Crossed Polarity smart meter into mains

[HS2018]

hello!

Just looking for some advise,
Basically we had an electrician fitting a new shower and lights yesterday, he tested a light socket before touching it (after turning all fuses off) and it was live... come to realisation an electrician working on behalf of an energy supplier had fitted the smartmeeter into the mains the wrong way round (crossed polarity?!) and all the sockets, light switches and light fittings were the same downstairs.
The electrician shut our electricity down straight away and told us we weren’t to turn anything on until the contractor came out to fix it as he couldn’t touch it, he said he’s amazed the house didn’t burn down (they came out, done reports, took photos 12 hours later with two children under 2 in the house) at 11pm
I’m just wondering how bad this is and where do we stand?
Obviously not getting much info from the energy suppliers and just wanted to know the best course of action


Thank you

 

[HS2018]

Hi - polarity is a basic test that should have been done by your meter installation person. Perhaps your Electrician was surprised to find it and was thinking "if they've got that wrong, what else?".

Yes he said he’s never seen it before so turned the power off just in case. He also said he should’ve done the polarity test both before and after installing the meter, so thank you for making things a little clearer

 

[Pete999]

Thank you, yes this is correct, sorry if I confused one.
The DNO was told by his superior to cut off the supply until the morning (11am this morning) the DNO’s superior was also speaking of a disciplinary as I asked why he was taking so many photos.
I just wanted reassurance so thank you

He probably wanted to show the pictures to the training facility they use to train these Guys, "this how not to do it"

 

[HS2018]

Hi - polarity is a basic test that should have been done by your meter installation person. Perhaps your Electrician was surprised to find it and was thinking "if they've got that wrong, what else?".

Yes he said he’s never seen it before so turned the power off just in case. He also said he should’ve done the polarity test both before and after installing the meter, so thank you for making things a little clearer

Don't let the burgars fob you off with an apollogy, take it further, about time these Muppets got hauled over the coals.

Thanks Pete, appreciated. As I know nothing of electricity and seeing so many people yesterday I’m confused to say the least. Just glad everything is safe now but want to get to the bottom of if it was a dangerous situation for my family and two girls under two!

 

[Pete999]

Thank you, yes this is correct, sorry if I confused one.
The DNO was told by his superior to cut off the supply until the morning (11am this morning) the DNO’s superior was also speaking of a disciplinary as I asked why he was taking so many photos.
I just wanted reassurance so thank you

He probably wanted to show the pictures to the training facility they use to train these Guys, "this how not to do it" mind you they only give the meter maid a volt stick to check polarity, or thats all the Guy had when he ckecked mine.

 

[HS2018]

He probably wanted to show the pictures to the training facility they use to train these Guys, "this how not to do it" mind you theyonly give the meter maid a volt stick to check polarity,

Partner has just had a telephone call from supplier..
A full investigation is going to take place into the contracting company and 60 of his jobs before and after our house, the HSE has been informed, ofcom(?) & trading standards so I guess it looked to be serious

 

[Pete999]

Partner has just had a telephone call from supplier..
A full investigation is going to take place into the contracting company and 60 of his jobs before and after our house, the HSE has been informed, ofcom(?) & trading standards so I guess it looked to be serious

Rock on, keep the Forum posted pleas emate, could become interesting, worth following up on, so keep the info coming if you don't mind.

 

[HS2018]

Rock on, keep the Forum posted pleas emate, could become interesting, worth following up on, so keep the info coming if you don't mind.

Thank you, yes I will. Will be interested to see where this goes. Even though we took our little ones to parents their already offering compensation in form of payment as it could’ve been a hotel... but wasn’t. Interesting

 

[Pete999]

Thank you, yes I will. Will be interested to see where this goes. Even though we took our little ones to parents their already offering compensation in form of payment as it could’ve been a hotel... but wasn’t. Interesting

Cheers hope all is well with you and your's

 

[westward10]

Yes keep us informed we would definitely like to know the outcome.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

The smartmeter has been installed for a year
Our electrician done work before this and only come back yesterday as we needed the shower putting in- that’s when he noticed the smartmeter had been installed into the mains incorrectly

So hes been before and done work but only just noticed? i guess when it came to the box on the minor cert or eic asking about confirming polarity he must have just ticked that box?
That is assuming he came after the meter was installed?
lets be honest though a lot of us have done small jobs without thinking before now when only changing a cracked accessory or quick like for like pendant etc..

But once again we have a case of poorly installed smart meter! the rate they are training the meter fitters up I am surprised more of these arent coming to light. but i suspect the home owners are unaware until an electrician comes around. I recall that recent episode of watchdog exposing the shoddy practices.

 

[HS2018]

So hes been before and done work but only just noticed? i guess when it came to the box on the minor cert or eic asking about confirming polarity he must have just ticked that box?
That is assuming he came after the meter was installed?
lets be honest though a lot of us have done small jobs without thinking before now when only changing a cracked accessory or quick like for like pendant etc..

But once again we have a case of poorly installed smart meter! the rate they are training the meter fitters up I am surprised more of these arent coming to light. but i suspect the home owners are unaware until an electrician comes around. I recall that recent episode of watchdog exposing the shoddy practices.

Our electrician has been before the meter was fitted and also after, as he fitted everything before he knew something was wrong and eventually got to the smart meter.
The contractor company (another guy not the same one) came out and had his supervisor on the phone the whole time and had to take photos for the first guys disciplinary today. His supervisor told him he had to turn the electric off for the night and to remove the tails (forgiven me if the wrong terms) and we got a notice to say why.
I don’t want to see anyone out of a job, however if he has indeed put my family at risk for a year, heads will roll

 

[HS2018]

Yes keep us informed we would definitely like to know the outcome.

I will do, we’ve been told an estimation for the contractors report of between 2-10 days & HSE are investigating both the supplier and the contractors so will update as and when I can

 

[littlespark]

If the polarity was reversed, was the meter running backwards?

 

[HS2018]

If the polarity was reversed, was the meter running backwards?

that’d been a better outcome!

 

[telectrix]

this is what happens when you let loose meter monkeys with 1 day's training , whereas ( won't mention any names) a highly respected,qualified , and experienced forum member was turned down for the job . word is he's over 60 , so unsuitable for employment.