Electrical contractor bypassed my meter ?

[homeworker]

Looking for some advice before deciding how to proceed.

A number of years ago I had an extension built with all the electrics supplied by a second CU fitted in the garage. I recently had cause to look closely at the wiring (after a particularly lengthy MeterPlus reading) and have determined that the second consumer unit is connected to the wrong side of my meter.

Now I can see no reason nfor the contractor to do this intentionally so i am trying to establish why this should have happened, genuine mistake ? common practice ?.

Having had the extension professionally project managed and as far as I can remember all signed off (this resposibility I assumed was with the Project management - rather than me the householder) I am really surprised and a little concerned that I find myself in this situation. And where I fully expect to pay for power consumed I am worried that I am liable in any way.

Any professional thoughts and advice more than welcome.

Bob

 

[telectrix]

last time i saw something like that was on a house that had been converted to 2 flats and there was a 2nd meter before the 2nd CU.

 

[Tuttle]

Do you think that the meter reader could have taken his own photo on his phone? I was talking to a guy from British Gas recently who discovered a bypassed meter and that was what he did. If it were me I'd report it asap without talking to the contractor first.

 

[Spazz]

home worker - your biggest defense is:
Your not a trained electrician, you got a trained electrician in (cert provided) who connected his tails into a box (not provided by the DNO or supplier) and sealed it back up.

You trusted the electrician to do a correct job so you had no reason to check this - plus if you did you would not have known any difference!

As said loads already contact the supplier and you start the ball rolling, better coming from you than a meter reader! keep this thread and all the pictures.
Also for peace of mind get the whole install checked as said above.

 

[Spazz]

Do you think that the meter reader could have taken his own photo on his phone? I was talking to a guy from British Gas recently who discovered a bypassed meter and that was what he did. If it were me I'd report it asap without talking to the contractor first.

Good Point - forget the contractor - he will be inclined to hid his mess up (egg on face), get the supplier involved and then let them deal with the contractor.
You could have a claim here in regards to any work you have to pay out yourself, to get it rectifier.

If you have to pay for it yourself or get fined then contact his body (NICEIC, NAPIT, Elesa, BSI) and explain to them, they will help you through it.
Same as if you have to go to court (doubt it will come to this) use your house insurance and claim against his insurance.

Good luck and keep us informed

 

[Mr.Ian]

The meter reader might just have noticed that the meter isn't sealed, but it needs sorting, is it best to report it? or is it better to just get a fully qualified spark in to sort it first with all relevant forms filled in then report it?
I wouldn't worry too much about a big bill, they might send one out to you (how they're going to estimate it i've no idea) but you can just gradualy pay it off as i'm sure they can't demand the full amount as one payment.

 

[vernam616]

I would try finding someone who is confident enough to swap this over onto the correct side, before it go's any further

Us as electricians are not allowed to touch this equipment, however in this case it would be in your best interests to find someone who would

Id certainly be confident to do it

 

[telectrix]

I disagree. a second unauthorised tampering before the meter might look as if OP was trying to destroy evidence of fiiddling supply. best action id to inform supplier and print off this thread.

 

[Top Cat]

I would try finding someone who is confident enough to swap this over onto the correct side, before it go's any further

Us as electricians are not allowed to touch this equipment, however in this case it would be in your best interests to find someone who would

Id certainly be confident to do it

Any electrician would be confident of doing it but i agree with Tel.

 

[silverfox1]

I am thinking sparks may have left tails from new board for dno to connect as with economy 7 boards and meter guy connected tails in this way,as meter looks newish.
Just a thought

 

[telectrix]

possible. if so, then i would argue the case that any free electricity supplied due tro their own fault cannot be recouped from OP.

 

[Darkwood]

I just viewed a job for CU change in factory, found meter supplier had fitted Henley block (sealed before meter)and mixed tails up so part of installation was un-metered... they had recently moved to new supplier and supplier wanted there own meter on, im dumb struct to see this as its not rocket science that you dont loop tails off the incoming side of a meter, only thing i can see is they wouldn't reach other position and assume it must of been fri-aft job so he couldn't be arsed working late going to get extra gear etc.

 

[Knobhead]

Fully agree with Tel, it’s going to look like a cover up. Skip the contractor, get the DNO in immediately. You owe the contractor no loyalty, he’s the one that’s dropped you in this mess.

