.jpg)
The postie is appearing with circulars and recorded letters from those nice people at Iberdrola informing their customers to fit an ICP within 20 days or be charged a higher rate for electricity (equivalent to a 10 or 20 kW tariff depending on your current contracted supply tariff). The Royal Decree passed on July 1st 2008 declared that electrical installations must have a device for controlling the contracted power. In a domestic dwelling that means an ICP must be fitted. It is mandatory for all homes contracted for 15 kW or less.
So what is an ICP? For the purpose of the Royal Decree, Iberdrola are using the ICP primarily as a power limiter rather than a safety device. The switch disconnects the electricity supply when the power demanded by the total number of appliances switched exceed the contracted power supply. If this occurs frequently, it indicates that insufficient power has been contracted. The ICP is fitted alongside the Interruptor General Automatico (IGA) in your Consumer Unit housed in a dedicated separate compartment called an ICP standardised box. The ICP functions in exactly the same way as the Interrupter General, however, the ICP must be sealed by Iberdrola, ensuring it is tamper proof.
It's a bit hit and miss whether you have an ICP already fitted or not. If your property is less than 10 years old you probably have one. You may have the standardised ICP compartment already in your existing Consumer Unit box, but without an ICP fitted in it. Or the compartment maybe housing a different switch, in which case it should be replaced with an ICP. In the event of the said ICP standardised compartment not being fitted you will have to arrange for a box to be installed by an approved electrician in addition to the ICP. Once the ICP is fitted Iberdrola should be contacted to arrange an inspection and seal the ICP.
.JPG) |
| sealed ICP |
It's a bit hit and miss whether you have an ICP already fitted or not. If your property is less than 10 years old you probably have one. You may have the standardised ICP compartment already in your existing Consumer Unit box, but without an ICP fitted in it. Or the compartment maybe housing a different switch, in which case it should be replaced with an ICP. In the event of the said ICP standardised compartment not being fitted you will have to arrange for a box to be installed by an approved electrician in addition to the ICP. Once the ICP is fitted Iberdrola should be contacted to arrange an inspection and seal the ICP.
Iberdrola charge €9.04 for the inspection and sealing of the ICP. A rental option is also available from €0.03 cents per month, depending on the type of installation, and still requires the inspection and sealing charge. These amounts will be charged directly to your electricity bill. The prices exclude IVA.
If you are unsure whether or not you need to have an ICP fitted contact Iberdrola on 902 10 22 10 quoting your contract number and ask them.
PS. If you have had a new digital Smart Meter fitted in your meter cupboard, the ICP is incorporated in the meter.
If you are unsure whether or not you need to have an ICP fitted contact Iberdrola on 902 10 22 10 quoting your contract number and ask them.
PS. If you have had a new digital Smart Meter fitted in your meter cupboard, the ICP is incorporated in the meter.
One other point >>> many older properties, 15 years plus, have a limiter fitted in their supply cupboard externally remote from the property. This is not the type of device now required by Iberdrola for controlling the power. An ICP will be required.
ReplyDeleteSome regions of Spain stipulate a 2-pole ICP rather than a single-pole ICP, but generally an ICP is a single-pole MCB
ReplyDeleteA very interesting and informative article. My contracted supply has to be increased from 2.2kw to 5.5kw. The electician I have always used has quoted me 500€ for the privelige of installing the necessary equipment and cable required, which I think is a lot? He says I have to have a bulletin also of the updated work? Is this true? I am a widow and live alone so find these sort of things out of my league! I would appreciate your comments.
ReplyDeleteYour electrician is correct, you must obtain a bulletin (electrical certificate) in order to upgrade your supply with your electricity distribution company (probably Iberdrola). The electrician must sign a certificate that states your installation is safe and meets current Spanish electrical standards. As you are currently on a 2.2 kW tariff, this indicates your property is in need of electrical improvements. I have encountered this situation many times and 500 euros sounds reasonable.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your reply. Five years ago when my husband was alive, we had another floor built onto our house and at the time the whole house rewired. However, it looks as if we did not have a "bulletin" then. So, one would assume that all that is required of this "different" electrician is to check the electrics without having to hopefully, update anything? I hope that makes sense and once again thank you for your reply. Although I am a widow I am very capable of handling most things alone but this sort of situation I know nothing about.
