30-Second Overview
Understanding your electricity DG Code (Distribution Use of System) and MCC Code (Meter Configuration Code) is essential to accessing the right business electricity tariffs.
- DG defines your billing group (domestic or commercial).
- MCC determines the meter-specific plans that you are eligible for (e.g., NightSaver, smart meters).
⚡ If you have a new connection and require a supplier to have the meter energised, contact our team by clicking he buttons below. We have every suppliers lowest rates and in most cases, we can even bypass supplier security deposits where there is no billing track record 👇
What are Electricity DUoS Codes (DG Codes)?
DUoS, stands for Distribution Use of System and forms the basis of what ESB Networks charges electricity suppliers for the use of the local electricity distribution system. The distribution system consists of power lines, transformers, and sub-stations that bring electricity from electricity generation plants to the end user. The infrastructure needs to be built and maintained by ESB Networks.
Your electricity supplier must pass DUoS costs onto you, whether as part of a bundled price plan or separately, if you are billed for energy and non-energy charges as individual line items on your bill. The cost of the electricity grid is recouped on your electricity bill. Your electricity supplier is effectively a collection agent and passes the money to ESB Networks.
The amount of DUoS that ESB Networks charges electricity suppliers for each customer depends on the DUoS Group for the meter being supplied. This, in turn, is based on several factors, including the connection voltage, the type of meter installed, and whether electricity is exported.
DUoS Codes Explained
| DUoS Group Name | Description |
|---|---|
| DG1 | Urban Domestic Customers |
| DG2 | Rural Domestic Customers |
| DG3 | Unmetered Public Lighting |
| DG4 | Other Unmetered Connections |
| DG5 | Low Voltage Non-Domestic Non-MD Customers |
| DG5A | Low Voltage Non-Domestic Non-MD Autoproducers (Exporters) |
| DG5B | Low Voltage Non-Domestic Non-MD Autoproducers (Importers) |
| DG6 | Low Voltage Non-Domestic MD Customers |
| DG6A | Low Voltage Non-Domestic MD Autoproducers (Exporters) |
| DG6B | Low Voltage Non-Domestic MD Autoproducers (Importers) |
| DG7 | Medium Voltage MD Customers |
| DG7A | Medium Voltage MD Autoproducers (Exporters) |
| DG7B | Medium Voltage MD Autoproducers (Importers) |
| DG8 | 38kV MD Looped Customers |
| DG8A | 38kV MD Looped Autoproducers (Exporters) |
| DG8B | 38kV MD Looped Autoproducers (Importers) |
| DG9 | 38kV MD Tailed Customers |
| DG9A | 38kV MD Tailed Autoproducers (Exporters) |
| DG9B | 38kV MD Tailed Autoproducers (Importers) |
| DG10 | 110kV MD Customers |
| TCON | Connected to the Electricity Transmission System |
Understanding your DG code and MCC code is just the start of your journey. You must then pick a supplier and make sure that you are not overpaying for electricity. That's where Utilityfair's energy experts can help.
👉 Fill out our enquiry form, click the link below or call 01 547 0999 to speak with a Utilityfair energy expert for advice and a full price comparison across all suppliers in minutes.
What are Electricity MCC Codes (Meter Configuration Codes)?
MCC stands for Meter Configuration Code. It is a code that describes the type of electricity meter installed and the time-of-use tariff available. For example, the simplest form of meter is a 24-hour meter where the unit price is the same regardless of when energy is used. The next step up is a nightsaver meter, which records daytime usage (8am to 11pm) and nighttime usage (11pm to 8am) separately. Nighttime electricity rates are lower, but this is compensated for with a higher daytime electricity rate. For larger energy users, quarter-hour meters are installed. Quarter-hour electricity meters transmit usage to ESB in 15-minute intervals. These larger meters often have summer rates, winter rates, peak rates, weekend rates and night rates. The table below shows all of the MCC codes. If you have any questions, please reach out to our energy team.
MCC Codes Explained
| MCC | Description |
|---|---|
| MCC01 | 24 Hour |
| MCC02 | NightSaver |
| MCC03 | 24 Hour + Night Storage Heating |
| MCC04 | NightSaver + Wattless |
| MCC05 | Day + Night + Peak Maximum Demand Meter |
| MCC06 | Day + Night + Peak Maximum Demand Meter |
| MCC07 | 24 Hour + Night Storage Heating + Wattless |
| MCC08 | 24 Hour + Wattless |
| MCC09 | Unmetered supply - No registers |
| MCC10 | Quarter Hour Meter |
| MCC11 | Quarter Hour Import & Export Meter |
| MCC12 | Smart Meter |
| MCC16 | Smart Meter |
| MCC50 | Non Standard |
| MCC51 | NightSaver + Night Storage Heating |
| MCC53 | 32x NightSaver |
| MCC57 | 24 Hour + Day Meter |
| MCC58 | 24 Hour + NightSaver |
| MCC59 | 24 Hour + NightSaver + Wattless |
| MCC60 | 24 Hour + NightSaver + Night Storage Heating |
| MCC61 | 2x 24 Hour |
| MCC62 | 2x 24 Hour + Night Storage Heating |
| MCC63 | 2x 24 Hour + Day Meter |
| MCC64 | 2x 24 Hour + Wattless |
| MCC65 | 3x 24 Hour |
| MCC66 | 3x 24 Hour + Night |
| MCC67 | 3x 24 Hour + Day |
| MCC70 | 3x 24 Hour + Night Storage Heating |
| MCC71 | 4x 24 Hour |
| MCC72 | 3x 24 Hour + Wattless |
| MCC73 | 4x 24 Hour + Night Storage Heating |
| MCC74 | 5x 24 Hour |
| MCC75 | 24 Hour + 2x Night Storage Heating |
| MCC76 | 4x 24 Hour + Wattless |
| MCC77 | 2x 24 Hour + Wattless + Night Storage Heating |
| MCC78 | 3x 24 Hour + Wattless + Night Storage Heating |
| MCC79 | 5x 24 Hour +Night Storage Heating |
Understanding your DG code and MCC code is just the start of your journey. You must then pick a supplier and make sure that you are not overpaying for electricity. That's where Utilityfair's energy experts can help.
