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?

 

[John-SJW]

He said he thinks that 60A label was put on when he went over to a smart meter. If you look at the seal it looks newish, which may indicate the fuse was downrate, being initially a 100A fuse.

 

[DPG]

He said he thinks that 60A label was put on when he went over to a smart meter. If you look at the seal it looks newish, which may indicate the fuse was downrate, being initially a 100A fuse.

They may well have put a label on to identify the fuse. They probably didn't change the fuse though.

 

[Lister1987]

Thought it would be a 63A, not 60A? 63 80 100

 

[Julie.]

Thought it would be a 63A, not 60A? 63 80 100

Bs1361 and bs88 service fuses are 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100A

60, 80 and 100A being the common ones.


Others such as j type or A3, A4 etc are indeed 63A

 

[littlespark]

Am I right in saying that some meters are only rated to 80A, so can’t have a 100A fuse.
Can’t tell from your photo.

 

[Julie.]

Am I right in saying that some meters are only rated to 80A, so can’t have a 100A fuse.
Can’t tell from your photo.

Yes, although I think most if not all "smart" ones are 100A
My home "traditional" meter is 80A.

I looked at that and it looks like it is from the E470 series, which is 100A, but it isn't clear enough to see properly.

Ultimately the DNO is the only one to indicate what the max rating is, the size of the fuse carrier, cable, meter etc only gives a possible upper limit.

The capacity of the network, could also be a limit.

DNOs and suppliers/meter fitters standardise on ratings of kit, they stock only 100A carriers (to reduce stock levels), many now only use 25mm^2 so the meter fitters don't have to learn to size cables.

That intake has a limit of 60A due to the fuse, changing the fuse doesn't necessarily mean the capacity can be increased, it may be, but it may be it means something is unprotected against overload.

 

[DPG]

Let us know what they say when your friend contacts them.

 

[John-SJW]

They may well have put a label on to identify the fuse. They probably didn't change the fuse though.

I think the newish looking seal is the give away. It would have been put there when the meter was changed. Nevertheless we do not know, until the fuse is looked at, and the incoming cable assessed of being capable of supplying 100A.

 

[DPG]

I think the newish looking seal is the give away. It would have been put there when the meter was changed. Nevertheless we do not know, until the fuse is looked at, and the incoming cable assessed of being capable of supplying 100A.

Absolutely. No way of knowing. Has your friend contacted the supplier yet?

 

[Julie.]

I think the newish looking seal is the give away. It would have been put there when the meter was changed. Nevertheless we do not know, until the fuse is looked at, and the incoming cable assessed of being capable of supplying 100A.

It doesn't matter if the incoming cable is capable of 100A, it still doesn't mean that supply has a capacity of 100A.

DNOs apply diversity just as electricians do, the capacity of the distribution transformer determines how many supplies may be connected at 60A, upping some customers to 100A may well mean a larger transformer is required.

One cannot assume that because a certain size cable, fuse carrier, meter etc has been fitted that there is capacity.

I doubt the fuse has been changed, the meter fitter is likely to have removed the fuse, fitted meter, refited the fuse, applied new seals, and applied a label showing the fuse size.

 

[Markyd]

He will have to have a survey done before fitting charger anyway , so will find out then

 

[goasis]

Makes you wonder what's going to happen when every household had 2 or 3 electric cars......

 

[John-SJW]

Absolutely. No way of knowing. Has your friend contacted the supplier yet?

Not yet, he is assessing what appliances he needs. He wanted a high kW five ring induction hob which draws a lot of amps. I told him to go for an Induction hob that runs off a 13A plug if he can only have 60A. He may have to use a Garo priority box to cut out the heating and/or EV charger while a shower is being used, etc. If he had 100A he would have no worries, now he may have to prepare to work around the limits of a 60A supply.

 

[DPG]

Not yet, he is assessing what appliances he needs. He wanted a high kW five ring induction hob which draws a lot of amps. I told him to go for an Induction hob that runs off a 13A plug if he can only have 60A. He may have to use a Garo priority box to cut out the heating and/or EV charger while a shower is being used, etc. If he had 100A he would have no worries, now he may have to prepare to work around the limits of a 60A supply.

What about contacting the DNO? Has he not done that yet?

 

[DPG]

What about contacting the DNO? Has he not done that yet?

Apologies just read your last post. This rum has gone to my head