Looped services

There are many properties connected historically that share a single service, we call this a ‘looped service’.

WHAT IS A LOOPED SERVICE?

Most modern properties have a single underground service cable or overhead conductor which provides a direct electricity connection to our network.  There are however many properties connected historically that share a single service, we call this a ‘looped service’.  This is a perfectly acceptable arrangement for typical domestic electrical demand however a further increase in this demand due to low carbon technologies and heat pumps may result in the requirement to replace the looped services with direct supplies.

Looped service supplies are usually found in domestic properties and often in terraced or semi-detached houses.

For most looped services, a single direct service supplies only one building (see fig.1) Electricity enters the first premises via the service cable which branches off from a mains underground cable or overhead conductor Then an electricity cable runs from the first meter into the second property via a service cable. The service cable is terminated near the meter at the ‘service head’ or ‘cut-out’ which contains the main fuse. Essentially, if you have a looped service, you share a length of cable with your neighbour.

In some instances, the installation of a load management system to restrict the demand including the low carbon technology can allow the premises to remain on a looped service.  This may be worth considering and may avoid the requirement to de-loop the existing connection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHY SOME INSTALLERS MAY NEED TO ADVISE THE REMOVAL OF A LOOPED SERVICE
As we look to adopt more low carbon technologies, need to tackle climate change, more people will want to install LCTs like EV charge points and heat pumps in their homes. Customers who have looped services may find a looped service is a barrier to installing new technologies.

Ultimately, it’s easier to control and increase the electricity load for low carbon technology – such as solar or heart pumps – from a non-looped service.

Some installers will also advise the removal of a looped service if a customer needs to move their electricity meter.

ADVICE FOR INSTALLERS
Firstly, ask your customer to speak to their neighbours, as we may have to replace the looped service in all properties or households that share the cable and install new individual service cables from the mains (see fig2). This would mean doing work that could impact on two or more properties depending how many customers are supplied from the loop.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1: Looped services  

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 2: Non-looped services

If it’s your customer who has asked us to modify the connection, then they may need to pay for the part of the work which affects their premises, if we are also required to upgrade the termination equipment such as upgrading the existing fuse. We will pay for the part of the work needed in any other properties affected. 

To install the new cable from the mains to the meter, please advise your customers that we may need to dig a trench through the driveway/front garden in “Premises 2” marked on the diagram above to get the job done. We would, of course, fill in the trench to reinstate the excavation when the work is finished and sometimes the work can be more complex if there are many looped services. Each job is bespoke so letting us know about the requirements upfront helps us to plan the project accordingly.