A DNO (distribution network operator) plays a significant role in the installation of an EV charger, but many people are unaware of what a DNO is and what they do. In fact, an essential part of the process of an EV chargepoint installation is notifying your DNO. But how do you notify the DNO of an EV charger installation? Who is the DNO? What role does the DNO play in an electric car charger installation?
In this blog, we will explain what a DNO is, its role in an EV charger installation and how to notify the DNO of an EV charger installation.
DNO stands for Distribution Network Operator, and in short, each DNO is in charge of distributing electricity from the national grid to residential and commercial properties in their area. Their responsibilities include managing and maintaining the infrastructure network, such as towers, transformers, poles, cables, and meters that deliver electricity to customers.
Distribution Network Operators are also responsible for restoring power to your homes and businesses after a power cut.
Another job of a DNO is to bridge the gap between the national grid and energy suppliers, such as EON and EDF.
In the United Kingdom, the distribution network is divided into geographic regions, each with its own DNO. There are currently six DNOs in the UK.
To find your local DNO, use the ENA’s ‘Who’s my network Operator?’ tool.
In some cases, specific housing estates and streets can have a local DNO that owns the network in that particular area.
It’s important to note that, unfortunately, you cannot change your DNO.
Yes, you must notify your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) of an EV charger installation – whether a home electric vehicle charger or commercial one. The electric car charger notification is needed because the DNO is responsible for ensuring that the local electricity network can safely and reliably accommodate the increased demand from electric vehicle chargers.
Installing an EV charger will draw more electricity from the grid than your home typically uses. Depending on the size of the charger and your home’s electrical capacity, this could impact the local network’s capacity to supply electricity to your property and those around it.
Notifying your DNO allows them to assess the impact of the charger on the local network and take any necessary steps to upgrade the infrastructure if needed.
The DNO notification process can be confusing if you are not an authorised EV charger installer. As such, you should contact an EV charger specialist installer, such as We Power Your Car, to notify your DNO and guide you through the process.
To notify the DNO of an EV charger installation, you must complete an ENA application form and email it to your local DNO.
This form can be challenging to complete if you are not an authorised EV charger installer. For example, the form requires you to calculate the maximum demand of the property, which is a complex task if you are not an electrician. Therefore, you should get your chosen EV charge point installer to complete the form and send it to the DNO on your behalf.
In most cases, you need to submit the ENA application before the installation and wait for approval before proceeding. However, sometimes your EV charger installer may be able to install the EV charger first and then submit the ENA form to the DNO within 28 days of that installation. But this is only when the installer deems the maximum demand to be less than 60 amps and it meets other relevant requirements, which is rare.
We believe there is a need to contact the DNO before every installation to ensure we always have approval and can install the charger with the utmost confidence.
In most cases, we need to wait for the DNO to check and approve our notification before we can install an EV charger. Simply waiting for approval from the DNO should not result in a substantial delay. However, there are specific situations where the DNO process can significantly delay your electric vehicle charger’s installation date which you need to be aware of, such as when additional works are needed before they can grant approval.
Here are three instances where additional work would need to be undertaken by your local DNO before your EV charger installation:
The response and duration of any additional works differs based on the particular DNO in charge, as each has a unique approach. Unfortunately, your EV charger installer has no influence over the delays caused by your DNO.
As such, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and allow plenty of time for the installation process, as it can take several weeks or even months from start to finish.
Yes, you may be charged by your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for connecting your electric vehicle (EV) charger to the electrical grid. The charges can vary depending on the DNO and the specific circumstances of your installation. For example, if your EV charger installation requires an upgrade to the local electrical infrastructure, such as a fuse upgrade, the DNO may charge to cover the cost of the upgrade. You can also be charged for the unlooping of a supply.
The cost of each charge point project will always vary based on the specific DNO, location and application requirements.
At We Power Your Car, we take you through the DNO application process from start to finish, including completing the ENA form on your behalf and liaising with the DNO directly through the installation process.
