Retail Market Procedure NI 103 – Fieldwork
1.
Introduction
1.1
Scope
This document is the Retail Market Procedure for Fieldwork in Northern Ireland.
The Procedure applies to all non-domestic metered sites and to domestic metered sites where an MPRN has been allocated. Procedure includes fieldwork requested by
Suppliers or initiated by NIE T&D or customers or their authorised agents that may lead to readings or meter configuration or status changes.
Fieldwork includes:
 Special reads
 Meter and communication equipment problem investigations and meter accuracy tests
 Work impacting the configuration of a customer connection such as:
o Meter installation, exchange, re-programming and removal, including keypad meter re-configuration
o Meter replacement as a result of faults or re-certification activity
 Work impacting the status of a customer connection such as:
o De-energisations (other than temporary de-energisation e.g. for periods less than one day)
o Re-energisations
o Decommissioning and removal of supply
 Revenue Protection activities impacting the status or configuration of a customer connection
The procedure covers:
 Fieldwork requests from Suppliers
 Cancellation of fieldwork requests
 The reporting to Suppliers of fieldwork initiated by a customer or their authorised agent or by NIE T&D that impacts the metering configuration or status of a
customer connection (e.g. a change of MIC or a de-energisation)
 Fieldwork completion
 Requests by a Supplier for a keypad meter configuration change. Refer to MP NI 104 Readings Processing for transaction detail between the customer and the NIE
T&D
Excluded are:
 New connections, covered by MP NI 101 New Connections
 Scheduled reading, covered by MP NI 104 NHH Readings Processing
 Processing and distribution of readings resulting from Fieldwork, covered by NI MP 104, NHH Readings Processing
 Work performed on the network that does not impact the metering configuration or status of a customer connection
 Work performed on the customer site that does not impact the metering configuration or status of a customer connection (e.g. supply cabling or metering relocations)
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Retail Market Procedure NI 103 – Fieldwork


Procedures for initiation of fieldwork in response to customer requests
Keypad tariff configuration changes not requiring a change of meter configuration - the Supplier should execute these directly with the customer
Where fieldwork is required in response to a change of connection characteristics such as MIC then this process will be initiated by agreement by the customer or their
authorised agent of the connection characteristics directly with NIE T&D. Refer to MP NI 108 Maintain Meter Point Data.
1.2
History of Changes
Version
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
7.0
7.1
D0.1
D0.21
D0.3
A0.4
F0.9
X1.0
X1.1
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Source of
Change
A149
A106/A134
A209
A053
A006/A263
A251
A324
CRID47
Description of Change
Clarify use of message N131 where fieldwork not initiated using message N031
Clarification of use of message N131-R to reject fieldwork withdrawal request
Clarify use of e-mail for manual communications
Addition of section on fieldwork delivery times
Addition of customer requested changes to meter functionality
Clarify arrangements for making appointments. Appointments moved to section 2.1 from section 2.3
Clarify effective date of de-registration where decommissioning occurs
Clarification that MV and LV are treated equivalently
Clarification that a customer can request de-energisation as provided in their Connection Agreement
Clarification of use of authorised agents
Removal of requirement to specify T&D reference when cancelling fieldwork
Removal of customer fieldwork initiation activities to Market Guide
Removal of load profile derivation on the basis of meter configuration (profiles are determined from UoS tariff)
Allowance of de-energisation request whilst a Change of Supplier is pending
Extension to domestic sites
Following internal NIE review
Following SIG review
Following SIG Agreement
Pre approvals version
Baseline issue including:
 Updates to charging arrangements for meter configuration changes
 Clarification on fieldwork validation for pending CoS
 Addition of K06 – forced keypad installation
 Clarification on chargeability for domestic special readings
Additions:
 Removal of Pre – SEM arrangements
 Correction to meter read cycle allocation and removal for keypad fieldwork
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Retail Market Procedure NI 103 – Fieldwork
1.3
Outstanding Issues
This Procedure requires the following issues to be resolved:
 Following approval, definition of standard and non-standard meter configurations to be issued by NIE T&D using the Data Codes spreadsheet
 Following approval, confirmation of the circumstances where the Supplier should indicate that a site visit is required for a change of keypad meter configuration.
These are required for changes to circuitry, for changes between certain other meter configurations requiring a different meter type and for changes where teleswitching is required to be installed or removed.
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Retail Market Procedure NI 103 – Fieldwork
2.
