Does this sound like a standard Economy 7 setup - or has it been
bodged/tampered with?

It does sound like its been tampered with - possibly connected to the
24 hour distribution board to bypass the timer.

Methods of providing load-switching varies between suppliers, and not
every supplier will provide load switching devices - some may simply
provide a low rated switch-wire to enable a contactor to be brought in to
supply the off-peak heaters. The entire house will be on "low" rate
during off-peak periods, not just the heaters.

I have a tariff called "option 14" which costs more per day standing
charge, but I get 14 hours at a lower rate. Rather than have a contactor
installed (and with having the intention of getting gas CH installed), we
use standard portable oil filled electric radiators, and do the load
switching ourselves using cheap plug-in timers.

This had the meter fixer foxed - he was under the impression you *had* to
have a contactor installed - in the end, I made a quick call to one of
our shift lads (for the same electric co.) who put him straight ;-)

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