16mm tails with 100A fuse ???

[Wilko]

Job today to change out old fusebox and I'd noted the 16mm tails but on pulling the fuse this morning it was 100A which I wasn't expecting. Fairly recent new smart meter installed by XYZ who are also the DNO ... Shouldn't the fuse be limited to 60A in this case? Thoughts and advice appreciated

 

[Wilko]

Here's a pic of the lovely fuse box that was taken out for this job. Wylex plastic front and a wooden back box. The internals look like new

 

[Ian1981]

Here's a pic of the lovely fuse box that was taken out for this job. Wylex plastic front and a wooden back box. The internals look like new

View attachment 37862

Look at that screwdriver, never seen a day's work

 

[Wilko]

Look at that screwdriver, never seen a day's work

Much like its operator

 

[Octopus]

Here's a pic of the lovely fuse box that was taken out for this job. Wylex plastic front and a wooden back box. The internals look like new

View attachment 37862

Decent kit that .......... never find a loose connection.............. bit tricky getting 16mm GY in to the CPC bar!

 

[Rpa07]

Here's a pic of the lovely fuse box that was taken out for this job. Wylex plastic front and a wooden back box. The internals look like new

View attachment 37862

I'll bet @Dave OCD had a little dribble at those photos, though the screwdriver the other way up in photo 3 probably had him jumping up and down

 

[telectrix]

which just goes to prove that a well manufactured CU coupled with competent installation, lasts for years with no problems. now we have to fit metal boxes because neither of the above criteria apply today in a lot of cases.

 

[Dave OCD]

Now then Wilko why take all the time to carefully reassemble that old Wylex and take pictures, I reckon you're going to flog and install that somewhere else.
It's interesting that the internals had changed to single screw neutral block terminals, I thought that was well after wooden backs had been superceded on those boards. Maybe it's had a transplant in the past.

 

[Dave OCD]

which just goes to prove that a well manufactured CU coupled with competent installation, lasts for years with no problems. now we have to fit metal boxes because neither of the above criteria apply today in a lot of cases.

Very true Tel, do you remember the Wylex 'Extenso' units, I've taken a few out. They had no main switch just a couple of fuseways & neutral/earth bars. You'd supply it from the end of the busbar on the original [full] Wylex which had screw terminals on the feed side of the last fuse carrier, I liked how you could also remove the thinned out front of the fuse cover on Wylex boards when retrofitting plug in MCBs due to the increased depth although some didn't realise from the amount I've seen left off in cupboards.

 

[Octopus]

which just goes to prove that a well manufactured CU coupled with competent installation, lasts for years with no problems. now we have to fit metal boxes because neither of the above criteria apply today in a lot of cases.

I made this point to the Chairman of BEAMA when the metal CU's were forced on us ........... he didn't agree that wrapping carp in metal didn't make them much safer ..

 

[7029 dave]

I am finding this thread interesting.

 

[Octopus]

I am finding this thread interesting.

In what respect? The difficulty engaging with the DNO's? The contradictory opinions?

What would you do?

Personally I would leave the 16mm tails in place if I was happy the maximum load was well below 87A

 

[DPG]

I am also finding this thread interesting.

 

[7029 dave]

In what respect? The difficulty engaging with the DNO's? The contradictory opinions?

What would you do?

Personally I would leave the 16mm tails in place if I was happy the maximum load was well below 87A

I can tell you working for a supplier, we see loads of installations with 100amp cutout, 16mm tails on both customers side and at cut, firstly we are not allowed to down grade or even up grade DNO fuses, that is down to them and only them can make that call. If the cut out has 16mm tails on 100amp service fuse, I will replace, can not change customers tails. (just advice them) I will change out any Ali tails. I do agree with your last statement not many domestic properties are going to pull anything like 87 amps.

 

[David M]

Here's a pic of the lovely fuse box that was taken out for this job. Wylex plastic front and a wooden back box. The internals look like new

View attachment 37862

That's just showing off, is the screw driver there for show or did you use it to disconnect?
You are too particular! I'm lazy these days, I normally just snip off the cables at the point they terminate or if I'm full of energy, get the battery drill out set on high speed with a flat screw driver bit

 

[David M]

why not just bung in a 60A KMF between meter and CU. this will make up for the short tails and also give a point of isolation independent of the DNO fuse.

Sounds the best Idea!, since I think it was mentioned that the tails ran up the cavity and over a door way?