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I'm getting an electric vehicle (EV) charger but how to get my meter tails upgraded and a DP isolation switch fitted? Who and how much?

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
July 24, 2021
45 replies
9734 views

Hi,

I’m in the process of purchasing an EV. Before the charger install I’ve been advised to have the meter tails uprated and an isolator switch fitted before my electrician fits a new consumer unit and installs the charger.

I have been charged £264.25 for OVO to carry out the work in the meter cupboard. Thinking this seemed a bit much I did some research and came across this price list by OVO. DP isolator says £158.25 but has no mention of the meter tails. I called my DNO and they said the tails are normally updated during any work carried out by the supplier like a new meter. My smart meter was installed last year and the old tails were left in place. So my question is, why have I been charged £264 for an isolator normally costing £158 and the DNO says meter tails are normally updated during any work carried out as they are not my responsibility and down to the supplier to ensure they are safe and sized according to the demand required.

Many thanks.

Best answer by Tim_OVO

Updated on 21/01/26 by Ben_OVO

Often when an EV charger is fitted some work is required to the electricity equipment, between the main fuse (cut out) and the consumer unit (fuse box).

Let’s try and outline common upgrades needed.

Meter tails

The meter tails between the main fuse (cut out) and the meter are the responsibility of the supplier (full list of who owns what, here). These may need to be upgraded, which would be classified by OVO as a ‘Technical site survey’. Latest job prices here.

Isolation switch

Installing an isolation switch will act as a circuit breaker on the mains electrical supply, so that the installation of the EV charger can be completed safely by a private electrician. It also negates the need for a supplier to send an engineer to the property to de-energise the cut out (and re-energise afterwards) whilst the charger is being fitted. Latest job prices here.

If the fitting of the isolation switch is done at the same time and alongside another job. So actually getting an isolation switch fitted and getting the meter tails checked/upgraded, will cost the same as just getting the isolation switch fitted.

How to book

Give the Support team a call so we can make sure we discuss all aspects of the appointment. Our Support team can be contacted by phone on 0330 303 5063 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

We’ve got a similar topic which may also be helpful:

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Blastoise186

Super User

I have some good news. OVO can indeed take on pretty much all of the requested work for you and if you have a chat with the Support Team, they can make the arrangements and take payment. I’ve grabbed the latest data from the job list for you.

For the Double-Pole Isolator Switch, OVO can do that for £158.25 if it’s just that job, or £52.25 if it’s alongside another job.

Upgrading the meter tails is also something OVO can arrange. This comes under the Technical Site Survey category by the looks of things, so that would be £106 if you’re on Single-Phase.

Assuming you need to pay for the Site Survey and get the discounted rate for the DP Isolator, I think the total would be £158.25, but otherwise if both are full price it’d be £264.25 for a Single-Phase Supply. The Support Team would be able to confirm the prices and provide you with a quote.

I’m afraid Transparent hasn’t been around recently, he seems to be taking a break right now but he might be back later.

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M.isterW

Rank 6

They fitted a DP isolator when my smart meter was installed. Did I get a freebie?

1992 4 bed detached house. Solar PV + battery, Zappi EV charger, Mitsubishi Ecodan ASHP and i-life2 fan assisted radiators.... No gas 😊

T

tony1tf

Rank 4

They fitted a DP isolator when my smart meter was installed. Did I get a freebie?

I had two smart meters from OVO during the original fiasco with smart meter rollout, but unfortunately that must have pre-dated the isolator rules, so the 100A fuse would just have been removed as per always. So it didn’t get the ‘freebie’ …. shame!

Tony

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tony1tf

Rank 4

@Blastoise186 wrote “For the Double-Pole Isolator Switch, OVO can do that for £158.25 if it’s just that job, or £52.25 if it’s alongside another job.”

Do you know if the OLEV grant applies to this additional work to install a charger?

Tony

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tony1tf

Rank 4

By the sounds of it ChargedEV want one of these DP isolators so they can isolate the incoming feed to the consumer unit. OVO fitted mine last year. The only other way to isolate the feed to the consumer unit is to pull and then re-seal the 100A incomer fuse, which they are not allowed to do (i dont think) as it’s the property of the DNO. 25mm2 tales are normally fitted at the same time between the cut out (100a main fuse) and meter, and also between meter and the new DP isolator. The new meter tails (if required) between the isolator and consumer unit would need to be replaced by your own electrician as these belong to you.

The installation I have already has a small consumer unit just for my existing 3.3kW charger with 16A feed. All it needs is the 40A breaker uprating ( or maybe doesn’t even need that ) and new wiring to the 7kW Smart Charger. I suppose they believe that needs the 100A incoming fuse pulling, and that seems to be the problem. A few years ago that wasn’t a problem - the fitters were qualified to do that. I suppose training has got worse in recent years.

Tony

Blastoise186

Super User

As far as I’m aware, I don’t think the OLEV Grant can cover this work, but it’s worth checking the terms and discussing this with OVO just in case. But for the most part, I think it just covers the charger itself.

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Jess_OVO

OVO Staff

Great to see some excellent peer-peer support going on here!

Hoping this helps you in making the decision on getting that isolator installed, @tony1tf. Our Support Team will be happy to help arrange that appointment for you - don’t forget the quickest way to reach the team is via our Live chat which you can access by clicking ‘Message us’ on this page.

As isolator switches are not only installed to support EV chargers I believe @Blastoise186 is right in thinking that the OLEV grant wouldn’t cover this part of the installation. There’s more advice on all things OLEV on this great guide written by our content team.

Hope this helps - Let us know how you get on! :slight_smile:

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tony1tf

Rank 4

This is now resolved, as ChargedEV have accepted that they are upgrading my 3.3kW Charger, so can use the existing Distribution box with a higher rated breaker. No need for the isolation switch.

Tony

C

Colzee

Newcomer

Ordered ev car in March, SSEN inform me that my incoming power cable is looped of neighbour so need to get unlooped and upgraded to 100 amp cutout fuse which thankfully is being done at zero cost , apart from the digging up of driveway which I can bear. But to get this work done meter tails need to be upgraded from 16mm to 25mm so arranged that through OVO at cost sounds pretty straightforward and this is where the problems begin, engineer booked for 2nd June took a day's holiday leave for his/her arrival, no show and no contact from anyone beforehand, Rebooked for 27th June and again no show, no contact and 2 days holiday leave lost. Now OVO have informed me that engineer has been Rebooked for September, are they having a laugh, this totally messes up schedule for the unlooping and has me fuming 😤, Does anyone know if I can get my payment refunded and employ an electrician to upgrade the tails by myself as this is beyond the joke and please don't mention the £30 compensation as it in know way makes up for the hassle and lost holiday's.

Blastoise186

Super User

I’m afraid only OVO can do it. You can’t have an electrician do it because the meter is owned by the supplier.

Source: I’m an experienced forum volunteer here and I often take on questions like this one.

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