What size is this supply?

[John-SJW]

A relative in West Cheshire sent me this pic. He is contemplating having an EV charger and other electrical appliances fitted. He asked me if he has a 60A or 100A supply. From this pic, it looks like a 100A supply with 60A fuse fitted for some reason. He wants it to be 100A. Any ideas?

 

[DPG]

A relative in West Cheshire sent me this pic. He is contemplating having an EV charger and other electrical appliances fitted. He asked me if he has a 60A or 100A supply. From this pic, it looks like a 100A supply with 60A fuse fitted for some reason. He wants it to be 100A. Any ideas?

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We can only go on the same info as you, and so I would agree - a 100A carrier with 60A fuse.

Get him to contact supplier to see if they can upgrade it

 

[JBW175]

It’ll be a 60 Amp supply fuse inside the service head.

They’ll need to speak to the DNO if they want the supply uprating to 100 Amp.

 

[7029 dave]

I would say 60A fuse in that cut out, they would not have labelled it otherwise.
Best to contact the DNO to have a look, and possible upgrade.

 

[littlespark]

What a pity we’re (generally) not allowed to pull the fuse, open up the carrier and have a look.

I know electricians are supermen among tradespeople, but x ray vision is beyond even me.

 

[JBW175]

What a pity we’re (generally) not allowed to pull the fuse, open up the carrier and have a look.

I know electricians are supermen among tradespeople, but x ray vision is beyond even me.

Sometimes that pesky little fuse fairy helps us out…

 

[John-SJW]

I know DNOs in some areas were putting in 60A main fuses in 100A supplies. I assume to discourage excessive use as their system overall cannot cope. Like some here, I assume this is a 100A supply with a 60A fuse. So a 100A fuse would not harm anything.

If the DNO a number of years back did downgrade the fuse, then it would be matter of slotting a 100A fuse back in. Even if the DNO does not know. How naughty.

If the house was orginally 100A, then they downgraded it to 60A, then they have to upgrade at their expense?

 

[John-SJW]

Sometimes that pesky little fuse fairy helps us out…

I believe his name is Pablo.

 

[John-SJW]

We can only go on the same info as you, and so I would agree - a 100A carrier with 60A fuse.

I agree. The 25mm tails from the service head to the meter is a give away. If it was 60A from the start, it would be 16mm.

 

[timhoward]

I’m sure you/your relative are aware already, but if EV is the motivation then there are some pretty clever chargers these days that monitor the demand and only charge when the cooker/shower are not in use.
So all is not lost with a 60 amp supply. I still have 60A at my house.

 

[nicebutdim]

I know DNOs in some areas were putting in 60A main fuses in 100A supplies. I assume to discourage excessive use as their system overall cannot cope. Like some here, I assume this is a 100A supply with a 60A fuse. So a 100A fuse would not harm anything.

If the DNO a number of years back did downgrade the fuse, then it would be matter of slotting a 100A fuse back in. Even if the DNO does not know. How naughty.

If the house was orginally 100A, then they downgraded it to 60A, then they have to upgrade at their expense?

Cut out might be rated to 100A, but if a 60A fuse is fitted it's a 60A supply.

In other news, I'd suggest not going down the route you seem to be headed - especially after posting images that identify the property in question to any DNO employees who might stumble upon this thread.

 

[timhoward]

I’m never good at identifying earthing conductor sizes from photos - but they all look similar making me wonder if they are all 10mm sq mm?

 

[DPG]

I know DNOs in some areas were putting in 60A main fuses in 100A supplies. I assume to discourage excessive use as their system overall cannot cope. Like some here, I assume this is a 100A supply with a 60A fuse. So a 100A fuse would not harm anything.

If the DNO a number of years back did downgrade the fuse, then it would be matter of slotting a 100A fuse back in. Even if the DNO does not know. How naughty.

If the house was orginally 100A, then they downgraded it to 60A, then they have to upgrade at their expense?

No, it wasn't originally a 100A supply. It's just the maximum rating of the cut out is 100A. Just like the max rating of an isolator for example.

 

[7029 dave]

The supply cable might not be rated at 100AMPS, DNO need to survey.
They are the only one's who can up grade or de grade the main fuse, not even the energy company can do that.

 

[John-SJW]

No, it wasn't originally a 100A supply. It's just the maximum rating of the cut out is 100A. Just like the max rating of an isolator for example.

Every 60A supply I have seen had 16mm cable from the fuse to meter. This may have been an exception though.