Ohme charger install question

[MaryWhitehouse]

So the difference is they’d add an extra feed at the meter not split the existing feed from meter to CU? That I can understand if not like lol.

 

[IronGiant]

This is what our

latest installer did:

Split the meter tails so existing red and black continued to the CU and the new brown and blue went to the charger. Interesting how much thicker the EV charger cables are than the ones that feed the whole house.

 

[MaryWhitehouse]

This is what our

latest installer did:
View attachment 1679710
Split the meter tails so existing red and black continued to the CU and the new brown and blue went to the charger. Interesting how much thicker the EV charger cables are than the ones that feed the whole house.

Thanks. This is exactly what I'm imagining but with the tail to the meter being rather longer.

 

[neilball]

Thanks. This is exactly what I'm imagining but with the tail to the meter being rather longer.

This is what our

latest installer did:
View attachment 1679710
Split the meter tails so existing red and black continued to the CU and the new brown and blue went to the charger. Interesting how much thicker the EV charger cables are than the ones that feed the whole house.

That’s a great illustration and hopefully helps show what the majority of installers do. This avoids anyone needing to touch the existing CU at all, so no need to modify and test that part of the installation. Only the new works for the charger install then need to be tested/certified, and compliant with the latest electrical regs.

 

[MaryWhitehouse]

That’s a great illustration and hopefully helps show what the majority of installers do. This avoids anyone needing to touch the existing CU at all, so no need to modify and test that part of the installation. Only the new works for the charger install then need to be tested/certified, and compliant with the latest electrical regs.

It’s exactly what I thought was normal, my query was just if there’s an actual reason to do that split at the meter end and then run a 20m cable to the charger rather than the split just before the CU and then through the wall to the charger. Thanks.

 

[IronGiant]

I think someone else picked up on it already but if the existing cable from the meter to the CU can't be inspected then that maybe why they want to run a new one?

 

[MaryWhitehouse]

I think someone else picked up on it already but if the existing cable from the meter to the CU can't be inspected then that maybe why they want to run a new one?

Cheers, that would make an annoying amount of sense.

 

[MaryWhitehouse]

Might have to find the number for the landlords spark who inspected the installation last and ask how much to install an outside 32a commando.

 

[IronGiant]

If Motability are paying for the installation of a smart charger it might be worth getting the quote for the extra work and see if you think it's a worthwhile investment to pay the extra to get the charger for "free". I think the final bill for ours was £675 which was picked up by MG who were offering a free charger installation. .

 

[MaryWhitehouse]

If Motability are paying for the installation of a smart charger it might be worth getting the quote for the extra work and see if you think it's a worthwhile investment to pay the extra to get the charger for "free". I think the final bill for ours was £675 which was picked up by MG who were offering a free charger installation. .

Thanks, I'm trying to find out but not getting very far yet. At least the car won't be here until [insert best guess here].

 

[MaryWhitehouse]

So change of car and now it'll be here a week on Tuesday. Hadn't heard anything from Ohme so Motability gave them a kick and they rang last night. Apparently having a meeting today and will try and get an installer to visit and survey. Here's hoping.

 

[MaryWhitehouse]

I may have to rip what’s left of my hair out. As we changed vehicle manufacturer the contract for the install changes so have to start again. Nuts.

 

[MaryWhitehouse]

Ok then! Spoke to other company then Ohme did as they said and called me back with an update. Asked them, as we’re a few steps down the line, to ask Motability to stay with them which they did. Hoping for an installer to visit next week.

 

[ufo550]

I don’t really understand how the existing installation is set up, but I also don’t understand why people don’t take the opportunity of testing their existing installation, and then adding the ev charger to that?

If the meter point (this one looks like it needs some attention) is nearer, then just use them Henley Blocks as suggested.

If your renting from a farmer, they are notorious for having short arms and deep pockets.

 

[MaryWhitehouse]

I don’t really understand how the existing installation is set up, but I also don’t understand why people don’t take the opportunity of testing their existing installation, and then adding the ev charger to that?

If the meter point (this one looks like it needs some attention) is nearer, then just use them Henley Blocks as suggested.

If your renting from a farmer, they are notorious for having short arms and deep pockets.

It’s simple really. There’s just a very long tail between the meter and the CU.
It was all tested for a council inspection a couple of years ago. Hopefully they’ll visit next week and we’ll make progress.
Oh definitely but he’s not increased my rent in 13 years so I leave him alone whenever possible.

 

[ufo550]

Ok. You have to seek your energy suppliers permission, as there will be alterations to the meter tails, whose connections at the meter will be sealed.

What is the plan to supply the ev charger with this new distribution circuit?

 

[MaryWhitehouse]

Ok. You have to seek your energy suppliers permission, as there will be alterations to the meter tails, whose connections at the meter will be sealed.

What is the plan to supply the ev charger with this new distribution circuit?

How come? It would be connected between the meter and CU, like any other? The connection is at the CU end.
No idea that's for the installer to figure out if anyone bothers to turn up. I'm not a spark and not trying to be. Just want to understand where the problem is and why.

 

[noiseboy72]

How come? It would be connected between the meter and CU, like any other? The connection is at the CU end.
No idea that's for the installer to figure out if anyone bothers to turn up. I'm not a spark and not trying to be. Just want to understand where the problem is and why.

Unless there's an upstream isolation switch, the supply fuse will need to be pulled and the meter tails cut. Hence the requirement to get supplier permission.

 

[ufo550]

I’m a spark. If the new DB circuit is over 3m you’ll need a switch fuse isolation, as the DNO will not allow you to use their main fuse for fault protection.

 

[ufo550]

Just to add, if the new DB circuit may also need RCD protection dependant of the cable used.

Im not too up to speed on new ev chargers, but I believe the installer will need to have approval from the DNO before Installation starts. Main earthing and bonding, may need upgrading, even if you were installing a standard socket outlet.

If you have PME, typically farms do not, and it’s difficult to tell from your pic, as already said, that needs to be considered as to what charger you have.

 

[MaryWhitehouse]

Unless there's an upstream isolation switch, the supply fuse will need to be pulled and the meter tails cut. Hence the requirement to get supplier permission.

That makes sense thanks.

 

[MaryWhitehouse]

Thanks all. As I’ve said if they’d send someone to survey rather than go cheap and use the covid excuse to rely on the customer send pics and diagrams it would solved easily. Not necessarily cheaply but easily.

 

[ufo550]

You‘ll need the ‘seal fairy’ to cut the main seal. Some DNO‘s don’t even like electricians pulling their main fuses. Some DNO’s will install an isolator, for a fee. Which makes life easier.

I would ensure you employ a competent electrician, who can design, install and test this work for you. (and knows about ev installs).

 

[MaryWhitehouse]

You‘ll need the ‘seal fairy’ to cut the main seal. Some DNO‘s don’t even like electricians pulling their main fuses. Some DNO’s will install an isolator, for a fee. Which makes life easier.

I would ensure you employ a competent electrician, who can design, install and test this work for you. (and knows about ev installs).

There may be a switch. Ok there is a switch but not looked where it is on the circuit. It will be a specialist but trying to get them here is the challenge.

 

[ufo550]

There may be a switch. Ok there is a switch but not looked where it is on the circuit. It will be a specialist but trying to get them here is the challenge.

I can try and give you some advice to know what you should be getting, pre warned pre armed. However, the best way forward is to get yourself a competent ev charger installer, but some more photos of your service head an cu might help. There’s other sparks on this forum that could assist…all Greek ?