'certification', being the current above which there is no guarantee that the metering is accurate - and I would be very surprised if any meter out there could not 'cope', electrically, with 80A or more, no mater how low its 'certified rating'?

However, DNOs seem to create their own rules, so I suppose they could refuse to upgrade their supply fuse because of what id written on the meter if they so wished.

The 'simplest' answer would probably be to ask your supplier (not DNO) to upgrade the meter, wouldn't it?

Kind Regards, John
 
Of course not, if that were the case we would not have semi-conductor fuses.
"Semiconductor fuses" in the electrical installation (i.e. 'fixed wiring'), rather than within equipment connected to the installation?? - I'm not even sure that would be allowed by regs, would it?

As often discussed, if items of equipment 'require' specific levels of over-current protection, that should be provided within the equipment, not by reliance on devices protecting the circuit to which it is connected.

Kind Regards, John
 
I was really asking about my mechanical meter and its ability to cope with 80A. (
It will easily cope with 80A, and probably a lot more. It's also exceptionally unlikely it would ever need to.

The DNO won't care in the slightest what meter is installed - meters are entirely the responsibility of the electricity supplier.
A 100A supply doesn't mean that 100A will be used - and even if the supply is changed, the loads connected will be exactly the same as they are now.
 
The DNO won't care in the slightest what meter is installed - meters are entirely the responsibility of the electricity supplier.
One might well think that, but it seems that the DNO have already indicated that they do 'care' ...
I have been looking at UKPN's fuse upgrade information. I'm aiming to have an 80A fuse (up from 60A) and the info. says that my meter must be 80A.

Kind Regards, John
 
Here's part of the information I received from UKPN. They clearly do care about the meter.

The most common reasons for being unable to upgrade your fuse to 100 amp are below:
The electricity meter is not rated at 100 amps or above (This would need to be upgraded by your electricity supplier)
The consumer unit is not rated at 100 amps or above (This is commonly called the “fuse box”, and is maintained by a qualified electrician)
The meter tails are not at a size of 25mm or above (These are maintained by both your electricity supplier and a qualified electrician, depending on which set)

The most common reasons for being unable to upgrade your fuse to 80 amp are below:
The electricity meter is not rated at 80 amps or above (This would need to be upgraded by your electricity supplier)
The consumer unit is not rated at 80 amps or above (This is commonly called the “fuse box”, and is maintained by a qualified electrician)
The meter tails are not at a size of 16mm or above (These are maintained by both your electricity supplier and a qualified electrician, depending on which set)

I can see from our engineers notes, that we do not know the size of the cable that runs into your property, so this will need to be checked on the date of appointment before we can advise the highest fuse size we can go to.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top