3 phase domestic supply billing.

[Mister Dobbo]

I wonder if anyone has any experiance of 3 phase domestic supply. We are looking at buying a barn conversion that has an attached workshop with 3 phase equipment in it. The equipment will be going but the 3 phase supply will need to be kept as it powers a biodisc unit shared by 3 other houses. Off the 3 phase 1 phase supplies the property we are buying.
Would the electic bill be similar to standard domestic or do you pay a hefty premium for a 3 phase supply?
Any other things to be aware of with having a 3 phase supply (apart form dont touch 2 phases )

 

[Lectrician]

You pay no addional fees or standing charges etc for three phase supplies these days.

Assuming it is just a standard service head you will not be charged any more.

If the service head was larger than usual, then there will be an agreed capacity for the site, and you pay an availability charge for this. You can re-negotiate the agreed capacity down to a level where an availability charge no longer applies. You more than likely just have a standard sized service though.

 

[Mister Dobbo]

Thanks for the reply and thats just what I'd hoped to hear, the capacity would be fairly small as it was only 4 or 5 wood working machines.

8)

 

[Stoday]

You pay no addional fees or standing charges etc for three phase supplies these days.

That's not true.

For example EDF's Use of System standing charge for domestic premises is 5.96p/day for single phase, 6.89p/day for three phase.

EDF will charge these rates to your energy supplier. Your energy supplier may or may not pass the extra cost of three phase on to you.

The charges are described in each DNO's statement "Charges for the Use of the Electricity Distribution System" to be found on their web sites (maybe with a bit of digging).

 

[Mister Dobbo]

For example EDF's Use of System standing charge for domestic premises is 5.96p/day for single phase, 6.89p/day for three phase.

They're with E.On at the moment, I've had a look at what I think is the correct document (Here????) but I'm not to sure on all the terminology but it looks like 3 phase and single phase domestic are charged the same.

 

[Steve]

For example EDF's Use of System standing charge for domestic premises is 5.96p/day for single phase, 6.89p/day for three phase.

They're with E.On at the moment, I've had a look at what I think is the correct document (Here????) but I'm not to sure on all the terminology but it looks like 3 phase and single phase domestic are charged the same.

nonono, your DNO (the people who maintain the network in your area) charge "the people who you buy your electric from" (lets call them electricity retailers) for using the network.

The DNO is a fixed constant. Mine is YEDL - they look after Yorkshire's network. NEDL look after the north east (all part of CE electric now).

So if I buy my electricity from British Gas, the price is made up of

a) the wholesale price per unit of electric + margin
b) the daily standing charge imposed by YEDL for the type of service.

b) varies according to the tarrif. example, 3 phase, single phase, night storage heating, eco10, 20/20, all attract a different standing charge.

Electricity retailers used to pass the daily standing charge straight onto customers, but most dont do this on most tarrifs now, they absorb it into the price per unit.

 

[Stoday]

They're with E.On at the moment, I've had a look at what I think is the correct document (Here????) but I'm not to sure on all the terminology but it looks like 3 phase and single phase domestic are charged the same.

Yes, that's the right document, provided E.On's DNO company, Central Networks West is your DNO. They make no surcharge for three phase.

My electricity supplier is E.On but my DNO is EDF. So if I had a three phase supply, EDF would charge E.On extra and E.On might pass the extra charge on to me.

 

[Mister Dobbo]

It's not a straight forward one then, and seems like there are a few variables involved, retailers, supplies and location! On the whole it seems like it won't end up costing a great deal more if any which is good news.

Thanks a lot for all your help.

 

[Chri5]

I The equipment will be going but the 3 phase supply will need to be kept as it powers a biodisc unit shared by 3 other houses. Off the 3 phase 1 phase supplies the property we are buying.

So how do you know the use / cost that is specfic to the shared biodisc system, and how would you pass over those costs ?

From http://www.ohel.co.uk/products/biodisc_bh-bl.html it suggests a 270w motor running 24/7