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]

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.

Something tells me he was downgraded - just a hunch. If he was dowgarded to a 60A fuse, which does happen, you will find the DNO would have marked out streets or an area then put 60A in the lot. Or ensured 60A was inserted when a smart meter was fitted, as take up may be enough to make a difference in downgrading in an area. They do it by stealth. This maybe in preparartion for the EV charger onslaught, followed by elimination of gas. Hopefully in the interim they put in enough electrical capacity.

An all electric house they would have left alone, as the odd 100A draw off makes no difference here or there. Few houses with gas supplies are all electric. Especially those built with heating systems from new.

He needs to look in houses around to see if they still have 100A supplies. All those adjacent foolishly took up the big brother smart meter, so they all may have 60A fuses.

 

[DPG]

This is going to go on and on.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I had the DNO out once to pull a old fuse, tails were 16mm between cutout and meter, from meter to CU 25mm, it had a 100A fuse, due to tails being 16mm he said he would have to down rate to 80 or 60. I said no thanks wait there and got some 25mm off the van, then changed the tails and said we will keep the 100A if you dont mind, he phoned the depot and begrudgingly put it back in... i thought it was a matter of principle

 

[timhoward]

I’ve never known of a smart meter installer change a fuse rating, ever. I don’t think they are allowed to.
In fact they have a form for if the tails are undersized and tell the customer to contact a sparks. I’ve seen this a few times. In my area they kindly fit 25mm tails to an isolator too.

It seems rather pointless speculating about what might have been the case once, and which bunch of capitalists are to blame, the bottom line is it has a 60amp supply and if he really needs more then he needs to phone the DNO.

 

[John-SJW]

He is having PV panels on the roof to heat the DHW cylinder. Even this will make no impact.

 

[7029 dave]

I’ve never known of a smart meter installer change a fuse rating, ever. I don’t think they are allowed to.
In fact they have a form for if the tails are undersized and tell the customer to contact a sparks. I’ve seen this a few times. In my area they kindly fit 25mm tails to an isolator too.

It seems rather pointless speculating about what might have been the case once, and which bunch of capitalists are to blame, the bottom line is it has a 60amp supply and if he really needs more then he needs to phone the DNO.

I can only speak as a former energy provider MOP, we were not allowed to down grade or up grade cutout fuses, cant speak for other providers.

 

[John-SJW]

I had the DNO out once to pull a old fuse, tails were 16mm between cutout and meter, from meter to CU 25mm, it had a 100A fuse, due to tails being 16mm he said he would have to down rate to 80 or 60. I said no thanks wait there and got some 25mm off the van, then changed the tails and said we will keep the 100A if you dont mind, he phoned the depot and begrudgingly put it back in... i thought it was a matter of principle

I have the impression they told him to downgrade whenever he could. It would be fun if hubby had high current drawing equipment in his rear workshop the DNO man never knew about.

Why did he make a phone call to the depot? That makes no sese. Maybe he was told to drop the rating before going - a matter of policy.

 

[DPG]

Im getting the words conjecture and guess.

 

[John-SJW]

I can only speak as a former energy provider MOP, we were not allowed to down grade or up grade cutout fuses, cant speak for other providers.

How long ago were you with them?

 

[littlespark]

They do it by stealth.

You sure about that?
Sounds a bit of a conspiracy

 

[7029 dave]

How long ago were you with them?

I left at the end of 2020

 

[Julie.]

I remain in touch with colleagues who still work for the DNO, they would be apoplectic if a meter fitter started changing their equipment such as fuses!

 

[John-SJW]

You sure about that?
Sounds a bit of a conspiracy

Do you think the capitalists now running our utilities are whiter than snow?

 

[DPG]

Do you think the capitalists now running our utilities are whiter than snow?

They aren't sending blokes out in the middle of the night with increasingly small fuse sizes.

You don't use the word 'scamdemic' by any chance do you?

 

[timhoward]

Do you think the capitalists now running our utilities are whiter than snow?

Do you think anyone gives a flying fuse?