EV Charger - Shared supply

[Livingthedream]

Hi

My daughters getting an electric car and has asked if we can have a charging point fitted to our house, it wouldn’t need to be anything really fast because it would just be occasionally over night.

We’ve had a look in our meter box and it seems like my house and my neighbours are sharing the supply after the 100 amp fuse?

Does this look possible based on the photo? Please let me know if you need further details

Thanks in advance

 

[Lister1987]

This video is the experience of someone with a looped supply that details the process with pictures through the various stages.

Useful info from Electricity North West;

Connecting a single EV charging point

Connecting an EV charging point. The motor industry is transforming at a rapid rate with the use of electric vehicles (EVs) on the rise as the UK strives to meet ambitious carbon emission targets.

www.enwl.co.uk

PDF from UKPN on who to identify a looped service and the process involved to unloop

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/internet/en/help-and-advice/documents/looped_services.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiijYXkpdvxAhXsQRUIHcgtBzEQFjAMegQIEBAC&usg=AOvVaw2s90gvsr3O1M11o3ake2xg

The video should give you an of what to expect with getting unlooped, after that it's just a standard EV install. You may be able to use a smart charger like the Zappi instead of being unlooped but you would need to run this by the DNO.

This one also gives a bit more information on how to spot a looped supply, feed can be bottom of the cutout (common), out the top of the cutout or external mounted.

 

[Lister1987]

** Merged into above **

 

[Livingthedream]

I can only see one cable going into the main fuse but there’s two meters after this, is that the same as looped because it’s different to the videos?

Thanks

 

[littlespark]

It’s unusual for two properties to be off one fuse.

Whoever is fitting the charger should notify the DNO as part of their process so that they can determine if the supply is sufficient.

 

[Livingthedream]

Probably a daft question but how long does the DNO take to make a decision?

 

[UNG]

I wonder what fuse is that service head

I have only ever seen two properties off one DNO fuse as a short term emergency supply, the only other one I can think of is if the property has been split at some point and the developer didn't want to pay for an additional supply

 

[Livingthedream]

All the houses on the street are semi’s and all the same, it shows 100 amp on the main fuse if that helps

 

[UNG]

Probably a daft question but how long does the DNO take to make a decision?

I think that will depend on a number of factors as it would probably need a new meter box (is the existing box on your property) then there is the issue of who will do what works to make it happen and then there is always the possibility that the DNO will want to charge for the alteration to the supply

 

[Livingthedream]

The meter box is on my property, neighbours happy to have their own meter but obviously not at their expense

 

[brianmoooore]

DNO will try to charge you for anything they think they can get away with.
I had a quote for £3000 to move a meter when they thought I NEEDED it moved, which eventually was reduced to zero when I demonstrated that I wasn't that fussed.

 

[Livingthedream]

If it’s £3000 my daughters got no chance

 

[brianmoooore]

My job involved moving the meter 20m and a new service pole and cable, so a bit more involved than yours.

 

[Lister1987]

Speak with your DNO (Call 105) as that will put you through to your local DNO, alternatively you can find out your DNO here; Who is my distribution network operator? | National Grid ET - https://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/electricity-transmission/contact-us/who-is-my-distribution-network-operator

I'm led to believe that they will do a recce without cost and, depending on the amount of work involved it can range from free to ££££, speak to them first as you may find you're the rare case that can't have one and DNO won't do the work (paid or not).

 

[DJAndy]

If it's for occasional overnight charging only I'd be suggesting your daughter buys a granny lead. That way she can occasionally charge overnight anywhere she visits.

 

[Markyd]

Just had a client on a looped main supply quoted £6645 to unloop it by SSEN

 

[Livingthedream]

I contacted the DNO yesterday and they said it’s best for an installer to complete a form to see if the property is suitable or if work is required.

The granny cable is an option but she gets a free charger with the car and I’m guessing at some stage I’ll probably need a charger at some point myself.

I wouldn’t pay silly money to have it changed

 

[Zerax]

If it's for occasional overnight charging only I'd be suggesting your daughter buys a granny lead. That way she can occasionally charge overnight anywhere she visits.

Agreed... and I'd get one that you can dial down the max current too...