Old style fuse box + electric metre

fatbobbutler

Hi,

I have an old style wired fuse box, and electric metre. The metre ticks around for about 10 minutes at 2 in the morning, every morning, and it's in the main bedroom so can get quite annoying. Whats the best way to stop this?

And also we've never had a problem with the fuse box, but is it worth replacing it with a newer style? and if so, whats a rough estimate for this??

Cheers in advance
Rob

adaze

I assume you mean a meter

I would guess that something in your house is using electricity at 2 in the morning. Meters are generally relatively noisy, assuming that it is an old rotary style meter? You could ask your provider to change it, which they should do for free, they will, or should fit a new digital type one, which shouldn't make a noise.

It depends on the wiring in the house, if nothing has to be upgraded, i.e. wiring, then £2 - 300 is a ball park figure. If anything else needs doing then the price will vary a lot. Bear in mind that often electricians can only work on the electrics if they are safe and they may need to do essential upgrades to allow them to work safely, this would add to the cost (for example, upgrading your main equipotential earthing)

fatbobbutler

No, I have a 1 metre long peice of electric!! OK, so I also have an electric meter!

Cheers for the info, I may phone my supplier tomorrow.

As for the fuse box, I have never had any problems with it. Is it still advisable to upgrade??

[Deleted User]

Hi,

I'd be curious as to why you are hearing the noise at 2 each morning.

Is it your heating or water heater coming on, obviously the load will be

heaviest then, thus wheel spinning faster.

fatbobbutler

It's strange as it doesn't make a noise at any other time of day, even when I'm using a lot of electric.

It makes a loud clicking sound at 2am ish, then ticks quite loudly for about 10 minutes. Then another loud click and it stops... It's not like it speeds up and then slows down again.

I will ring scottish power today and get it changed.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

it does seem as though something is clicking on and off.

I have electric heating, and I can hear it coming on about 11pm and off

about 7.30am, it's just the time switch, though there is no noise from the

meter.

fatbobbutler

I use oil for my heating and hot water, and I have this off over night anyway.

I can't think of anything I would have at home that would be on such a timer.

e-mail sent to scottish power as no contact number on the website (don't you just hate that!)

[Deleted User]

Hi,

you would get the number from your last statement, you may need your

account number anyway, if you are going to phone them, try this number:

0845 2 700 700.

silvercar

Are you on economy 7. Could it be the meter switching to cheap time at 2 am?

greyteam1959

Thats just what I was going to say Silvercar..........
It sounds to me as though it is the time clock for the Economy 7 or the old Off Peak electric
If its an actual time clock it could be miles out on the times......
I had a time clock that was giving me cheap rate electric for half the day.....until they changed it for one of those new fangled electronic thingys

fatbobbutler

i think you might be right about economy 7. although why would it take 10 minutes to switch over??
Thanks for all your thoughts people... I'm still none the wiser on the fuse box front.. Is it worth replacing even though the old one works fine??