is putting in a temporary consumer unit fraud?

[lowster]

My builder wanted the electrics disconnecting around the house before starting work. So I called the electrician who came round and disconnected and removed the old consumer unit and fitted a temporary one.
The problem arose yesterday when EON came round to replace the meters (they're old and due replacement), the guy took one look at the meter and said that he's not touching it and he's reporting us for fraud!! The EON guy told us that the seals on the meters had been broken in order to fit the temporary unit which was breaking the law - apparently the electrician should have known this and called EON first to get a temporary switch put in? Is the EON guy right? The last thing I need is a lawsuit for trying to protect the builder!!

 

[bernardgreen]

Yes your "electrician" should have known that breaking the seals on the meter would leave you open to being reported on suspicion of theft of electricity.

He should also have considered using the existing CU to provide the builder with a temporary supply.

He could have removed all but one of the MCD's insulated the ends of the cables if they are tol be re-used. Then remove the bus bar and replace with a length of wire to feed the single MCD. That MCD would then be used for the builder's supply.

One hopes you or the builder will use a better informed electrician for the electrical work in the house.

 

[lowster]

Bugger! He's already wired the whole house (1st fix) although I have yet to pay him anything... I'm starting to worry whether it's been done properly? So just to clarify; the electrician is liable for the whole fraud issue right?

 

[bernardgreen]

So just to clarify; the electrician is liable for the whole fraud issue right?

No the customer whose name appears on the electricity account is responsible. It is the account holder's responsibility to ensure the meter is not tampered with.

However if you contact the supply company and politely explain the situation about building work and the need ensure safety then you may well be believed and then nothing bad will happen to you.

But if it was part of changing the CU for a new one then the explanation may not suceed on the grounds of safety.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

They'll need more proof of fraud than just broken seals.

 

[seasickstevie]

MCD's ... MCD ... That MCD ...

Always thought it was called an MCB!

 

[lowster]

Just realised it's my missus name on the bill not mine! Looks like I won't be getting sued after all!

 

[chris1roll]

They'll need more proof of fraud than just broken seals.

Presumably they will also need more proof of who did it than just broken seals too. Could have been like that since before you owned the place.

Wouldn't an electrician usually just pull the main fuse (OK, also frowned upon) and leave the meter seals alone. Seems unusual to mess with them.

I woudn't grass him up just yet.

 

[lowster]

The thing is there's a temporary consumer unit thing, like a 6 plug adaptor with a fuse on it. So the builder still had access to electricity but the rest of the house was isolated.

 

[Taylortwocities]

The thing is there's a temporary consumer unit thing, like a 6 plug adaptor with a fuse on it.

Can we see a photo of that.


Eon may have a point if their plant has no protection.ary consumer unit thing, like a 6 plug adaptor with a fuse on it.

 

[yorkspark]

that sounds like he's connected a 6way trailing lead direct to the incomer!
can you post a pic please

as a side issue if the supply is pme and it's a 'temporary supply' should it have an earth rod installed and pme earth not connected

 

[westie101]

as a side issue if the supply is pme and it's a 'temporary supply' should it have an earth rod installed and pme earth not connected

Yes and an RCD.

Oh and if EoN do take it further it would not be a lawsuit, Theft of Electricity is a specific criminal offence.

But going back to past discussions on the subject, by breaking seals this is the sort of situation that supposably professional electricians are putting their clients in, suspicion of theft!
So it might be inconvenient it might be a pain but stop breaking seals until and if the laws change, a lot on here seem keen to promote and operate within the building regulations but not care too much about breaking other bits of legislation.


BAS

They'll need more proof of fraud than just broken seals.

Ya think?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Which bits of legislation apply to breaking of seals?

 

[westie101]

Oh I would say that this part of the Electricity Act 1989 should fit!

10(1)A customer of an [F17authorised supplier] shall at all times, at his own expense, keep any meter [F18provided by] him in proper order for correctly registering the quantity of electricity supplied to him; and in default of his doing so the supplier may discontinue the supply of electricity through that meter.
(2)An [F17authorised supplier] shall at all times, at his own expense, keep any meter [F19provided] by him to any customer in proper order for correctly registering the quantity of electricity supplied and, in the case of pre-payment meters, for operating properly on receipt of the necessary payment.[F20(2A)Section 23 of this Act shall apply in relation to any dispute arising under this paragraph between an electricity supplier and a customer.](3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(4)Sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) above are without prejudice to any remedy the supplier may have against the customer for failure to take proper care of the meter.

Then there is this bit

11(1)If any person intentionally or by culpable negligence—(a)alters the register of any meter used for measuring the quantity of electricity supplied to any premises by an [F21authorised supplier]; or(b)prevents any such meter from duly registering the quantity of electricity supplied,he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.(2)Where any person is prosecuted for an offence under sub-paragraph (1) above, the possession by him of artificial means for causing an alteration of the register of the meter or, as the case may be, the prevention of the meter from duly registering shall, if the meter was in his custody or under his control, be prima facie evidence (or in Scotland sufficient evidence) that the alteration or prevention was intentionally caused by him.(3)Where an offence under sub-paragraph (1) above has been committed, the supplier may discontinue the supply of electricity to the premises until the matter has been remedied and remove the meter in respect of which the offence was committed.(4)Where an [F21authorised supplier] removes a meter under sub-paragraph (3) above, he shall keep it safely until the Director authorises him to destroy or otherwise dispose of it.

Or perhaps even this one in that the seals were wilfully removed and thus damaged

(1)A person who intentionally or by culpable negligence damages or allows to be damaged—(a)any electric line or electrical plant provided by an electricity distributor; or(b)any electricity meter provided by an electricity supplier,shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.(2)Where an offence has been committed under sub-paragraph (1) by the occupier of any premises (or by the owner of the premises if they are unoccupied when the offence is committed) in relation to any electric line or electrical plant provided by an electricity distributor for making or maintaining a connection to the premises, the distributor may disconnect the premises.(3)Where an offence has been committed under sub-paragraph (1) in relation to an electricity meter provided by an electricity supplier which is situated on any premises, by the occupier (or by the owner of the premises if they are unoccupied when the offence is committed), the supplier may disconnect the premises and may remove the meter.(4)A meter removed under sub-paragraph (3) shall be kept safely by the supplier until the Authority authorises its destruction or disposal.(5)The distributor or supplier shall not be under any obligation to reconnect (and in the case of a supplier to restore the supply to) any premises disconnected under sub-paragraph (2) or (3) until—(a)the offender is no longer the occupier or, as the case may be, the owner of the premises; or(b)the matter in consequence of which the premises were disconnected has been remedied.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

BAS

They'll need more proof of fraud than just broken seals.

Ya think?

Yes - I think that a court would require evidence that electricity had actually been stolen in order to convict someone of theft.