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ICP Switch

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mariquita
  • Start date Start date
I have just checked and our "Potencia contratada" is 4.4 kw, does anyone know what the best number of kw to have would be?

PP76
 
Hi all
It seems this post has caused a bit of a stir, so what can you look for to help yourself? In new builds you will find the ICP on it's own (normally to the left of the mains board) and then the trip switches. How will you recognise it? The switch has ICP written on it and then the rating in amps. Look at your contract, if you have 3.3kw up till 5kw (common supplies) then you legally can have an ICP with a maximum of 25amps, you may find that you have one with a much higher rating. If it is a legal instalation that has not been tampered with then it will be sealed in some way, a broken seal = illegal or tampered installation. If in doubt PM me and I can arrange an inspection by a qualified electrician who will deal with Gesa's reps here for the approval of the instalation. I don't know if people misunderstood earlier, but you will not be cut off, BUT, if you get cut off due to not paying your bills, BEFORE Gesa will reconnect you they have to inspect your current installation and make sure it is up to legal spec, this is costly and can cause you problems in the height of the season.
All the best and if you have any doubts, I'll do my best to help you.
 
ICP ADVICE - Seeking English speaking qualified electrician

Hi there, I'm new to this forum but am looking for some help with regard to upgrading the electrics in our apartment in Palma Nova. We have been billed 140 euros for 2 months and we are not even there and there is therefore no usage on the metre. Potencia at 13.2 kw at 63 days @ 76.64 euros, Ricargo poten.por ausencia icp 6.8 kw @37.29 euros, equips de media @4.28 euros plus iva.

Our apartment has old electrics and I am assuming that we need to put in an ICP and have it certified by Endesa. Does anyone know of an ENGLISH electrical Company in or near Palma Nova that can help give some advise and a quote to upgrade electrics and get the certification from Endesa.
Have had 2 Spanish Electrical Companies give quotes but I don't understand if they are doing the right thing so anyone PLEEEEASE Help!!!!

We are back out end of August and end of October.

Cheers:)
 
I think if you google you might find there is a Santa Ponsa forum. You may find someone on there may have more local Contacts for you. Also worth looking on Facebook as info on there too.
 
There is an English guy working and living in Palma Nova called John Eames, he is GESA registered to carry out installations and other major work, I cannot remember the name of his company but he is well known there as an excellent electrician, his name should also be in the phone book. I hope this helps.
 
We have been billed 140 euros for 2 months and we are not even there and there is therefore no usage on the metre. Potencia at 13.2 kw at 63 days @ 76.64 euros, Ricargo poten.por ausencia icp 6.8 kw @37.29 euros, equips de media @4.28 euros plus iva.

Our apartment has old electrics and I am assuming that we need to put in an ICP and have it certified by Endesa. Does anyone know of an ENGLISH electrical Company in or near Palma Nova that can help give some advise and a quote to upgrade electrics and get the certification from Endesa.
Have had 2 Spanish Electrical Companies give quotes but I don't understand if they are doing the right thing so anyone PLEEEEASE Help!!!!

That does not look too bad.

If you add the two kilowatt readings together the total is 20kw. ( exactly 20 kw does look a little strange)

Divide that by the 63 days of the billing period and that is 0.317 kw per day so about 317 watts per day .

divide the 317 watts per day by 24 hours = about 13 watts per hour.

This could be a small device on standby such as satellite receiver or a fridge switching on and off.
Or a lamp/outside light with an economy fluorescent bulb of about 13 watts accidentally left on etc.

Or a broadband router/modem etc.

The next time you are there look at the electricity meter with everything unplugged and see if it is registering anything.

We are back out end of August and end of October.

Cheers:)

Have a good holiday :)
 
Is your apartment particularly large? We live here, and we pay roughly 70-80 euros a month in summer, so it seems excessive to me if no-one is there.
 
Sounds a lot to me.

We have a large 6 bed house with 4 fridges, outside lighting, 4 lots of lights on timers, and a pool pump. When we are not there all these are on and our monthly bill is €95.

In the first month we were there I think the Endesa bill was high, but this was due to a new user deposit. I know I got quite anxious and then it all settled down
 
The bill clearly shows that you are being charged 37.29€ (per month?) plus iva for lack of an IPC so I would suggest that you get one installed and I am sure that your bills will reduce after the initial layout. This is exactly what they threatened to do . . . .. add large amounts onto your bill and/or make the electrics cut out every time there is an overload on your system.
Good luck.
 
One or two things you should be aware of when getting someone in to fit an ICP switch-

1. You have a contract with Endesa which states the size of supply you have signed up for. It is shown on your electricity bill and is usually around 3.3, 4.5, 5.6kw for an apartment or small villa. The ICP should be fitted to match this as long as it is sufficient for your needs. Decide what you need and tell the installer. Don´t leave it up to them. I have heard of many instances of installers just fitting the biggest they can get away with without explaining the consequences to the consumer. The consequences are that if the ICP is bigger than your contracted supply Endesa charge you for increasing the supply.

2. The supply and installation of an ICP for an apartment or small villa (ie up to 5.75kw or 25amp supply) should not cost more than 150 euros max. In most cases alot less. For example the ICP and enclosure can be bought for around 20euros from Leroy Merlin and takes at the very most 2 hours to install.

3. If you havn´t got one fitted - get it done fast. If Endesa need to come out to attend any sort of fault and they find you havn´t got an ICP they are now fitting current limiting meters which switch off the instant you hit the limit of your contract. These are far more sensitive (and troublesome) than the standard ICP which allows a margin for error and time delay before switching off.

4. This is the first I have heard of the threatened fines being imposed. If the figure given is correct then the ICP will pay for itself in around 3 months.
 
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