I have 3 x flats that have just the one meter supplied by Ovo.
I want to split into 3 x meters by Ovo. I want to avoid using power networks and getting in a 3 phase supply as they are suggesting
can this be done?
the supply is already going to all 3 so its about metering although i don’t want private meters, I would like 2 separate accounts for the tenants to pay themselves.
A really technical but great question this one. To put things simply, your DNO would need to install a new 3 phase fuse or 2 new single phase fuses, so you’d also need to arrange for them to attend on the same day as your chosen supplier’s engineer. OVO Energy can now take on new connections. Some details of what to do is below:
We'll complete a few checks and confirm the date for an engineer visit
Please look out for this and contact us if the date isn't suitable
If we arrive and can't complete the new connection, we'll let you know why and next steps needed to resolve the issue
We'll install smart meters by default, and they'll be in pay monthly (credit/PAYM) setting
If you want a prepayment (PAYG) meter, we'll:
Install as pay monthly first
Check the meters are working correctly (so we don't leave you without supply)
Switch them to a PAYG tariff and account
Add any debt accrued in the PAYM setting, set at a repayment rate aligned with our current processes
Each meter must be connected to a Service Fuse in one direction and a Consumer Unit in the other.
A Consumer Unit is not itself an expensive item, especially if purchased as a package with all the trips pre-installed:
BG 10way Consumer Unit currently on offer from TLC-Direct
As yet @calli hasn’t said how the existing arrangement of flats is served by any existing Consumer Unit.
Unless there is a separate Consumer Unit for each flat, with the certification from a qualified electrician, then I can’t see how any Installer would be prepared to put in a meter. It would be in breach of SMICoP regulations. This Smart Meter Installation Code of Practice is the agreement by which engineers working for Energy Suppliers are licensed to break the seals on the Service Fuse without the attendance of the Distribution Network Operator and a qualified electrician on site.
As you would expect, the SMICoP regulations are primarily about safety. This doesn’t just mean the safety of the meter installation itself either. The Government (through Ofgem) are using the Smart Meter installations as an essential opportunity to verify that the gas and electricity supplies to each dwelling are up to the basic requirements.
No Installer could risk connecting a new meter to a Consumer Unit if there was a chance that the wiring somewhere in a flat might not be fed entirely from that Unit.
If they were to do so, then a later intervention by the DNO to run 3-phase into the building would leave the occupants with the risk of there being 440v within a room.
Now I still do have ideas as to how to save money in having this work done. But I cannot foresee any way that the issue can be resolved without the regulations being fully and correctly implemented. The rules are not onerous - they are actually just common sense, and successfully keep us alive!
If you need any more advice though on getting the actual upgrade done, we’ll still be around too. This thread will basically stay open forever, so you’ve got plenty of time to stop by and keep it going. :)
But between this thread being a case of three properties sharing one meter and another thread regarding the complete opposite:
That means we’ve now got two really extreme edge cases covered with some great advice.
And good luck with the upgrades! We’d love to hear about any progress you make with this, since it might even help a few other people out with these puzzles.
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I look after a school that is currently located on a shared site (2 x schools, joined by the main canteen that serves both schools).
The main electricity supply comes into a shared plant room and the invoices come to one of the schools, to arrange a split.
I have asked Northern Powergrid about obtaining a separate connection, so we can monitor our usage, arrange our own supplier, price match suppliers and we have been told this is not possible, due to various reasons.
An Electrical Engineer attended today about a separate issue and mentioned having a Benco Unit installed onto the main electrical supply and then I would be able to have a meter installed measuring our schools use and also be able to choose our own supplier?
Has anybody had any similar experiences, Northern Powergrid aren't being very helpful with our situation.
That’s actually a really, really good one! I love these. :)
Just so you know, this forum is mainly focused on Domestic supplies, but I see no harm in helping you out with this one. All it means is that most of us might not be quite as experienced in your exact use case. But electricity supplies are just that. Supplies.
It’s a bit old, but seems like a similar situation. Because of that, you might find these interesting:
These threads all related to somewhat similar scenarios that are probably fairly close to what you’re after. I ultimately suspect going down the BNO route is your best bet. Try asking Northern Powergrid about being a BNO and see if you get anywhere. I spoke to another DNO about this stuff recently, so if you keep getting stuck, let me know and I’ll give it a go with Northern Powergrid for you.
Obviously I can’t act on your behalf, but I can definitely get general information from a DNO if that helps!
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I just made a quick phone call to Northern Powergrid via their New Connections Team and got exactly the info you need. I told them everything you told me, and this is what they came back with.
They recommend submitting an application for a NEW Connection and having a site survey done to figure out your options.
They can then figure out the best way to split the supplies up by creating a new connection for one of the schools, while leaving the other school on a second connection. If you wish, you can also have the canteen split off as well. In some ways, that might be a good idea so that one school isn’t just responsible for the entire electric bill of the canteen, but feel free to discuss that between yourselves. :)
Hope this helps!
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