We get frequent electricity outages where we live, especially with winter storms and I'm fucked off with it.
I'd like to install a changeover switch inside the meter box and run cabling from there to a generator plug-in point.
Am I allowed to install my own equipment inside the meter box or is this strictly for NIE?
by dirtyh4rry
7 comments
Ring nie and ask them
Was wondering this myself
The “tails” and beyond are consumer property. Tails are the cables you see in the image that come out of the meter, dropping down to the isolator switch (which is also consumer property). Depending on what size of generator you wish to install, you may or may not require NIE’s input. If you’re hoping to switch your entire fuse board from a Genny, then it’s worth checking with them. Also, the tails are constantly live, so an electrician is definitely needed. Perhaps things have changed since my time, but this is how I remember the protocols.
If you had an electric car and charger that supported two way charging you could run your house off the car for a few days.
You could do this to save money if you had the right car and a bi-directional charger, and if your tariffs were cheaper at night.
Charge up at night when cheap, feed it back during the day when tariffs are higher.
https://www.independent.co.uk/cars/electric-vehicles/cheap-electric-car-home-charging-solar-panels-b2623272.html
You can do whatever you want in there so long as its past the meter.
The box belongs to you but the space is fully allocated to the supplier. It’s unlikely there’ll be an issue adding a switch but if at some future point nie want the space you’ll have to move it.
I got a changeover fitted on Friday. The electrician took the main fuse out and had to install new tails so I’ve to inform NIE tomorrow.
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