I'm currently at the application stage of asking Western Power to upgrade our supply from a single phase 100A to a three phase 3x 100A supply. Our supplier is Eon Next. We're doing this in readiness for two heat pumps and car charger(s) that will follow later.
I'm thinking about moving the meter from where it currently is within the middle of the building next to the consumer unit, to closer to where the cable currently enters the building. This is partly because space is limited where it currently is, presumably the new equipment will be bigger, and we'll now need three consumer units instead of one so the space currently occupied by the meter board would be very useful for this. Also I really don't like having a completely unfused cable running through the loft, although it is armoured so should be fairly safe but it still doesn't seem like a clever idea.
So, hopefully the new 3-phase meter will be fitted in a new location, next to where the existing feed to the meter is. There is already a (1990 era) 100A cable from here to the old meter. Can this cable be connected to one phase of the new meter, and the old meter either bypassed or just left and ignored? This would give us everything we already have, all connected to one of the phases.
I appreciate that eventually we will need all three phases wiring through, but this would give us power on the day without too much upheaval.
I do appreciate that this wouldn't be ideal, to put our entire load on one phase. But this would allow us to have everything up and running, ready to start adding new things and transferring some old things to the other two phases in future.
Does this sound like a sensible plan, would it be allowed, and whose job would it be? Western Power, Eon Next, or an electrician?
How is the job coordinated? Presumably someone for Eon will need to fit the meter on the day that Western Power are digging up the street, otherwise we'll be left in the dark. Or do Western Power fit the new meter?
Also, will the switch to 3-phase affect my bill at all? E.g. standing charge or any other extras?
I'm thinking about moving the meter from where it currently is within the middle of the building next to the consumer unit, to closer to where the cable currently enters the building. This is partly because space is limited where it currently is, presumably the new equipment will be bigger, and we'll now need three consumer units instead of one so the space currently occupied by the meter board would be very useful for this. Also I really don't like having a completely unfused cable running through the loft, although it is armoured so should be fairly safe but it still doesn't seem like a clever idea.
So, hopefully the new 3-phase meter will be fitted in a new location, next to where the existing feed to the meter is. There is already a (1990 era) 100A cable from here to the old meter. Can this cable be connected to one phase of the new meter, and the old meter either bypassed or just left and ignored? This would give us everything we already have, all connected to one of the phases.
I appreciate that eventually we will need all three phases wiring through, but this would give us power on the day without too much upheaval.
I do appreciate that this wouldn't be ideal, to put our entire load on one phase. But this would allow us to have everything up and running, ready to start adding new things and transferring some old things to the other two phases in future.
Does this sound like a sensible plan, would it be allowed, and whose job would it be? Western Power, Eon Next, or an electrician?
How is the job coordinated? Presumably someone for Eon will need to fit the meter on the day that Western Power are digging up the street, otherwise we'll be left in the dark. Or do Western Power fit the new meter?
Also, will the switch to 3-phase affect my bill at all? E.g. standing charge or any other extras?
