Has our electric supplier just throttled our connection?

[Doing it for the kids]

I’m certain i know the answer but Eon are arguing that I am wrong.

Farm supply being upgraded, we have a 200a 3 phase supply. The fuses are 200amp and the first contractor is too.

It’s all ancient, NFU are huffing over it. I asked for the supplier to fit a kill switch so we can upgrade everything after the meter. 9 months later,after 3 visits, they have done so, but it’s a 100a rated switch. Morrisons did it, their technical sparky said it’s fine, mine has said it’s not!

I’m arguing that they have restricted my supply by half. They are telling me that they have not.

They keep asking me what I want to run through it but I’ve told them it’s irrelevant, 200amp is what I have and want.

Anyone else come across this before!?

 

[Timbo]

Wouldn't be unusual for domestic supplies to be re- fused down to 80 or even 60a when previously 100a due to the local network being stretched by more homes now than before.

 

[spark plug]

If I’m reading this correctly the DNO have 3x 200a cutout fuses, you have your equipment rated at at least 200a and the DNO has fitted a 100a isolator between you equipment and theirs?

If this is the case they haven’t restricted your supply, but introduced a dangerous fire hazard, like running a 32a welder on a 13a extension with a bolt in the plug for a fuse.

Some pictures would help see what’s going on.

 

[mo!]

Turn everything on and blow the fuses.

 

[Wesley]

If I’m reading this correctly the DNO have 3x 200a cutout fuses, you have your equipment rated at at least 200a and the DNO has fitted a 100a isolator between you equipment and theirs?

Sounds like the electric supplier (Eon) have fitted it not the DNO.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Wouldn't be unusual for domestic supplies to be re- fused down to 80 or even 60a when previously 100a due to the local network being stretched by more homes now than before.

Allowing for diversity that’s often ok from what I understand.

This is new (to us) working farm which is about to see a lot of changes. I need a decent supply and know from experience that dealing with them is jolly hard work so I don’t want to risk loosing out on capacity.

If I’m reading this correctly the DNO have 3x 200a cutout fuses, you have your equipment rated at at least 200a and the DNO has fitted a 100a isolator between you equipment and theirs?

If this is the case they haven’t restricted your supply, but introduced a dangerous fire hazard, like running a 32a welder on a 13a extension with a bolt in the plug for a fuse.

Some pictures would help see what’s going on.

My only observation is the tails are the same size as the rest which Makes me think it’s a 100 amp feed out of the 200a fuses. Or after the first install they fitted a meter that was lesser rated than the existing and previous owners never noticed it.

Can’t imagine it’s going to be easy to get them to upgrade the meter and switch to a 200amp supply with the smart meter chat which I’m so bored off!

Sounds like the electric supplier (Eon) have fitted it not the DNO.

Yes, from memory the DNO own up to the fuses, tails to meter is supplier then us mere mortals take over.

 

[spark plug]

Yes, I think you are correct, it looks like the supply has been “downgraded” at some stage, I would bet the cut out has fuses. No bigger than 100a fitted, making the isolator safe.

Although this may not have just happened, it could have been done the las lime the meeter was replaced.

 

[renewablejohn]

Have you a direct 3 phase connection to the transformer. If so have they restricted at the transformer with 100a fuse. When our transformer was replaced last year supplying the farm and two other premises I had to fight to keep the fuses independant otherwise my supply would have been throttled back.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Have you a direct 3 phase connection to the transformer. If so have they restricted at the transformer with 100a fuse. When our transformer was replaced last year supplying the farm and two other premises I had to fight to keep the fuses independant otherwise my supply would have been throttled back.

I think so. Transformer only serves this mpan, cable appears to come down pole and straight in to fuses

 

[renewablejohn]

I think so. Transformer only serves this mpan, cable appears to come down pole and straight in to fuses

Should be fuse and isolater at the transforner up the pole. Its the size of that fuse thats important and I would suggest its only 100a hence their confident in installing a 100a isolater on your board.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Should be fuse and isolater at the transforner up the pole. Its the size of that fuse thats important and I would suggest its only 100a hence their confident in installing a 100a isolater on your board.

I think you give Morrisons too much credit. He installed the 100a because ‘that’s all they carry and install’

Since had an email advising me that they are sending out a ‘field agent’ ASAP to look at what fuse sizes are there. They have admitted in writing that if they are 200 they have made an error…

 

[Lincsman]

Mine were downgraded when smart meters were fitted, because smart meters can only take a little over 100A whereas the Bakelite wheel things were ok for loads more, anyway my fans alone had bigger fuses than the oncomer so we blew them several times, the guy coming to them upped the fuse rating to 150a, they seem ok now and the meters have not yet blown up.

