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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:
- Billing and 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 where the wrong supply point is switched, something that can cause costly disruptions.
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): Shows how your meter records usage, particularly if it varies by time of day.
- Line loss factor (LLF): Represents the expected energy loss between the distribution network and your premises, which can influence 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. For businesses, understanding your profile class helps determine which tariff or meter setup is appropriate.
Here’s how the main MPAN profile classes work:
- 01 Domestic single rate. Standard tariff for households with consistent usage throughout the day.
- 02 Domestic multi-rate. Used for homes on tariffs like Economy 7, where electricity costs vary by time of use.
- 00 Half hourly meter (HH). Used for large business electricity supplies where usage is recorded every 30 minutes for precise billing.
- 03 Single rate business meter. Suitable for businesses with steady electricity use throughout the day.
- 04 Multi-rate business electricity meter. Ideal for businesses that benefit from day and night usage rates.
- 05 to 08 Advanced business meters. Typically used for larger or more complex commercial setups. These may still be billed non-half hourly but can be eligible for upgrades.
Most business sites fall under profile classes 03 to 08. If your energy usage has changed or your setup has been upgraded, it’s worth checking whether your current profile class still reflects how your business operates.
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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