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SteveDoddsMTB
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April 14, 2023
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Main fuse cut out upgrade needed for electric vehicle (EV) charger installation - how do I arrange this?

  • April 14, 2023
  • 14 replies
  • 4673 views

I had an electrician round this afternoon to discuss fitting a EV charge point and he said that we need an upgraded fuse cut out, the house was built in the 1930s and it's probably the original fuse cut out (the fuse element is just a piece of copper wire!).
I need this upgrading to something safer and with at least an 80A fuse.

The electrician was also asking what earthing facility is at the property and how the earth is provided in the street.  There doesn’t seem to be a DB earth terminal.

Who do I contact?  (I live in Staffordshire, distribution ID 14)

 

Many thanks

Steve
 

 

Best answer by Blastoise186

Updated on 02/02/26 by Ben_OVO​​​​​​

 

Hiya!

That’ll be National Grid AKA Western Power Distribution. Try this one: https://www.nationalgrid.co.uk/contact-us/contacting-national-grid-electricity-distribution/ways-to-contact-us

The articles below explain which types of jobs our engineers can do, and which parts of your supplies are managed by OVO or your network operator.

 

 

 

14 replies

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super UserSolved
Super User
April 14, 2023

Updated on 02/02/26 by Ben_OVO​​​​​​

 

Hiya!

That’ll be National Grid AKA Western Power Distribution. Try this one: https://www.nationalgrid.co.uk/contact-us/contacting-national-grid-electricity-distribution/ways-to-contact-us

The articles below explain which types of jobs our engineers can do, and which parts of your supplies are managed by OVO or your network operator.

 

 

 

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!
    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    April 14, 2023

    You may have a TT system rather than PME if you live outside a conurbation. A TT system uses a local earth with an earth rod but there should certainly be an earth connection somewhere. 

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      Tim_OVO
      OVO Staff
      Tim_OVO
      OVO Forum Legend
      April 17, 2023

      All good with your next steps then, @SteveDoddsMTB? 

       

      Keep us updated on your journey to getting an EV charger fitted. You’re probably not alone in needing this sort of work done so it will be handy to have it documented here for anyone coming after you.

      Carbon neutral - we need a community to get there! My green tech: Aclara SGM 1411-B smart meter, Chameleon IHD6
        juliamc
        Rank 20
        juliamc
        Rank 20
        November 27, 2023

        I have an EV charger and a heat pump. I also have a 60 Amp main fuse. Should I get this upgraded to 100 Amp before I get solar installed ? I hope to get battery storage too in due course. The thermal image shows the main fuse was warm when both the charger and heat pump were operating.

         

          BPLightlog
          Super User
          BPLightlogSuper User
          Super User
          November 28, 2023

          I’m surprised that your main fuse is 60A. It’s obviously only when you’re using everything together that this comes into play (apart from a fault) but mine was upgraded when I had solar (to 100A) and I don’t yet have a Heat Pump or EV. 
          The thermal image doesn’t necessarily show a fault  as it will depend on what was ‘on’ at that point. You normally use a Thermal Camera to look for hot spots (or cold spots) and yours is just showing a general glow on the active parts. The indicated temperature is also not excessive but if it were me, I would suggest an increase on fusing

          Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
            juliamc
            Rank 20
            juliamc
            Rank 20
            November 28, 2023

            Thanks @BPLightlog that’s confirmed what I was thinking. The EV charger was installed first, then the heat pump on the government EoH trial. It’s been like this for 2.5 years. It’s only now the solar company advised upgrading that I’ve started to think about it.
            I’m on the Cosy tariff with Octopus which has a 3 hour afternoon cheap rate so it’s possible I’d have ev, dishwasher, washing machine and heat pump running. What would happen if I then switched on the kettle 💥‼️ Better not push my luck… Octopus have the meter tails upgrade request so I’ll just have to wait for them before I get anything else installed. 

              juliamc
              Rank 20
              juliamc
              Rank 20
              November 28, 2023

              Having said which, I think the PodPoint charger pedals back if there’s a heavy load detected on the line. Can’t remember where I got that impression??

              Tim_OVO
              OVO Staff
              Tim_OVO
              OVO Forum Legend
              November 29, 2023

              @Soo P @Chris78 @ScottC27 @CWM all have the PodPoint charger - have you heard of this dynamic charging based on current load?

              Carbon neutral - we need a community to get there! My green tech: Aclara SGM 1411-B smart meter, Chameleon IHD6
                C
                Rank 6
                Chris78
                Rank 6
                November 29, 2023

                Ive not seen it happen. the only time ive seen the charge reduce down to 4Kw was in the summer on a very hot day the car was in direct sunlight but it was the car responsible for the change due to temperatures not the charger 

                  juliamc
                  Rank 20
                  juliamc
                  Rank 20
                  March 24, 2024

                  I now have the main fuse upgraded to 100 Amps 🥳 

                  Do I need to update my PodPoint charger with this information somehow? Was originally installed when the main fuse was 60 A

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