Old fuse cut-out, isolation switch , possible meter tails upgrade in hope of fitting an EV Charger

If you’ve asked your DNO about the cut out that’s a good first step. Perhaps this guide might help with the rest 

Hi ​@Scoobdriver ,

Would have answered this a bit faster but I needed time to dig some details.

It looks like there’s a problem with your setup that might warrant a rapid look-see from both OVO and your DNO:

• It looks like you have a missing tamper seal on the Main Switch
• You have a missing Neutral In Meter Tail despite Neutral Out being connected

If you’d like, we can do some research for you about how to get the Main Fuse swapped. All we need to ask is what region you’re in and we’ll dig into our toybox.

I would appreciate that, I suspected that OVO would need to be involved, and wasn’t sure why this was not highlighted when they swapped out the meter for a smart meter . I’m East Yorkshire and I understand my DNO is Northern Power Grid . 

No worries - bear with me as getting that info may take an hour or two.

It looks like this install was actually done by SMS on OVO’s behalf, rather than by OVO itself.

Althought it’s difficult to see as much of the wiring is behind the board, I take the main switch as being after the meter and so similar to a main isolator on the consumer unit.

It does look like there’s a missing neutral but as it could be an older TN system, the Earth connection takes over as the main Neutral. 

Ok, just checked a couple of things.

Northern Powergrid does appear to offer a free fuse upgrade service - bearing in mind that some others charge for it - and they can swap that part out for you. I can’t say for sure about the Main Switch though - I’d suggest getting a private electrician to take a quick look as they can probably advise on that one.

If you do still need to have a Double-Pole Isolator, OVO can indeed do those. The price for that is £192.

Thank you , Does the meter need checking , Ref Missing Neutral , or how would I determine if the tails need upgrading ? Should the meter have been installed given the old cutout box ? 

I think it would be wise to have the Main switch upgraded to Double pole isolator , how would I request this through OVO ? 

The easiest way is probably to get a local sparky to take a peek first and give a professional view on things. They’ll be able to advise on exactly what needs doing more easily than we can.

But yes, OVO can indeed fit a Double-Pole Isolator - it’s one of the jobs they can take on.

Hey ​@Scoobdriver 

I’m glad to see out volunteers have already stopped by with some really great advice on this already.

I just wanted to add to what Blastoise mentioned about the Double-Pole Isolator, you can book this with the Support Team for £192 (or £325 if your meter is three phase). You can view more about job prices on the following helpful topic:

I hope this helps.

Thanks All , Thanks Abby , what a helpful community  

I have contacted my DNO who have confirmed they will carry out an upgrade to the Fuse and Fuse cutout .

Will OVO upgrade the meter tails if required when fitting the isolator ? 

I’m confused as what is required if the tails from the new Fuse cutout to the smartmeter require upgrading , Looking at who owns what, I assume this is OVO responsibility , and I guess it needs to be co-ordinated with the DNO. 

I think your meter tails look OK already. I can’t say for sure but that can be checked - just ask OVO and they can make arrangements for a check.

OVO are quoting This is a chargeable job, costing £172 , to check the tails , does this sound correct given the fuse cut is having to be changed due to its age / safety ?

​@Scoobdriver it might be best to wait until our engineer is there carrying out the isolator job, and asking their opinion of the tails when they’re on site. It’d be a shame for you to pay for the tails to be checked if that wasn’t necessary. 

​@Lukepeniket_OVO is one of our Field experts, I’m wondering whether he may be able to give an opinion on this? I’ve given him a nudge but can’t guarantee how quickly he’ll respond on here.

Thanks ​@Ben_OVO ​@Lukepeniket_OVO 

Just to clarify, If I want the tails upgrading to 25mm and an isolator fitting , (as the DNO are not responsible for these, or the old isolator) Is there a charge to carry out both the job separately ? Its seems crazy that the tails and isolator can't be combined into one job ? 

Historic posts in the community state a reduced cost for an isolator when combined with a tail upgrade. 

Paying £172 for tails and then a separate £192 for isolator seems crazy and inefficient. Especially given this is dues to an upgrade of old DNO equipment which is no longer serviceable, and other supplier seem to carry this out FOC. 

It is true that there used to be discounts for doing both those jobs at once. But it seems they were recently removed.

However, you may be able to negotiate a deal with OVO if you get lucky.