10 metres between the meter and the CU?

[keith42]

I'm looking at a situation where the overhead supply arrives at one corner of the house and the meter/cu are in the exact opposite corner. Because of the location that can't be changed, Western Power have confirmed. So at the moment there are two cables that run all round two walls of the house, and because the plastic windows go right to the eaves the cable is half-way up the wall. Not only is it ugly but someone has built a lean-to extension over some of it!

So I'm looking at installing a new external meter below where the service cable joins and then running cables through the house to the CU. Because of works in progress this can be done under floors and through a partition wall.

Can I ask for advice/comment, and suggestions for cable specs? The total run would be about 10-12m.

Thanks.

 

[Pete999]

Would have thought that the cabling before the Meter/CU is the DNOs responsibility, and interfering with it would possibly lead to prosecution, not sure but best to check before you start messing with the DNOs cables.

 

[keith42]

Indeed but Western Power's interest ends at their fuse/external meter, that they would install to.

 

[Octopus]

Competent sparky, Switch fuse, tails, EIC

 

[Pete999]

Indeed but Western Power's interest ends at their fuse/external meter, that they would install to.

But you're saying the meter/CU is at the other end of the room, am I wrong?

 

[keith42]

But you're saying the meter/CU is at the other end of the room, am I wrong?

The meter would be 10-12m of cabling from the CU.

 

[Silly Sausage]

Can you get Western Power to run the supply cables through the attic and down to the meter?
Hell knows how many £££££s it'd be, but surely the tidiest solution?

edit: meter, I meant service fuse.

 

[keith42]

Competent sparky, Switch fuse, tails, EIC

Yes there's always that solution, but I like to keep an eye on things, and how do you identify a competent local sparks? My last one was 'qualified' but knew less than me and left me with a dangerous installation! So I'm hoping to be able to cross-check with what you guys have to say.

 

[keith42]

Can you get Western Power to run the supply cables through the attic and down to the meter?
Hell knows how many £££££s it'd be, but surely the tidiest solution?

The DNO cabling all has to be external, apparently.

 

[Pete999]

Not sure if it's too much vino, or it's Friday or I getting senile but I'm out :willy_nilly::6:

 

[telectrix]

it is friday. you are getting senile. what year is it and what was the question?

 

[Octopus]

Yes there's always that solution, but I like to keep an eye on things, and how do you identify a competent local sparks? My last one was 'qualified' but knew less than me and left me with a dangerous installation! So I'm hoping to be able to cross-check with what you guys have to say.

Well... you could start by updating your location from "United Kingdom" to something more precise and see if anyone on here is local to you.... or ask your friends and neighbours for recommendations....

 

[Guest77]

Yes there's always that solution, but I like to keep an eye on things, and how do you identify a competent local sparks? My last one was 'qualified' but knew less than me and left me with a dangerous installation! So I'm hoping to be able to cross-check with what you guys have to say.

He who knows a bit is a very dangerous individual lol

 

[telectrix]

won't be united kindom if scotland vote out. it'll then be the european province of england, wales and northern ireland. what flag will be appropriate? a white one?

 

[Pete999]

it is friday. you are getting senile. what year is it and what was the question?

I told you I aint discussing any more on this subject 2014 and Ive forgotten the question it's out of mind out of site, don't want to know anymore Ive had it, the bottles empty, curry all gone, Mrs Pete999 givin me earache, Jeremy Kyle on TV it' is FRIDAY

 

[dingledong]

If you do any work your Don might ask for a certificate
So what area are you in ? If you are really looking for a sparks

 

[keith42]

If you do any work your Don might ask for a certificate
So what area are you in ? If you are really looking for a sparks

I'm in LE14, though at this stage I'm trying to decide whether it's a viable project in terms of legality, cable bend radius etc. To be honest I didn't start the thread to be advised to ask an electrician:laugh:.

I guess so far I'm learning it's something novel.

Though I'll need a new certificate soon anyway, that's a given, so I will need a good local sparks sooner or later.

 

[Octopus]

I'm in LE14, though at this stage I'm trying to decide whether it's a viable project in terms of legality, cable bend radius etc. To be honest I didn't start the thread to be advised to ask an electrician:laugh:.

I guess so far I'm learning it's something novel.

Though I'll need a new certificate soon anyway, that's a given, so I will need a good local sparks sooner or later.

This isn't a site for DIYers - its for the trade to share to the trade!

 

[dingledong]

So your a diyer and want to Run that mains yourself ! ? I think your nuts and it's illegal to cut any meter seals

 

[keith42]

So your a diyer and want to Run that mains yourself ! ? I think your nuts and it's illegal to cut any meter seals

Where did you get that from? I said I need a sparks. Though I might lay cable under the floorboards myself, while they're up, if as I said it looks like a viable project.

@Murdoch I was blocked from posting in the DIY section, for some reason, and the message I got there linked me to post here.

