Isolation switch for rewire/new CU

Karl Atkins · Jun 7, 2018

Are we required to install an isolation switch between the meter and CU when completing a full rewire and/or CU upgrade, I think it's best practise, mate's/colleagues think unnecessary, customers don't like paying for it!

Opinions please

Taylortwocities · Jun 7, 2018

Not necessary. But you have to ask yourself how you will isolate the supply when making the change of consumer unit.
You would need to have the supply comany come to site to cut the seal and isolate the supply by removing the fuse in the cut-out.
So, best option is for the supply company (not "we") to supply an isolation switch.

buzzlightyear · Jun 7, 2018

Karl Atkins said:
Are we required to install an isolation switch between the meter and CU when completing a full rewire and/or CU upgrade, I think it's best practise, mate's/colleagues think unnecessary, customers don't like paying for it!

no is the answer ,by saying that the only people for putting I a isolator is the people who put smart meters in or the DNO just I case you want to up grade the cu or added loads so you don't have to get the fairy seals in .

Karl Atkins · Jun 7, 2018

Supply company require £60 +Vat to do it though and have a 2 to 3 week waiting list, as you say seems obvious to add in to me whilst doing the other work, not expensive either tbh.

Taylortwocities · Jun 7, 2018

buzzlightyear said:
so you don't have to get the fairy seals in

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[ElectriciansForums.net] Isolation switch for rewire/new CU

?

buzzlightyear · Jun 7, 2018

Karl Atkins said:
Supply company require £60 +Vat to do it though and have a 2 to 3 week waiting list,

for what? putting isolators in .

Karl Atkins · Jun 7, 2018

buzzlightyear said:
for what? putting isolators in .

Yeah that's what I was quoted recently. By DNO sorry not supplier.

buzzlightyear · Jun 7, 2018

Karl Atkins said:
Yeah that's what I was quoted recently

so why are you putting isolators be for the isolators ?

Karl Atkins · Jun 7, 2018

I'm not, I'm saying that if asked to do it they want to charge sixty quid fit doing it

Des 56 · Jun 7, 2018

Always found it puzzling yet amusing to read on a electricians forum, paying someone to install a item that is part of your skill set

How about,save money and fit it yourself, or save even more money,work live if its necessary and fit no isolation

buzzlightyear · Jun 7, 2018

Karl Atkins said:
I'm not, I'm saying that if asked to do it they want to charge sixty quid fit doing it

I remember a few year go ,some meters had a isolation switch build in them with out breaking the seals.

Karl Atkins · Jun 7, 2018

Des 56 said:
Always found it puzzling yet amusing to read on a electricians forum, paying someone to install a item that is part of your skill set

How about,save money and fit it yourself, or save even more money,work live if its necessary and fit no isolation

Read from the top buddy, that's exactly what I'm saying

Des 56 · Jun 7, 2018

Karl Atkins said:
Read from the top buddy, that's exactly what I'm saying

The post was not aimed at you or of any sort of personal nature,if it was personal or aimed at your posts I would have quoted the posts

It was my thoughts and opinion on a thread subject that has appeared many times buddy
Or rather appeared many times Karl

davesparks · Jun 7, 2018

Karl Atkins said:
Supply company require £60 +Vat to do it though and have a 2 to 3 week waiting list,

So pay them £60 and book it more than 3 weeks before you need it done, simples.

£60 sounds pretty cheap to me for a decent isolator and an hours labour (including travelling) plus the overheads that such a large company must have. I think if I was to price it up as a job I’d be a bit higher.

Deleted account · Jun 7, 2018

Karl Atkins said:
Supply company require £60 +Vat to do it though and have a 2 to 3 week waiting list, as you say seems obvious to add in to me whilst doing the other work, not expensive either tbh.

That's a fantastic price they charge £160 in Devon
.