Upgrading Tails

Boscoirl

Sorry couldnt find an existing recent discussion on this, so starting a new thread.

We have an old house. and got PV installed last year, we are in the lucky situation that the meter on of the old magnetic ones, so that the excess from the PV going back to the grid is winding my meter backwards. I am sure ESB Networks are well aware that it is happening as shortly after the NC6 form went in, we got a letter to say that Smart Meter Installers are in the area etc, so far no one has called to swap it out, but when they do, i'll hold out for as long as i can :)

But we are looking to get an EV this year. and to be able to install a home charger, we are going to have upgrade our tails.

From my understanding, I'll need to get an electrician to do the prep work and the ESB will come out to swap them over?

I suppose what i wondering is when ESBN turn up and they going to force me to a new meter to upgrade the tails?

I wont be looking for a day/night tariff yet, and i dont see me doing much charging at home. and would like to hold on to my current set up,

JL spark

What age is your electrical installation? Would you have a picture of the fuseboard?

you might need other works done too

Boscoirl

we are ok there I would think. We had the whole house rewired when we moved in 8 years ago. Got a new fuse board then.

meercat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118546681#Comment_118546681

New mains tails should have been upgraded and certified then so.

JL spark

That’s what I was thinking

ted1

Anyone care to guess the size of these tails ? Pretty sure they are 16mm

D50DE416-1A78-485C-ABC2-0096AABA20D4.jpeg

meercat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118610172#Comment_118610172

Really hard to tell but looks like a 10mm earth wire going to a rod(left of meter) if you can pull over beside the mains for comparison

long-term67

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118610709#Comment_118610709

20220202_091213.jpg

This is my recent smart meter install and the tails are 16,16,10 the earth in the previous photo looks definitely smaller than the other cables and similar to mine. my opinion anyway

kirk.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118610172#Comment_118610172

I think there was a 10/10/6 back in the day , could be wrong on the pic

They don't give much trouble on short runs , tails got longer when meter cabinets were moved to the front elevation on domestic work

society4

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118610709#Comment_118610709

i had a zappi installed recently and electrician changed the tails but esb are yet to call out to connect the new tails to the meter box…..can I use the zappi Now or do I have to wait until the esb finish the reconnection ..thanks

meercat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120358943#Comment_120358943

Best to wait. He really shouldn’t have installed until mains cables were upgraded. Did they upgrade the earthing and earth rod too.

society4

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120359409#Comment_120359409

Yes he did put in earth rod and earthing……could I even use it on eco mode until done?

meercat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120359723#Comment_120359723

Yes. You can use it even on full power. Just be sure there’s nothing else switched on at the same time that uses a lot of energy. (Electric cooker,shower immersion etc)