Smart Meter mounting board. Whose responsibility is it?

Dodge1664

Hi,

We have a cabinet with an old RTS meter in it. I've had 3 engineer call outs, but so far they've been unable to install a smart meter. The meter supply company claim that its up to UK power networks to fix the wobbly meter mounting board. UK Power networks say its the meter supply company's responsibility. Octopus energy just keep sending me emails telling to book a meter switch over, but won't act to resolve the problem. If I phone up Octopus, I just get a call centre employee who can't help.

So I'm stuck between the 3 of them, with the RTS switch off looming. Any ideas what i should do?

thanks

MeteredOut

It could end up being your responsibility to provide a location for the meter to be installed. Where is the cabinet?

But the RTS switchoff not being your choice could give you leverage. Have you considered raising a complaint with Ocotpus?

Netexporter

Are there any markings on the board to indicate who it was fitted by? I'm assuming it is pretty ancient and was perhaps fitted by the electricity board that ran your area, prior to privatisation.

Ectophile

Is it the sort of wobbly that could be fixed by a trip to the local DIY store to buy some screws and Rawlplugs?

TadleyBaggie

When I first had tried to have a gas smart meter, the installer refused because the bracket had been bodged by the guy that had installed the new gas boiler. My supplier at the time said it was the responsibility of the network. I left it at the time.

I switched suppliers a few years later and requested the gas meter be changed again, this new installer just shrugged, got on with it and everything was fine.

Robin9

Technically the property owner.

In my day as a DNO planner we used to provide meter boxes complete with back board free of charge to the developer. We also repaired doors. That changed to the developer buying them from the Trade .

As such they as much a part of the property as a brick.

[Deleted User]

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6657677/smart-meter-mounting-board-whose-responsibility-is-it

I now you are supplied by Octopus, but Ovo also say the backboard is the responsibility of the DNO, or rather they refer you to the DNO for help

Who's responsible for what? A guide on who to contact to help maintain each part of your gas and electricity setup | The OVO Forum

Looking at one DNO, UKPN, they appear to accept responsibility for the backboard in most instances (for customers in their area), but you cannot instruct them, your supplier must

"Your supplier is unable to change your electricity meter

If your electricity supplier is unable to change your electricity meter without replacing your meter board, they will need to report this to us directly using an D0135 electronic flow which will notify us."

Source: Replace meter board | UK Power Networks

You obviously need to look for the DNO for your region, or rather Octopus Energy does.

I can't help thinking a screw & rawlplug would solve this, but it maybe the board has to be fully removed to gain access to fit the rawlplug.

Dodge1664

thanks for the replies. I'll try calling UK Power Networks if I don't hear anything from Octopus. The UKPN engineer was adamant that it wasn't their responsbility even though I pushed the idea several times.

The cabinet is in a private car park. There's no way I'm going to start poking around in there. The cabinet owner is the freeholder for the block of flats. Its normally impossible to get them to do anything.

squirrelpie

The backboard is complicated. Legally, the meter box and the backboard within it belong to the property owner. But if you wanted to replace it, you can't! That's because the equipment mounted on it can be dangerous and belongs to others. The main cutout belongs to the DNO (UK power Networks) and the meter belongs to your electricity supplier. So if you want to replace the backboard, you have to get people from both companies to come and temporarily remove their equipment from the backboard before you can change it. You'll also need an electrician of your own to safely disconnect your wiring from the meter and reconnect afterwards.

So @Ectophile's suggestion was very sensible. If you just need to fasten it more securely, then you, or an electrician you employ, might be able to do that without as much hassle. Then your supply company can change the meter. But sounds like you may have to involve your freeholder.

So a very important question then. Does the backboard need replacing, or does it just need fastening down more securely?

Dodge1664

@squirrelpie

I'm not sure what you mean by "backboard". Basically the electricity meter for my flat is attached to a board of "engineered wood". Not sure if you'd call it fibre board or particle board. But its crumbling away, and I can see why the meter engineer said it needs replacing. Putting a wood screw in wouldn't help much. But the UKPN engineer refused to replace it.

There's a second board that serves the entire block. UKPN replaced that one.

squirrelpie

The backboard is the board that the meter is mounted on. If you can post a picture of it and what's mounted on it, that might help people give better advice, but it does sound like you'll need to involve your freeholder to me.