[Dragonjnr]

I'm brand new to this EV lark - I don't even have a delivery date for the car yet! However, the recommended home charger installation company have advised I need an isolation switch fitted before they can take the job on.

I guess a couple of (stupid?) questions ... is it worth contacting another installation company to see if they say the same? Secondly, I was going shop around for the best energy deal before the car arrives, but is it worth accelerating this and switching to get a good price on the isolation switch (I'm currently with Bulb)?

 

[GrahamS]

Its a DNO job.

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

Its a DNO job.

DNO responsibility ends at the main house fuse/cutout. An isolator goes after the meter, so I believe any sparky can fit one.
My isolator was fitted by my then electricity supplier (E-On) at the same time as they fitted smart meters last year, but they charged me £96 for it.

 

[finchlean]

DNO responsibility ends at the main house fuse/cutout. An isolator goes after the meter, so I believe any sparky can fit one.
My isolator was fitted by my then electricity supplier (E-On) at the same time as they fitted smart meters last year, but they charged me £96 for it.

Anyone can fit an isolator, but only the DNO are allowed to disconnect the supply to make it safe to do so.
Once you have the isolator your contractor/installer can safely connect up the EVSE (home charging point)

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

Anyone can fit an isolator, but only the DNO are allowed to disconnect the supply to make it safe to do so.
Once you have the isolator your contractor/installer can safely connect up the EVSE (home charging point)

That's why I got the electricity supplier to do it with the smart meter install.
The installer had permission from the DNO to pull the cutout.

 

[Drewby80]

Have you had a smart meter installed or has your mains incomer not been touched in years?

if it’s not been touched in years get the sparky to cut the seal on the incomer fuse when it’s fitted and then play the “it must have been like that before I moved in” card 😉

If you’ve had a smart meter fitted do the same and deny all knowledge and say the guy that fitted the smart meter must have forgot to reinstate the seal, after all some have not checked all connections are fully tight!

That’s what you get when you pay people by the install not the hour!

Has anyone ever been fined for removing a main fuse seal unless they have been caught stealing electricity??!

I think not!

I’m sure someone in the know will chime in here and quote rhyme and verse?

 

[ChrisCross123]

I'm brand new to this EV lark - I don't even have a delivery date for the car yet! However, the recommended home charger installation company have advised I need an isolation switch fitted before they can take the job on.

I guess a couple of (stupid?) questions ... is it worth contacting another installation company to see if they say the same? Secondly, I was going shop around for the best energy deal before the car arrives, but is it worth accelerating this and switching to get a good price on the isolation switch (I'm currently with Bulb)?

Try another installation company

Yes, officially only the DNO can cut the seal and pull the supply fuse, but most DNOs are not that fussed in reality. Regardless it is down to the installer to deal with, not you.

 

[pob42]

My energy company (nPower) installed an isolation switch free of charge when my smart meters were upgraded. When I phoned to ask them about the switch they knew exactly what I meant and it sounded like a common request.

 

[Jrtev]

If you’ve sent a picture of your supply fuse to the installation company they’ve probably seen a reason they can’t pull it, asbestos/old, so this would be a safety issue. Meaning it’s the DNO responsibility.

 

[dk6780]

In theory only the DNO or their agents should cut the seal on the fuse. But the DNO issue tokens to some installers and Sparky's to do it then follow up to replace the seal. This includes smart meter installers.
Have you had smart meters installed? Also, have you checked with your DNO what the current fuse is (the rating shown on the holder is for the holder not the fuse) as you might need an upgrade? If not, most installers will fit an isolation switch at the same time for a nominal fee.
Good luck! It gets easier.