ReplyDeleteI would not expect an electrician to assume anything. Your electrician must satisfy himself that your installation meets the required standard before he issues a bulletin. After all, he is signing his name on a legal document. Providing your electrician is fully legal and certificated I would trust his judgement and recommendations. You also have the option to obtain additional quotations.
ReplyDeleteOkay. Thanks again for your comments. Most helpful. Will let you know the result?
ReplyDeleteStill not sure if you need an ICP fitted? If you have received a notification letter from Iberdrola, there's no getting round it, yes, otherwise your contracted tariff will be increased. If for whatever reason you want to get an ICP fitted but have not received a notification letter, telephone Iberdrola quoting your contract number and they will advise you whether you need to install one. The tel. no. is 902 10 22 10.
ReplyDeletefor 7years ive had the 1kw. so now am going over to the 3.5kw. wateing for iberdrola to come in and put seal on. at small cost. and when he,s gone will remove the 3.5kw and change for the 5.5kw breaking the seal....yes i know its wrong but am not paying 250-300erous for a bulting. what a con. i dont sign for any letters im not expecting and the postman dont bover now asking. do you think the spanish are paying this.???? my next door spanish age 85. cant afford it....so how do thay get awa with it.
ReplyDeleteI wrote to you previously last comment October 29th and have just read the latest from another, Anonymous! I too had the suggestion put to me re breaking the seal etc but although I really am struggling to pay the cost of the change, would be concerned re the safety aspect of doing that. (MY electrician has said I can pay him in stages). Surely it could be very dangerous, well for me that is as I have electrical central heating,dual aircon units, electric oven etc had I not complied. Another consideration would be insurance should there ever be an electrical fire etc. (Perhaps the other "anonymous" would not consider insurance a necessity either though.) The bulletin cost 180€ so you were not far out when you quoted around 150€. Thanks again for your comments.
ReplyDeleteReply to Anonymous of 7 years... Iberdrola will not seal an ICP rated at 3.5 kW (3.45 kw) if you are contracted for 1 kW. What you are planning is unlawful and there maybe consequences for your actions. My main concern here is whether your installation is safe and correctly wired for 5.5 kw (5.75 kW) and can handle the additional power, you maybe putting your property at risk of fire.
ReplyDeleteSecond Anonymous makes a good point about insurance cover. If an installation has a lot of high powered electrical appliances that use heating and refrigeration it must be wired correctly to avoid overloading the cables. If circuit breakers are up-rated and the wiring can not handle the additional loading, cables will get hot and the insulation will melt before the circuit breaker is allowed to function correctly, causing a risk of fire. My Dad used to put the silver paper from his cigarette packet in fuses holders back in the day, same scenario!
ReplyDeleteHi I have just received an email from my neighbours at my house in La Marina,(We only use the house 2/3 times a year) informing me about a letter from Iberdrola about ICP's. I would be glad of any information you could give me about the cost of getting one fitted by Iberdrola as I think this is probably the best way forward in organising this from England.Also time limits? I don't expect to be in Spain until July/August.
ReplyDeleteI charge 65 euros to fit an ICP. Iberdrola then inspect and seal it for 9.04 Euros plus IVA. Time limits depends what the letter(s) says. Generally you have 20 days following a second recorded letter. All the info you need is above. If you require my services to get an ICP fitted email your details to tony@sparksinspain.es
ReplyDeleteHi Tony
ReplyDeleteI have read the round town news this week it ststed you can get an up grade from 3.3 which have to 5.5 i ahve the new er type consumer unit can you tell me the cost for the change. RTN also states a day and night tarrif which offers cheaper eletc. for 14 hours can you tell me that hours they are. thanks
There is not a set price to carry out an upgrade. It depends on the amount of work required.
ReplyDeleteMore info about upgrading an electricity supply, and the Night and Day tariff, here http://tonysparksinspain.blogspot.com/2011/02/upgrading-electricity-supply.html
Hi Tony,
ReplyDeleteI am currently contracted for 3.3kw and must have a ICP. If I don't have it fitted Iberdrola will increase my contract to 10kw. I checked my power needs and I need at least a 5.5kw with all our power needs. Can I avoid the ICP, possible rewiring and boletin (et al) by just accepting a 10kw contract? As far as I can see it would only increase my bill by 14 euros a month.
This, of course, is an option, though I'm not certain of the legal consequences.
