Bypassing main fuse. Anyone else seen this?

simpson93 · Oct 3, 2018

Evening all,

I was doing an eicr in a flat today, it came to checking the main service fuse.
Fuse pulled I proceeded to undo the case to check the amperage and was a little shocked with seeing a metal bar essentially bypassing the fuse(pics attached).
After a little thought I guess there is another fuse down below removing the need for a second fuse.

Anyone else seen this before and know the name of the part used? Or is this a one off

[ElectriciansForums.net] Bypassing main fuse. Anyone else seen this?

Octopus · Oct 3, 2018

That’s not bypassing the fuse ....

westward10 · Oct 3, 2018

That is a Redlink it is a link not a fuse.

simpson93 · Oct 3, 2018

Rightio, first time I’ve seen one used.

Common practice then?

westward10 · Oct 3, 2018

westward10 · Oct 3, 2018

Is it in a block of flats.

GMES · Oct 3, 2018

westward10 said:
Is it in a block of flats.

No it's in his hand, keep up Westy

westward10 · Oct 3, 2018

GMES said:
No it's in his hand, keep up Westy

Gonna report you if you send this highly informative thread off course

GMES · Oct 3, 2018

westward10 said:
Gonna report you if you send this highly informative thread off course

Sorry Sir, you're right Sir, won't happen again Sir, promise Sir

rolyberkin · Oct 3, 2018

Is it common practice or required now to pull the main fuse on an eicr or am I doing it all wrong again!?

Richard Burns · Oct 4, 2018

For any standard electrical work including EICRs: It should not be common practice, it is not required, it is illegal, it is dangerous, to pull the fuse.
In this case luckily he has not pulled the fuse as it is just a link!
Just as dangerous though.
Where there are two service heads in series on the single supply it is redundant to have a second fuse so a link is used instead at the downstream service head.

davesparks · Oct 4, 2018

simpson93 said:
Evening all,

I was doing an eicr in a flat today, it came to checking the main service fuse.
Fuse pulled I proceeded to undo the case to check the amperage and was a little shocked with seeing a metal bar essentially bypassing the fuse(pics attached).
After a little thought I guess there is another fuse down below removing the need for a second fuse.

Anyone else seen this before and know the name of the part used? Or is this a one off

Oh dear oh dear.

So you’re a DIYer carrying out an eicr and you don’t even know what a red cutout link is???

Clearly you are not competent to carry out an EICR if you don’t know something as basic as this! If you don’t even know the difference between a fuse and a disconnect link do you know the difference between left and right?

Midwest · Oct 4, 2018

I’ve never seen one before, but don’t do work in flats, EICR’s and I’ve lived a sheltered life.

telectrix · Oct 4, 2018

davesparks said:
Oh dear oh dear.

So you’re a DIYer carrying out an eicr and you don’t even know what a red cutout link is???

Clearly you are not competent to carry out an EICR if you don’t know something as basic as this! If you don’t even know the difference between a fuse and a disconnect link do you know the difference between left and right?

diplomatic as ever, dave.

.

Midwest · Oct 4, 2018

telectrix said:
diplomatic as ever, dave. .

davesparks would never makes it the diplomatic corp.

Edit that said he might prove useful in forthcoming discussions with the Russkies

telectrix · Oct 4, 2018

maybe we could get him elected as our Brexit representative. that'll sort them europe federalists out.

rolyberkin · Oct 5, 2018

Richard Burns said:
For any standard electrical work including EICRs: It should not be common practice, it is not required, it is illegal, it is dangerous, to pull the fuse.
In this case luckily he has not pulled the fuse as it is just a link!
Just as dangerous though.
Where there are two service heads in series on the single supply it is redundant to have a second fuse so a link is used instead at the downstream service head.

Just in case.................I was joking!

Richard Burns · Oct 5, 2018

I kind of hoped you were!
Not really your level at which to fail.
I was just confirming your point categorically.

oracle · Oct 6, 2018

I've found 200 Amp fuse in the suppliers fuse holder in a domestic installation. Probably followed the logic of if a fuse blows fit a bigger one. Since both the EIC and EICR require one to state the type and rating of the fuse, how can you be sure it is as expected, without removing and opening the fuse holder ?

stevels4 · Oct 6, 2018

But it was only a fuse I put back and it was fine when I left.

Midwest · Oct 6, 2018

stevels4 said:
But it was only a fuse I put back and it was fine when I left.

Arrgh just pull the fuse and put the seal back in afterwards, and then crink it a bit. No one will notice.

Percyprod · Oct 6, 2018

DNOs must vary on this. ENWL do not allow interference with main fuse by private electricians. Seals are there for a purpose
You are not authorised to work in the incoming mains, it is not part of the installation, and is not covered by BS 6761. You did of course re-seal it afterwards, and wore the correct ppe and worked to the relavent code of practice as issued by the DNO? Again it's a big joke to interfere with the supply equipment, but look out anyone who does a bit of wiring when they're not qualified. I suppose next you'll be in the sub-station checking the lv board out.

ferg · Oct 6, 2018

SSE allow us to pull the fuse.
If a customer phones for an isolator they tell them to get an electrician to do it.

The idea of not being able to islolate the supply is utter bollox.

Deleted account · Oct 7, 2018

Percyprod said:
DNOs must vary on this. ENWL do not allow interference with main fuse by private electricians. Seals are there for a purpose
You are not authorised to work in the incoming mains, it is not part of the installation, and is not covered by BS 6761. You did of course re-seal it afterwards, and wore the correct ppe and worked to the relavent code of practice as issued by the DNO? Again it's a big joke to interfere with the supply equipment, but look out anyone who does a bit of wiring when they're not qualified. I suppose next you'll be in the sub-station checking the lv board out.

Bs6761 ?

Percyprod · Oct 7, 2018

BS7671. Just testing, glad you're paying attention.

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Octopus

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davesparks

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