Consumer unit fitting

[Careful]

Hi everyone, I'm one of those recently qualified guys that has a question that many of you may think is rediculous. If i need to replace an old fuse box with a new consumer unit and there is no cut out switch on the customer side of the meter, am I allowed to remove the suppliers fuse and seal then request they re seal it? i have heard of sparks fitting a new unit with the tails "live"!! this seems dodgy to me and to be honest I'm not brave enough to do that. Any advice would be gratefully recieved.:thinking: Thanks

 

[nickblake]

its an offence to remove the suppliers fuse , what you need to do is contact the DNO for advice they may well give you permission to remove the fuse , as you are recently qualified then you should be aware of the safe isolation proceedures , what could be an idea is to ask if they could install a isolation switch , it may cost a few quid but at least youll be able to isolate the supply with out cutting seals , also this type of work is notifiable to the LAB .

 

[Golden_Boy]

Working "live" is to be avoided if at all possible but can be done with EXTREME care. Pulling the fuse is in theory against the law but who is to say the seal was intact before you arrived ??

 

[ezzzekiel]

regardless of the seal being in place removing the fuse is not allowed

 

[High Tower]

Im not going to tell you that you shouldn't pull the fuse, because i have been pulling them for as long as i have been doing this, However........it is dangerous, you need to take precautions and be really careful, the only problem is, that with the introduction of smart meters in many homes, if you pull the supply the send a distress code back to the mother ship.

Whatever you do, be bloody careful!

 

[Careful]

Thank you Nick, you just confirmed what I figured would be best, getting an isolation switch fitted. I've had one fitted at home and there was no charge. As for safe isolation, that was drummed into me in training and it will always be carried out, I plan on getting my pension!! once again thank you.

 

[Careful]

thank you golden boy but there is no way I would do it live.

 

[Careful]

Thanks ezzzekiel your comment is now set in stone for me.

 

[Careful]

Thank you High Tower, i won't be pulling any fuses! the need for care is why i asked the question, It's reasurring to know all you guys are willing to share your knowledge!

 

[SW1970]

Thank you Nick, you just confirmed what I figured would be best, getting an isolation switch fitted. I've had one fitted at home and there was no charge. As for safe isolation, that was drummed into me in training and it will always be carried out, I plan on getting my pension!! once again thank you.

The price for a DNO isolator varies from region to region. Sometimes it's free, sometimes it's circa £44. Leadtime varies from a few days to a few weeks so you do have to plan in advance.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Theres an inrush of DNO fuse pullin threads appearing here lately...must be a trend..lol....It could end up the same as exported earths.....like 1 every other day..lol..........:17:

 

[Careful]

thank you SW1970, reckon you're right there.