ReplyDeleteMy main concern is the safety aspect of the installation, and that your installation has been properly upgraded to handle the additional power. If you've replaced circuit breakers with higher ones to stop overloading problems, without additional wiring this could be a fire hazard.
REMEMBER: the rating of the circuit breaker or fuse is governed by size of the cable it protects. Put a larger rated one in and the cable could overload and possibly catch fire before the CB can function properly. My Dad used to put his silver cigarette paper in the main fuse holder under the stairs in our house when I was kid because it kept blowing... the fuse carrier melted!
At some stage in the future you should budget to have your electrics checked for safety.
Thank you Tony. You have been incredibly helpful and explained the situation clearly. I have spoken to Iba but, sadly, the techies don't speak English and the English speakers are not techies so the resulting advice is light years from useful. Thanks again for making my choices clear.
ReplyDeleteGlad to be of assistance, I'm not just here for the nasty things in life - advice is free, miracles cost a little more. Saludos
ReplyDeletewe have been quoted 350 eruos for the bullitin & aslo been told we will have yo pay iberdrola approx 180 for the new contract from 1.5 to 5.5. when the electrician fits the icp &does the bullitin does he also check the wiring?? all our spanish neighbours have had an icp fited for 40 euros & are not being upgraded they are all very old houses why dont they need a bullitin??
ReplyDeleteIm contracted for 1.5k if I upgrade to 5.7 will my wiring be safe. near my switches it say 25amp we bought the house 2004 & has been reqired we have never had a problem with anything triping out if there is a short power cut it just comes back on without mhaving to trip switches hope youcan advise????
ReplyDeleteA boletin (electrical certificate) is not required when fitting an ICP switch. A boletin is only required if an upgrade is applied for, or Iberdrola may insist on a boletin for installations that are over 20 years old when changing contracts. Iberdola's charges are extra to the boletin charged per kW increased. Work will be required in order to bring a 1.5 kW installation up to 5.75 kW spec.
ReplyDeleteInfo about upgrading an electricity supply >>>
http://tonysparksinspain.blogspot.com/2011/02/upgrading-electricity-supply.html
Thanks Tony
ReplyDeleteI am a Niceic approved spark in the uk found info very helpful. Have noticed on our urb most consumer units use double pole breakers, is this a requirment in Spain ?
Yes, all MCB's in the Consumer Unit protecting the circuits are 2-pole in Spain. ICP's can be either, but are normally single pole.
ReplyDeleteI take it that the Single Pole ICP is to fitted to the incoming Positive Cable?
ReplyDelete"Positive" is DC terminology, were talking AC here, but yes, fitted to the incoming live cable ... I know, nobody likes a smart arse, lol
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI've just received the dreaded letter from Iberdrola.
However, I've been told ( but don't know if it's a rumour or not)that if you have a white meter (cheaper tar riff at night time), that the ICP is automatically part of the meter.
Can you tell me if this is correct or not
Many thanks
Sandy
Hola Sandy
ReplyDeleteThere is a power control facility incorporated in the new electronic white white. However, Iberdrola are not utilizing this mechanism as an IPC. You will have to arrange to get the manual type fitted ICP(M) in or next to your Consumer Unit.
Regards
Tony
tony quick one for you my folks are min Murcia and they had at least the board upgraded to 5.5kw and the icp installed however Iberdrola installed a new meter with an 80amp fuse this fuse blows repeatedly when there are a couple off apliances on but the icp remains on any sugestions??
ReplyDeletemany thanks eoin
The 80 Amp fuse I presume is the main 80 amp fuse in the meter cupboard. If it blows that means you probably have a cable fault on the mains supply cable between the meter and the Consumer unit. Email the full details to me at tony@sparksinspain.es
ReplyDeleteI live in an old apartment block and have a 2.2kw contract with Iberdrola. 8 years ago the electrics in the block were upgraded,but not my apartment,and an electrician friend changed my ICP to 5.5kw. I have had no problems since then but how do I stand.
ReplyDeleteYou have been illegally upgraded by the electrician. Your power supply will be automatically downgraded when your new Smart Meter is fitted. All traditional meters will soon be a thing of the past. You need to upgrade your installation in order to obtain a boletin for Iberdrola to apply for a new contract for increased power.
ReplyDeleteThe kill switch (ICP) in the new Smart Meters limits your supply to what you are contracted for.
ReplyDelete