 

[Top Cat]

Thing is, if the Henley block is sealed with a number on it the powers that be can check who did it, so there should be no comeback.

 

[telectrix]

as long as the seal don't bear the initials TC. :christmaswreath:

 

[Knobhead]

We can pontificate as much as we like, it’s down to the OP to contact the DNO.

 

[homeworker]

I disagree. a second unauthorised tampering before the meter might look as if OP was trying to destroy evidence of fiiddling supply. best action id to inform supplier and print off this thread.

Thanks again, As I am guilty of nothing more than unwittingly stealing electricity, the way I see it I have two options.

1. to wait until the Supplier/DNO come knocking. At which point I deny all knowledge. As said earlier I am not qualified nor have had any reason to doubt the installation. The meter and original CU are tucked away in an understairs cupboard, not something I would have ever noticed had I not wondered why the meter reader took so long to read the meter this time.

2. to pre-empt the visit by calling them and inviting them to assess the installation. But I hesitate here as this could be seen as me trying to beat the meter reader and trying to cover up my involvement.

Since I didn't carry out any of the work or employ the electrician (they worked on behalf of the builder/project manager) and I am happy to pay back what I oweI am not about to cover anything up.

I do expect a big bill but am more concerned about being implicated and don't relish the thought of any interrogation. Perhaps I am making a mountain out of a molehill ?

 

[Darkwood]

Well now winters out the way and it looks like suspicion has been raised its best to get it reported before the DNO knock explain you are not an electrician but was getting a quote for a job and the electrician said he would need you to contact DNO about said situe and he cant do work until its resolved, this will put you in good light, drop all suspicion and because the seal is on the Henley block it should take you out of the equation. They have little case to blame you but supply all details of said Competent Electrician as it would be interesting to see if this was same set-up when he left or whether he blames Meter man.

 

[Guitarist]

as long as the seal don't bear the initials TC. :christmaswreath:

His seals all have a paw-print on them

 

[Darkwood]

I would also turn off board to extension when they come out, your are not guilty of theft if you were unaware but since you became wise to it you then put yourself in a arkward spot, explain to DNO you turned the board off which you suspect isnt been metered and want them to come and check, you've done all you can then and they 'rightly' have no case against you, although you have used the electric they may try make an estimate to what you owe, this can be argued at your cost but just see what action they take, what loading does this extension have....?

 

[Guitarist]

Agree with Dark. Hard to claim innocence while still consuming unmetered power.

 

[Top Cat]

as long as the seal don't bear the initials TC. :christmaswreath:

As guitarist said, mine have a paw print. TC = Telextric Culpable!

 

[swparksey]

Thanks again, As I am guilty of nothing more than unwittingly stealing electricity, the way I see it I have two options.

Your actually not guilty of anything, as the definition of theft is to " dishonestly appropriates property" in you case you have not acted dishonestly, however if you do not report this to the DNO then that act itself could be deemed dishonest as you have now become aware of it.
I would call them and tell them you have been made aware of this, indeed as they have sealed it you will probably find that the fault was caused by them, in which case it is there responsibility to rectify it.
I see no reason why they will back charge you, they may try, if they do complain it is due to a fault of their making, and refer it to the regulator, for arbitration.

Good luck and my advise is act now.

 

[Mr.Ian]

All i'd worry about is the elec bill to be honest, the meter/cu wiring c**k up can be easily sorted, the problem being it's been done, it's not a problem to sort out. If this has been connected up like this since 1999 they're going to want a fair bit of money for a 5 room large extension, just like the landlord who's tennant doesn't pay and does a bunk they chase the landlord for money.
Get all info you have on the build and every bit of info you have in relation to the project oh and as said print a copy of this thread just in case.
You paid for the work to be done, building control must've been involved so it must have a cert for the electrics.
But I doubt you'll pass the bill onto someone else as you have used the electricity.
I doubt there's anything to worry about on the stealing electric front as if you've all paperwork and the henley is sealed it's not been tampered with.
Just worry about the bill !! that's all.

 

[sedgy34]

Looking for some advice before deciding how to proceed.

A number of years ago I had an extension built with all the electrics supplied by a second CU fitted in the garage. I recently had cause to look closely at the wiring (after a particularly lengthy MeterPlus reading) and have determined that the second consumer unit is connected to the wrong side of my meter.

