Ridiculous situation with the DNO and the MOP on a domestic install

[ACL]

I have been trying to replace a CU on a domestic property.

During my initial checks, there was no isolator and the earth was only 6mm on a TN-C-S. There is a label stuck to the cut out stating that it was PME. The cut out is a long brown Bakelite style with no access to the PME earth point.

I spoke to the DNO (UK Power Networks) and they advised me to speak to the meter operator (British Gas) about the isolator. I then asked them about upgrading the 6mm earth and they initially said they would book it as a call for them to come out pull the cut out and upgrade the earth.

I speak to the MOP (British Gas) and they tell me that it is against the law for me to pull the cut out and that the customer needs to book an isolator to be installed at a cost of £31.42. The customer duly books and pays for the isolator. I also tell them about the upgrade to the earth at which point they tell me to talk to the DNO (UK Power Networks) and proceed to give me the number that I already have.

That is when I received the call back from the DNO who said that they would not come out and upgrade the earth as the MOP would do this when they fit the isolator. I explain that the MOP have told me to contact the DNO to organise but they said that the MOP would do this without any problem.

I've been on site now for 2 hours talking to various companies with the customer in the middle having to talk to that same people about something they know nothing about, stopping every now and again to speak to me to make sure they relay the information correctly.

So the MOP is booked for Monday (today), I'm not available, he duly arrived and fitted the isolator but would not upgrade the earth, said he was not allowed to and would not do it.
He then told the customer that the electrician can pull the cut out and upgrade the earth ?????????????

This is a ridiculous and frustrating situation. If the MOP had allowed me to pull the cut out I could have carried out the isolator install and upgraded the earth and informed them that the work was happening. They could have saved their engineer (I use this term loosely) a visit and an isolator which must have cost them way more than the £31.42 they charged. Then they could just re-seal the cut out on their next meter reading visit.

I am now in a situation where, when I go back to site, I will have to contact the DNO and inform them that the MOP did not upgrade the earth, they will then ask me to phone the MOP and I will be in a continuous circle of finger pointing.


Very frustrated rrr:

 

[NDG Elecs]

NEDL are sensible too.

Except when they turn up with no bloody 16/25mm tails on their van. And you end up having to give them some to get the job sorted!! But yeah, the NEDL lads in vans have always been spot on. Call centre staff not quite so good.

 

[ruston]

Except when they turn up with no bloody 16/25mm tails on their van. And you end up having to give them some to get the job sorted!! But yeah, the NEDL lads in vans have always been spot on. Call centre staff not quite so good.

That get you the favours though. Good as gold around here they are.

 

[NDG Elecs]

That get you the favours though. Good as gold around here they are.

Yeah had a couple of freebies; insulated Allen keys for the isos, and some seals. It would only really be the office staff I find hard work. The Freedom employees are all decent that I have met also. There is one team that happily go that extra mile to sort stuff out to everyone's satisfaction.

 

[ruston]

Yeah had a couple of freebies; insulated Allen keys for the isos, and some seals. It would only really be the office staff I find hard work. The Freedom employees are all decent that I have met also. There is one team that happily go that extra mile to sort stuff out to everyone's satisfaction.

They are polite though.:smile5: Ask to speak to an engineer if you have a problem , they are really helpful.

 

[Geordie Spark]

What's a seal?

A pair of Farne Island seals - they "bark" with a Northumbrian accent.

​

 

[ruston]

A pair of Farne Island seals - they "bark" with a Northumbrian accent.

​

River Tyne dolphins spark memories of Amble's famous Freddie - Chronicle Live

Remember Freddie , Geordie.

 

[Nuvo]

That reminds me, I need to order some more seals!

order me a pack :stooge_moe:

 

[vxwestie]

You will learn that all DNOs are a complete waste of time. Every involve the I have with them is a complete f**k up. I now never book them and just carry out the work. Doesn't matter if it's a earthing upgrade, tails increase or replacement, just do it yourself, it's a darn sight easier!
I even keep cutouts in stock in case I need to change them and have eve been known to move service cables!
Not because I'm showing off, nor making money but simply because the DNOs are a complete waste of time

 

[vxwestie]

order me a pack :stooge_moe:

No need. The next time the DNO meter man is f**king you around, grab a pack or two from his toolbag!

 

[marc8]

going a bit of track but they don't know there --- from their elbow, went to site the other day to do site temps, head pull in live no meter but I look down & there it is a PME connection ready for use (new build temp supply).
second one I have been to the last one had actually connected it.
but that is probably what you get when the MOP is an x bus driver who has had a 2 week training course on fitting a meter. nothing against bus drivers also. the rows we have had with them over connection of HMO with a switch fuse before the meters can't connect to that M8 you have a switch before meter.

 

[7029 dave]

going a bit of track but they don't know there --- from their elbow, went to site the other day to do site temps, head pull in live no meter but I look down & there it is a PME connection ready for use (new build temp supply).
second one I have been to the last one had actually connected it.
but that is probably what you get when the MOP is an x bus driver who has had a 2 week training course on fitting a meter. nothing against bus drivers also. the rows we have had with them over connection of HMO with a switch fuse before the meters can't connect to that M8 you have a switch before meter.

yeah just like those Electrical Trainee wannabies .

 

[Geordie Spark]

River Tyne dolphins spark memories of Amble's famous Freddie - Chronicle Live

Remember Freddie , Geordie.

Yes, I do.

Wasn't he the one that had an unfortunate meeting with a boat propellor??

 

[ruston]

Yes ,that's him. He became the darling of Amble and the North East coast with his antics.

 

[YoungScud]

going a bit of track but they don't know there --- from their elbow, went to site the other day to do site temps, head pull in live no meter but I look down & there it is a PME connection ready for use (new build temp supply).
second one I have been to the last one had actually connected it.
but that is probably what you get when the MOP is an x bus driver who has had a 2 week training course on fitting a meter. nothing against bus drivers also. the rows we have had with them over connection of HMO with a switch fuse before the meters can't connect to that M8 you have a switch before meter.

MOP operatives don't fit cableheads, ergo they don't control earthing.

 

[YoungScud]

I think we're getting a bit mixed up here about the roles of DNOs and MOPs. The DNO is deinitively responsible for earthing arrangments. A MOP meter fitter doesn't have anything to do with that. I was a metering electrician for over 20 years and have trained meter fitters among others for 8 years now. The responsibilities are not unclear in any way.