Do I need a new meter?

[MopeyGecko]

Untitled

• MopeyGecko
• 19 Feb 2009
• 1

OK I'm having a problem in that my meter/time switch for economy 7 is not working correctly. I think the time switch is either running too fast or too slow as currently the meter moves to cheap rate at 3pm instead of 11pm.

Also I would like to use a curent cost electricity monitor but as you can see from the photo I am only able to clamp the tail for a single consumer unit and thus only record my upstairs consumption.

Would it be wise to have the electricity supplier replace this setup and would I be charged for the work? If this needs/should be replaced then who do I contact, my supplier is currently EDF.

Thanks

 

[flameport]

That looks like a timer/clock rather than a teleswitch, so quite likely it is wrong. Your supplier should set this correctly and not charge, as it is their property. They may replace it, but equally they might just set it the the correct time.

The meter is fairly recent so it is unlikely you will get that replaced. No point in replacing it anyway.

As for the rest - that looks like two twin and earth cables exiting the meter. Where is the earth connected?
They also look like 10mm, which is far too small.
How far away is the cutout/suppliers fuse?

 

[MopeyGecko]

On close inspection of the twin and earth cables exiting the meter it appears the earth is simply folded back on itself and taped (I guess that that is not a good sign). There is a seperate block to the left of the meter that is marked earth but this only has a small gauge wire from the meter linked to it.

The suppliers fuse is aproximately 3-4 metres back along the wall on a seperate board where the two wires leave the left of the board ( I have been able to use the current cost unit in this location). There does not appear to be anything between the board shown and the 2 consumer units.

 

[RF Lighting]

Is this a private meter / supply, or one owned by your local electricity supplier?

 

[MopeyGecko]

Owned by the electricity supplier as far as i know, can't see why it would be anything but. It's read by the electricity supplier just like any other setup i've ever had. It is my parent's old house.

 

[Steve]

The two wires entering stage left - one goes to the meter (in a half-assed fashion) and the other goes up behind the board. Where does it go?

EDIT: It appears two black wires go behind the board at the bottom, only one emerges at the top.

Either way, those two twins and earths NEED REPLACING ASAP. They are not up to the job, and this is no way to terminate T+E. Those tail ends are not double insulated, and its a horrid mess.

Your supplier will deal with everything from the meter backwards.

Phone them and say you can smell burning, they'll be out within a few hours.

 

[RF Lighting]

Where's the cutout

 

[MopeyGecko]

The two wires entering stage left - one goes to the meter (in a half-assed fashion) and the other goes up behind the board. Where does it go?


EDIT: It appears two black wires go behind the board at the bottom, only one emerges at the top.

It is in fact only one going behind the board the other loops around and appears to go behind but is in fact going to the meter. The one going behind the board goes to a seperate meter in a seperate part of the house.

Either way, those two twins and earths NEED REPLACING ASAP. They are not up to the job, and this is no way to terminate T+E. Those tail ends are not double insulated, and its a horrid mess.

Would this work be undertaken by an electrician or the supplier?

 

[MopeyGecko]

Where's the cutout

There is none by the looks of it.

 

[RF Lighting]

Thats what was making me wonder if it is a private meter.

It looks a little unusual for a DNO setup.

 

[Steve]

The one going behind the board goes to a seperate meter in a seperate part of the house.

Either way, those two twins and earths NEED REPLACING ASAP. They are not up to the job, and this is no way to terminate T+E. Those tail ends are not double insulated, and its a horrid mess.

Would this work be undertaken by an electrician or the supplier?

1. Is this another flat? Or do you have 2 supplies? How did it come about that you have two supplies?

2. the work AFTER the meter needs to be done by your electrician.

 

[Deleted member 54734]

It looks a little unusual for a DNO setup.

Yup agree.

Meter looks to have the serial number S89L*****.

S=Manufacturer (Sangamo)
89=Year of Make (not cert)
L= Dno/Meter operator Letter (Not sure who is L)

So I reckon it is a DNO meter but like RF said where's the Cutout?

 

[sm1thson]

The suppliers fuse is aproximately 3-4 metres back along the wall on a seperate board

can you post a picture of it up?

 

[sdavies21216]

what is that thing with the crocodile clamp under the meter and the coiled cable leading up to it? I have to say though, I wouldn't touch it, just look.

Stuart

EDIT: It looks perhaps like a current sensing device, like it's sensing the current passing through the live conductor.

EDITED AGAIN: I've just reread the first post, that's what it is, a current cost device.

 

[MopeyGecko]

L= Dno/Meter operator Letter (Not sure who is L)

Could it be London Energy? I believe the supplier was originally London Energy but this is now EDF through takeover/merger/name change not sure which.

I will look into getting consumer units and tails changed over a.s.a.p. Will probably get this work done at the same time as my kitchen refit to save on cost.

I will also request the supplier to come and set the time correctly, this will also give them a chance to make sure their side of the installation is up to scratch.

Thanks guys.