Procedure Description
2.1
Fieldwork Requests
Supplier
FIELDWORK – 1. Fieldwork Request
Begin
Request
Fieldwork
Receive
Rejection
NIE T&D
N031
N131
Status = “A”
Invalid
Validate
Request
Valid
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N131
Status = “R”
Receive
Acceptance
NIE
Initiate
Fieldwork
Advise
Rejection
Advise
Acceptance
Arrange
Appointment
And Schedule
3
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Retail Market Procedure NI 103 – Fieldwork
2.1.1
Step
Fieldwork Request Activities
Role
Supplier
Action
Interface
The Supplier should request fieldwork by sending a fieldwork request message to NIE T&D.
N031 to NIE MRS
The Supplier must indicate:
 The type of fieldwork required, selected from the agreed list (see section 2.1.2)
 If a change of metering configuration is required, the required metering configuration code (see section 2.1.3 for
configurations that may be requested)
 Customer name
 Customer contact details if these have not previously been provided or differ from those previously provided
 Change of tenancy or legal entity for HV and EHV customers
 Existence of Supply Agreement1
 Customer details if there is a change of tenancy or legal entity for HV and EHV customers
The Supplier may indicate a required date. This date is provided for information purposes only and actual dates will be
determined when the appointment is made.
Second Tier Suppliers must request keypad meter configuration changes by sending a fieldwork request message to NIE
T&D.
For Second Tier Supplier initiated requests (other than de-energisation and re-energisation for non-payment and forced
meter changes from credit to keypad for debt management ) for NHH Meter Points Suppliers should advise the customer
or their authorised agent to contact NIE T&D the day following the request submission in order to arrange a fieldwork
appointment or transact a keypad meter configuration change2. This is an interim requirement pending provision of an
appointment booking system open to all Suppliers.
NIE T&D
NIE T&D will validate the fieldwork request (see section 2.1.4) and will inform the Supplier of the acceptance or rejection
(with reasons) of the request.
N131 to Supplier
For Meter Points where connection is at HV or EHV then NIE T&D will ensure that there is a current Connection
1
A Supply Agreement includes supply by NIE Supply in accordance with a Special Agreement or the Public Electricity Supply Code
For NHH requests other than de-energisation or re-energisation for non-payment it is recommended that the customer contact NIE T&D on the business day following the
request.
2
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Retail Market Procedure NI 103 – Fieldwork
Step
Role
Action
Interface
Agreement prior to any energisation or meter work.
Where there is not a Supply Agreement or there is no longer a Connection Agreement then NIE T&D is entitled the steps
outlined in MP NI 108 Meter Point Data and initiate de-energisation.
For HH Meter Points, NIE T&D will contact the customer or their authorised agent to finalise appointment details.
NIE T&D
For sites with HH or monthly metering NIE T&D will initiate the arrangement of an appointment with the customer or
their authorised agent to complete the request.
For de-energisation for non-payment and for re-energisation following de-energisation for non-payment an appointment is
not required.
For all other fieldwork requested by an STS, NIE T&D will arrange the appointment in response to a call from the
customer or their authorised agent. Appointments will be made in line with the Fieldwork Delivery Times outlined in the
Market Guide, MG NI 111.
If the customer or their authorised agent does not make an appointment or it is not possible to schedule the work for a date
acceptable to the customer or their authorised agent then the request may be cancelled.
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Retail Market Procedure NI 103 – Fieldwork
2.1.2
Fieldwork Requests
The following table describes the types of fieldwork undertaken in response to Supplier requests:
Code
Description
Comments
M01
Change of Meter Configuration (NHH
credit)
Test Meter Accuracy
Investigate Physical Metering
Change of Meter Configuration (to HH
Metering and Communications)
Change from keypad to credit meter
De-energise (other than non-payment)
De-energise (for non-payment)
Re-energise (other than non-payment)
Re-energise (for non-payment)
Change of key-pad meter configuration
- call centre
Change of key-pad meter configuration
–site visit
Includes Change of Supplier via N010
Supplier
Request
Yes
Includes check meter installation
Includes meter faults, damage and other problems
Includes Change of Supplier via N010
Yes
Yes
Yes
M02
M03
M04
M05
D01
D02
E01
E02
K01
K02
K03
K05
K06
S02
S04
Investigate keypad metering
Change from credit to keypad meter
Change from credit to keypad meter
(forced)
Special reading
Special reading (dispute)
Revenue protection activities
Credit metered sites only
Credit metered sites only
Includes Change of Supplier
No site visit required
Site visits will be required where wiring is required
(e.g. storage heating) and for specified other
changes
Includes meter faults, damage and other problems
Debt management, no appointment required
Includes Change of Supplier via N010
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Manually refer
to RP Services
NIE T&D may initiate fieldwork in cases other than when requested by a Supplier. These cases include work originating from requests by customers or their authorised
agents and work initiated directly by NIE T&D.
