Isolator Switch Electrical System Upgrades
Tash Horn | 28/09/2022
You're required to have an isolator switch on your electrical system to ensure your EV charger install goes smoothly
At a Glance
Find out all about what an isolator switch is and why you need one
You need to get in touch with your energy supplier to arrange to get an isolator switch fitted
What is an isolation switch?
An isolation switch (or isolator switch) is a piece of equipment that is installed on a metering supply to allow that supply to be de-energised after your meter. It normally sits inside your meter box and it sits after the meter but before the consumer unit.
What does an isolation switch do?
An isolation switch acts as a circuit breaker on your mains electrical supply so that any electrical work (such as an EV charger or solar installation) that is going to take place within a property can be completed safely by a private electrician or anyone doing electrical work on your home.
When the switch is turned off, there would be no power after the isolation switch, which in turn would allow a private electrician to safely complete any maintenance work or repairs on the member's internal electrical set-up.
What does an isolation switch look like?
The isolation switch is circled in yellow on this photo. It's normally located inside your meter box.
Who's responsible for installing an isolation switch?
An isolation switch needs to be installed by your supplier. This is because the supply would need to be de-energised via the cutout, and private electricians are not permitted to work on the cutout. Therefore, the supplier would need to arrange for an engineer to go to the property to install one.
How can I get an isolation switch installed?
That's simple. All you need to do is reach out to your energy supplier to arrange an appointment. It’ll need to be scheduled as a non-essential maintenance job. There is normally a charge for this, and it's typically in the order of around £150 but this varies by supplier.