Ev charger installation apartment block

[stef1808]

A bit confused how’s it done. Got a proper EV installer to come to the apartment to check how can install my charger. The most efficient way seems to be to run a cable straight from my meter box which is close to the garage.

The problem is the meter box is sealed shut and the electric Co. Won’t come out to open it up. Another option is to run a cable from the flat all the way to the garage - not ideal.

Got a second electrician who I know and he proposes to just break the seal.

I presume the problem is that without opening the meter the electricity can’t be turned off in order to install the cable (does the cable connect straight to the meter?) and if so is there any other way to shut down the power?

[Frimley111R]

stef1808 said:

The problem is the meter box is sealed shut and the electric Co. Won’t come out to open it up. Another option is to run a cable from the flat all the way to the garage - not ideal.

Got a second electrician who I know and he proposes to just break the seal.

I presume the problem is that without opening the meter the electricity can’t be turned off in order to install the cable (does the cable connect straight to the meter?) and if so is there any other way to shut down the power?

The meter box belongs to your property, not the electrical company. You merely provide it as a place for them to put the incoming supply and meter. You can open it. It usually has a plastic door with a basic key to open the latch. If it is near to your garage just do that.

[somouk]

The installation should go from your fuse board not the meter, depending on where the fust board is it shouldn't be an issue.

The big question is who sealed the box, if it was the DNO then the installer will be notifying them of the install anyway, if it's the management company then I would crack on and ask for forgiveness after.

[No ideas for a name]

stef1808 said:

A bit confused how’s it done. Got a proper EV installer to come to the apartment to check how can install my charger. The most efficient way seems to be to run a cable straight from my meter box which is close to the garage.

The problem is the meter box is sealed shut and the electric Co. Won’t come out to open it up. Another option is to run a cable from the flat all the way to the garage - not ideal.

Got a second electrician who I know and he proposes to just break the seal.

I presume the problem is that without opening the meter the electricity can’t be turned off in order to install the cable (does the cable connect straight to the meter?) and if so is there any other way to shut down the power?

All sounds a little odd... your meter box shouldn't be sealed - how do you read the meter?
I am assuming you have a direct contract with the electricity company and the power isn't billed on a sub-meter by the landlord.

In theory, you shouldn't run the cable from the meter box (cue loads of people on here saying it is fine). Technically the meter box is for the supplier's use, and shouldn't have any of the consumers kit in there (except possibly an isolator). I accept that many installers do that. The chances of running in to a problem is small.

The cable connects via an over current breaker in 'a' consumer unit supplied from the output of the meter.
It is possible that a dedicated consumer unit with just that single breaker in it is installed in addition to your existing one.
The 'charger' (EVSE) then also contains some protection devices to deal with faults and disconnect the supply if necessary.

If you are employing an installer - then they should sort it satisfactorily - however, they might do it the 'easiest' way rather than how you might like it (e.g neatest way).

[stef1808]

Mine is on the right and told left is most common
The problem is no access to the power switch

[gmaz]

somouk said:

The installation should go from your fuse board not the meter, depending on where the fust board is it shouldn't be an issue.

The big question is who sealed the box, if it was the DNO then the installer will be notifying them of the install anyway, if it's the management company then I would crack on and ask for forgiveness after.

Many installers add another consumer unit specifically for the EVSE, then use a henley block to split the feed from the meter.

[No ideas for a name]

stef1808 said:

Mine is on the right and told left is most common
The problem is no access to the power switch

Well, I haven't seen an install like that before.. I think everyone on this thread probably thought it would be a conventional meter box, with the cut-out (AKA main fuse), meter and possibly an isolater all in a glassfibre box about 600mm * 400mm.

I would guess all that lives inside a service cupboard somewhere and is the responsibility of the landlord or freeholder.
Guessing again, but I expect that is giving you effectively a sub-main that runs up to your apartment where your own consumer unit is situated.

I don't see an issue with your electrician cutting the seal to do the isolation - though it should be cleared with the freeholder.

So, in short, I think you would be most likely bringing a cable down from where your CU is.
However, for flats/apartments I think the freeholder is going to be needed to get involved anyway.

A picture from a bit further back might give some more answers.

[stef1808]

No ideas for a name said:

Well, I haven't seen an install like that before.. I think everyone on this thread probably thought it would be a conventional meter box, with the cut-out (AKA main fuse), meter and possibly an isolater all in a glassfibre box about 600mm * 400mm.

I would guess all that lives inside a service cupboard somewhere and is the responsibility of the landlord or freeholder.
Guessing again, but I expect that is giving you effectively a sub-main that runs up to your apartment where your own consumer unit is situated.

I don't see an issue with your electrician cutting the seal to do the isolation - though it should be cleared with the freeholder.

So, in short, I think you would be most likely bringing a cable down from where your CU is.
However, for flats/apartments I think the freeholder is going to be needed to get involved anyway.

A picture from a bit further back might give some more answers.

Thanks for that, yes the CU is situated up in the apartment. Of course if possible it would be a lot more cost effective not to run the cable down from the CU

[No ideas for a name]

stef1808 said:

Thanks for that, yes the CU is situated up in the apartment. Of course if possible it would be a lot more cost effective not to run the cable down from the CU

Now we know it isn't a conventional meter box, I might change my view a little.
If the meters are indeed in some sort of building services cupboard, then splitting off after the meter, but before it goes off up to your consumer unit might actually be the best plan. It depends on the space available in that cupboard - if there is space for all apartments to be able to locate their EV supplies, then it should be okay with the freeholder I would have thought. If it is a case of if you get in first, you 'rob' the space the other apartments would need, then not so good.

I would be going to the freeholder with my plan, and getting them to okay it.
It might open a can of worms, but it also depends on the incoming service from the DNO. If all apartments wanted to go EV, then that service cable might need to be upgraded too.

[stef1808]

No ideas for a name said:

Now we know it isn't a conventional meter box, I might change my view a little.
If the meters are indeed in some sort of building services cupboard, then splitting off after the meter, but before it goes off up to your consumer unit might actually be the best plan. It depends on the space available in that cupboard - if there is space for all apartments to be able to locate their EV supplies, then it should be okay with the freeholder I would have thought. If it is a case of if you get in first, you 'rob' the space the other apartments would need, then not so good.

I would be going to the freeholder with my plan, and getting them to okay it.
It might open a can of worms, but it also depends on the incoming service from the DNO. If all apartments wanted to go EV, then that service cable might need to be upgraded too.

Thanks a lot for help, I think I figured it out now: the way forward seems to be to call DNO to open up meter and cut off electricity while having an electrician fit and issolater switch and Henley blocks. Then can have the EV installer come round to connect a cable - right?