Refer to Market Guide MG NI 111 for guidance on customer requests and NIE T&D initiated fieldwork.
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Retail Market Procedure NI 103 – Fieldwork
2.1.3
Requestable Meter Configurations
Meter Configurations that are available for use in the non-domestic and domestic markets are described in ‘Permitted Meter Tariff’ worksheet in the “NIE Message
Specification – Data Codes” spreadsheet.
Unrestricted meter configurations may not be requested.
Meter Configurations are summarised in the ‘Meter Configurations’ worksheet in the “NIE Message Specification – Data Codes” spreadsheet.
2.1.4
Fieldwork Request Validation
A fieldwork request will be rejected if:
 The Supplier is not registered to the Meter Point. This validation is waived if the Supplier is an Old Supplier and is requesting a special read.
 The Fieldwork is of a type that cannot be requested by a Supplier (see section 2.1.2).
 A de-energisation is requested for a domestic Meter Point. Where a customer requires de-energisation then the customer should apply directly to NIE T&D. Refer
to MG NI 111 Customer Interfaces
 The request duplicates an existing request that is in progress
 Request required date is more than 40 days in the future
 A change of metering configuration is requested where a Change of Supplier registration request has been received and is pending completion 3. Where the
registration request is a first CoS from NIE Supply, fieldwork requested by NIE Supply will not be trapped by the validation.
 A metering configuration is requested that may not be requested by the Supplier (see section 2.1.3)
 A metering configuration is requested that is incompatible with the connection characteristics (e.g. MIC) of the Meter Point. In this case the Supplier may be
advised to request a configuration that meets both the Supplier tariff arrangements and NIE UoS tariff requirements.
 .
 A change of metering configuration is requested and there has been a previous change of metering configuration in the past twelve months. The Supplier may apply
for the change request to be accepted on the basis of a material change in the recorded pattern of demand or the type or hours of business undertaken, or a change of
tenancy.
 A change of metering configuration or an energisation is requested and the Supplier has not indicated that a Supply Agreement 4 exists with the customer. Where the
Supplier has an agency agreement then for MV and LV connected customers this must include a clause to cover customer acceptance of NIE T&D Connection
Conditions.
 For keypad metering a tariff configuration is requested that cannot be requested by the Supplier. Tariff configuration codes that are permitted for use will be agreed
between NIE T&D and each Supplier.
3
4
De-energisation requests for safety reasons should be manually communicated to NIE T&D where a Change of Supplier is pending
A Supply Agreement includes supply by NIE Supply in accordance with a Special Agreement or the Public Electricity Supply Code.
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Retail Market Procedure NI 103 – Fieldwork
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

2.1.5
For keypad metering a tariff configuration is requested that is inconsistent with a change of metering configuration
For keypad metering a tariff configuration is requested that is associated with an unrestricted UoS tariff
A change of keypad meter configuration is requested but the required meter configuration is the same as the current meter configuration.
Fieldwork Charges
The following table indicates the items of non-domestic fieldwork for which standard charges will be proposed.
Code
M02
M03
Description
Test Meter Accuracy
Investigate Physical Metering
M04
Change of Meter Configuration (to HH
Metering and Communications)
New Connection
De-energise (other than non-payment)
De-energise (for non-payment)
Re-energise (other than non-payment)
Re-energise (for non-payment)
Special reading
Special reading (dispute)
Revenue protection activities
Change to MIC
N01
D01
D02
E01
E02
S02
S04
Comments
Includes check meter installation
Includes meter faults, damage and
other problems
Includes Change of Supplier
Includes Change of Supplier
Includes Change of Supplier
Refer to MP NI 108
Chargeable
If Supplier requested, chargeable to Supplier if no problems are found
If Supplier requested, chargeable to Supplier if no problems are found
To Supplier in all cases
HH metering chargeable to Supplier
If Supplier requested, chargeable to Supplier
To Supplier in all cases
If Supplier requested, including Change of Supplier, chargeable to Supplier
To Supplier in all cases
If Supplier requested, chargeable to Supplier
If Supplier requested, chargeable to Supplier if no problems are found
Refer to Revenue Protection Code of Practice
HH metering chargeable to Supplier
The following table indicates the items of domestic fieldwork for which standard charges will be proposed.
