Am I at risk of disconnection?

[marshr02]

Opinions needed...past the halfway mark in a major house refurb. (for info: am qualified electrician - although it's not the day job - Part P handled via Building Control). Top half of house is still a building site, lower half of house is sort of okay, but rough round the edges. Rang up EDF to arrange temp disc of power, followed by reconnection later in day - to change CU over. Have a EIC to provide (labelled 'dead tests only') Suddenly thought that when bloke comes there will be clearly 1st fix cabling visible to upper storey. The intention is to 'add' these circuits in good time - well after the CU has been changed and EDF long gone (with proper testing). My question is first thing on the day concerned EDF could not only indicate they won't connect later on, but actually not allow me to back out of the disconnect. Hope that all makes sense....seal fairies not an option...

 

[DNS1]

EDF will basically turn up and remove the fuse, then put it back in later.

That's it.

They couldn't care less what's going on inside your property, that's all down to building control.

 

[marshr02]

I though they had a duty not to connect up to an unsafe installation - and are increasingly after EIC or Condition Reports before reconnecting to cover themselves?

 

[marshr02]

Perhaps what going on is they have to be seen formally to quote the documentation etc, but in real life they just do as you say....unless they turn up at a house with cables dangling down from the upper stories (my house

 

[Geordie Spark]

I though they had a duty not to connect up to an unsafe installation - and are increasingly after EIC or Condition Reports before reconnecting to cover themselves?

What they are "supposed" to do and what they "do" are two entirely different things. I have NEVER been asked to show them anything.

 

[marshr02]

Thanks for reply. When they turn up, do they have a good nose around - or just head straight to the cut out?

 

[Richard Burns]

In, to cut out, pull fuse, if you are ready to swap cables good, if not will come back later. Gone.
(Fit an isolator)

 

[marshr02]

In, to cut out, pull fuse, if you are ready to swap cables good, if not will come back later. Gone.
(Fit an isolator)

Okay - thanks everyone - you've put my mind at rest. Don't think the other half plus 6 month old would have been happy with no power for days on end....

 

[Elmer BeFuddled]

What they are "supposed" to do and what they "do" are two entirely different things. I have NEVER been asked to show them anything.

Reminds me of the old Thomson holidays ad. "If we don't do it, don't do it. But if we do, do.

What an extinct bird like the dodo has to do with holidays I could never figure out.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Thanks for reply. When they turn up, do they have a good nose around - or just head straight to the cut out?

Well the last time I needed to involve them, I had all the paperwork ready for them, but I made sure not to offer it to them. I chose instead to wait until they asked to see it, but they never did. ALL they were interested in was their fuse and the seals. That was it !!!

So, don't worry yourself !!

 

[Spoon]

Fit an isolator

As RB says, then you can isolate it whenever you want without involving the 'seal fairies'

 

[marshr02]

As RB says, then you can isolate it whenever you want without involving the 'seal fairies'

Yes, already have the Wylex REC isolator ready. I was hoping if I talked nicely they would just hang around while I changed the tails over to the isolator - then I don't need a return visit, and can do things without one eye on the clock...

 

[james beckford]

Hi marshr02,

been in similar situation, not self certifying yet or meter plus having to clear CU changes via labc, i had new isolator switch mounted in supply cupboard when DNO turned up, said he was only there to pull fuse, i said it was booked to fit isloator thats why i had it ready for him,

his answer "saves me coming back later" and promptly connected into new isolator.

I have never been asked for any paperwork but was once asked why the tails now had to be 25mm

 

[marshr02]

Thanks people. For the record, bloke turned up, and was easy to sweet talk him into staying for 20 mins while I swapped over old/new tails. He asked for the EIC, and I barely waved it under his nose, and he was fine. No forms to fill in, or paperwork to submit. Easy.

 

[Outspoken]

I would find it very unusual for the fuse puller and sealer or a meter installer to ask for any paperwork because they simply would not understand it. In the old days of the Electricity boards these Guys would have been fully qualified Electricians/Engineers, these days they have been on a 1 week training course on how to work safe on their systems and are not electricians or engineers. This is not to say there are not some out there for some of the companies, but the majority are not.