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david8
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July 24, 2021
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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?

  • 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:

 

45 replies

Show previous replies
Jeffus
Rank 20
Jeffus
Rank 20
August 8, 2023

Afraid not,  sept 8th for meter tails and isolation switch fitting , fingers crossed. A week this Monday SSE coming to upgrade incoming mains cable and upgrade cut out fuse to 100amp, suspect they will just go ahead with work, leave me on my current 60amp and then send someone back out to change fuse to 100amp after SMS have done the meter tails. Car due for delivery end of this month, so everything might , just might work out fine in the end. But honestly what a long drawn out process, car, unlooping , meter tails and to top it off OVO charge anytime are far too slow in introducing more car manufactures to list of compatible vehicle's , not surprised people are jumping ship to Octopus energy. Kia one of the best selling EV in UK for last few years and they don't support this maker, not good enough. 

The government and industry are aware of the bottlenecks. It is going to be hard to scale up home charging and heat pumps without some changes. For example the ENA (Energy Networks Association) are looking into options around other people being allowed to change the cutout fuse. 

Certainly strange that kia is on the Intelligent Octopus list but still not on the ovo list. 

 

C
Newcomer
Colzee
Newcomer
October 12, 2023

Got a call from SMS this morning and they are saying OVO are just booking engineer's for appointments without checking 1st they have availability for the areas,  so Sept is the earliest they will have an engineer available for the Aberdeen area, guess they need enough appointments to fill his day to make it worth the journey from Glasgow where they are based.

Did you get sorted in the end @Colzee ?

All sorted SMS turned up on 3rd appointment, then engineer asks me what work he has to do 😮anyway installed isolation switch and upgraded meter tails and immediately after he left went online and switched to octopus energy, now charging off peak and wouldn't go back to OVO if they paid me , zero interest in their customers. 

S
Newcomer
sammmm
Newcomer
November 28, 2023

If you have an isolation switch fitted by Ovo do they “reenergise” the property afterwards? Customer services just advised that because the meter tails from the isolation switch are not their responsibility you would then need a private electrician to come along on the day and connect these. Seems a bit odd to me they would install the isolation switch and not reconnect.

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
November 28, 2023

As far as I’m aware, re-energising the property is part of that job. But I have ways I can find out. Bear with me!

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
    Tim_OVO
    OVO Staff
    Tim_OVO
    OVO Forum Legend
    November 29, 2023

    The OVO engineer should de-energise the supply to fit the isolation switch, and then re-energise the supply when they’re finished. This will be at a cost of £158.25 if it’s a single phase supply. More info here:

     

     

    I’m sorry if you were advised differently. Feel free to link to this topic in a webchat so the advisor you speak to can see this and then help get the appointment booked if it’s not already. 

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