This was with British gas at the time and a young Girl fresh out of training pointed out to the the engineers what the problem was after opening my fan fuse box that was untouched since 1965, main problem is British gas do not understand how electricity works.

 

[upnortheast]

Mine were downgraded when smart meters were fitted, because smart meters can only take a little over 100A

That`s not right
For supplies over 100 amp they will use a CT meter. Instead of the supply going through the actual meter the supplies go through a coil ( same principle as a sparky`s clamp meter ) which measures the current & passes it back to the meter
Something like this

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Mine were downgraded when smart meters were fitted, because smart meters can only take a little over 100A whereas the Bakelite wheel things were ok for loads more, anyway my fans alone had bigger fuses than the oncomer so we blew them several times, the guy coming to them upped the fuse rating to 150a, they seem ok now and the meters have not yet blown up.

This was with British gas at the time and a young Girl fresh out of training pointed out to the the engineers what the problem was after opening my fan fuse box that was untouched since 1965, main problem is British gas do not understand how electricity works.

they are all the same. i have complaints lodges with several of the big 6 at the moment, 2 of which have come back today to me grovelling. they all sub out the work and if you have an issue remotely off piste they simply dont know what to do. im not going to accept 100a if i have 200a as to upgrade this in the future will cost us a fortune.

That`s not right
For supplies over 100 amp they will use a CT meter. Instead of the supply going through the actual meter the supplies go through a coil ( same principle as a sparky`s clamp meter ) which measures the current & passes it back to the meter
Something like this
View attachment 1159397

exactly - the other sites have these, wondering if they can change the meter for an old school 200amp now if its not rated at that!

 

[Lakesdigger]

I think you give Morrisons too much credit. He installed the 100a because ‘that’s all they carry and install’

Since had an email advising me that they are sending out a ‘field agent’ ASAP to look at what fuse sizes are there. They have admitted in writing that if they are 200 they have made an error…

Must admit while reading through this it's what I was thinking

 

[Lincsman]

That`s not right
For supplies over 100 amp they will use a CT meter. Instead of the supply going through the actual meter the supplies go through a coil ( same principle as a sparky`s clamp meter ) which measures the current & passes it back to the meter
Something like this
View attachment 1159397

Did they have such things in 1965 when the store was built?

 

[TheTallGuy]

Looking at those tails I would say it's unlikely to actually be fused at 200A. First step would be to contact your DNO to get them to check what fuses are fitted.

 

[B R C]

they are all the same. i have complaints lodges with several of the big 6 at the moment, 2 of which have come back today to me grovelling. they all sub out the work and if you have an issue remotely off piste they simply dont know what to do. im not going to accept 100a if i have 200a as to upgrade this in the future will cost us a fortune.

exactly - the other sites have these, wondering if they can change the meter for an old school 200amp now if its not rated at that!

Your dead right, initial quote to go from 100 to 200 was over £100k, until I pointed out they could leave the current supply alone and put a new transformer on a pole that’s running through the farm. Still £60k though, but I would then have 300amps total. My thoughts are better to spend the £60k on solar and battery set up as the main issue is start up loading and Some spikes in demand, not constant.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Bit of an update here.

Eon dismissed me saying if I was worried to speak to the DNO as they aren’t allowed to check fuses.

I replied cc’ing in insurance saying fine, I will but I still think there is a fire risk and will hold you responsible,

Few days later out of the blue a call from Morrisons, the subbies to eon wanting to do a site visit.

He was on site 4 hrs! I was right and he said that there was a fire risk. He had to get special permission from one of thE MD’s to work on the 200 amp supply. Apparantly the jump from 100 to 200 amp is 4 weeks training! He had never seen a 200 amp supply before.

They have removed the switch so despite being charged, I’m no further forward 11 months later!!

I’ve emailed the DNO copying in EON and insurance. Let’s see what they come back with but I’m furious. Even when I expresseslt told them this could be dangerous and explained why they still ignored it and fobbed me off.

 

[teslacoils]

Lol. Left hand not knowing what right hand is doing.

Six years ago I inherited a Scottish power 3ph supply that has historically been on a reduced tarrif on evenings, summer time or something or other. Changed to npower and asked for this to be changed so electric available all the time. Basically told that it wasn't them, contact dco. Dco came out and said it was npower. I gave up. Roll on last week when npower came to put in meters they can read remotely. Stopped at 3ph meter to say he couldn't do that as it was limited to a legacy tarrif. Told me to ring npower and tell them some magic words. Hoping they might work. Not holding my breath.