r/Glasgow Tools

Do you have access to your consumer unit, or a mains isolation switch before it?

If you can get to the isolation switch, turn power off there. Any cables coming out of it should go to your consumer unit. If you can’t get to the isolation switch, kill the power at the consumer unit. Individual switches (RCDs and MCBs) should be labelled and can be used to knock out power to various circuits - lighting, power sockets, water heater, cooker etc.

Any cables from the meter that don’t go to your isolation switch, or cables from the isolation switch that don’t go to your consumer unit should be investigated.

If you kill the power at the isolation switch or by knocking off all the RCBs or MCBs and the meter is still turning then you are supplying someone else.

It’s also possible for you to be supplying someone else from your consumer unit. It will be a little harder to trace this. Start by turning off all your appliances/lights/heating etc at the item and with the MCBs energised. Again observe the meter. If it’s moving then power is being drawn somewhere. You may need to check you’ve got everything off in your flat. If you have all your powered items off and the meter is still moving, start knocking off the MCBs one at a time and observe which one(s) cause the meter to stop. That will tell you which circuit the power is being drawn from.

Hope that makes some sense.

Ps - does the landlord own any other properties in your building?