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Isolation switch - Can OVO fit one of these for me?

  • 27 March 2018
  • 46 replies
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46 replies

M.isterW
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The engineer who fitted my smart meter fitted an isolator at the same time, with no charge. I don't know if that's standard practice but it's worth asking.

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

 

I asked , and was told I need 2 visits, on the same day if I wanted, from 2 engineers to install the meter first then to install the isolator…...barmy! oh and its costing me £158 too! I guess they have to make their profit from someone

 

I’m a retired Electrical Engineer and I honestly can’t see the logic in this at all.

 

W
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Why not have them come out and install the smart meter and say nothing about the isolator and maybe they will I stall it for free at the same time? If they don't, call in and place an order for the isolator and pay the fee. 

P
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I guess you got lucky. 

 

I asked , and was told I need 2 visits, on the same day if I wanted, from 2 engineers to install the meter first then to install the isolator…...barmy! oh and its costing me £158 too! I guess they have to make their profit from someone

 

I’m a retired Electrical Engineer and I honestly can’t see the logic in this at all.

 

 

£158 - that is a rip-off.     £20-25 for the isolator (they buy in bulk) and 10-15 minutes work.       £400-500 per hour!       

P
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I dont understand why they need 2 people to come and effectively do one job.

 

As I understand it if they only sent one person to replace the meter and install the isolator at the same time the isolator charge would only be £52 and pence as its being done alongside another job.

 

I tried to get them to do just one job but I was told it has to be 2 separate jobs and hence full price is charged.

 

Maybe if someone from OVO reads this they can explain why before the installation which is booked for 10th January.

 

Its hardly a “green” way to do things if 2 trips are required.

Blastoise186
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I believe it’s because it requires two different skillsets. Not all electricians are created equal. Some specialise in domestic stuff, others in giant commercial buildings for example - and that REALLY does require different training!

OVO does also subsidise the cost of some jobs pretty heavily from my understanding. Charging for other jobs makes up for that and there really isn’t as big a profit margin as you might think.

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P
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As a properly apprenticed electrician and then an electrical design engineer of 40 years I understand that. I worked on everything from domestic installations to power station generators and switchgear.

 

the point is to replace the meter means pulling the main fuse, possibly replacing/upgrading the meter tails, but as ours were only done 3 years ago with a previous meter replacement I doubt they need doing, and replacing the meter. the installation of an isolator switch is an almost identical operation. 

Just pulling and replacing the main fuse requires the same qualification for both jobs.

Both jobs could easily be done by the same person in one visit without the loss of power twice.

Blastoise186
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Not my rules I’m afraid. And I don’t work for OVO, so I’m unable to request an exemption either.

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way!
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As a properly apprenticed electrician and then an electrical design engineer of 40 years I understand that. I worked on everything from domestic installations to power station generators and switchgear.

 

the point is to replace the meter means pulling the main fuse, possibly replacing/upgrading the meter tails, but as ours were only done 3 years ago with a previous meter replacement I doubt they need doing, and replacing the meter. the installation of an isolator switch is an almost identical operation. 

Just pulling and replacing the main fuse requires the same qualification for both jobs.

Both jobs could easily be done by the same person in one visit without the loss of power twice.

 

Precisely.

An instead of running teh tails from meter to CU,  they go meter to Isolator, Isolator to CU,   so just 8 extra clamps/screw to fasten and wires to strip.     30 seconds for each plus mounting - 15 minutes max.

Different skill set - no way.      And you knw exactly that

 

 

M.isterW
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My guess is that the system for booking an engineer to fit an isolator doesn't allow for a reduced price if other work is being done at the same time. I would take the advice from @WelshPaul and cancel the isolator fitting. Then hope that the engineer fits one anyway (as they did for me).

1992 4 bed detached house. Solar PV + battery, Zappi EV charger, Mitsubishi Ecodan ASHP and i-life2 fan assisted radiators.... No gas 😊
J
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At least you can get an appointment. I’m no further forward with getting anyone to fit my switch. What an absolute joke. They have escalated my complaint which has got me nowhere. At all. And meanwhile my husband is having to drive 5 miles and sit while his car charges. In -11 temperatures. 

Emmanuelle_OVO
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Userlevel 7

Hey @Jenrendo,

 

Really sorry to hear this, it sounds like a very frustrating situation.

 

I’ll get Forum_Support to reach out to you, please keep an eye on your private messages. 

 

Hope this helps. 

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
J
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Thanks @Emmanuelle_OVO but I’m not sure that will help. They have already messaged me previously and couldn’t get any further with this.  Said I wasn’t an OVO customer. I have now been changed over (from SSE) but not sure that will help!

Emmanuelle_OVO
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Userlevel 7

Hey @Jenrendo,

 

We wouldn’t be able to book in any maintenance appointments with you unless you were an OVO customer, so that might be what the issue was previously.

 

But now you’ve migrated over we should be able to get this booked in for you 🙂

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
R
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Hi All

 

i have a meter change booked in and wondering will OVO fit an electrical isolator at the same time?

 

rob

Blastoise186
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Hi @Rob1uk ,

Separate job I’m afraid. Please ask OVO to book it in via 0330 303 5063 or https://ovoenergy.com/help . There will be a charge for that service.

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way!
Emmanuelle_OVO
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Userlevel 7

Hey @Rob1uk,

 

Welcome to the OVO Online Community,

 

This topic may be helpful to you:

 

 

 

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
A
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Hi all,

 

First post, I would like to get a switch disconnector (Isolating switch) fitted  from the meter to aid replacement fuse board etc. What’s  the best way to get this fitted? 

 

Thank you

Blastoise186
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Userlevel 7
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Welcome @Anthony2kf !

Sure thing. This is a job best handled by OVO because it involves the meter to some degree. This sounds like the job you’d need is Fit Isolation Switch which OVO can do for a cost of £158.25 per the jobs list.

If you’d like this to be done, have a chat with the Support Team and they can talk you through the options. You won’t be charged unless you want the work to go ahead - the initial advice via the Support Team is free.

Hope this helps!

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way!
A
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That’s great thanks will do! 😀

I need to contact the support team anyway as my smart meter isn’t connecting to the smart meter anymore. ☹️

 

Thanks again Blastoise186

A
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All booked in!!

 

Thanks

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