Service Provider
Your current electricity provider is British Gas. Please note that under current regulations you are free to change your electricity suppliers to those of your choice. To do this you will need your electricity MPAN number.
British Gas
Consumer Unit
The electricity in your home is fed through a consumer unit (CCU) located in your hall cupboard. There are two types of switches on the consumer unit, Miniature Circuit Breakers, and Residual Current Devices (MCBs and RCDs) which have different functions. The switches are labelled to the circuit they control.
- MCBs protect individual circuits and automatically disconnect (trip) the electric supply if one of the circuits is overloaded and/or if there is a fault. This is a health and safety function to protect users from electric shock. The MCB can be easily reset by pushing the switch up
- An RCD functions in a similar way to an MCB but provides additional protection, particularly for appliances that may be used outside the home. There is a “TEST” button that should be pressed periodically to check that the RCD functions correctly
If you want to turn off the electricity supply, please only use the consumer unit inside your home.
Monitoring your electrical usage
Your meter readings can be taken from the electricity meter located within the utility cupboard in your home. You will also be entitled to a free smart meter which will enable you to monitor how much energy you’re using in pounds and pence. You can request this from British Gas by calling them on 0330 100 0056 or visiting their website at www.britishgas.co.uk/smart-home/smart-meters.
Electrical Test Certificate
You can find the Electrical Test Certificate for your apartment inside your handover pack. Please keep this in a safe place as it will need to be passed on to the new occupants if you move home. An electronic copy of the EICR is available on the online home user guide.
Your electrical system will also need to be inspected within ten years of completion, and unfortunately TWL cannot be held responsible for any changes you have made during this time.
Electrical safety
If you would like to make electrical alterations to your home, you should be aware of restrictions prescribed by government legislation. Further information about Building Regulation Part P – Electrical Safety is available online at www.planningportal.gov.uk.
Before carrying out any electrical works or maintenance inside your new home, please read the following guidance first:
- Unplug any electrical appliance you are going to work on
- If you are changing a fuse, fit the recommended fuse by the manufacturer of the appliance
- If you are going to wire a new appliance, please read the manufacturer’s guidance before proceeding
- Please do not use any portable electric appliance inside your bathroom to eliminate the risk of being electrocuted
- Please hire a qualified electrician to carry out installation of additional sockets or light fittings
For safety purposes, a Residual Current Breaker (RCB) has been installed in the various circuits within your home’s electrical circuitry. This mechanism cuts out the current in the event of an electrical shock or faulty appliance. This is reset simply by flicking the switch in the consumer unit. If your RCB repeatedly trips your electricity, please disconnect all your electrical appliances, and try again. If this fails repeatedly during the first two years after completion, please contact the TWCL Customer Relations number provided.
You should always use a NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) registered electrician for any major works. You can find details of a local registered business at www.niceic.com