2 electricity meters

Mickey666

Melainew said:

Mickey666 said:

Melainew said:

They are too far apart. 

What do you mean by 'too far apart'?
It's unlikely in a technical sense.  My meter is in an outbuilding and the cable to the consumer unit in the house is about 40m long.

About 100 meters, we did consult an electrician.

Yes, 100m is a fair distance, though a lot will depend on what power requirements you have in the outbuilding.  You mentioned a consumption of only 15-20 units/month but is this from low power things such as lights or from occasional use of high powered things such as machinery? 

The basic issue will be volts-drop along such a length of cable and the peak power requirement.  From this the required cable size required to meet the regs can be calculated.  For my 40m run the cable is about 50mm in diameter (25mm2 cores I think), but that's to supply a whole house.   

I'm a little surprised an electrician said it couldn't be done and it would be interesting to know why.  I can imagine that a more suitable supply tariff might be more cost effective though.

mnbvcxz

We do this. Our shed is also awkward (underground stream amoungst other things). It works but it's a hassle because it lacks a seperate address which confuses things and the standing charge is punitive. But it basically works. 

Phones4Chris

Mickey666 said:

Melainew said:

Mickey666 said:

Melainew said:

They are too far apart. 

What do you mean by 'too far apart'?
It's unlikely in a technical sense.  My meter is in an outbuilding and the cable to the consumer unit in the house is about 40m long.

About 100 meters, we did consult an electrician.

Yes, 100m is a fair distance, though a lot will depend on what power requirements you have in the outbuilding.  You mentioned a consumption of only 15-20 units/month but is this from low power things such as lights or from occasional use of high powered things such as machinery? 

The basic issue will be volts-drop along such a length of cable and the peak power requirement.  From this the required cable size required to meet the regs can be calculated.  For my 40m run the cable is about 50mm in diameter (25mm2 cores I think), but that's to supply a whole house.   

I'm a little surprised an electrician said it couldn't be done and it would be interesting to know why.  I can imagine that a more suitable supply tariff might be more cost effective though.

So you think it makes sense to go to the expense of digging a 100m of trench (with all the potential problems en-route and installing 100m of armoured cable, or even install poles and 100m of overhead (never mind new switch gear) - THAT IS the basic issue, not volts drop

Gerry1 said:

Melainew said:

About 100 meters, we did consult an electrician.

That's 99 meters too many, you'll only need one ! 

No, they need two as @Melainew has said
As already suggested, look at tariffs with a lower daily charge for the shed but do your own sums, don't rely soley on what a comparison site says gives the best saving.

Mickey666

Phones4Chris said:

Mickey666 said:

Melainew said:

Mickey666 said:

Melainew said:

They are too far apart. 

What do you mean by 'too far apart'?
It's unlikely in a technical sense.  My meter is in an outbuilding and the cable to the consumer unit in the house is about 40m long.

About 100 meters, we did consult an electrician.

Yes, 100m is a fair distance, though a lot will depend on what power requirements you have in the outbuilding.  You mentioned a consumption of only 15-20 units/month but is this from low power things such as lights or from occasional use of high powered things such as machinery? 

The basic issue will be volts-drop along such a length of cable and the peak power requirement.  From this the required cable size required to meet the regs can be calculated.  For my 40m run the cable is about 50mm in diameter (25mm2 cores I think), but that's to supply a whole house.   

I'm a little surprised an electrician said it couldn't be done and it would be interesting to know why.  I can imagine that a more suitable supply tariff might be more cost effective though.

So you think it makes sense to go to the expense of digging a 100m of trench (with all the potential problems en-route and installing 100m of armoured cable, or even install poles and 100m of overhead (never mind new switch gear) - THAT IS the basic issue, not volts drop

I was referring to the technical issues of whether it was possible or not.  But I think you knew that.

I didn't say it made sense.  In fact if you read my post properly you'll see that I EXPLICITLY stated that just changing the existing tariff might be more cost-effective.

Phones4Chris

Mickey666 said:

Phones4Chris said:

Mickey666 said:

Melainew said:

Mickey666 said:

Melainew said:

They are too far apart. 

What do you mean by 'too far apart'?
It's unlikely in a technical sense.  My meter is in an outbuilding and the cable to the consumer unit in the house is about 40m long.

About 100 meters, we did consult an electrician.

