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Smart meter installation on 3-phase supply shared between properties

  • July 7, 2025
  • 6 replies
  • 130 views
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Carbon Cutter*

Hello, 

I would like to get a smart meter installed but my house (mid-terrace) apparently has a 3-phase supply, 1 phase each for me and my neighbour on either side. 

I was told by a different supplier before that they would have to visist my neighbours’ houses to turn off their elecytricity for installation and I would basically have to make sure that they are both in for an appointment. This is near impossible as one of my neighbours is hardly ever in, especially during the day. I did get a new fusebox a while ago and there were no issues at all with cutting the power for installation. Is this doable without my neighbours having to be in?

Thanks

Best answer by Lukepeniket_OVO

Updated on 16/07/25 by Ben_OVO

Lovely thank you for the photos!!

Basically yeah we would need to isolate the supply to all 3 properties, reason being is that we would need to secure that floating black block back to the board somewhere and we can’t manipulate that whilst the supply is on to the other properties. 

The electrician could isolate his stuff enough to change the board but that wouldn’t work in this scenario OR to the scope of metering work.

Would a Saturday appointment be easier?

 

Dwarwick

6 replies

Blastoise186
Plan Zero Hero
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  • Blastoise186Plan Zero Hero
  • Plan Zero Hero
  • July 7, 2025

Hi ​@nessie287 ,

Please show us photos of the setup and tell us which region you’re in. With that, we should be able to try and offer some advice.

Thanks!

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!
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N
Carbon Cutter*
  • nessie287
  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter*
  • July 7, 2025

Thanks for the reply. 

I am located in Scotland, Glasgow area. Hope this helps 

 

Blastoise186
Plan Zero Hero
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  • Blastoise186Plan Zero Hero
  • Plan Zero Hero
  • July 7, 2025

Thank you. It appears a tamper seal is missing on that main fuse. Please contact your DNO SP Energy Networks on 105 immediately to have that resolved ASAP. I also don’t like those exposed wires…

​@Lukepeniket_OVO can you review - possible safety issue?

As for the other question, it’s a possible shared neutral/looped neutral issue. That would require the entire three-supply to be knocked down if it is the case, as otherwise the power isn’t killed off properly. This would require everyone to be in at once, OR the DNO would have to kill the power from the street leaving your neighbours without power until they got back.

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Emmanuelle_OVO
L
OVO Staff

hey all!!

Im going to ask for more photos please, particularly showing the top of the cutout (grey thing bottom left), the block with the green and yellow cables going into it, the block with the black and grey cables going into it please, basically take loads of photos and upload them haha

OVO Operations Excellence Manager and Former Field Operations Team Leader
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Carbon Cutter*
  • nessie287
  • Author
  • Carbon Cutter*
  • July 8, 2025

​@Lukepeniket_OVO hope these are ok 

 

Firedog
L
OVO Staff

Updated on 16/07/25 by Ben_OVO

Lovely thank you for the photos!!

Basically yeah we would need to isolate the supply to all 3 properties, reason being is that we would need to secure that floating black block back to the board somewhere and we can’t manipulate that whilst the supply is on to the other properties. 

The electrician could isolate his stuff enough to change the board but that wouldn’t work in this scenario OR to the scope of metering work.

Would a Saturday appointment be easier?

 

OVO Operations Excellence Manager and Former Field Operations Team Leader
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