British Gas Smart Meter - Beware

Tangible

I have it in writing from the purported official Notional Grid electrical cntractor that the situation is "dangerous". I presume he has a qualification of some description in his trade. It wasn't dangerous prior to National Grid's interference and it's negligent to undertake safety work subsequent to exiting the premises.

The cost of the work is irrelevant as it is down to the degradation of their equipment, so they tell me, and if they followed some ordered procedure and met appointments it would be considerably less costly.

I'm going through their codes of practoce

We and our contractors, will make sure that everyone who works for us will:

• be polite and friendly at all times in their dealings with you;
• give clear, accurate explanations using appropriate and sensitive language and will respect your home or premises;
• use vehicles which have our or the contractor's logo on, if possible;
• wear National Grid uniform with our logo on, if possible; and
• be able to explain how to contact the gas emergency service.

They will also show you an identity (ID) card that shows the company name, their own name, a reference number, and a colour photograph of themselves. On the card is a phone number to call if you want to confirm the identity of the caller.

At no stage did I ever see any ID card and I'll review my photographs to check if their vans carried the Notional Grid logo. Clearly none of their contractors or employees know anything about their code of practice.

Not only did they never explain or agree any work they did to me, or adhere to agreed appointments, they appear to have been making it up as they went along.

Having just been discharged from hospital, it is clear that when I mentioned that I wouln't be in on the day the contractor wanted to do the work, he punished me by cutting off my gas suppply without notice and then pushed a note through the door saying he would do the work on the day I wouldn't be in.

There is no argument or dispute over the issue as I have it in writing, though I have never received any prior notice of anything apart from a note teling me that the contractor was going to start work on the one day I specifically said I wouldn't be in.

Clearly once they achieve the severing of your gas supply, they consider that they have placed themselves in a superior tactical position and use that as a lever to do as they please, without any consideration as to how you'll survive without heating, food and hot water.

C_Mababejive

Tangible wrote: »

Clearly once they achieve the severing of your gas supply, they consider that they have placed themselves in a superior tactical position and use that as a lever to do as they please, without any consideration as to how you'll survive without heating, food and hot water.

Its a practical issue.

Heres how it works....

1)Individual services are renewed and connected to old main.

2) New plastic main is inserted inside old metal main

3) Renewed plastic services are transferred over to new plastic main.

If anyone is out,they remain unconnected until access can be gained.

If they waited until every one was in/could provide access..they might wait a long time and nothing would get done.

Cheer up and mind your not the man in the bowler hat...!

Sing along now..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yShvgXZQBTs

penrhyn

I think Flanders and Swann could set this thread to music.

e.g.

http://youtu.be/mOA_SUKEZRE

C_Mababejive

penrhyn wrote: »

I think Flanders and Swann could set this thread to music.

e.g.

http://youtu.be/mOA_SUKEZRE

Brilliant...!!!!

AppleMonkey

C_Mababejive wrote: »

The whole earthing thing isnt a big deal. Simply put,your meter used to live in its old position. At that point,you will have had an earth equipotential bond to your internal installation.

This is not a given - Most houses with the old fuse wire boards don't have any earth bonding installed. Nowadays it has to be done with any fuseboard change but in the past it wasn't necessary.

Better make sure get information 100% accurate as the OP will no doubt start complaining that you told them one thing and NG are telling them something else.

jalexa

AppleMonkey wrote: »

This is not a given - Most houses with the old fuse wire boards don't have any earth bonding installed

Indeed, though I understand what the poster you respond to was trying to say in practice.

The OP has stated "I'll be getting a technical report on the current earthing arrangements together with their explanation as to why they consider it unsatisfactory,..."

I'm assuming that will be a Periodic Inspection Report or similar. That will provide the necessary answers and recommendations to bring the "earthing" into current "Wiring Regulation" compliance.

C_Mababejive

Storm in a teacup if you ask me....Think about the poor sods who are getting p&ssed wet through outside digging the aforementioned holes.

Bring them some tea and cake. It works wonders a little kindness.

AppleMonkey

jalexa wrote: »

Indeed, though I understand what the poster you respond to was trying to say in practice.

The OP has stated "I'll be getting a technical report on the current earthing arrangements together with their explanation as to why they consider it unsatisfactory,..."

I'm assuming that will be a Periodic Inspection Report or similar. That will provide the necessary answers and recommendations to bring the "earthing" into current "Wiring Regulation" compliance.

True but if they pay for the Periodic Inspection which I doubt they will then it will highlight a hell of a lot more then just unsatisfactory Earthing I can bet my wages on that!

As an Electrician even the smallest of things such as the incorrect colour sleeving on an earth wire will be highlighted on there. So they'd better be prepared for a shock.

What I find amusing is the first post stating that such minor things can put this person in hospital and yet they are more then happy to keep going over these 'Stressful' incidents in there head over and over again and post them onto a public forum.