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T
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Themoid
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March 27, 2018
Solved

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

  • March 27, 2018
  • 46 replies
  • 38398 views
Hi, we're on an old fashioned fuse board and are having a new consumer unit fitted.

Electrician came round yesterday and says we need an isolator switch fitting before he can do the work.

Can anyone advise how i go about arranging this ?

Cheers
Stu
Best answer by Tim_OVO

Updated on 08/05/26 by Chris_OVO

 

What's an isolation switch?


An isolation switch (also known as a 'double-pole isolator') is a piece of equipment which can be installed on a metering supply that will allow the supply to be de-energised post-meter. The isolation switch should be fitted after the meter but before the consumer unit.

 


What's the purpose of an isolation switch?


An isolation switch is designed to act as a circuit breaker on the mains electrical supply, so that any electrical work that needs to take place within a property 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) so that any internal electrical work can take place.

 


What does an isolation switch look like?

 

 

The isolation switch is located on the right of this photo. When the switch is turned off,  there would be no power after the isolation switch, which in turn would allow a private electrician to complete any maintenance work or repairs on the member's internal electrical set up.

 

Who's responsible for installing an isolation switch?


An isolation switch needs to be installed by your supplier. This is because the supply would need to be de-energised via the cut out and private electricians are not permitted to work on the cut out. Therefore, the supplier would need to arrange for an engineer to go to the property to install one. For more on who’s responsible for what parts of the equipment, check out the Library topic below:

 

 

 

How can I arrange an isolation switch install?

 

Reach out to our Support Team in order to schedule in an engineer visit. As a non-essential maintenance job there is a charge for this, check this guide to see the current cost.

46 replies

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Jeffus
Rank 20
Jeffus
Rank 20
October 31, 2022

@Jenrendo 

Certainly should be able to

 

Am not saying it will work any better during these busy times. 

You can send OVO a private message via their twitter or facebook accounts.

These are official ovo support channels and the ovo staff their have access to your account.

You need to include the account holder details in the private message. Name, address, account number, date of birth. Together with your request. They have always got back to me within 24hrs in the past. It is useful as you then have a permanent date and time stamp of any conversation, including the names of people in ovo. I don't know if they will need to speak to you. Might be worth a try. 

 

    Tim_OVO
    OVO Staff
    Tim_OVO
    OVO Forum Legend
    October 31, 2022

    Yep I agree with the advice above, @Jenrendo - the job should be booked in with Support for a time and date that works for you, as long as it’s more than 14 days in the future. That’s how it should work. Perhaps it’s more complicated due to your location in Scotland. I can ask our Forum_Support team to reach out to you privately and they can check the account notes.

    Carbon neutral - we need a community to get there! My green tech: Aclara SGM 1411-B smart meter, Chameleon IHD6
      J
      Rank 2
      Jenrendo
      Rank 2
      October 31, 2022

      Thanks, I have had a PM from someone 👍🏻

      P
      Newcomer
      Paul l
      Newcomer
      December 5, 2022

      Hi,

       

      Is it possible to book an isolator switch to be fitted at the same time as having a smart meter fitted, if so what is the cost and how do I arrange it ?

       

      Cheers

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      December 5, 2022

      Hey @Paul l !

      Yup, this should be possible. It’s about £160 for the double-pole isolator install (the smart meter is free) and OVO’s Support Team can make the arrangements. It might not be possible to do both in one visit, but the team can advise on that. https://help.ovoenergy.com is the best place to go.

      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!
        M.isterW
        Rank 6
        M.isterW
        Rank 6
        December 5, 2022

        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
        Newcomer
        Paul l
        Newcomer
        December 5, 2022

        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
        Newcomer
        WelshPaul
        Newcomer
        December 5, 2022

        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
          Rank 2
          Pollowick
          Rank 2
          December 5, 2022

          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
          Newcomer
          Paul l
          Newcomer
          December 5, 2022

          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.

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