Isolator before the meter

[DPG]

OP, what's the reason for asking the question?

 

[davesparks]

For sure, but is there any regulatory or legal reason why it would preclude such an arrangement?

I don't think there is any regulation or law. However those tails are the property of the supplier and subject to their rules for what can or cannot be installed.

The simple answer will be no it can't be fitted there because the owner of those tails says it can't.

 

[Lister1987]

That is true but there are also other offences committed;

Theft Act 1968: Section 13 (for abstraction of electricity)

Theft Act 1968: Section 17 (false accounting – mainly applies to businesses)

Theft Act 1978: Section 1 (dishonestly obtain services by deception) and Section 2 (evasion of liability by deception)

Criminal Damage Act 1971: Section 1 (causing criminal damage)

Criminal Law Act 1977: Section 1 (conspiracy)

Accessories and Abettors Act 1861: Section 8 (aiding and abetting)

Fraud Act 2006: Section 11 (obtaining services dishonestly)

The Utilities Act 2000 Chapter 27 Schedule 4 (supplies of electricity stolen illegally and damage to electrical plant)

DNOs also have powers under the following legislation;

The Electricity Act 1989 provides for the following,

Schedule 6, paragraph 4-11 (see Utilities Act 2000 Chapter 27 Schedule 4 below)

Schedule 7, paragraph 10 (meters to be kept in proper order)

Schedule 7, paragraph 11 (interference with meters)

Schedule 7, paragraph 12 (prepayment meters)

The Utilities Act 2000 Chapter 27 Schedule 4 (substituted to take the place of the Electricity Act 1989 Schedule 6) provides:

paragraph 4 (supplies of electricity illegally taken)

paragraph 5 (restoration of connection without consent)

paragraph 6 (damage to electrical plant)

paragraphs 7, 8 and 10 (rights of entry)

With the above in mind it would be relatively straightforward for the DNO to get the requires proofs, the onus would then be on you to defend the isolators position, rather than the DNO to prove the offence, cutting seals and reselling for example may go under paragraph 6 and 27 (damage to plant).

 

[Midwest]

That is true but there are also other offences committed;

Theft Act 1968: Section 13 (for abstraction of electricity)

Theft Act 1968: Section 17 (false accounting – mainly applies to businesses)

Theft Act 1978: Section 1 (dishonestly obtain services by deception) and Section 2 (evasion of liability by deception)

Criminal Damage Act 1971: Section 1 (causing criminal damage)

Criminal Law Act 1977: Section 1 (conspiracy)

Accessories and Abettors Act 1861: Section 8 (aiding and abetting)

Fraud Act 2006: Section 11 (obtaining services dishonestly)

The Utilities Act 2000 Chapter 27 Schedule 4 (supplies of electricity stolen illegally and damage to electrical plant)

DNOs also have powers under the following legislation;

The Electricity Act 1989 provides for the following,

Schedule 6, paragraph 4-11 (see Utilities Act 2000 Chapter 27 Schedule 4 below)

Schedule 7, paragraph 10 (meters to be kept in proper order)

Schedule 7, paragraph 11 (interference with meters)

Schedule 7, paragraph 12 (prepayment meters)

The Utilities Act 2000 Chapter 27 Schedule 4 (substituted to take the place of the Electricity Act 1989 Schedule 6) provides:

paragraph 4 (supplies of electricity illegally taken)

paragraph 5 (restoration of connection without consent)

paragraph 6 (damage to electrical plant)

paragraphs 7, 8 and 10 (rights of entry)

With the above in mind it would be relatively straightforward for the DNO to get the requires proofs, the onus would then be on you to defend the isolators position, rather than the DNO to prove the offence, cutting seals and reselling for example may go under paragraph 6 and 27 (damage to plant).

I don’t thing any of those offences, are aimed at bono fide installation of an isolator, albeit in this instance it doesn’t make any sense.

As most appear summary/statutory offences, criminal prosecution would require evidence to be provided to CPS, for a prosecution to proceed.

 

[Lister1987]

I think it would boil down to being able to defend the isolator position (as there would be no reason it couldn't go after the meter),

Installing consumer equipment before the meter males for smoking gun as that is often the first sign of shenanigans with meter bypassing etc.

Garnering evidence would be the easy bit given the DNOs powers above, it would then put the onus on the customer/spark to defend thier action.

 

[FatAlan]

Think we are going off track here..but where is the abstraction of electricity? If an isolator is fitted before the meter it's still routed through the meter so usage is measured. The abstraction offence will only occur if equipment is connected before the meter. There may be a a few regulatory offences (as listed above) to do with unauthorised tampering with the DNO's kit or criminal damage. We only used to charge abstracting electricity with bypassed meters on cannabis grows. DNO's used to provide great graphs of electricity usage which were great at showing how long a set up had been running.

 

[littlespark]

Pulling the fuse counts as isolation, doesn't it?
Still not allowed if its not your property or authorised to do so.

 

[Midwest]

Installing consumer equipment before the meter males for smoking gun as that is often the first sign of shenanigans with meter bypassing etc.

Installing an isolator does not provide evidence for intent for any of those offences. Its unlikely that a dishonest person would consider the practicalities, when considering theft or abstraction. The first test for any theft, is dishonesty. For offences such as criminal damage, there must be an intention or recklessness to cause damage. Can't see installing something, has any intention to cause damage.