👉 Fill out our enquiry form, click the link below or call 01 547 0999 to speak with a Utilityfair energy expert and get a full price comparison across all suppliers in minutes.
Why DG & MCC Matter for Your Business?
The are different price plans available for the different meter categories. For example, 24-hour meters, nightsaver meters, smart electricity tariffs, etc. Regulatory charges also differ depending on the DG and MCC code.
- Tariff eligibility: Not all plans are available to all meters.
- Billing accuracy: Smart electricity meters (MCC12 or MCC16) offer more insight as to when electricity is being used.
- Cost-saving opportunities: Identifying your DG and MCC helps tailor energy usage and supplier offers.
Where to Find Your DG & MCC Codes?
Your DG and MCC code is printed on electricity bills. For a new connection, it will be listed in the ESB connection agreement. To find your business DG & MCC codes:
- Check your business electricity bill and look at the top right-hand corner of the first page. They are usually printed close to the MPRN. If you have a new connection, the DG and MCC code will be printed on the ESB connection agreement.
- If in doubt, phone ESB Networks, quote your MPRN and ask for your DG and MCC code.
How to Find the Cheapest Commercial Electricity Supplier?
The quickest and easiest way to pick a supplier to lower your business energy bills is to speak with Utilityfair's energy experts. Checking commercial electricity and gas rates with Utilityfair is completely free, only takes a few minutes and could save you thousands. We make the process easy by:
- Comparing all energy suppliers to find the best available rates tailored to your usage.
- Once you have chosen your preferred option, we instruct suppliers to move you to better rates, saving you time and hassle.
- Monitoring your new contract end date to make sure that you never roll into expensive variable rates.
- In a nutshell, we simplify energy contract management, so you can focus on running your business.
👉 Get Started Today!
Fill out our enquiry form, click the link below or call 01 547 0999 to speak with a Utilityfair energy expert and start saving
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A DG code (Distribution Use of System group) is a classification used by ESB Networks to determine how much it costs to deliver electricity to your premises. It reflects your connection type, meter type, voltage level and whether you export electricity. Suppliers use this code to calculate the correct network charges on your bill.
Your DG and MCC Codes are typically listed on your electricity bill close to where you MPRN is printed. If you have a new connection, ESB networks would be able to provide it for your MPRN number.
Your DG code identifies whether you are domestic, commercial, maximum demand, or unmetered. Understanding your DG group helps ensure you’re billed correctly and on the most suitable tariff. The DG code directly affects:
• The network charges you pay
• The types of business tariffs available
• Whether you qualify for MD (maximum demand) rates
An MCC code (Meter Configuration Code) describes the type of electricity meter installed at your premises. It defines which time-of-use tariffs you are eligible for, such as:
• 24-hour (MCC01)
• NightSaver (MCC02)
• Smart tariffs (MCC12, MCC16)
• Maximum demand meters (MCC05 / MCC06)
Knowing your DG and MCC codes ensures you can compare supplier quotes accurately and avoid overpaying. They affect:
• The tariff options available to you
• Whether you qualify for day/night/peak rates
• Network charges such as DUoS and capacity charges
• Eligibility for smart tariffs or maximum demand contracts
Both are commercial electricity meters. DG5 meters are the most common for SME's. DG6 meters are more common for the larger end of the SME market. Being correctly classified is important to avoid overpaying, as the charging structure is very different for DG5 and DG6 meters. DG5 meters pay a much lower daily standing charge but slightly higher unit prices.
• DG5: Low Voltage Non-Domestic Non-Maximum Demand customers (most SMEs).
• DG6: Low Voltage Non-Domestic Maximum Demand customers, typically larger energy users with 3-phase quarter-hour meters.
MCC01 is a 24 hour meter and MCC02 is a nightsaver meter. Businesses operating overnight machinery (e.g., refrigeration, manufacturing, baking, water heating) can save significantly on MCC02.
• MCC01 (24-Hour Meter): Same unit rate all day.
• MCC02 (NightSaver Meter): Separate day and night rates with cheaper night electricity.
Yes. Electricity smart meter tariffs require compatible MCC classifications (MCC12 or MCC16). DG groups also influence what network charges apply, which can affect the final unit rates of smart plans.
Both are electricity smart meter categorisations and mean that a smart meter tariff has been activated. There is usually a day rate, peak rates that applies between 5pm and 7pm, and a night rate.
Businesses should never be on DG1 or DG2. If they are, billing is incorrect.
• DG1: Urban Domestic
• DG2: Rural Domestic
• DG5 and DG6 groups: Commercial and industrial users.
• DG7: Commercial and industrial users.
Businesses that have solar panels installed will have the following DG codes:
• DG5A / DG5B
• DG6A / DG6B
• DG7A / DG7B
The A/B indicates whether the site exports or imports electricity.
Yes. Utilityfair compares all commercial electricity suppliers in Ireland. A free bill analysis takes only a few minutes and can save your business thousands annually. We ensure:
• Correct DG/MCC validation
• Access to the cheapest eligible tariff
• Avoidance of rollover or out-of-contract rates
• Full management of switching and renewals