Upgrading electricity supply

davenottingham

I live in a Victorian semi-detached house converted into 4 flats.
The electricity supply to flats (before the fuse) is overheating and with bitumen dripping from the header supply. It has been like this for years. EDF have told us we need to upgrade our supply from the street to three phase (which seems excessive).
This would apparently involve digging up the street and the front yard and laying a new supply cable and therefore sounds like a major piece of work.
Has anyone else had to go through this and how much did it cost?

Ich_2

EDF have told us we need to upgrade our supply from the street to three phase (which seems excessive).

The electricity supply to flats (before the fuse) is overheating and with bitumen dripping from the header supply.

I would say this is excessive, excessive load which is causing the overheating. (overheating can degrade insulation and materials, it can lead to fires)
Costs could be high, you need to contact your DNO, not EDF who are your supplier.
i would also suggest you consult an electrician to help correctly fill in the application form as regards to load details

torbrex

If it is before the main fuse/meter then it is up to the supplier to upgrade the wiring if it is required at no cost to you.

davenottingham

Yes this is before the main fuse/meter. I assume we pay for the all the new supply though (we are all long term leaseholders with a seperate freeholder).
I had an electrician round at the weekend. His comment was 'If that supply was indoors I'd be sleeping with my shoes on. I've never seen anything like it'.
To further add to the woes, the block is 'managed' by a Managing Agent which have successfully done nothing despite being told of the overheating over 2 years ago. Unfortunately they are the only people who can instruct the works.

Wywth

davenottingham wrote: »

Yes this is before the main fuse/meter. I assume we pay for the all the new supply though (we are all long term leaseholders with a seperate freeholder).
I had an electrician round at the weekend. His comment was 'If that supply was indoors I'd be sleeping with my shoes on. I've never seen anything like it'.
To further add to the woes, the block is 'managed' by a Managing Agent which have successfully done nothing despite being told of the overheating over 2 years ago. Unfortunately they are the only people who can instruct the works.

What led you to that assumption from the replies you have had, particularly from torbrex which is the only reply you have thanked? :huh:

torbrex

Best I can suggest is to contact the OP for the area rather than your own supplier, they are the company that actually owns the cables.

I am still of the opinion that if the problem is before the main fuse into the building then any repair required should not be charged to you.
I was not charged when work was done to the supply leading to my main fuse and having spent 6 years as a meter reader, I never heard of anyone being charged for similar work.

davenottingham

Sorry Wywth- got distracted mid-thanking.
Ich suggests costs could be high, whereas Torbrex suggests any upgrade required to the wiring if it's before the main fuse/meter would be at no cost to me.

Ich_2

Sight unseen it is hard really to say what the solution is to this issue. It would be best to contact the DNO which if in Nottingham is WPD (ex East Midlands Electricity) who will give a definative answer.
It costs nothing to ask.

I would generally class this as chargeable as the change of use from a house to 4 flats would see an increase in load, an increase that has to be granted permission by the DNO or it's predecessors. And an increase that a single phase supply is not capable of handling!

As for the bitumen, again WPD need to attend to change the cut-out fairly quickly so need informed of this.

davenottingham

Thanks Ich. I'll get in touch with the DNO myself as I cannot see the Managing Agents progressing this.

Ich_2

I'll get in touch with the DNO myself

Just report the leaking cut out at this stage, a bitumen filled version will date back to the 1960s or earlier and may only be rated at 60 amps. The fitting of a new version may actually solve the problem as it would be uprated to 80 or 100 amps as well.
You don't say how warm the cable gets, they are rated up to 70degC so if just warm to the touch may be OK.

Get the cut-out changed and go from there (it may be that the DNO staff will flag something up)

rogerblack

Ich wrote: »

An increase that a single phase supply is not capable of handling!

Assuming that the fuse has not been tampered with - surely the cabling should at all times be capable of providing the load, or it is a fault?
Unless the initial fuse put in was in error.
The fuse is not the property and responsibility of the owner.