Black tar leak electric meter

Joined
9 Aug 2019
Messages
180
Reaction score
9
Country
United Kingdom
Black tar is leaking from the electric meter running down along the pole, is this normal?

It doesn't smell and is not hot.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_2025-01-30-19-22-41-491_com.google.android.apps.photos.jpg
    Screenshot_2025-01-30-19-22-41-491_com.google.android.apps.photos.jpg
    87.5 KB · Views: 146
Sponsored Links
Could be a sign of a serious problem or it could just have been poorly installed. Either way, call 105 and ask the network operator to come and check it. It's their property and their problem.
 
Can you hear anything coming from the service head? This is more common than people think

As above get the DNO in to inspect
 
Can you hear anything coming from the service head? This is more common than people think

As above get the DNO in to inspect

Yep, only when very close to it I can hear a screeching sound
 
Sponsored Links
Yep, only when very close to it I can hear a screeching sound

Make that call now. The number will be on your electricity bill and have it in your hand when you make the call as it contains all the information they might ask you.
 
Make that call now. The number will be on your electricity bill and have it in your hand when you make the call as it contains all the information they might ask you.

Earliest I can do it will be on the weekend as away, what would be the noise? Is it dangerous?
 
Prevention is better than cure - these things happen more that you imagine

I just hope it's not dangerous and not a risk of causing a fire!

What would cause the noise and for it to leak tar?
 
I just hope it's not dangerous and not a risk of causing a fire!

What would cause the noise and for it to leak tar?
Possibly a loose connection. This causes heat to build up, warming anything nearby - including things like the cable innerds. Hence the tar.
To start with, the loose connection will be warming up the area, followed by serious heating, followed by …
Well, it’s not going to get better. If it gets worse then it’s fire brigade stuff.
 
Earliest I can do it will be on the weekend as away, what would be the noise? Is it dangerous?
If you've got a phone, you can do it now, and get an appointment for your return. Look up your electricity supplier on the Internet. If you give them your name and postcode they can, if they bother, look up the DNO for you, or pass the message along. It can be looked up from publicly available maps, but online ones are often out of date.

The melted tar tends to happen under heavy load, such as using an electric shower or multiple electric heaters. If you are away it will probably not be hot. It is a fairly common fault with old electricity supplies, they will most likely just swap out the service head and/or meter.

Your picture shows the service head, not the meter. It looks quite modern.

A fizzing noise is a bad sign.
 
If you've got a phone, you can do it now, and get an appointment for your return. Look up your electricity supplier on the Internet. If you give them your name and postcode they can, if they bother, look up the DNO for you, or pass the message along. It can be looked up from publicly available maps, but online ones are often out of date..
As he has been told above, he probably doesn't have to do all that - simply dialling 105 from any phone gets one to the 'local' DNO. Whilst that might not initially get the right DNO if he is currently a long way away from home, I would hope that whoever he gets through to would be able to sort that out on the basis of his postcode.

Your picture shows the service head, not the meter. It looks quite modern.
It does. Tar/pitch oozing out of ancient cutouts was quite common (and, I think, often pretty 'harmless'), but I can't say I'vce seen it with a 'modern' (i.e. plastic) one,
A fizzing noise is a bad sign.
it is !
 
Yes it needs the DNO to assess and take corrective action if necessary ASAP!
 
As you're going away, consider turning off all electricity consuming appliances in your house. If the contents of your freezer are of significant worth, perhaps a neighbour will store them for you, or you can give them 20 quid to plug your freezer into their supply via an extension lead, then you can isolate your supply; no draw, no arcing
 
That cutout has been remade recently- BADLY.
whoever has done it doesn’t seem of have removed the old bitumen and used a heat shrink breakout and tubing to seal the cable and prevent any further mess happening, if there are any noises the. This could indicate arcing. Call 105, it will will need redoing- hopefully to a better standard.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top