What in this old service head?

Aaron b · Jan 12, 2023

I had a look at a property with this old service head. It's a looped supply, the met is just a bolt and the tn-s earth is questionable. There's also a knockout missing on the side. I'll recommend the DNA are contacted to look it over.

I was wondering what the insides are like? If there's a convenient fuse to remove for example. I'm assuming it has a method of isolation as the meter Muppets were there in 2014.

littlespark · Jan 12, 2023

Looks wide enough to be a three phase head, but only one fuse used.

If there’s an open gap that can be poked in….. don’t poke in it!

Aaron b · Jan 12, 2023

Good advice but I can see the temptation, its about 25mm but I don't know if live parts are accessable.

I don't know how helpful ukpower are with such things.

littlespark · Jan 12, 2023

Tell ‘em it smells funny and smokes a bit.
They’ll come out.

buzzlightyear · Jan 12, 2023

littlespark said:
Tell ‘em it smells funny and smokes a bit.
They’ll come out.

Has he smokes a joint, wow the smell.

nicebutdim · Jan 12, 2023

littlespark said:
Tell ‘em it smells funny and smokes a bit.
They’ll come out.

Rather than resort to deception, the OP could simply state their concerns to the relevant DNO and allow them to determine whether or not any risk is present. It's likely that pointing out the presence of a hole of, approximately 25mm diameter, would raise sufficient concern that some further questions might be asked before any conclusion is reached.

Lucien Nunes · Jan 12, 2023

It's a standard single-phase BIC head that was part of a matching series of components including a CU in the same dimensions and finish. There's a BS1361 cartridge fuse in a ceramic carrier inside. If they take it off, I could use it, and would pay you to mail it to me, I have the matching CU but not the head.

The single bolt MET should have a pair of copper washers with interlocking side tabs. The correct way to terminate a cable was to form an eyelet with three strands one side and four the other, which would then be clasped between the tabs of the washers. A perfectly secure termination when used correctly.

Aaron b · Jan 12, 2023

Lucien Nunes said:
It's a standard single-phase BIC head that was part of a matching series of components including a CU in the same dimensions and finish. There's a BS1361 cartridge fuse in a ceramic carrier inside. If they take it off, I could use it, and would pay you to mail it to me, I have the matching CU but not the head.

The single bolt MET should have a pair of copper washers with interlocking side tabs. The correct way to terminate a cable was to form an eyelet with three strands one side and four the other, which would then be clasped between the tabs of the washers. A perfectly secure termination when used correctly.

Thanks for the information. I will ask for it if I have the opportunity and keep an eye out for anything similar.

I gave it a bit of a tighten but everything was moving and I didn't want to get too involved while not getting paid.

Lister1987 · Jan 12, 2023

I've got that connection in one of my books, I imagine it's not too dissimilar

Back page for reference if people want to look for copies of this old CITB series

westward10 · Jan 13, 2023

Claw washers not seen those for years used to have them in little cardboard boxes.

littlespark · Jan 13, 2023

I got that book somewhere. Came in a set of 4

Lister1987 · Jan 13, 2023

littlespark said:
I got that book somewhere. Came in a set of 4

I've got 1-3, was going to find 4 but decided against it and 5 wouldn't be relevent Would be interesting to get the lecturer notes and exercises

Lucien Nunes · Jan 13, 2023

Ah, I wasn't referring to claw terminals, also known by the brand name 'Collett,' which attach semi permanently to the end of the cable. I meant the pair of loose interlocking washers with two tabs, on opposite sides, which simply prevent the eyelets tied in the cables splaying out and escaping from between them.

Aaron b · Jan 17, 2023

This was the insides, ukpn wasn't interested in the tiny earth or upgrading it and just wacked in a plastic plug. The lid has a flange at the bottom that makes those bare conductors seem iffy for the unwary.

What in this old service head?

Aaron b

littlespark

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Aaron b

littlespark

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buzzlightyear

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nicebutdim

Lucien Nunes

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Aaron b

Lister1987

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westward10

littlespark

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Lister1987

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Lucien Nunes

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Aaron b

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