 

[davesparks]

In a nutshell the required work is:
Assess current and potential future demand of the installation.
Assess the suitability of the existing CU and installation for continued service.
Assess the impact that moving the MET may have on the current earthing and bonding arrangements.
Design a suitable distribution circuit or plan to move the CU to within 3m of the new meter position whichever is the better option after a proper assessment of the situation.

 

[Geordie Spark]

He who knows a bit is a very dangerous individual lol

He knows a little??? ......... I know a little!!! Lynyrd Skynyrd - I Know A Little (studio version) - YouTube

 

[Geordie Spark]

I told you I aint discussing any more on this subject 2014 and Ive forgotten the question it's out of mind out of site, don't want to know anymore Ive had it, the bottles empty, curry all gone, Mrs Pete999 givin me earache, Jeremy Kyle on TV it' is FRIDAY

Like yourself, I don't mean to be pedantic but I think you mean out of sight. :6:

 

[Silly Sausage]

Like yourself, I don't mean to be pedantic but I think you mean out of sight. :6:

People who highlight minor grammar points are amazing :tounge_smile::wink_smile:

 

[dingledong]

No I think what he is saying is you tell me how to do it
I will do it then a sparks can sign it of or just do final connections and then sign it of

 

[keith42]

No I think what he is saying is you tell me how to do it
I will do it then a sparks can sign it of or just do final connections and then sign it of

I thought I was clear enough to be honest, but so far everyone has made up their own individual version of the question.

Anyway just in case, I'll restate it:

I am trying to work out whether it could be a viable project to have the meter/DNO fuse 10 metres cable run distant from the consumer unit.

I wanted to post this in the DIY section but the system wouldn't let me. I'm not here looking for a sparks particularly, just, this being a forum of experts, possibly a helping hand on the basis of generosity. I'm not trying to suggest there's money in it for you or any other sparks.

Maybe nobody really knows the answer, and I guess that's useful information.

 

[tony mc]

Why not contact 2/3 local sparks and get them to see if this can be done and get estimates etc the advice you would get in the DIY would be contact a local electrician IMO !

 

[telectrix]

I thought I was clear enough to be honest, but so far everyone has made up their own individual version of the question.

Anyway just in case, I'll restate it:

I am trying to work out whether it could be a viable project to have the meter/DNO fuse 10 metres cable run distant from the consumer unit.

I wanted to post this in the DIY section but the system wouldn't let me. I'm not here looking for a sparks particularly, just, this being a forum of experts, possibly a helping hand on the basis of generosity. I'm not trying to suggest there's money in it for you or any other sparks.

Maybe nobody really knows the answer, and I guess that's useful information.

it is viable. with the following provisos:

1. the tails would need to be fused at the meter end with a switch/fuse. 2. they might need RCD protection, depending on the installation method.

 

[davesparks]

I thought I was clear enough to be honest, but so far everyone has made up their own individual version of the question.

Anyway just in case, I'll restate it:

I am trying to work out whether it could be a viable project to have the meter/DNO fuse 10 metres cable run distant from the consumer unit.

I wanted to post this in the DIY section but the system wouldn't let me. I'm not here looking for a sparks particularly, just, this being a forum of experts, possibly a helping hand on the basis of generosity. I'm not trying to suggest there's money in it for you or any other sparks.

Maybe nobody really knows the answer, and I guess that's useful information.

Yes it is more than likely viable, see my post above for the basis process which needs to be followed before making a final decision.

It may be more sensible to move the fuseboard rather than running a submain, especially if you've got all of the floors up anyways.

 

[driverman]

The DNO cabling all has to be external, apparently.

Yes under no circumstances can a DNO supply cable be run internally. If you are moving the meter position into an OMB below the existing O/H span, then a sub-main can be installed as you describe with in the fabric of the building ie under floor board or loft.

 

[driverman]

I'm looking at a situation where the overhead supply arrives at one corner of the house and the meter/cu are in the exact opposite corner. Because of the location that can't be changed, Western Power have confirmed. So at the moment there are two cables that run all round two walls of the house, and because the plastic windows go right to the eaves the cable is half-way up the wall. Not only is it ugly but someone has built a lean-to extension over some of it!

So I'm looking at installing a new external meter below where the service cable joins and then running cables through the house to the CU. Because of works in progress this can be done under floors and through a partition wall.

Can I ask for advice/comment, and suggestions for cable specs? The total run would be about 10-12m.

Thanks.

Any idea how old the existing supply cable is ( some DNO's call that mural wiring when clipped on brickwork)? Any of the cable clipped onto plastic? re lean to, how long has it been there? Can the O/H span be re sited to other end of building from another pole?. Have you thought about going U/G from a pole, depending where they are of course?

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Competent sparky, Switch fuse, tails, EIC

Could you simplify that a little please Murdoch

 

[Knobhead]

Any idea how old the existing supply cable is ( some DNO's call that mural wiring when clipped on brickwork)? Any of the cable clipped onto plastic? re lean to, how long has it been there? Can the O/H span be re sited to other end of building from another pole?. Have you thought about going U/G from a pole, depending where they are of course?

He’s a DIYer trying to do an electrician out of work!