Yes, 100m is a fair distance, though a lot will depend on what power requirements you have in the outbuilding.  You mentioned a consumption of only 15-20 units/month but is this from low power things such as lights or from occasional use of high powered things such as machinery? 

The basic issue will be volts-drop along such a length of cable and the peak power requirement.  From this the required cable size required to meet the regs can be calculated.  For my 40m run the cable is about 50mm in diameter (25mm2 cores I think), but that's to supply a whole house.   

I'm a little surprised an electrician said it couldn't be done and it would be interesting to know why.  I can imagine that a more suitable supply tariff might be more cost effective though.

So you think it makes sense to go to the expense of digging a 100m of trench (with all the potential problems en-route and installing 100m of armoured cable, or even install poles and 100m of overhead (never mind new switch gear) - THAT IS the basic issue, not volts drop

I was referring to the technical issues of whether it was possible or not.  But I think you knew that.

I didn't say it made sense.  In fact if you read my post properly you'll see that I EXPLICITLY stated that just changing the existing tariff might be more cost-effective.

I DID read your post properly thanks. So you might have remarked about changing the existing tariff, but having been told it was 100m, you still started your response by going on about voltage drop & etc. rather than the other way around. Even then, the last part of your post that you've highlighted in your reply to me says "I'm a little surprised an electrician said it couldn't be done and it would be interesting to know why"     Completely bonkers!

Melainew

mnbvcxz said:

We do this. Our shed is also awkward (underground stream amoungst other things). It works but it's a hassle because it lacks a seperate address which confuses things and the standing charge is punitive. But it basically works. 

Sorry, what do you do? Use 2 different suppliers?

mnbvcxz

Melainew said:

mnbvcxz said:

We do this. 

Sorry, what do you do? Use 2 different suppliers?

Yup main house is on ancient economy ten tarrif with one provider. Then shed is with whoever's cheapest for low users. It's extravagant really. 
When you try and sign up online they just ask for your address which is tricky because both meters have the same address so you worry you will alter the wrong one. Pay attention to meter number. But so far we have managed. 

Hasbeen

OP. Other alternative is to buy small portable generator.
Very handy for people with isolated properties

Mickey666

Phones4Chris said:

Mickey666 said:

Phones4Chris said:

Mickey666 said:

Melainew said:

Mickey666 said:

Melainew said:

They are too far apart. 

What do you mean by 'too far apart'?
It's unlikely in a technical sense.  My meter is in an outbuilding and the cable to the consumer unit in the house is about 40m long.

About 100 meters, we did consult an electrician.

Yes, 100m is a fair distance, though a lot will depend on what power requirements you have in the outbuilding.  You mentioned a consumption of only 15-20 units/month but is this from low power things such as lights or from occasional use of high powered things such as machinery? 

The basic issue will be volts-drop along such a length of cable and the peak power requirement.  From this the required cable size required to meet the regs can be calculated.  For my 40m run the cable is about 50mm in diameter (25mm2 cores I think), but that's to supply a whole house.   

I'm a little surprised an electrician said it couldn't be done and it would be interesting to know why.  I can imagine that a more suitable supply tariff might be more cost effective though.

So you think it makes sense to go to the expense of digging a 100m of trench (with all the potential problems en-route and installing 100m of armoured cable, or even install poles and 100m of overhead (never mind new switch gear) - THAT IS the basic issue, not volts drop

I was referring to the technical issues of whether it was possible or not.  But I think you knew that.

I didn't say it made sense.  In fact if you read my post properly you'll see that I EXPLICITLY stated that just changing the existing tariff might be more cost-effective.

I DID read your post properly thanks. So you might have remarked about changing the existing tariff, but having been told it was 100m, you still started your response by going on about voltage drop & etc. rather than the other way around. Even then, the last part of your post that you've highlighted in your reply to me says "I'm a little surprised an electrician said it couldn't be done and it would be interesting to know why"     Completely bonkers!

Why is it bonkers to want to know why 100m couldn't be achieved?   
It might not be the right solution in this case but it might be in another case.  

Melainew

mnbvcxz said:

Melainew said:

mnbvcxz said:

We do this. 

Sorry, what do you do? Use 2 different suppliers?

Yup main house is on ancient economy ten tarrif with one provider. Then shed is with whoever's cheapest for low users. It's extravagant really. 
When you try and sign up online they just ask for your address which is tricky because both meters have the same address so you worry you will alter the wrong one. Pay attention to meter number. But so far we have managed. 

That’s great, thank you. Just what I wanted to know.