Isolator before the meter

[MrYowler]

I wish to find out what’s people’s thoughts on isolators before the meter? Typically they are installed after the meter and before the CU, but does anyone know if there is any reason why it cannot be placed before the meter? Aside from what revenue protection like or not, is there any legal or regulations as to why one cannot be in place before the meter? Further, can you detail where the responsibility ends for the DNO supply, is it at the point of the main fuse etc and after which it’s consumers? Or does consumers start after the meter etc? Thanks

 

[littlespark]

Only ever seen fuse---meter---isolator---consumer unit

In that set up, DNO would control up to the supply side of the isolator. Anything sealed.
The load side of the isolator and everything else would be the customer.

Having the isolator before the meter just invites tampering to bypass the meter, and payment to the supplier

 

[snowhead]

The new meters (NO they aren't Smart, despite what's said) have loss of supply detection / reporting so if the isolator was before the meter the supplier would call in the DNO to investigate everytime someone turned it off.

In a normal Domestic installation;
DNO are responsible up to and including the Fuse / cutout.
The energy supplier is responsible for the tails to the meter and the meter.
The Consumer is responsible for the tails to the C.U and the C.U onwards.

It's gets more involved in a multi dwelling property where meters are in the flats remote from the cutout.

 

[FatAlan]

If isolators were fitted before meters all and sundry would be bypassing them

 

[MrYowler]

If isolators were fitted before meters all and sundry would be bypassing them

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

 

[Lister1987]

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

s13 of the Theft Act 1968;

"A person who dishonestly uses without due authority, or dishonestly causes to be wasted or diverted, any electricity shall on conviction on indictment be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years"

Theft Act 1968

An Act to revise the law of England and Wales as to theft and similar or associated offences, and in connection therewith to make provision as to criminal proceedings by one party to a marriage against the other, and to make certain amendments extending beyond England and Wales in the Post...

www.legislation.gov.uk

The statutory offence known as "Abstracting Electricity"

By putting an unauthorised isolator before the meter, the DNO may try and go for the above offence being committed, same with meter bypassing.

 

[snowhead]

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

The tails the isolator would be fitted into belong to the Energy Supplier, if they are happy with it, then no problem.

 

[ashrow]

On modern/new installs properties where there are separate flats etc with in one building a single means of isolation is required after the DNO's head, from that we go to a ryefield board and then that goes to the clients meter, isolator etc
So yes isolation can before the meter but not on a single dwelling (as far as i know)

 

[7029 dave]

From the cutout to the meter, the domain is that of the metering company,so no other equipment should be there.
[automerge]1571169985[/automerge]

On modern/new installs properties where there are separate flats etc with in one building a single means of isolation is required after the DNO's head, from that we go to a ryefield board and then that goes to the clients meter, isolator etc
So yes isolation can before the meter but not on a single dwelling (as far as i know)

Yes which has red links to each flat from multiway.

 

[Strima]

This would be down to the DNO and supplier to agree under MOCOPA.

 

[ashrow]

From the cutout to the meter, the domain is that of the metering company,so no other equipment should be there.
[automerge]1571169985[/automerge]

Yes which has red links to each flat from multiway.

The isolator i fit after the head and before the ryefield is mine, i supplied it, i fitted it and i can turn it on and off........

 

[7029 dave]

The isolator i fit after the head and before the ryefield is mine, i supplied it, i fitted it and i can turn it on and off........

Normal set up, my point on last post was with red heads on this set up, it is classed as service head , no isolator would be fitted between that an the meter.

 

[ashrow]

Normal set up, my point on last post was with red heads on this set up, it is classed as service head , no isolator would be fitted between that an the meter.

I miss read... agreed

 

[Midwest]

s13 of the Theft Act 1968;

"A person who dishonestly uses without due authority, or dishonestly causes to be wasted or diverted, any electricity shall on conviction on indictment be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years"

Theft Act 1968

An Act to revise the law of England and Wales as to theft and similar or associated offences, and in connection therewith to make provision as to criminal proceedings by one party to a marriage against the other, and to make certain amendments extending beyond England and Wales in the Post...

www.legislation.gov.uk

The statutory offence known as "Abstracting Electricity"

By putting an unauthorised isolator before the meter, the DNO may try and go for the above offence being committed, same with meter bypassing.

They would have to provided evidence for the ‘dishonest’, to prove that offence.

Altering the installation for electrical purposes, does not create the mens rea to commit this offence IMO.

 

[FatAlan]

Inserting an isolator between cut out and isolator wouldn’t amount to Theft or Abstracting Electricity. The only offence that could be debatable would be Criminal Damage as you're technically altering property that’s not yours....me lud! He says with his detective head on Which also could apply to cutting the seal on the DNO cutout without permission.