Code
K03
Description
Investigate Keypad Metering
K06
M02
M03
Change from credit to keypad meter
(forced)
Test Meter Accuracy
Investigate Physical Metering
S02
Special reading
S04
Special reading (dispute)
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Comments
Includes meter faults, damage and
other problems
Debt management, no appointment
Chargeable
If Supplier requested, chargeable to Supplier if no problems are found
Includes check meter installation
Includes meter faults, damage and
other problems
If Supplier requested, chargeable to Supplier if no problems are found
If Supplier requested, chargeable to Supplier if no problems are found
To Supplier in all cases
If Supplier requested, chargeable to Supplier excluding annual reads where
valid CSSN codes are held by NIE T&D
If Supplier requested, chargeable to Supplier if no problems are found
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Retail Market Procedure NI 103 – Fieldwork
Revenue protection activities
Refer to Revenue Protection Code of Practice
Where fieldwork is chargeable to the Supplier on a transaction basis then:
 Charges will be levied as ‘ad-hoc’ items on a monthly basis through the UoS Bill
 Standard charges assume a single site visit
 Charges will be based on a published list of standard charges except in cases where special conditions occur in which cases charges will be agreed with the Supplier
in advance of work completion. Special conditions giving rise to non-standard charges are normally not known until the first visit has been made and include:
o HH communications are required that are not covered by the standard charges
o Special equipment is required
o Access cannot be obtained to the metering installation
o Repeated visits are required for reasons outside of NIE T&D control. These reasons include safety of the customers installation or property, inability to
obtain access, delays caused by third parties working at the customer site, requirements for special equipment
o Non standard metering configurations
 Charges will be levied:
o When the work is completed
o When NIE T&D attend the site but cannot complete the work for reasons outside of NIE T&D control
o When the customer or their authorised agent fails to keep an appointment arranged between NIE T&D and the customer or their authorised agent.
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Retail Market Procedure NI 103 – Fieldwork
2.2
Fieldwork Cancellation
Supplier
FIELDWORK – 2. Fieldwork Cancellation
Request
Cancellation
Receive
Rejection
NIE T&D
N031
Status = “W”
Validate
Request
Valid
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Invalid,
Despatched
Or Complete
Receive
Cancellation
N131
Status = “X”
Advise
Rejection
Advise
Cancellation
End
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Retail Market Procedure NI 103 – Fieldwork
2.2.1
Step
Fieldwork Cancellation Activities
Role
Action
Supplier
A Supplier may request cancellation of fieldwork by sending a fieldwork request message to NIE T&D.
NIE T&D
NIE T&D will validate the cancellation request and will reject it if:
 Fieldwork has been completed
 Fieldwork has been despatched and despite reasonable endeavours cannot be recalled
 Cancellation request cannot be matched to a fieldwork request made by the Supplier
Interface
N031 to NIE MRS
If accepted NIE T&D will acknowledge the cancellation of the fieldwork to the Supplier.
N131 to Supplier
If the request is rejected because the MPRN is not found, is not energised or de-energised or the request cannot be matched
to an outstanding fieldwork request made by the Supplier then NIE T&D will inform the Supplier of the rejection through
a market message.
N131 to Supplier
If the request is rejected for other reasons than those above then NIE T&D will manually inform the Supplier by e-mail to
a nominated address of the rejection of the cancellation request to the Supplier together with the reason(s).
E-mail to Supplier
NIE T&D may cancel requests in certain circumstances including:
 A Change of Supplier is completed and the New Supplier does not wish to proceed with work requested by an old
Supplier
 Revenue Protection issues
 Safety issues
 Customer actions, or those or their authorised agent, prevent completion, including the failure to arrange an
appointment by the required date
 Failure by the customer or their authorised agent to keep an appointment
If NIE T&D initiates a cancellation it will acknowledge the cancellation of the fieldwork to the Supplier.
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N131 to Supplier
Retail Market Procedure NI 103 – Fieldwork
2.3
Fieldwork Completion
Supplier
FIELDWORK – 3. Fieldwork Completion
Receive
Advice of
Delay
Receive
Advice of Non
-Completion
Receive
Completion
Advice
Call Centre
Update
Keypad
Tx. System
Keypad
Installation,
Advise
on-site change
Nonand removal
Completion
dialogue
NIE T&D
Advise
Reasons for
Delay
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Delay?
N331
(HH meter)
Advise
Completion
Tariff
Change?
Yes
MP 106
UoS Billing
No
Yes
1
N131
Status = “C”
No
Perform
Fieldwork
Fieldwork
Complete?
