Electrical contractor bypassed my meter ?

homeworker · May 31, 2012

Looking for some advice before deciding how to proceed.

A number of years ago I had an extension built with all the electrics supplied by a second CU fitted in the garage. I recently had cause to look closely at the wiring (after a particularly lengthy MeterPlus reading) and have determined that the second consumer unit is connected to the wrong side of my meter.

Now I can see no reason nfor the contractor to do this intentionally so i am trying to establish why this should have happened, genuine mistake ? common practice ?.

Having had the extension professionally project managed and as far as I can remember all signed off (this resposibility I assumed was with the Project management - rather than me the householder) I am really surprised and a little concerned that I find myself in this situation. And where I fully expect to pay for power consumed I am worried that I am liable in any way.

Any professional thoughts and advice more than welcome.

Bob

Midwest · Jun 27, 2012

sedgy34 said:
The op shouldn't do anything!!!! As I posted before he's got an electrical cert from a sparky who did his newly works the op is a consumer therefore non the wiser lol

'In the UK it is commonly held that ignorance of the law is no excuse for (or defence against) breaking the law. The Latin maxim is ‘Ignorantia juris non excusat’. The reason given for this principle is that if such a defence was allowed, then too many guilty defendants would use it to escape conviction'.

Plus, he has been suitable adviced, by 'experts' that the wiring he has is illegal. Clearly the certificate he has, is not worth the paper it is written on. His only saving grace, is he employed someone to carry out the work for him, not believing or expecting something illegal would be done. But he must come clean. I feel sorry for homemaker, as he has been placed in a difficult position, but ignoring the facts and hoping it will all go away, might be a foolhardy mistake. I for one, would be fearing the knock at the door. I suspect he has now taken steps (due to his absence from his own thread) to have the fault rectified. I just hope the Supplier doesn't come knocking.

brman · Jun 27, 2012

yes, but there are two steps he should take.
1) Get it sorted asap
2) inform the supplier so he can get an official slap on the wrist and possibly a fine?

I know 1) should be done by the supplier and so includes 2) but I am sure a lot of people would try and find a way of getting 1 sorted without 2 happening. And you can't blame them if it is genuinely not a problem of their making.

I'd suggest giving the guy a break..............

Lacy · Jun 27, 2012

His supplier will, no doubt, give him a break providing he is up front and honest. Hopefully they will be able to reach an amicable agreement as to what he owes them. He already had his suspicions that something wasn't right hence he posted here.....although I can't help thinking that the right place to go in the first place, if he suspected a problem, would have been his supplier. Either way, he now knows where he stands and what he should do. I'm sure he'll do the right thing.

trev · Jun 27, 2012

Midwest said:
Did mention this before Lacy, and the original thread owner seems very conspicuous by his absence. I suspect he is a very worried person, but the longer they leave it to contact the supplier (now that they know it is wrong, both technically AND legally), the worse things will become. Let’s hope homeworker comes back to us to say he has made contact with his supplier.

Or on the other hand he may have gotten the info we gave him and made contact, thus sleeping soundly in his bed of a nighttime