Additionally, we will keep you in the loop regarding the application process and any additional works that may need to be completed. As a leading nationwide electric car charger installation company, we can install your EV charger wherever you are – with fast lead times and first-class customer service.
Our specialist advisers are standing by to take your calls on 03333 44 96 99 to offer you their expert and unbiased advice on your home EV charger installation. Alternatively, you can fill out the contact form below, and a member of our team will be in touch.
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This type of electric charger has it's own cable to charge your car.
This type of electric charger requires a seperate cable to charge your car.
Spread over a 60 month period.
Tenants and homeowners are eligible for finance.
You decide the amount of months.
Minimum of £1000.
We will contact you to process the credit application. Approval is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. 13.9% APR representative. T&Cs apply.
Your order is not confirmed until your application has been approved.
We lay SWA cable laid at 600mm deep, with a protective cable warning tape laid 150mm above the cable. These are laid on a sand or sifted sand soil bed then backfilled.
We position overhead cables at a minimum height of 3.5m and are run along a catenary wire. The cable run should not be accessible to vehicles.
Standard Installation
Our instant price is fixed if it falls within our standard installation package plus any additions that you have selected (extra cabling for example). This package covers the majority of homes in the UK. Before we undertake your installation we will carry out a digital survey to check that nothing has been missed. After reviewing the survey results some additional work may be required in order to complete your installation safely and to the required standards. If this is the case, we will contact you well before the installation date and advise the cost of any required work. You can then continue with your installation, or alternatively we will refund you in full if you do not want to proceed.
Included in our standard installation is :
• Fitting of a single phase charge point to a brick or plaster wall or other suitable permanent structure
• Up to 10 metres of cable, run and neatly clipped to the wall between the electricity supply meter / distribution board and the charge point.
• Routing of the cable through a drilled hole in a wall up to 500mm (20 inches) thick if this is needed.
• The fitting and testing of electrical connections and protections required for the charge point.
• An additional three way consumer unit, if required
• Installation of a Type A RCBO in an RCBO enclosure
• Up to 3 metres of plastic trunking to conceal interior wiring.
• An O-pen earth protection device if the charge point requires it. (This is NOT an earth rod)
• Up to 4 hours of labour from your installer to complete the work.
• Electrical testing of the whole installation.
• Handover and setup of the charge point and any app that may be needed.
Not included in our standard installation (additional work) :
• Where the installation requires additional cabling over and above the amount you have told us about.
• Upgrade/replacement of the main incoming supply fuse where the local DNO (eg Northern Powergrid) would need to attend site.
• If the charge point is to be mounted on a post/pedestal rather than an existing wall and where you have not selected a post as an extra cost option in your order.
• Installation of a charge point to a three phase supply.
• Where gas and water mains bonding (earthing) is not in place at your property. If this is not in place, additional work would be required before installation of the charge point.
• Any groundwork that has not been selected during the order process.
A Surge Protection Device is not included in our standard installation.
What else you need to know :
• On the day of installation, please ensure that the area around your consumer unit (fuse box), incoming electricity supply meter and proposed charge point location (including where the cable is expected to be run) is clear and free of obstructions.
• We will need your WiFi password as part of the installation process in order to connect your charge point to the internet. Please have this available for the installer. Details will not be kept.
• The charge point must be on your own designated off road parking.
• The charger will be fixed in line with current guidelines at a height where it cannot be hit by a vehicle.
• Our installers are not able to enter loft spaces; lift floorboards or flooring; take apart any furniture of work above a height of 2m. If you anticipate that any of this may be required, then please contact us and we can discuss in more detail and provide you with a quotation.
• Should there be extreme weather conditions our installers may not be able to continue with you installation if it is not safe to do so (for example flooding). They will always do their best to complete the work where they can.
If you have any questions then please contact our customer service team who will be happy to help. Please also read our terms and conditions.
