Service Head

Tuttle · Jun 8, 2013

I don't think I've seen a service head like this before, I've only got the picture to go on at the moment and it's not that clear. I can't see a fuse anyway.

I'm assuming that what I can see in the picture is a cover that either opens or comes off and presumably has, or should have, a seal on it somewhere?

If this is the case then what sort of fuse / fuse holder would be used inside. Is there likely to be lots of exposed hazardous live parts under the cover?

Maybe if I could get a proper look it might be clearer to me, but at the moment I've only got the picture to go on.

Can anyone enlighten me please?

Darkwood · Jun 8, 2013

Looks like an old 3ph service head with only 1ph utilised .... why do you need to know about the fusing ... if its for a cert just put it in limitations as inaccessible.

Outspoken · Jun 8, 2013

I'm with DW on the fact that it is an old 400v 3 Phase service head. Now I do recall some of the old type, mid to late 1950's, did have fuses inside the head, but from memory they were more square. I would suggest you contact your DNO and inform them that you believe your installation has no service fuse installed and therefore is NOT LEGALLY COMPLIANT as it is legally required to be fused BEFORE the meter.

It is highly likely they will replace the head with a modern one, but this costs is their and not yours, do not be conned or fooled into coughing up any money here.

snowhead · Jun 8, 2013

It is a 3 ph head, note the Blue tape on the tail at the meter.
Fuses will be under the top cover, sealed (or not).

Unused phases should have blanks in.

Tuttle · Jun 8, 2013

I think the house is older than 1950, maybe around 1930's. It belongs to a relative who unfortunately lives quite a considerable distance away from me. They want their consumer unit replaced and I wanted to make sure that I will be able to get the supply safely isolated on the day.

Taylortwocities · Jun 8, 2013

Do not even think of trying to pull the fuses on that. Its old and fragile and a danger if disturbed.

Agree with the above. Get the DNO out to sort out the service head and see if they will install you an isolator at the same time (give the guy tea and chocolate Hobnobs).

driverman · Jun 8, 2013

As said above re 3 phase cut out....1 phase used. But could be a re-wirable fuse used. Ask DNO / supplier for an isolation switch and or a PMe terminal. Sometimes though a 3 phase cut out could of been used but on a 1 phase supply cable. I've been caught out before when I thought 3 phase available but in fact only 1 phase.

Tuttle · Jun 8, 2013

They had an isolator fitted not that long ago, knowing the guy who fitted it I suspect he did it live, he's an old boy and that's how he works.

Problem is, they've had kitchen fitters in since and they added a second CU for the kitchen. The new CU is connected via henley blocks before the isolator switch, so the switch only isolates one of the consumer units. Can't imagine why they thought that was a good idea. It would have been easier for them and everyone else concerned to connect after the switch. :mad2:

Engineer54 · Jun 8, 2013

driverman said:
As said above re 3 phase cut out....1 phase used. But could be a re-wirable fuse used. Ask DNO / supplier for an isolation switch and or a PMe terminal. Sometimes though a 3 phase cut out could of been used but on a 1 phase supply cable. I've been caught out before when I thought 3 phase available but in fact only 1 phase.

Why would you want to PME a perfectly good TN-S earth??

Unless they dig up the cable, you'll still end up with a new 3 phase service head, not that it matters a jot!!
As stated above this cut-outs heritage is closer to the 1930s than the 50's and as such will undoubtedly be of the ceramic/porcelain rewireable type fuse. It could even have a rewireable fused neutral too!! If it does have a ceramic fused neutral, then the DNO are duty bound to replace that service head under direct instruction of OFGEM (or whatever it's called now) They were deemed to be too hazardous for DNO personnel and it's contractors to safely work on. In fact they should have all been changed out prior to Sept 2011....

wr1ght · Jun 8, 2013

that will almost certainly have porcelain fuse carriers in

Engineer54 · Jun 8, 2013

Tuttle said:
They had an isolator fitted not that long ago, knowing the guy who fitted it I suspect he did it live, he's an old boy and that's how he works.

Problem is, they've had kitchen fitters in since and they added a second CU for the kitchen. The new CU is connected via henley blocks before the isolator switch, so the switch only isolates one of the consumer units. Can't imagine why they thought that was a good idea. It would have been easier for them and everyone else concerned to connect after the switch. :mad2:

No, it would have been far better to have exchanged the existing CU for one that could cater for any additional circuits the kitchen installation required. Installing a separate CU for a domestic kitchen is a nonsense!! But what you would expect from kitchen fitter Kev, that couldn't even do that properly....

Taylortwocities · Jun 8, 2013

Engineer54 said:
But what you would expect from kitchen fitter Kev, that couldn't even do that properly....

And we will see more of that stupidity now that kitchen electrics is outside the 'notification' regime:dots:

GLENNSPARK · Jun 8, 2013

Tuttle said:
View attachment 19282

I don't think I've seen a service head like this before, I've only got the picture to go on at the moment and it's not that clear. I can't see a fuse anyway.

I'm assuming that what I can see in the picture is a cover that either opens or comes off and presumably has, or should have, a seal on it somewhere?

If this is the case then what sort of fuse / fuse holder would be used inside. Is there likely to be lots of exposed hazardous live parts under the cover?

Maybe if I could get a proper look it might be clearer to me, but at the moment I've only got the picture to go on.

Can anyone enlighten me please?

its a `lucy`...3 phase head....
cast....

Tuttle · Jun 8, 2013

Thanks guys, it doesn't sound like something I want to be touching.

Not sure how to approach it with the DNO, I can't really complain that I can't see a fuse to pull. It might be easier if it was around here where SSE let us pull fuses, but it falls under Western Power Distribution and I guess they don't allow that. I assume these old service heads aren't dangerous if left alone?

GLENNSPARK · Jun 8, 2013

Tuttle said:
Thanks guys, it doesn't sound like something I want to be touching.

Not sure how to approach it with the DNO, I can't really complain that I can't see a fuse to pull. It might be easier if it was around here where SSE let us pull fuses, but it falls under Western Power Distribution and I guess they don't allow that. I assume these old service heads aren't dangerous if left alone?

they will most likely be 60A fuses...
rewireable pots...
dont ever attempt to pull em by hand....

Service Head

Tuttle

-

Darkwood

Outspoken

snowhead

-

Tuttle

-

Taylortwocities

-

driverman

-

Tuttle

-

Engineer54

wr1ght

Engineer54

Taylortwocities

-

GLENNSPARK

Tuttle

-

GLENNSPARK

Similar threads

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

YOUR Unread Posts