Consumer unit upgrade

[Steve D]

Hi All,

I'm just upgrading my own consumer unit at home - to be honest it's the first bit of work I've done in a while since passing my 2391.
I'm going to be using the job as one of my elecsa membership jobs.

I'm wanting to install an isolating switch in between my meter and cu for future ease, but what sort of switch is normally used for this? The switches I generally come across are the rotary type (although my experience tends to be commercial-biased) but is this the right type?

Can anyone point me in the right direction (maybe with a link to a pic) to the sort of isolator generally used.

Thanks
Steve

 

[bugsy]

Not sure why you want to install this ,

63a / 80a / Switched fuse , depending on cutout

 

[Des 56]

Wylex 100A DP Incomer Main Switch Isolator - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys with an enclosure

or one of these
100 Amp SP & N Switchfuse c/w DP Switch

 

[ezzzekiel]

or £5 with enclosure plus postage from me

 

[garethpa]

this is what you want:

Wylex 100A DP Supply Isolator

but the same is much cheaper from ebay (hint: search for "wylex isolator")

 

[JamesBrownLive]

I'm wanting to install an isolating switch in between my meter and cu for future ease, but what sort of switch is normally used for this? The switches I generally come across are the rotary type (although my experience tends to be commercial-biased) but is this the right type?

Can I just ask, if there is no existing switch, how are you planning on isolating the supply to enable you to replace the CU? Or do you have a switch between the service head and the meter?

I'm asking because I am in a similar situation, and there is no isolation switch between either the service head and meter or the meter and current CU.

I had assumed that I would need to get the DNO to come in and install a switch for me, before I could proceed with a CU upgrade?

Cheers

 

[johnboy6083]

my best mate is a meter fitter, and installing isolators is a job he gets called out to do. He does this either because the customers has requested it, or in the case of new builds, to install a supply before the installation is wired, and therefore there is no CU in place.

 

[mogga]

you do need to get the DNO to do it as fitting the switch would require service fuse to be withdrawn and seals cut last time I asked it was £80 for the switch fitted

 

[Steve D]

I think the majority of sparks will pull the fuse.

 

[pennywise]

I think the majority of sparks will pull the fuse.

So you mean to say it doesn't need pulling by a DNO super sparks who is far more qualified in fuse pulling technique. I've been going wrong all these years

 

[mogga]

no but those Sper Sparks cut and reseal Legaly without autherisation you are breaking the law and as the OP is using it for his assesment a missing seal might not create the best impression

 

[Steve D]

If the seal is missing in the first place, what can I do ?

 

[johnboy6083]

The only difference is that the meter fitters wear a live working glove (big white rubber thing) and then reseal it. They wear the glove because old fuse carriers can and do crumble sometimes when removed (my meter fitter friends experience)

 

[garethpa]

The only difference is that the meter fitters wear a live working glove (big white rubber thing) and then reseal it. They wear the glove because old fuse carriers can and do crumble sometimes when removed (my meter fitter friends experience)

The one who replaced my ancient cut-out (see my other recent thread on here somewhere) certainly didn't.
No gloves, no face shield, nothing.

He snipped the live fuse wire (no fuse holder - just wire) with his pliers. He didn't even turn the consumer unit off to remove load.

I was watching him working the cable like it was a venomous snake - dodging his hand and arms as he removed the old tape from the live ends.

 

[pennywise]

so my gloves won't cut it then

http://sparklematrix.files.wordpress.com/2006/09/sparkles-gloves.jpg

 

[johnboy6083]

lol pennywise. Are you male or female? had a good chuckle to myself at that one. i wonder if you could get away with wearing them on site? you wouldget a few good stares (or phone numbers!)

 

[pennywise]

I bought a pair of these for the girlfriend it didn't go down well

I usually wear this kind of stuff for doing consumer unit changes

http://www.texsoinstruments.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/a/r/arc-flash-suit-cal25_1.jpg

 

[johnboy6083]

are they safety glasses under the safety helmet, incorporating the safety visor which comes as part of a safety suit on top of safety boots, all to be worn in a dangerous environment when wanting to renmain safe?

 

[pennywise]

You should have seen the prices of the safety contact lenses

 

[mogga]

lol penny

 

[JamesBrownLive]

I think the majority of sparks will pull the fuse.

Are they the same majority that will happily have a go at so called cowboys for unsafe practices, and also bang on about people undertaking work that they shouldn't