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Rank 1
Themoid
Rank 1
Mar 27, 2018 9:36 AM UTC
Solved

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

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
Tim_OVO
Tim_OVOBest Answer
OVO Forum Legend
Feb 22, 2019 10:15 AM UTC

Updated on 07/09/26 by Abby_OVO

 

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.

 

 

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:

 

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46 replies

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Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
Dec 5, 2022 2:33 PM UTC

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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Newcomer
Paul l
Newcomer
Dec 5, 2022 2:43 PM UTC

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
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
Dec 5, 2022 2:45 PM UTC

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

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Pollowick
Rank 2
Dec 5, 2022 3:34 PM UTC

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
    Rank 6
    M.isterW
    Rank 6
    Dec 5, 2022 5:15 PM UTC

    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).

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    Rank 2
    Jenrendo
    Rank 2
    Dec 14, 2022 3:37 PM UTC

    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
      Retired Moderator
      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      Dec 15, 2022 10:18 AM UTC

      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.
      Rank 2
      Jenrendo
      Rank 2
      Dec 15, 2022 10:22 AM UTC

      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
      Retired Moderator
      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      Dec 15, 2022 11:48 AM UTC

      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.
      Newcomer
      Rob1uk
      Newcomer
      Sep 12, 2023 8:56 PM UTC

      Hi All

       

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

       

      rob

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