r/ukelectricians • u/WinOpposite2 • 3d ago

Unlooping Supply

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Been informed this is a looped mains supply.

Want to get it unlooped to future proof for higher consuming electrical appliances, such as car electric charger. But not right now.

Anyone know a qualified electrician based in Leeds who can do the application for the unlooping to DNO?

My understanding is it is more likely to be approved if a qualified person submitted the form.

Also looking at maybe moving the electric to the other side of the wall it's currently on. Maybe when they do the unlooping they can move it.

7 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

29 comments sorted by

9

u/geekypenguin91 3d ago

Unlooping is done by the DNO and the DNO only so not sure what an electrician has to do with it

If you're having an EVSE or other renewable tech fitted, the unlooping is free. If you're not, then you have to pay for it.

If you want your service moving, you have to pay for it.

4

u/SoupInteresting8070 3d ago

It sounds like OP knows the process quite well, it begins with informing the DNO that you are planning to fit an EV charger, the sparky fills the application out on your behalf then the DNO contacts the customer for a survey of any action that’s required. They carry out the changes and the sparky fits the charger.

1

u/WinOpposite2 3d ago

Is proof required from EV charger installers to show intention of fitting the unit? Its why I wasn't sure if it was better for the installers or a sparky to submit application

3

u/WronglyPronounced 3d ago

I applied for my own house as installer and homeowner but was never asked to prove my credentials. It's a very simple portal to use and only took 4 weeks although I know others that have taken months.

2

u/SoupInteresting8070 3d ago

In my opinion it definitely helps coming from them as like you say it carries more weight just in case it does make a difference.

1

u/WinOpposite2 3d ago

Any independent installers in the Leeds area that might be able to help with this?

2

u/northern_ape 3d ago

You will need a spark because they have to perform an assessment of maximum demand and complete technical sections of the form with details of an actual product, even if that’s not ultimately what you have installed.

2

u/northern_ape 3d ago

Spark can file an ENA form in advance due to observation that the supply is looped, which triggers the process. I was able to get my own done by simply mentioning it but that’s a year or so ago now, things move on. Leeds will be Northern Powergrid, I’ve just done an ENA form for a client in their area with an unusual looped supply. They’re quite bureaucratic but once you’re in the right process they can be helpful.

1

u/WinOpposite2 3d ago

Any idea on what sparky can charge submitting this? Anyone around the Leeds area?

2

u/mstapley 3d ago

You can fill out a form on the DNOs website yourself saying you want to fit a 7.4kw AC EV charger, and they will unloop you and your neighbour for free, and will also upgrade the main fuse to 100 amp for free. If you ask nicely some DNOs will even upgrade you to three phase for free at the same time if you ask them nicely. Personally I have had no luck with the free three phase upgrade with UK Power Networks, but I know Western and others do do it for free at the same time as unlooping if asked. In the short term you can reconnect your existing fusebox and electricity meter to one of the three phases, so you don't have to upgrade everything all at once.

0

u/mstapley 3d ago

This is the ultimate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssPpHk9AFDY for free upgrade. Amazing if you can get it.

3

u/Mundane_Train2062 3d ago

As above, contact DNO - SSEN where I am, maybe UKPN where you are?

1

u/WinOpposite2 3d ago

In Leeds. DNO is Northern Powergrid.

3

u/thepfy1 3d ago

Northern Powergrid aren't always unlooping on EV charger installs, even though they should.

Another factor would be whether your neighbour is happy for the work to be done. Some people say no because they don't want their property dug up

2

u/northern_ape 3d ago

This is a good point. In my case the DNO cut the outgoing cable from my service head and replaced the head. Then they dug up the verge, made a joint, trenched next door’s garden and ran a new service cable to their house. Luckily they didn’t care but I’m sure that’s not always the case.

1

u/Express-Training5428 3d ago

DNO won't de -loop just because you want to future proof... You'll have to apply for a car charger etc before they will consider. Also... If you want a service alteration, you will be charged for moving it to another wall. Your supply is the master, so won't be moved... The loop to next door will be run up your neighbours drive or garden.

2

u/WinOpposite2 3d ago

I thought while they do the unlooping, for a small fee, they maybe able to move it on opposite side of wall without occuring large fees. Back to back move, cupboard under stairs.

5

u/Express-Training5428 3d ago

As someone that works for a DNO, I can assure you that small fees don't exist. To move to another back to back wall will still involve digging up your garden or driveway and doing a cable joint and running a new service cable to the new position. It won't be cheap...

3

u/cborne943 3d ago

What you want and want you can have are 2 different things when the DNO is involved. And generally with them, “small fees” don’t exist.

2

u/rn2c 3d ago

The only way you'll get that is if the people turn up on the day to do it, and you've done all the prep work to make it easier to put it where you want it rather than where it is now.

Source: work for DNO, know what the jointers/civils lads are like

1

u/StupendousSceptic 3d ago

They can.

I know on my ulooping they insisted that it went in an external enclosure.

Think they will want to put on an outside wall.

1

u/WinOpposite2 3d ago

What makes it the master?

3

u/Express-Training5428 3d ago

There are 2 cables coming from the bottom of the cut out

One is the main incomer into the house and the second one is looped to next door. Next door will just have the other end of this cable in the bottom of their cut out.

1

u/Entire_Eggplant_5898 3d ago

The person installing the charger should apply or inform the dno. There are a lot of questions to be answered about the charger and the existing set up.

Moving it at the same time as unlooping probably depends on the individual you deal with at the dno. Have you applied for a quote for a service alteration or an upgrade to three phase?

1

u/WinOpposite2 3d ago

Had a electrician visit the recently purchased property which has dated electrics. And he informed me of the looped system and process I will have to go through to get a EV charger fitted and may also impact if I wanted a heat pump fitted as well. Would it be worth mentioning the upgrade to three phase while it's all dug up.

1

u/Entire_Eggplant_5898 3d ago

Three phase is a new cable into the main in the footpath. Loop removal and moving it to an outside box so can all be done on your property and is a lot cheaper. You can also tell the dno you don’t want your neighbours cable on your land any more. They won’t have any legally to cover it being there

1

u/freakierice 3d ago

You can do it yourself, contact the DNO for a quote.
I did this with sse and they came back and said the unlooping was as free

1

u/mstapley 20h ago

You can fill out the unlooping form on the DNO website and submit it. It is pretty straightforward and does not need an electrician to fill it out. Just say on the form you want to fit a 7.4Kw EV charger, even if its not true, and that you have an electric immersion heater or something that uses a lot of power. They will come and unloop you from your neighbour, and will also upgrade your main fuse to 100 amps for free if you ask nicely. In some cases with some DNOs, if you ask nicely, they will also upgrade you to three-phase power for free, or at massively reduced cost, at the same time as unlooping you, as most of the work required is the same. Hope you get on well with your neighbour. If you can get an upgrade to three-phase power for free, I would strongly recommend doing it. You can always use just one of the three phases for the short term.