Who is legally responsible for the tails from a benco unit to the meter

[Siraj]

Hi I have converted an old building into 11 flats. For the electricity meters I Had National Power Grid come and install a benco unit. I was then advised to get a metering company to come and install the meters.

I contacted Scottish power for this. They nominated the job to Amey who came to site and said it wasn't ready as the tails from the benco unit to the meter were not installed.

So I contacted Northern Power Grid who said they had done everything they are permitted to do and it was down to the metering company to install the tails. He also added my electricians are not allowed to install the tails and if they refused to contact Ofgem.

I went back to Scottish power and they stood by their initial response. I tried calling ofgem but they didn't respond so now I have a benco unit but no meters, going back to eon or some  other company would mean reregistering the MPANs and loosing valuable time.  

Can anyone tell me who is actually responsible for installing the tails from the Benco unit to the meter? Can my own electrician do it?

 

[Sharpend]

Your electrician will have to design and install the suitable equipment between bemco and metering position for each flat. 

 

[Evans Electric]

Back to basics  Siraj,  what is a Benco unit ?        I'm guessing its a  panel  fitted to the incoming main supply  , into which you can fit meters  .  

Its one of the problems we have since the privatisation  of  electric supply & metering .

As far as I know ...  your contractor , like any of us on here,   don't carry out any work  BEFORE the meter  .   

The supply network don't carry out work  AFTER  their cut -out .

Metering companies don't do any work within a building  AFTER  the meter .

Your contractor  would install  tails / sub-main  between each flat  and the meter  BUT CANNOT connect it to the meter .   

 

[Sharpend]

That's not specifically true in this case deke. 

This is a bemco board http://bemco.co.uk/bemco-board/

And here is UKPN interpretation of Multiple occupancy buildings rules http://library.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/library/en/g81/Design_and_Planning/LV/EDS+08-0118+Multi-Occupied+Building+Supplies.pdf

here it clearly indicates who is responsible for what. 

 

[Evans Electric]

Sharpie   that is most excellent  , that should answer the question for  Siraj.      

A quick read through tells me  ...if I'm not mistaken.... that the building owner can become a BNO    and if so he could appoint his contractor to install meter tails / sub-mains  and finish at an isolator  next to the meter  .  

I  didn't see who does the rest  ...presume the licensed  meter agency  fits a meter and connects it to the Benco  .      That bit is  not very clear is it ?     Not the contractor surely .?     

I downloaded that info , most helpful.  Thanks.

 

[Sharpend]

Don't know if this one is better for your area? 

https://www.westernpower.co.uk/docs/connections/Useful-Information/SD5C.aspx

i know when I did this in London I had to connect between bemco and meters then fit fusedswitch/ switchfuse after meter location ready for meter installations and the subsequent submarine to each flat.  

 

[Andy™]

if you need a submarine to get to the flat, there is a minor problem

 

[Blue Duck]

Is it an Argentinian submarine?  then your in trouble!

:innocent

Are there not contractors who do mainly BNO stuff?

 

[Sharpend]

Poxy predictive text!! 

sub Main!!!

 

[Siraj]

Thanks very much to both Sharpend and Evans. I also downloaded the document and it has clarified the responsible party. The DNO should have just let us get on with it instead of stating only meteing companies are allowed.