Hello all...
Hope everyone's ok??
Is it permissible to use the external DNO box to instal a CCU / other, for running a circuit to say a 'car charger?'
I'd always thought that this is not allowed so...
regards...
Tom.
Good to hear from you again Tom! As I understand it, the external box belongs to the property and it is their decision as to whether further electrical equipment is installed within it. Often it is an ideal place to tap off for an EV point rather than wrecking someone’s home to route a cable. However, it may cause issues down the line should the DNO need to alter their metering arrangements.
I think the advice from the DNOs would not to use the enclosure for anything other than their equipment. I shall admit that we have used it on many occasions for EV installs but with a clear understanding from the client that they accepted the issue that the DNO might have.
This EV lark has certainly thrown up lots of challenges!
Hello Lyle, thanks for the nice comment... been a long time.
So, really... it's not allowed and, as I see nowadays, it's the EV supply, haha, mainly that this is being used for?
Not having fitted an EV point, (my son does), I don't know the load, required... cannot be that much, surely?
I think that these installs, may be challenged soon, by the DNO, as I'm sure they must be aware of what's going on?
Looking back... I cannot think of a time when I used the DNOs space, to fix anything??
Anyways, good luck to you all!
regards... Tom
I agree the meter box generally belongs to the customer rather than the DNO or supplier, however as I understand it, part of the contract with the supplier is that the customer must provide sufficient suitable space for the meter, cut-out and anything else that might be needed by the DNO or supplier. Of course meter boxes are normally sized to just meet that requirement - and just because there's spare space in there at the moment is no guarantee that the DNO or supplier won't need it later on (e.g. for a check meter, or teleswitch if an off-peak supply is later requested, or occasionally even for a temporary extra cut-out). Even a switchfuse, required by DNO rules when the CU is more than about 3m away, strictly speaking isn't allowed in there. Officially, if you want anything close to the meter in that situation and it can't go indoors (e.g. directly behind the meter box) then the usual answer is a 2nd meter box installed adjacent to the first.
- Andy.
I don't know the load, required... cannot be that much, surely?
Quite substantial usually - often around 32A or 7kW - and for many hours at a time.
- Andy.
When it comes to money, especially in the domestic sector, using words like, officially, recommend, should, etc, counts for little! Nonetheless AJ is absolutely right about the contract with the DNO, at least in this part of the world. I have just looked through contract documentation sent to me by NIE for a new supply, which clearly indicates the space allocation required. Although a sensible reading of it would understand that the space had to be maintained after their equipment is installed, it doesn’t actually say that!
I was told by a former Smart meter installer who is now installing EVSE that WPD accept that the meter box is the customers property and is okay with EVSE equipment being installed within them.
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