Safety inspections

We are SP Energy Networks and we own and operate the electricity network in Central and Southern Scotland, Merseyside, Cheshire, and North Shropshire. No matter who you pay your electricity bill to, we are the people to contact if you have a power cut, need a new or upgraded power connection or spot any issues with our network.

Cablehead asset inspections in your area

A cut out is a piece of equipment that is attached to the end of the cable that supplies electricity to your property. The cut out contains a main fuse which regulates the amount of power supplied to your property and ensures that your equipment is protected in the event of a power surge. It can be positioned in either an internal or external meter cupboard and in most cases, it’s located next to the electricity meter. It is SP Energy Networks’ responsibility to maintain this equipment.

In the past, when someone visited your property to collect routine meter-readings, they would also carry out a safety check on the condition of the cut out. This information was passed to SP Energy Networks to review and replace any older assets with new updated equipment where required.

With the introduction of “Smart Meters”, there is no longer any need to visit customers’ properties as often to collect a meter reading. SP Energy Networks have established a routine inspection programme across our electricity network to maintain this type of equipment.

Our service partner, who will carry out this work, will contact you to survey your property and discuss the inspection and upgrade process with you in more detail. You can also contact them directly to arrange a suitable appointment using their contact details below.

Our service partners in Scotland

(Click on a logo to see contact details)

Our service partners in England and Wales

(Click on a logo to see contact details)

What you can expect.

The survey and any required upgrades will be free of charge, and we will replace any aged equipment where required. You will receive a letter to explain when the team will be in your area, and they will agree with you when they can get access to your electricity supply point.

All engineers are fully trained and can offer advice and contact details should you need them. They carry identity cards with their company name, their own name, and a colour photograph. Where possible, vehicles and clothing will also have the SP Energy Networks or contractor logo. Any employee making a call to your home will be happy to explain why they are visiting.

If you have doubts about whether a caller is genuine, please follow these steps.

Speak to the caller through the door
Take your time, our engineers will never rush or be in a hurry to gain access to your property
Ask them to pass their ID card through the letter box or up to the window
Record the callers name and call us on 0330 1010 444 to confirm your callers identity
If possible, always put you door chain on before opening the door
If in doubt, do not open your door
If you want extra security, we can agree a password with you, we will then use this password if we need to visit your property
To set up your personal password, call us on 0330 1010 444

FAQ's

I have had a heat pump/electric vehicle charging point installed in the past and have had no work carried out. I haven’t had any issues, why is work required now?

We need to carry out a review of your property, to make sure the supply can manage any additional load required, so you can continue to use your low carbon equipment, safely and efficiently. This also allows us to balance the electricity load requirements to you and your neighbours and support any new low carbon technologies which are being adopted.

How much are these works going to cost me?

This work is free of charge. Any equipment we need to upgrade is part of our network which we maintain to deliver the electricity supply to your home.

What is the potential impact to my property?

This work could require us to change apparatus inside your property and excavate your garden or driveway. Where any works are carried out we will always aim to minimise any disruption and reinstate property's back to their previous condition, prior to work being completed.

Do I need to be home when an engineer visits?

Yes, we will be require you and any impacted neighbours to to be present to allow access to your property so we can coordinate any work that is required.

What is an electricity cut out?

A ‘cut out’ is a piece of equipment that is attached to the end of the cable that supplies electricity to your property. This cut out contains a main fuse which regulates the amount ot power supplied to your property and ensures that your equipment is protected in the event of a power surge. It can be positioned in either an internal or external meter cupboard and in most cases, it’s located next to the electricity meter. It is SP Energy Networks’ responsibility to maintain this equipment.