Disconecting consumer unit

[parm]

Hi Guys,

Very new to the forum and industry and still training. I was wandering how you go about disconnecting the tails from the meter to the consumer unit if now cutoff point is supplied by the DNO, I read in the IEE on site guide to have a discussion with the DNO to arrange to have the fuse removed? from the supply. Confident this a stupid and novice question but can someone shed some light on this please, losing sleep over this simple one!! thanks

 

[Notsosmart]

It is illegal to tamper with the suppliers installation (i.e. incomming cable to meter tails) this includes the header fuse.
Now here's the dilema do you?
(a) Inform the DNO & wait until they can come out to disconnect, +(i) either swallow any charges, or; (ii) pass any charges on.
(b) Argue that the DNO should have provided a safe means of isolation & demand they immediately rectify the situation with no charge.
(c) Cut the seals & pull the fuse yourself risking prosecution. (Hoping that a defence of "the seals were already cut" holds water)

Answers on a postcard please!!

Obviously as a trainee you should be answering (a) having previously arranged for the DNO to attend so that it synchronises with you changing the board + (ii) having already incorporated any charges into your price.

 

[parm]

Thank-you for that brilliant Answer its been bugging me for a few days now! What sort of average cost is involved with getting the dno in ? Cheers again for the advice

 

[Notsosmart]

Sorry I can't answer that; I've not touched domestic for the last few years (As I'm not part P not even at home.) Though I'm sure others in the forum will be able to.

Other than that phone your local supplier & see if they will offer a quote (use your home address if necessary.)

 

[parm]

Thanks once again

Maybe your missing your calling by not having your papers, you know your stuff

 

[kung]

Best to give them a call and see what they say also as the outgoing meter tails are the customers responcability they SHOULD (although they dont) fit isolation meters giving you the chance of isolating the supply from the meter ! take a look at the cal date on meter if its coming up for cal you may get an isolation meter fitted also if tails are undersized (not 25mm) this is also worth a mention that you also need to upgrade them ! as far as cost goes not sure but if they want to much money try finding a meter recert for a few beers they might cut/pull/reseal ! but against advice if you do do it yourself remember to isolate CU from loading (main switch off) before removing cutout fuse and on replacing as if loading is heavy there is a good chance in a flash over and you drawing out the arc but if DNO is informed and sort it your covered
Also worth a mention is the cutout itself ! depending on what sort is fitted it without seeing it it could be a ceramic fuse carrier these can become brittle and if so you could be holding the uninsulated fuse in your hand beware ! when i was on metering ive even had whilst pulling the cutout fuse the whole carrier coming off from the supply cable as the screws holding the cable worked loose so again beware !
Regards
Kung.

 

[sparky paul]

You wont get much change out of £80.00 and they will fit you in on the 12th of never if your lucky.

 

[parm]

Cheers sounds like this could be challenging to say the least! Appreciate the advice

 

[sparks1234]

WHO said cut the non existent seal off.......terrible idea

 

[Mr Mark Sparks]

if its on a lead wire seal only with no sticker on it there is half a chance there will be enough slack to pull the fuse far enough for it to disconnect (if only at the bottom) make sure you slide something behind it to stop it falling back in !!
an insulated driver for example

or


play it by the book and call the dno

 

[sivoodoo]

Cut the damn seals! Health and safety law will be on your side if it goes to court, we cant be working live can we?!

 

[pennywise]

Still prefer the propping the fuse carrier open with a driver would always rather work on a sudden death principal.

 

[Phil Mumford]

Cut the seal and get on with it. Never heard of a prosecution and to NOT leave you with a means of disconnection should be illegal anyway.

99.9% of rewires probably get done this way. 100% of mine do

 

[Mr Mark Sparks]

its good to see some "real world" answers i thought i would get shot for being honest

 

[Notsosmart]

Listen guys, the OP is a trainee asking advice about the CORRECT way of connecting tails. Yes we are living in the real world & yes prosecutions are rare, but, & I'm sure the administrators will back me up on this; we don't want to be advocating criminal acts on this forum.

Also as Kung rightly points out if the fuse holder is brittle, cracked or worse still the whole header comes away from the board then an inexpeienced trainee isn't likely to recognise this or deal well with the situation should it arise.