Crossed Polarity smart meter into mains

[HS2018]

hello!

Just looking for some advise,
Basically we had an electrician fitting a new shower and lights yesterday, he tested a light socket before touching it (after turning all fuses off) and it was live... come to realisation an electrician working on behalf of an energy supplier had fitted the smartmeeter into the mains the wrong way round (crossed polarity?!) and all the sockets, light switches and light fittings were the same downstairs.
The electrician shut our electricity down straight away and told us we weren’t to turn anything on until the contractor came out to fix it as he couldn’t touch it, he said he’s amazed the house didn’t burn down (they came out, done reports, took photos 12 hours later with two children under 2 in the house) at 11pm
I’m just wondering how bad this is and where do we stand?
Obviously not getting much info from the energy suppliers and just wanted to know the best course of action


Thank you

 

[Pete999]

The correct procedure is to check for correct polarity at the cut out and meter connections using a none contact voltstick, then check for correct polarity at the CU using the voltstick across the live busbar or MCBs and then use a socket tester to confirm at a socket. After installation of the new meter the tests are performed again using the same socket.

Really? are you sure about that steve? volt stick, same socket?

 

[littlespark]

Even if there was no testing performed like it should be, visually its fairly simple to trace which tail goes from service fuse, through the meter/Henley block, isolator whatever and into the right terminal on the CU main switch.
Maybe the outer sheath of the cables used should be coloured brown or blue instead of both in grey.

 

[telectrix]

should not the so called "smart " meter have detected the reversed polarity? if it could then that would give them a purpose in life apart from snooping.

 

[Pete999]

should not the so called "smart " meter have detected the reversed polarity? if it could then that would give them a purpose in life apart from snooping.

They aint that smart Tel, neither it seems, are the installers, sorry Engineers. No not sour grapes before anyone cottons on.

 

[telectrix]

know what you mean pete. some while ago BG wanted sub-contract sparks for electrical repairs/call-outs. i was turned down. apparently a HND in Electrical Engineering coupled with 2382 and 40 years experience, is not a suitable qualification for them. but a Electrical Trainee would have got the jobwith a "part pee qualification".

 

[Pete999]

know what you mean pete. some while ago BG wanted sub-contract sparks for electrical repairs/call-outs. i was turned down. apparently a HND in Electrical Engineering coupled with 2382 and 40 years experience, is not a suitable qualification for them. but a Electrical Trainee would have got the jobwith a "part pee qualification".

Over 60 end off

 

[sparksburnout]

As I previously stated, in a domestic situation there are extremely few occasions where reversed polarity is dangerous ............. and obviously you would always isolate the circuit before you fiddled...

Having no earth is a bit more serious ............

When our meter was replaced a few years ago, the installer who did it, checked the polarity with one of the plug in testers before he did the work and afterwards.

Just saying.

I really don't know where you are coming from regarding this. Of course it is dangerous!

 

[stevels4]

Really? are you sure about that steve? volt stick, same socket?

Please elaborate, non contact probe/voltstick to check cut out fuse is live, same device on meter tails (conductors) and CU. Socket test is always at the same one beginning and end of installation, if it tests correctly at the start it should, if the polarity is still correct, retest correctly at the end of the job.
In other words the tests are performed on a known good socket.

 

[Octopus]

I really don't know where you are coming from regarding this. Of course it is dangerous!

As I previously stated, only if somebody is doing something "live" when it should be isolated.....

Tell me how its "dangerous" in a normal domestic installation?

 

[sparksburnout]

As I previously stated, only if somebody is doing something "live" when it should be isolated.....

Tell me how its "dangerous" in a normal domestic installation?

As Strima has already outlined. Yes, in the perfect world where everyone practices safe isolation and assumes nothing, then it should not ever happen that a person touches anything that is live. But, seriously, have you never touched a neutral without putting your tester on it? Never?? And of course, there is the risk to those who do not practice such things, it might not be right, but it happens, and under those circumstances it is very dangerous. You can't live in a perfect world, because the world is not, perfect. I don't believe any spark that say's he has never ever touched a neutral without testing it.

 

[Octopus]

As Strima has already outlined. Yes, in the perfect world where everyone practices safe isolation and assumes nothing, then it should not ever happen that a person touches anything that is live. But, seriously, have you never touched a neutral without putting your tester on it? Never?? And of course, there is the risk to those who do not practice such things, it might not be right, but it happens, and under those circumstances it is very dangerous. You can't live in a perfect world, because the world is not, perfect. I don't believe any spark that say's he has never ever touched a neutral without testing it.

Please read my reply again .....................more carefully.

 

[Strima]

I don't believe any spark that say's he has never ever touched a neutral without testing it.

I have, gave me right tingle and I haven’t done it since.

 

[Spoon]

I have, gave me right tingle and I haven’t done it since.

Apparently it tingled soo much it maked you hit the 'Post Reply' twice..

 

[Pete999]

Apparently it tingled soo much it maked you hit the 'Post Reply' twice..

Made Crikey Spoon you been on the booze

 

[Spoon]

Made Crikey Spoon you been on the booze

haha Was distracted by daughter asking me to hold her ice cream.... I was a good dad and didn't scoff it.... Took all my willpower though...

 

[Pete999]

haha Was distracted by daughter asking me to hold her ice cream.... I was a good dad and didn't scoff it.... Took all my willpower though...

I'll believe You Spoon, just

 

[Spoon]

I'll believe You Spoon, just

It was one of those magnum type... I really like them..

 

[Strima]

Apparently it tingled soo much it maked you hit the 'Post Reply' twice..

Wibble...

 

[johnduffell]

Tell me how its "dangerous" in a normal domestic installation?

All protective devices in the neutral is a good enough reason for me.

 

[PEG]

Knew i was right to leave that old fused-neutral head alone...

 

[HS2018]

Thanks for all the responses...

Our electrician sent a report to our supplier, along with our complaints letter, they’ve said they’re awaiting their contractors report

We should have an update Wednesday from the suppliers contractors.

Just wondering what anyone thinks the outcome of something like this would be?
Obviously not savvy on the electrics side and what would happen- eg will the contractors get a fine/energy supplier? Interested to know thoughts, cheers

 

[DPG]

Thanks for the update.

 

[Des 56]

I would not be surprised if every electrician on this forum hadn't at one time or another connected something up backwards

The negligence arises because it was not tested after completion
Whether reverse polarity is the danger that some perceive or not, the situation should never have arisen where a job was incomplete through lack of testing

I would also not be surprised if the contractor pressurised the workforce to bang as many out for a pittance payment faster than was reasonable

Lets not just hang the electrician,the people above who screw every penny they can get from the working man is equally to blame,but like all other occasions,its the guy on the job who takes all of the blame as highlighted throughout this thread

 

[Rpa07]

Meter fitter @Des 56 not electrician. Our electrician highlighted the polarity issue when checking for dead circuit and found it live.
I conclude - it was the meter fitter in the hallway with the 25mm tails (reversed)

 

[HS2018]

Update of investigation will now be tomorrow/Friday from the energy suppliers.

Have had the Manager of Trading Standards phone me this evening for photos/ electricians report. Didn’t expect to hear personally from them!

Hopefully will hear from suppliers without too much chasing