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What is an MPAN number? A simple guide for businesses
Whether you’re switching energy suppliers or checking your business electricity bill, understanding your MPAN number is essential.
This guide explains what an MPAN is, where to find it, how to read it, and why it’s important for managing your business electricity supply.
What is an MPAN?
An MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) is a unique reference number used to identify the electricity supply at a specific address. Unlike your meter serial number, which relates to the device itself, the MPAN tracks your business electricity connection.
You might also hear it referred to as a Supply Number or S-Number, terms that describe how it’s displayed on your bill.
If you’re switching to a new business energy supplier, the MPAN is one of the key details they’ll need to take over your supply.
Business energy suppliers, network operators, and other entities involved in electricity distribution use it.
What is an MPAN number used for?
Your MPAN number is crucial for managing your electricity supply and ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. It supports a number of key functions for business customers:
- Tariffs and billing: All business energy tariffs specific a unique MPAN helping to avoid billing inaccuracies, or charge duplication.
- Supplier switching: The MPAN confirms which supply point to transfer when switching business energy suppliers, helping avoid mix-ups or delays.
- Meter identification: It links each meter to an individual property or unit, which is especially useful for multi-site businesses or shared buildings.
- Smart meter installations: Installers use your MPAN to make sure the correct supply is connected when fitting a new smart business energy meter.
- Energy data tracking: The MPAN is tied to usage data, helping you monitor business energy consumption more accurately.
Getting the MPAN right on your business energy contract helps avoid issues with billing or supply.
Mistakes can lead to incorrect business electricity prices or disruptions where wrong supply point is switched.
How to find your MPAN number
If you’re trying to locate your MPAN, there are a few easy ways to find it, even if you don’t have access to your meter.
On your electricity bill
The most reliable place to find your MPAN number is on your business electricity bill. It’s usually shown in a box labelled ‘Supply Number’, often near your account or meter details. It’s a 21-digit number split over two lines.
On your electricity meter
In some cases, the MPAN number is printed on a label attached to your business electricity meter. This is more common in older installations or where on-site labels are used to assist engineers.
From your energy supplier or DNO
If you can’t find your MPAN on your bill or meter, contact your business electricity supplier directly. Their customer service team can provide your MPAN using your account number or address.
Alternatively, your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) keeps a full record of local MPANs. If you’re not sure who your DNO is, use the Energy Networks Association’s online tool to find the right contact for your area.
How to read your MPAN number
Your MPAN number is split across two lines, the top line provides technical details about your electricity setup, while the bottom line is the core 13-digit number used to manage your supply.
MPAN top line explained
The top line of your MPAN includes technical codes that help your supplier and network operator understand how your electricity is used and charged. These include:
- Profile class: Indicates the general usage type, such as whether it’s a domestic or non-domestic supply. See below for what the different classes mean.
- Meter time-switch code (MTSC): Defines the different times which the meter measures consumption for dual-rate tariffs.
- Line loss factor (LLF): Represents the expected energy loss between the distribution network and your premises, which determines DUoS and TNUoS charges.
MPAN bottom line explained
The bottom line is the core 13-digit MPAN number. It identifies your actual electricity supply point and is used across the industry to ensure your supply is correctly billed and registered.
Here’s what each section means:
- Distributor ID (first 2 digits): Identifies your local Distribution Network Operator.
- Unique identifier (next 8 digits): This is the number that uniquely identifies your electricity supply point.
- Check digit (last 3 digits): A calculated value used to validate the rest of the MPAN. It helps prevent errors during data entry or supplier transfers.
MPAN profile classes explained
The profile class is shown in the first two digits of the MPAN top line. It indicates how electricity usage is measured and billed.
Here’s what the different MPAN profile classes mean:
- 00 Highly energy-intensive commercial properties – Typically industrial properties.
- 01 Domestic single rate – Standard tariff for households where rates do not vary by time of day.
- 02 Domestic multi-rate – Used for homes on tariffs like Economy 7, where electricity costs vary by time of use.
- 03 Single rate business meter – Commercial properties that pay a single rate per kWh of consumed electricity.
- 04 Multi-rate business electricity meter – Commercial properties that where electricity costs vary by the time of use.
- 05 to 08 Energy-intensive commercial properties – Properties with a Maximum Import Capacity exceeding 100 kVA and fitted with a half-hourly electricity meter.
MPAN – FAQs
Still have questions about your MPAN number? Our experts answer the most common questions about MPAN numbers.
Can I switch suppliers without my MPAN?
It’s best to locate your MPAN before switching to a new business energy supplier. You’ll usually find it on your electricity bill, or you can contact your current supplier to request it.
That said, if you don’t have your MPAN to hand, many business energy brokers, including our business electricity comparison service, can retrieve it for you using your company address and postcode. While this is helpful, providing the MPAN upfront helps avoid delays and reduces the risk of an erroneous transfer.
Is the MPAN the same as the meter serial number?
No, the MPAN and the meter serial number are two different things.
The MPAN identifies the electricity supply point, while the meter serial number refers to the physical meter installed at your premises. Both can appear on your bill, but they serve different purposes.
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