Key Information

What is a Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN)?

A Meter Point Administration Number also known as MPAN, Supply Number or S-Number is a 21 digit reference, to uniquely identify electricity supply points, such as individual domestic residences. Although the name suggests that an MPAN refers to a particular meter, an MPAN can have several meters associated with it.

Structure

An MPAN is commonly separated into two sections, the core and the supplementary data. The core is the final 13 digits and is the unique identifier. The supplementary data gives you information about the type of supply, and the power connection - line loss factor etc.

It is commonly depicted on electricity bills thus (the boxes on the top and bottom line are generally unaligned):

S 01 800 001  
11 1626 8118 007

Number Key

S Profile Meter Time Switch Line Loss Factor  
Distributor ID Unique Identifier Unique Identifier Check Digit


The core data is on the second line, the supplementary data on the first.

Profile Types

The first two digits of a full MPAN reflect its profile type. These range from 00 to 08 and are broadly separated into two categories, Half-Hourly (HH) and Non-Half-Hourly (NHH) . These terms are a reference to the availability capacity of the supply in kVA. An 00 profile is half-hourly and this means that in a particular half-hour period it can use 100 kVa or more. The supply must consume more than 100kVa for at least half-hour in at least three quarters of a year. If the supply consecutively draws this much energy, the installation of a Half-Hourly meter is mandatory. All of this data is recorded by the meter and will be collected usually be either an onsite download, or via a telephone line. The other profiles are non-half-hourly and generally, though not always, use less than 100 kWh in a half-hour period. Domestic supplies will always be either 01 or 02 profile types.


The load factor refers to the percentage of the available capacity that the supply is importing through the meter.

Meter Time Switch Code (MTC)

The Meter Time Switch Code indicates how many registers (set of meter reads or dials) your electricity meter has and what times they will operate during the day. The Meter Time Switch Code will show if your meter has two registers, one which records day consumption, the other night.

Line Loss Factor (LLF)

The Line Loss Factor code stipulates the expected costs the distribution company will charge the supplier for using the cables and network in your region. This Line Loss Factor code will also indicate to the electricity supplier the potential charges incurred, due to loss of energy incurred whilst getting the electricity supplier to your meter.

Distributor IDs

Distribution Network
ID Name Operator MPAS Operator Identifier
10 Eastern England EDF Energy EELC
11 East Midlands Electricity Central Networks EMEB
12 London Electricity EDF Energy LOND
13 Northern Wales ScottishPower MANW
14 West Midlands Central Networks MIDE
15 North Eastern England CE Electric NEEB
16 North Western England United Utilities NORW
17 Northern Scotland Scottish & Southern Energy HYDE
18 Southern Scotland ScottishPower SPOW
19 South Eastern England EDF Energy SEEB
20 Southern England Scottish & Southern Energy SOUT
21 Southern Wales Western Power Distribution SWAE
22 South Western England Western Power Distribution SWEB
23 Yorkshire CE Electric YELG

 

The whole of the UK is split up into many areas where one single company the Distribution Network Operator has the license to distribute electricity in that area. They effectively carry electricity from the National Grid to the exit point (each has a unique MPAN and a possibility of several meters) where the customers are. The owner of the distribution network charges electricity suppliers for carrying the electricity in their network. They regions are based geographically on the old, nationalised electricity board areas.

Core

The MPAN core is the final 13 digits of the MPAN, and uniquely identifies a supply. It consists of the 2 digit Distributor ID followed by 8 digits followed by a check digit.