Western Power - Charge to move Unsafe Meter +£300

strinder27

Hi Everyone, 
I am being quoted +£300 (estimate) for moving my meter to a Safe Location in my house which is 1.5m higher than its current position. 
this meter has been in place for over 30 years (put there by Western power or nationwide eclectic board at the time). its located in the pantry 200mm from the floor and completely exposed wires and all. 
it is illegal for me to move touch or get someone else to carry out the alteration to make safe and its not legally my property to do so anyway. 
E.ON have now told me that I need a new meter as mine is too old and when I have mentioned in need to be put in a safe place but they sate its western power issue and they will only come out if I pay.
I am confused as if my family was to hurt themselves on this meter or it caught fire it would be Western Powers Fault for not maintain etc... as its their property ? 

i have already paid a lot of cash to move re new the fuse box and repostion this to a higher safe area above 2m high. 

Any advice be greatly appreciated. 

Raxiel

Have you spoken to Western themselves?

In what way is it dangerous? I can see something that low being inconvenient to read but not necessarily dangerous, unless you're concerned about flooding?

Also, what do you mean by 'completely exposed' wires? If you just mean that the wires are visible, that's not inherently dangerous either, and there's nothing stopping you sticking some trunking over it (provided it can be easily removed). If you're suggesting there are exposed conductors you can call Western to report a dangerous situation and they'll come and fix it (which would probably mean making it safe in the current position), I wouldn't expect there to be a charge for this. When we bought our current property the cover was missing from the main fuse and they came the same day to replace it FOC.

Smodlet

I would second the suggestion to contact Western Power although what I have found here:  https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/electricity/replace-meter-board I find a little confusing.  Sorry for being in thick mode; I am sure it is quite clear when you are not as tired as I am and hope it is of help.

MeterMan

Post a picture and there are people who can give you the correct advice,
We can not advise on the issue, if you do not show us the issue.

Ectophile

strinder27 said:

i have already paid a lot of cash to move re new the fuse box and repostion this to a higher safe area above 2m high.

Why?  That wouldn't even be allowed in a new home as it fails accessability rules.  Anyone with limited mobility would be unable to reset a breaker if it trips.

Hasbeen

OP where have you have you received all this Safe Height info from? Are all your sockets 2m high?

peter_the_piper

Meter too old? Sounds just like a smart meter ploy.

spiro

When you say exposed wires, do you mean exposed cables or can you see the copper core of the cables? If it is cables this is normal and safe.
There are 000s of meters installed at floor level, loads were installed under stairs. Thsi is normal and not unsafe.
As suggested, post a photo.

Swipe

If it's been fine for 30 years why is it now suddenly a problem? If it were me, I'd save myself £300 and forget about it.

Hasbeen

Swipe said:

If it's been fine for 30 years why is it now suddenly a problem? If it were me, I'd save myself £300 and forget about it.

OP cannot forget about it. It has to be raised to a safe height to be with the consumer unit.

maisie_cat

The meter in our new house is 2m off the ground and is a pain to read, the old house had a handy one under the stairs. If it's in a pantry I'd have thought that boxing it in would be the best option.