Are smart meters to blame for house fires?

[telectrix]

Especially when you consider the ridiculous amount of conductor that many consumers unit DP main switches will accept. High time double screws were re-introduced on the higher current connections.

so that the Electrical Trainee's can get 2 poorly tightened screws instead of 1.?

 

[Strima]

so that the Electrical Trainee's can get 2 poorly tightened screws instead of 1.?

Oi, I resemble that remark!!! It takes skill to get the screw just the right amount of untightness (if that's even a word...)...

 

[Des 56]

Six reasons to say no to a smart meter - http://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/personalfinance/six-reasons-to-say-no-to-a-smart-meter/ar-AAphVlz?li=AAnZ9Ug&ocid=mailsignout

Guess an answer to the comment in the last line

 

[dmxtothemax]

And we also don't know if the quality of these units are up to scratch ?
They always go for the cheapest option
which usually means tight technical margins.

 

[freddo]

The proteus service isolators have them too and use a 3mm allen screw

Why did they choose to use a 3mm allen screw? That is so small compared to the size of conductor.

 

[static zap]

The right amount of untightness ..

This is the problem they know the other word too well .
Accounants and being tight !

 

[snowhead]

Why did they choose to use a 3mm allen screw? That is so small compared to the size of conductor.

That'll be 3mm allen key for a 6mm screw.

 

[freddo]

The same 3mm allen screws are fitted to the new Wylex switchfuses. I have a 60A one here. I've just stuck a bit of 25mm in the terminal and tightened the 2 screws. The screws are too small compared to the size of cable entry hole so several of the strands have gone up the side of the screw and are not clamped at all.


With 16mm it was even worse, only 2 strands were gripped.

Tightly twisting the strands got a better result, but if the cable was moved at all it immediately became loose at both terminal screws. In the 2 photos above moving the cable didn't loosen the strands that were secured by the terminal screws.

In an old Wylex switchfuse the twin screw supply terminals have the terminal screw threads almost touching the side of the terminal hole so the strands can't go up the sides, exactly as it should be IMO.

 

[static zap]

The same 3mm allen screws are fitted to the new Wylex switchfuses. I have a 60A one here. I've just stuck a bit of 25mm in the terminal and tightened the 2 screws.

Sounds like a way to boost crimp tool sales ,
and appropriate ends ,in assorted sizes !
(just like another tax)