Will I haveto pay for damaged powercable

Savvy_amateur

While hammering in a fence post spike over the bank holiday, I severed a power cable running alongside my garden path. Eon sent out the National Grid who took around 4hrs to fix it. I am expecting a hefty bill. I do not have accidental damage on my building insurance, so I started to wonder if all the blame was mine. Should power cables be laid beside a path, where a fence is likely to be erected, should they have been at a depth to avoid a fence post spike hitting them ? Or should I have known where they were ! As if the power company hasn't had enough of my money Any thoughts appreciated.

Savvy_amateur

Anyone please ?

MorbidX

I would speak to "national grid" as they will be the ones invoicing you if they do.

• The distributor in your area (what you refer to as national grid but really there are about 14 distributes across the UK responsible for their own areas) is responsible for the cabling upto the meter including any fuses before the meter.

• The energy supplier is responsible for the meter

• Your responsible for any wiring from the meter into and around your property

Savvy_amateur

Thank you for your thoughts. The work men said it would be a few weeks before I was invoiced, so perhaps I could speak to them when it arrives. I was hoping someone who works for a power company may have some advice as to if I have a case against paying and if so, what is it ?

MorbidX

From what i've read it seems the advisable depth is 600mm deep or more for cables but not a requirement.

It seems whoever damages it is the one who pays for it. I'll all honesty I expect you probably will end up paying for this which i know isn't what you wanted to hear.

From a quick Google, prices are about £500-800 and are invoiced from the distributor as they are the "keepers" of the cabling.

The best bet is to get on the phone to your local distributor in your area and pre-empt this rather than wait 2 weeks for an invoice to land

Side note, I work for one of the big Six. I'll check tomorrow for you out of interest and post back. Obviously as well anything im posting here is my own opinion and not that of my employer

macman

Just be grateful that you are still alive-was the cable live?

chanz4

My estimate as it was an emergency be £1k+

comeandgo

Yup, you are responsible and it will be expensive due to paying the team holiday rates. There used to be a web page, dial before you dig, that gave advice before you started digging.

Savvy_amateur

macman wrote: »

Just be grateful that you are still alive-was the cable live?

Yes it was, so as you say, It could have been worse.

Savvy_amateur

chanz4 wrote: »

My estimate as it was an emergency be £1k+

Think you may be right. But as the OP says, Lucky to be alive

Savvy_amateur

MorbidX wrote: »

From a quick Google, prices are about £500-800 and are invoiced from the distributor as they are the "keepers" of the cabling.

The best bet is to get on the phone to your local distributor in your area and pre-empt this rather than wait 2 weeks for an invoice to land/QUOTE] Thank you. What advantage is there in calling before the invoice arrives ?