Advice needed on home electricity supply

[Anns Chooks]

Can anyone advise me about electricity legislation in relation to my household supply?

Presently we have a very antiquated electric meter which is inisde our property, I got a letter saying it was at the end of its life and needed changing. I rang the company asking if it could be moved to an outside box which we have fitted to the house, but is just an empty box.
Although it would mean moving the power cables its only a matter of a few feet. That would cost us from £500 upwards.
I pointed out that the mains power supply cable presently came straight in through a wall exactly as it was fitted in the 1950's.
This o/h maintains is dangerous and illegal as its a live mains cable indoors before it reaches a meter or fuse box and all cables/meters should be on an outside wall[the meter & fuse box are presently on an internal wall above my diningroom door].

We had an electrician out from E. Mids electricity and he agreed it was unsightly but didn't believe it breached legislation. He would put forward for it to be moved, but he thought the company would appoint a project manager who would deem it too expensive to be done.

So if we are to argue our case and use safety as leavaerage does anyone know which Act I need to look at and which parts apply to this situation?

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Very common for metering to be inside on older properties,and as far as I'm aware the supply authority are under no obligation to resite.

 

[telectrix]

as far as i know, EM electricity have an obligation to maintain a safe supply. however, moving the service head to a new location would be a chargeable job.

 

[malcolmsanford]

If your supply had a fused neutral you maybe able to get them to do the work without charge, but they may still charge you.

The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002

The above is taken from the DNO regulatory document you may get them on something.

 

[topquark]

I have a house with the supply/meter on the inside, nothing breaching regulations with that.

 

[Anns Chooks]

Oh wow thanks for all the speedy replies guys, I thought there might be one!!!

If your supply had a fused neutral you maybe able to get them to do the work without charge, but they may still charge you.

Now no doubt that o/h would know what you are talking about but I don't have a clue!! How do I find out if my supply has a fused neutral?

 

[malcolmsanford]

The bottom left green unit is an old cast pitch type DNO head and they sometimes had a neutral fuse. To be honest if they were found now and had a fuse the DNO would change them, but over the years they have often had their fuses removed and links put in, so it would be pot luck and the heads condition that would dictate whether they changed it, it was just something if you had you could argue.

 

[Anns Chooks]

Thanks, as you say it looks like its been updated. This is what we have.

 

[malcolmsanford]

Thanks, as you say it looks like its been updated. This is what we have.

That's an interesting picture. On my link I provided section 24(1) Part B may help you get something done as that cable is certainly a wee bit tight going into that head connection.

Though they are not regulated by our regulations I would also cite reg 522.8.5 as it is in your home, if at the least they may realise they are dealing with someone that knows a bit and act on it

 

[Spudnik]

This is where it gets a bit complicated though Malc.

Although the installation in the property certainly needs updating, the supply cable, however it looks isnt technically unsafe.

Therefore, if the OP wants to move all the meters outside, then this will be at their cost, alongside an electrician to update the consumer units.

There could also be PME available at the nearest pole(s).

 

[malcolmsanford]

This is where it gets a bit complicated though Malc.

Although the installation in the property certainly needs updating, the supply cable, however it looks isnt technically unsafe.

Therefore, if the OP wants to move all the meters outside, then this will be at their cost, alongside an electrician to update the consumer units.

There could also be PME available at the nearest pole(s).

Hi Jas Though the ESQCR-2002 don't actually mention mechanical stresses on cables as such. if that picture is anything to go by there seems to be some stress on it and maybe section 24 of the ESQCR-2002 can be brought to bear.

Yes it's a long shot and most likely not get anywhere, but stranger things have happened, we had an intelligent post from Tel once.

 

[telectrix]

Hi Jas Though the ESQCR-2002 don't actually mention mechanical stresses on cables as such. if that picture is anything to go by there seems to be some stress on it and maybe section 24 of the ESQCR-2002 can be brought to bear.

Yes it's a long shot and most likely not get anywhere, but stranger things have happened, we had an intelligent post from Tel once.

and here's another intelligent post



:drool5:

 

[Anns Chooks]

Well I think if it were updated there would only be one meter, which has got to be replaced anyway. Thats really why I've started looking into it as it seems the ideal opportunity`as the power has to be off and the meters have to come down anyway [come down or fall down I think, there's only the door frame holding it all up].
Its also an utter pain in the proverbial as I can gaurantee I'm out when they call to read the meter.

 

[Des 56]

I appreciate that you are concerned with it being unsightly and inconveniant,but I fear you have 2 chances of getting it done very minimal and nill

I would however suggest that you take a little more interest in the standard of protection that you currently have for your own installation, which presents a much bigger issue than the supply set up
in my opinion

 

[Anns Chooks]

Sorry, you're going to have to spell it out for me in simple terms guys, you're talking to the uninitiated here. Whats the issue with the installation?