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Follow up question: quote for connection and local supply issue

Morgan Phillips
Thanks for the fantastic replies I had to my previous question, helping me to understand the supply locally and enabling me to successfully push back on the quote/plan provided. 


I now have one further query.


WPD say that if they were upgrading the local network they would overlay the current 95mm wcon cable with a 185mm wcon cable, but that this alone would not be sufficient to allow for my property to be connected to the local network. Instead, they said that for me to be connected, a 300mm wcon cable needs to be laid, and they want me to fund the difference between the 185 cable and the 300 cable. 


As they were less than scrupulously transparent in their previous quote, I would like to check if anybody has any thoughts on the veracity of this? Why would upgrading to a 185mm cable not allow sufficient capacity to add my supply? Why would they not, if doing an upgrade and presumably incurring significant cost, simply upgrade to future proof the local supply with a 300mm2 cable?


I'm particularly concerned that what they have said about replacing the 95mm2 cable with a 185mm2 cable (that this would not be sufficient to connect me to the supply) is untrue.

Plan of existing supply.pdf
Updated plan for new supply.png
  • 0
    Morgan Phillips:
    Thanks Chris. I didn't realise that I could get a temporary supply for building separately from the final supply for the house.


    My step-daughter (and husband) had one at their self-build. It had to have its own natty, but v. robust, little brick hut, so there was some expense there. Eventually it was enclosed by an outbuilding. They had to pay a few thousand for the move on the basis that the service cable would be cut in the road and a new bit spliced on, but after hubby and I had done the donkey work (i.e. more or less demolished the hut and excavated the cable) it was simply a matter of the DNO transferring the service head onto a board on the nearest convenient bit of wall. IIRC, it took about an hour. I gather that they got a modest rebate.


    I am sure that with a bit of ingenuity you could construct your garage corner as part of a hut if necessary, but the point really is to ask for a quote for a construction site supply and see what happens.


  • 0
    As said above they haven't really answered your questions.  I would keep pushing them on the reuse of the old cable which seems a simple option.  If it fed all those other properties without apparent problem it should easily cope with yours.  The three phase service sounds sensible but will add to the cost. You could ask WPD for a copy of its customer impact assessment.  FYI there have been a number of DNO connection policy changes over the years (such as no new overhead services in UKPN areas) which can add very substantial cost to connections and upgrades and it is not at all clear that the true impact on customers has been considered in many cases.

    Keep asking, you shoudn't have to but it has produced results.
  • 0
    Thanks Chris. I didn't realise that I could get a temporary supply for building separately from the final supply for the house.
  • 0
    Actually, it's HER non-issues UKPN‍. Unlike my famous actor namesake, I'm a female member of the species!

  • 0
    "Dont be rushed, perhaps you need a construction supply" 

    Dont give him ideas, we will get an inquest into that next. WPD will have to set up a dedicated team to cover all his non issues. 


    Regards, UKPNZap


  • 0
    AJJewsbury:
    less (fewer, I can never remember!)

    in my head ...


    less for things you measure (continuously variable quantities)


    fewer for things you count (things that can only be integers)


    So fewer eggs might mean more egg, if you had a smaller number of much larger eggs.


    If I were to drink fewer bottles of beer, I would weigh less; similarly, if I were to drink less beer, I would weigh fewer stones. ?


    Back to the real question. I think that we are all agreed that the old cable could potentially be used, but it does depend upon its being in serviceable condition.



    Morgan Phillips:

    Thanks Mike, that's really interesting and helpful. I agree, I think they are trying to wear me down with vagueness and hope that the delay of dragging these answers out of them will force me to accept their offer so as to get the supply in situ by the time the build is due to begin.

    Don't be rushed. Perhaps you need a construction site supply, but that is certainly not of the same magnitude. Surely you need your definitive supply only near to the end of construction?
  • 0
    How a 15kW/63A supply can be standard these days, I don't know.  The DNOs are having to go around upgrading 63A supplies to 80A across the country whenever people want an electric vehicle (EV) charger.


    Ir really sounds like they are getting you to pay all a large part of their upgrade costs while giving you an under-sized supply with obsolescence built-in.


    63A three phase would be another matter.  You could charge the EV, have a shower, and cook a roast dinner all at the same time, and not worry about overloading anything.

  • 0
    less (fewer, I can never remember!)

    in my head ...


    less for things you measure (continuously variable quantities)


    fewer for things you count (things that can only be integers)


    So fewer eggs might mean more egg, if you had a smaller number of much larger eggs.


       - Andy. 


  • 0
    Perhaps a word with a few neighbours and ask if they have any flickering and then go back to the DNO. (again!!!!!)


    And report back to the forum, and the usual wafflers/DNO bashers will advise. 


    I wait in breath taking excitement for the Electrical contractors price. When the quote comes in and its more than £ 500 for a 4 bed house he will need the 999 service. 


    Regards, (again!) UKPN


  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Morgan.

    The DNO is required to provide a supply within certain voltage limits. It might be that the user at the end of the line could be receiving a supply outside these parameters (typically undervoltage). If this is the case, the DNO would be required to remedy the situation. It could be that a commercial user is exceeding their Authorised Supply Capacity (ASC) causing a voltage drop but it may just be the quantity of domestic users connected to what appears to be a cable installed for less (fewer, I can never remember!) connections.

    Perhaps a word with a few neighbours at the far end to see if they are experiencing "flicker". A very simple test is to use a 13 A plug in energy monitor (used to be £10 from Maplins) and read the voltage and then plug in a kettle and see what it drops to.

    Or, get someone with a load recorder and pay for a week's monitoring and if outside parameters, bring this to the attention of the DNO for them to repeat the monitoring and see what they say?!!!!

    Regards

    BOD

    PS Hopefully a helpful and constructive post................

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