smart meter installation

Surrey House Renovator · May 23, 2021

I am a builder who is renovating a rural property. A smart meter is due to be installed. It would IMHO be a good idea to get a rec switch installed. What can I expect the meter installers to do ? There is just about enough space for a slimline rec switch / isolator. to the right of the service fuse ?? I am wondering if installing a small board to the left of the current meter and get the new meter fitted there,
Will the installers just connect to the rec switch and leave the supply to the CU to someone else.

I guess the henley block was when the current CU was installedand the meter tails were not long enough ?

BTW are there any folk able to do a bit of work in West Wilts area . I am looking to get the earth system changed. The service cable was changed many years ago and there is an ugly earth cable running down the front wall next to the front door to a pin.

telectrix · May 24, 2021

if those are henley blocks above the ceiling they need coming out of there. they must be accessible. when meter is replaced, might be an idea to fit new tails direct to CU.

i=p/u · May 24, 2021

Half accessible blocks, best thing todo is wait see what meter guy does..

Mike Johnson · May 24, 2021

The magnetic catch's on the shelf seem to indicate there is a front of some kind, you may need to strip the ceiling back to that point to allow access.

Rockingit · May 24, 2021

Surrey House Renovator said:
BTW are there any folk able to do a bit of work in West Wilts area . I am looking to get the earth system changed. The service cable was changed many years ago and there is an ugly earth cable running down the front wall next to the front door to a pin.

That's my kind of patch, depending on how west is west. I'll drop you a PM.

Zerax · May 24, 2021

I was chatting to a meter installer the other week... he told me that they are instructed to remove all Henley Blocks and replace them with some other sort (the proteus ones ??). And isolators with single screws are also a no-no... they have to be the ones with double screw terminals.

telectrix · May 24, 2021

last meter change I came across was where the meter monkey had sheared off the slot in one of the terminal screws in the new meter. that's the reason they want twin screw teminals. ?.

Rockingit · May 24, 2021

telectrix said:
last meter change I came across was where the meter monkey had sheared off the slot in one of the terminal screws in the new meter. that's the reason they want twin screw teminals. ?.

Similar happened to me a while back - the very tip of my 4mm hex terminal driver decided to shear off and get stuck inside the terminal screw on a recessed mounting of a brand new £700 3ph adjustable ELCB. I may have sworn somewhat. (I did, eventually, get it out after half a day's peeing about).