Connecting additional electricity supplies
Connect a multi use building
If you own a multi-use building (for example flats above a shop or a house converted into multiple properties) and want to provide each individual tenant with their own electricity meter, it's possible that your currently electricity supply may not have any spare phases remaining on your main electricity supply to support this.
Usually, these types of buildings have a three phase electricity supply, but if they are all in use or you want to install more than three electricity meters, it's likely that you will need to either install a distribution board (also known as a ryefield board) or install an additional electricity supply into your building.
What's a distribution or ryefield board?
Distribution boards are usually installed by a qualified electrician or electrical contractor at the request of the landlord. They are used to accommodate secondary electrical fuses for each individual property. The board is connected from the main incoming electricity supply coming into the building. Once the board is installed, your electricity supplier can connect the meters for each individual property. It's important to note, you will still have a separate primary meter for your main electricity supply to the building.
Installing a distribution board
Understanding your requirements
If you're not sure what you need or how to split your electricity supply, you should contact an electrician initially as they will be able help you understand your requirements.
Checking the electricity supply
Your electrician may find that you have a sufficient electricity supply to the building but there are no available phases. In this instance your electrician can consider installing a distribution board.
Installing a distribution board
If you decide to go ahead with this option, a qualified electrician can install the distribution board which will hold secondary fuses connecting to the individual meters.
Connect the distribution board to the main electricity supply
After your distribution board is installed, the next step is to connect it to the main electricity supply that brings power into your building. We can do this for you, all you need to do is complete our online form and our teams will get in touch with you regarding costs and timings.
Alternatively, you can contact your electricity supplier to complete this for you. However, not every electricity supplier offers this service and the cost and time may vary depending on supplier. It's important to note that your electrician cannot complete this step for you.
Installing your meters
Once the distribution board is connected to the main electricity supply, your electricity supplier can then connect the additional electricity meters.
Your electricity supplier needs to request an MPAN
The next step would be for your supplier to contact us to request a new Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) for each new meter. This is an electricity supply number used to uniquely identify every electricity supply point in the country.
If the option of installing a distribution board is not suitable for your property, you can choose to have additional electricity connections from our network installed directly at your building. This process is similar to installing a new connection for a domestic property with a usage capacity of up to 69kVA.