Now I can see no reason nfor the contractor to do this intentionally so i am trying to establish why this should have happened, genuine mistake ? common practice ?.

Having had the extension professionally project managed and as far as I can remember all signed off (this resposibility I assumed was with the Project management - rather than me the householder) I am really surprised and a little concerned that I find myself in this situation. And where I fully expect to pay for power consumed I am worried that I am liable in any way.

Any professional thoughts and advice more than welcome.

Bob

any pictures to confirm your thoughts

 

[Top Cat]

any pictures to confirm your thoughts

Pictures are on 1st page sedgy on 2 different posts but not in normal format so you have to look for them.

 

[telectrix]

they're normal on my laptop. perhaps not yet out in dustbin lid format

 

[Knobhead]

Just for you Sedgy

View attachment 12693

View attachment 12692

 

[topquark]

I dare say that the OP could be identified from the meter serial number in those pics!

I agree get the DNO to sort it out, as the henley is currently sealed then there should be no issue.

 

[homeworker]

I dare say that the OP could be identified from the meter serial number in those pics!

LOL - nothing to hide so no panic about that (unless you guys can add your supply to my meter serial no) Who knows, perhaps the electrical contractor will see the installation and come round and fix it for free. Bit late now though. - just digging out all the paperwork for the extension before calling the supplier, NPower. (or do I call the DNO)

 

[trev]

NPower would be the first call I'd make mate then YEDL

 

[telectrix]

you couls always change supplier and keep your gob shut. :6:

 

[Guitarist]

you couls always change supplier and keep your gob shut. :6:

What a tangled web you weave....

 

[GLENNSPARK]

thing is though...when yu ring the energy supplier get your story straight as they pass you on to another department/desk....and theres a third person listening in to the conversation to judge whether what your saying is real or not.........

 

[vernam616]

I understand that you have done no wrong as you were unaware

But the elec companys are ruthless, you will end up paying the full amount back to them even though it isnt your mistake

Far far easier all around to get it swapped over by a spark than messing aroung, letters here and there, courts etc...

Pay the sparky a small fee for the job and forget about it all

 

[Mr.Ian]

I understand that you have done no wrong as you were unaware

But the elec companys are ruthless, you will end up paying the full amount back to them even though it isnt your mistake

Far far easier all around to get it swapped over by a spark than messing aroung, letters here and there, courts etc...

Pay the sparky a small fee for the job and forget about it all

Yes there is that way to sort it, pay a spark to sort it n say nothing , only trouble is is if the meter reading bloke did notice the error in the wiring. If he has then he'll report it I should think.
If we knew that he hadn't noticed you might be able to get away with it? depends on what you want to do really.
I'd contact them really as you know yourself you've done no wrong.
But then honesty isn't always the best policy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Yes there is that way to sort it, pay a spark to sort it n say nothing , only trouble is is if the meter reading bloke did notice the error in the wiring. If he has then he'll report it I should think.
If we knew that he hadn't noticed you might be able to get away with it? depends on what you want to do really.
I'd contact them really as you know yourself you've done no wrong.
But then honesty isn't always the best policy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

all the meter reader will have looked at is the readings and the seals...to see if their intact....chances are he wont even know...or care about either polarity or incoming/outgoing side.....

 

[spark 68]

I have been following this thread, if I could just add that IME, if there is any hint of fraud from the meter reader or otherwise, the supplier is usually pretty S**T hot to get it sorted, so if you have not heard by now it is probably not reported, so I think I would just get it rectified ASAP and say nowt.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I have been following this thread, if I could just add that IME, if there is any hint of fraud from the meter reader or otherwise, the supplier is usually pretty S**T hot to get it sorted, so if you have not heard by now it is probably not reported, so I think I would just get it rectified ASAP and say nowt.

yep....sometimes its better to keep ones trap shut about such stuff.....

 

[GLENNSPARK]

and if anyone says owt about seals having been cut or owt like that in order to rectify this....all you say is an electrician had to replace the tails as the old ones showed signs of damage...or summat like that.....its recent work done so they will just reseal the meter/henley....nowt more said....

 

[RogertheBodger]

Why volunteer to pay money to a Dno?
If they want it, let them find out for themselves.
You are not an Electrician and can't be held responsible.