Since you said the charge installer fitted it, I guess you mean something like this?

 

OK, the problem seems to be with the company fuse head.

Look in the phone book for the emergency contact for your Distribution Network Operator (not your electricity supplier). They will come out and look at it as an emergency, usually within an hour. Turn off the charge point now, and reduce the electrical load in the house to the minimum until they arrive. Under no circumstances touch the company fuse.

Sorry if the above sounds scary, but there is a degree of urgency, as the installer may have disturbed this fuse head illegally, and the DNO need to come out and check that it is safe.

Please report back here as soon as you've turned off the charge point and called the DNO.

 

Agree with the above, ours did the same, we turned the whole house off and called the emergency number and a man was there within the hour at 2am.

We didnt hear the noise as in another room but the lights were flickering in a weird way and we went to investigate.

 

We didn't have any of that - I didn't know the charger was allowed to be on the same circuit as your lights? That's not right surely? This one has it's own circuit

 

As above, contact your DNO and I'd guess they'll fit the latest version of the fuse cutout.

 

okay thanks. I have not thought about that and things are on but I will call them now. I cant believe the installer did anything dodgy - he is a reputable company

 

The best electrician in the world can make an error, and no electrician, other than one employed or contracted by the DNO, is legally allowed to touch the company fuse.

We're playing safe here, as the consequences of a fuse explosion are potentially pretty severe. The chance of this happening are pretty low, but when trying to analyse a high power potential fault like this it's best to err on the side of caution.

Let us know how things are resolved, and I hope things turn out to be easily fixed. The DNO people are generally pretty good, in my experience, and very used to dealing with issues like this.

 

I have spoken to Western Power - it does seem to be the charger. I have a switch on the RCD which I have turned off and I hear nothing - I ran our range cooker with all it's ovens and rings and that pulled around 8KW the guy said - but I heard nothing. So they did say they would come out but it does seem to be the charger so I will need to call the company that installed it via Drive Electric and I know he was contracted by Western Power as I had to fill out forms for it

The problem is I won't have an EV in order to test the thing when they come to fix it! I don't know if they can simulate a charge (unlikely) so I have to hope and prey I get an EV within the next timeframe for the 3 years warranty! - Unlikely so that will be another load of money to fix. I think I will just stick with hybrids and then I don't have to bother ( or charge locally like I have been doing)

Typical - the one time I want to leave home with a full charge so I can get to where I am going without a stop or diversion at 5am and the bloody charger is broken lol Luckily there are chargers in the NCP for the next punter to use.

 

Don't worry, the DNO can make sure the company fuse is 100% safe without you needing to be drawing any current from the supply. My gut feeling is that the fuse holder may not be seated properly, or may have cracked. Cracking of the older black heads isn't that uncommon when they've been in use for a long time, and disturbing it may have been the initiator for the issue you've spotted.

 

okay well they aren't coming out as they have said it's the charger - and as I can isolate it then it's not a danger and I can just call the engineer?

 

okay thanks. I hope we are safe for now then. I will call them tomorrow and get them to come and look at it ( the installer)

 

Only the DNO are normally allowed to touch the company fuse. If your installer tries to touch it, tell him to stop and call the DNO. The installer will be breaking the law if he tries to interfere with the DNO side of the installation (essentially the company fuse, incoming supply cable and the tails leading to the meter). Your supplier (not the charge point installer) is the only entity legally allowed to work on the meter, and will often have a dispensation from the DNO to allow them to connect to the company fuse (which also involves breaking and remaking the seal).

 

Oh no he didn't touch that - I don't know what he did but it was all above board I'll call them in the morning and thanks for all the advice you've all given - I appreciate it!

I have been re assured we are safe - I even turned the switch back on and ran the oven - not a squeak so it's the charger 100% for sure.

 

There is a big problem with this thread in that the

the black 100A box the charger guy fitted

has never been positively identified. Some have assumed it's the DNO fuse, though it sounds like it's not.

 

There is a big problem with this thread in that thehas never been positively identified. Some have assumed it's the DNO fuse, though it sounds like it's not.

The video linked to earlier clearly showed the company fuse. There was no Henley box visible that I could see.

 

My installer forgot to do the screw terminals in the meter and the loose connection caused a power cut. So i does happen

 

Might have been the smart meter installer

 

Thanks Keiran, I have free ultra chargers down the road - but it's just a sad fact that it happened the night before I returned my EV so I am not going to need it for a few months anyway - if ever because another free ultra is opening up in the car park 100M from my house.

 

a sad fact that it happened the night before I returned my EV so I am not going to need it for a few months anyway

A classic example of Murphy's Law in action

if ever because another free ultra is opening up in the car park 100M from my house.

I suspect that for most people the convenience of a personal home charger over that one will be the same as having your own car vs public transport. Are you unusual?

 

you would need your volume on full it's not good - but it was sizzling like a good un lol

link removed again

thanks for the input

 

If there is no-one local that would be willing to use your charger for a few minutes to try and recreate the issue could you possibly hire a BEV so that you could check the chargepoint whilst still under warranty? I know a couple of hire companies up here that will hire out electric cars. It could be cheaper than waiting for a new car and having to pay for an out of warranty repair.