Distributors cut out fuse

[Spudnik]

Handy tip! Do you use gauntlets when removing the fuse?

I know some sparks that swear by them as a huge must.

Generally no.

You can usually tell if one looks a bit dodgy. It is quite rare having problem fuses although i have heard of ones falling apart as they are taken out.

Just make sure ALL CU's have fuses removed/MCB's off and main switch off before pulling.

 

[fusion]

well i allways thought it was the only way to totally isolate the supply,so its ok for us to remove them then as long as they are re-sealed again.

 

[billybob]

Surely you,as aqualified competent person,are allowed to remove the main fuse.Otherwise you are being encouraged to work in an unsafe manner.
Is this why people are fitting separate isolating switches on the tails?

 

[WarrenG]

Some DNO's do it for free but you have to arrange a time with them.

 

[fusion]

is there a simple answer..??? can we remove the main fuse yes or no..????

 

[L&B Electrics]

Yes we can as long as there provider is notified afterwards to come replace the steel tamper wire seal

 

[minivanman]

I called EDF yesterday to ask about their procedure for isolating the supply by pulling the fuse for doing a CCU change. They told me that if the fuse needs pulling, whether or not it has a seal on it they must be called and and someone will be sent to remove it for me and for this pleasure I will be charged £52; then when I call them back to have the fuse put back they will charge a further £52. So I asked about if the installation was dangerous and the only way of isolating was for the fuse to be removed would they permit me to pull it, absolutely not I must call them and they would send someone out, and it would cost £52!! So to do the job by the book it's an extra £104. And as MADFRIDGE said earlier in this thread to get these answers took me 1 1/2 hours. How do others go about this, just cut the seal and remove and not contact or what?

 

[kung]

Hi Minivanman
Im ex southern electric meter engineer do what others do cut and pull ! after you can seal using wire and crimps etc you wouldnt believe how many houses ive been to that had seals missing ! what they say and what they do is two diff things as told you need to be licenced/authorized to pull them BUT when all engineers reported the missing seals we find we were told dont matter just reseal etc they cant prove who cut them anyway and cant be botherd to do anything anyway BUT i didnt tell you that !
Happy cutting.

 

[Mac]

Didn't someone say on here a while back,that you can cut the seal and pull the cut out fuse in an emergency.Person that stated it was an ex-DNO inspector or something along those lines.

 

[Darkwood]

is there a simple answer..??? can we remove the main fuse yes or no..????

The cutout including fuse and the meter is your electric boards property and you are not allowed to interfere tamper or change the fuse, hence the warning labels on most due to the energy companies competing for the same customer they only check things out if billing iregularities occur so most sparkies just change them anyway never heard anyone get done in 20yrs of my watch.

 

[acvc]

A spark friend of mine came across a melting c/u due to loose neutrals and the melting plastic dripping onto the neutral busbar, in a small office, a couple of weeks ago. He removed the cut-out fuse (as well as shutting down the office). He called the NICEIC technical helpline, and amongst other things, was told "you have done the right thing by removing the fuse". And so .... the confusion continues ......

 

[Darkwood]

A spark friend of mine came across a melting c/u due to loose neutrals and the melting plastic dripping onto the neutral busbar, in a small office, a couple of weeks ago. He removed the cut-out fuse (as well as shutting down the office). He called the NICEIC technical helpline, and amongst other things, was told "you have done the right thing by removing the fuse". And so .... the confusion continues ......

With respect to my last post i forgot to point out if their is an immediate hazard or danger then you can remove the cutout but you must then inform the electrical supplier straight away under these circumstances its acceptable and only a rare occasion as your above example.

 

[daniel hill]

had a house the other day with a 30 amp intake fuse
would explane why wen turning there new installed shower the power went of me thinks

 

[Darkwood]

is there a simple answer..??? can we remove the main fuse yes or no..????

I dont know if its still acceptable now with their been so many energy suppliers but when it was only one regional supplier you could get a contractor seal which you fitted yourself a bit like a plastic crimp and when you finished your job it was only a matter of informing them, if its not an option anymore then your breaking the law and subject to possible prosecution with an exception of a circumstance in which its for a risk where leaving the cutout fuse in could be dangerous e.g. damaged meter tail or overheating cutout.

 

[OilBeDamned]

Most supply companies will tell you no as you have to have their authorisation level to do so, but I think common sense tells you that most folk do it.