Starting October 22, hundreds of homes and small businesses across Somerset, including Wellington, Langford Budville, and Rockwell Green, will be visited by the National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) team as part of a vital safety inspection programme.
The inspections focus on the service termination points—commonly known as cut-outs—inside properties. These are key components where the main incoming electricity cable and fuse are located, usually near the electricity meter. In most modern homes built since the 1980s, the cut-out is situated in an external meter cabinet, but in some cases, it may be found indoors next to the electricity meter or consumer unit.
During these visits, approved contractors from the company A Coole will carry out visual inspections of NGED and energy suppliers’ equipment without disassembling any parts or interrupting power supplies. They will document the condition of the cut-outs by taking notes and photographs.
This programme is part of a rolling 20-year plan aiming to complete 400,000 inspections annually across the Midlands, South West, and South Wales, fulfilling a legal requirement set by Ofgem to ensure the safety and proper functioning of low voltage metered properties.
Richard Brady, NGED’s Policy Engineer leading the inspection initiative, emphasized the importance of the programme: “The UK is known internationally for having one of the safest and most resilient energy systems. Our inspection programme reinforces this commitment. Should any defective cut-outs be found, our engineers will promptly carry out necessary repairs free of charge.”
In addition to safety checks, inspectors will also note the presence of low-carbon technologies such as electric vehicle chargers and solar panels. This information supports planning for future network capacity and helps expedite future connections of these technologies.
Inspectors will be clearly identifiable and carry official ID and authorisation. To accommodate customer preferences, residents have the option to photograph their own cut-out and meter and submit images to NGED, which can reduce the need for follow-up visits.
While these safety inspections are essential, NGED acknowledges that they may cause some inconvenience and thanks customers for their cooperation.