Another Octopus fail

[John_S]

Today Octopus were due to install an EV charger. Somehow I had survived six months just using a granny charger. At least the wait meant that I decided to get a Wallbox so that, once Intelligent Octopus can charge VW IDs, I can switch from Octopus Go.

I have a longer than normal cable run to my off street parking space, about 30 metres, so I agreed with Octopus that 10mm SWA cable would be installed. I also agreed that I would dig a 500mm deep trench across the garden and conduit.

The installer arrived this morning without the charger. He thought that it was being sent to me. He phoned his office and said he would install the cable for it to be connected to the charger later. Once he discovered it was 10mm SWA, he advised that he did not have any of that in his van. He agreed with me that 10mm SWA was needed for the distance and was surprised that Octopus had charged me £10 per m for 20mm of additional cabling.

Thus he left without doing anything.

Complete lack of communication between Octopus and their installer.

John

[Joeboy]

Unlucky John, That is poor indeed.

There seems to be no accountability either.

[Stinsy]

Today Octopus were due to install an EV charger. Somehow I had survived six months just using a granny charger. At least the wait meant that I decided to get a Wallbox so that, once Intelligent Octopus can charge VW IDs, I can switch from Octopus Go.

I have a longer than normal cable run to my off street parking space, about 30 metres, so I agreed with Octopus that 10mm SWA cable would be installed. I also agreed that I would dig a 500mm deep trench across the garden and conduit.

The installer arrived this morning without the charger. He thought that it was being sent to me. He phoned his office and said he would install the cable for it to be connected to the charger later. Once he discovered it was 10mm SWA, he advised that he did not have any of that in his van. He agreed with me that 10mm SWA was needed for the distance and was surprised that Octopus had charged me £10 per m for 20mm of additional cabling.

Thus he left without doing anything.

Complete lack of communication between Octopus and their installer.

John

6mm² would have been fine for a 7.4kW load up to 50m! No real downside in going up to 10mm² except for cost. I would recommend running a length of armoured (or underground rated) cat5e along with the power cable. Even if you don't need it now you might want a wired data connection or a CT or whatever in future. There is a cable with power and tada combined but it is more expensive than 2x cables!

[Mr Gus]

How much is armoured cat 5 typically please stinsy?

[Stinsy]

How much is armoured cat 5 typically please stinsy?

About £2 a metre inc VAT if you buy it by the metre (cheaper on a drum).

[Mr Gus]

Thanks (again) stinsy

[Tinbum]

Mains and cat cable should not be close together, put one in at one side of the trench and the other at the other side.