Yes
NHH Reads
Obtained?
Yes
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MP 104
NHH
Readings
Retail Market Procedure NI 103 – Fieldwork
2.3.1
Step
Fieldwork Completion Activities
Role
NIE T&D
Action
Interface
For Supplier initiated fieldwork, NIE T&D will manually inform the Supplier by e-mail to a nominated address if the
fieldwork cannot be completed or if completion will be delayed for any reason.
Reasons for delay or non-completion may include:
 A Connection Agreement has not been concluded
 Customer or their authorised agent fails to contact NIE T&D to arrange an appointment
 Failure to keep an appointment by NIE T&D
 Failure to keep an appointment by the Customer or their authorised agent
 Outage is required for completion – not permitted by customer or their authorised agent
 Work not permitted by customer or their authorised agent
 Failure to obtain access to the customers metering or property
 Equipment was required that was not carried by the NIE T&D personnel attending the site
 Non-standard equipment was required to complete the work
 Safety or wiring issues; a list of these issues will be provided to the responsible person on site
 Delays caused by third parties, such as providers of telecommunication services or other contractors
 Inconsistencies between the fieldwork request and the connection characteristics or connection agreement are
discovered.
Fieldwork will be completed in accordance with applicable codes of Practice including:
 De-energisation Code of Practice
 Revenue Protection Code of Practice
Keypad Meter
When fieldwork is performed to install, remove or change a keypad meter, NIE T&D field staff will contact the NIE T&D
Call Centre from the customer premise in order that the new meter configuration and supplier tariff is set-up for the new
Supplier on the keypad transaction system.
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E-mail to Supplier
Retail Market Procedure NI 103 – Fieldwork
Step
Role
Action
Interface
When, as a result of a meter or switching fault, a transaction is executed to switch from tele-switching to clock-switching5
(or vice-versa) a site visit may be arranged (e.g. to remove the tele-switch).
For keypad meter installations NIE T&D field staff will provide the new Premise Number Card to the customer.
For keypad meter removals only NIE T&D will provide a report of credit remaining on the meter to the Supplier. For
keypad meter replacements, credit will be transferred to the new meter
Report to Supplier
Whenever there is a change to, of or from a keypad meter configuration, NIE T&D will check that data in the key-pad
transaction system is consistent with that held by NIE T&D in the market systems and take corrective action where this is
not the case.
Please refer to MP NI 104 Readings Processing for details of keypad meter readings processing and keypad meter
configuration changes transacted by NIE T&D.
NIE T&D
Following completion, NIE T&D will provide a completion response to the Supplier when fieldwork has been requested
using message N031.
N131 to Supplier
N122 to Supplier
Where fieldwork is for the permanent removal of supply then the Supplier will be de-registered from the date that the
supply is removed.
Irrespective of how fieldwork is initiated, NIE T&D will inform Suppliers of all changes to meter configurations,
energisation status or UoS Tariff.
5
NIE T&D will use message N131 to advise Suppliers of all changes to an energisation status excepting new connection
energisations.
N131 to Supplier
Where an HH metering installation is completed or updated then message N331 is used. In cases where HH interval data
is collected this will be handled through procedure MP NI 105 HH Data Processing.
N331 to Supplier
Where NHH meter readings are collected, including those from a keypad meter, then messages N300S, N306, N307 or
N332 as appropriate to the request will be used. This is covered in more detail by MP NI 104, NHH Readings Processing.
N300S, N306, N307 or
N332 to Supplier
Control transactions to switch from teleswitching to clock-switching can be executed via the NIE &D Call Centre
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Retail Market Procedure NI 103 – Fieldwork
Step
Role
Action
Interface
If for any reason it is not possible to collect an actual reading on meter removal or de-energisation then readings will be
estimated in accordance with MP NI 104.
Where relevant, NIE T&D will update the UoS Tariff applicable to the Meter Point in accordance with any changes to the
metering configuration or other connection characteristics. This is covered in more detail in Market Guide MG NI 106
UoS Billing.
Wherever fieldwork is performed to install, exchange or remove a metering configuration, it will be an NIE T&D
responsibility to ensure that the following data is consistently maintained:
 Meter data used in meter reading
 The meter configuration in the keypad transaction service, including the tariff configuration requested by the Supplier
 The meter configuration used in UoS billing, registration and data aggregation for settlement
 The installed on-site metering
It is a supplier responsibility to ensure that meter configuration data is consistent with their customer billing arrangements
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