External Fuses - Advice Appreciated!

[mclayj]

Hi,

I've just registered & this is my first post so please forgive me if I've posted in the wrong place! My name's John & I'd really appreciate some advice as I've come to a bit of a dead end so far. I have a basement flat in Edinburgh & have some concerns over some external fuses that are mounted on a board backing underneath the entrance walkway to the flat above. I believe the board supplies the communal power to the two basement flats but I'm not certain of this. Water has been dripping on to the board from the unsealed steps belonging to my neighbour upstairs - unfortunately he's refused to do anything about it after being asked politely & latterly through a solicitor. I've contacted Scottish Power & local energy supplier but they both deny any responsibility for replacing the mounting board (which is now rotted) & for installing the supplies inside a suitably rated JB. I believed that one of them should be responsible for any supplies up to the individual consumer units but they're telling me that's not the case! I'd appreciate any advice on how to progress this - is there somebody else I should be speaking to (ombudsman maybe?), or - if it is my responsibility - would any local members like to quote for the necessary work?

 

[leonard]

Have you noticed that the main earthing conductor is connected to the lead outer sheath with e earth clamp ? Is that that right?

 

[londonlec]

Fairly common set up in NW London too.

If your DNO deem it as unsafe they will disconnect you from the street.

 

[mogga]

I love driving through the "new town" looking at the arcityecture basement rough cut ground better smooter cut upper features cut in the stone Bummer to work on high celings walls thik enough you could hide bodies in them lol

 

[mclayj]

Good Morning,

Received a call from SP engineer today & was told that under 'supplies agreement', responsibility to keep services watertight lies with the three householders. As londonlec stated, the DNO apparently does have an option to disconnect if they deem it to be unsafe so sending an email questioning its integrity might backfire. I've asked engineer if a letter can be sent to upstairs neighbour highlighting his responsibilities but starting to think best option could be to have enclosure fitted around it myself. If anyone has any ideas on cost to have this done or any other suggestions I'd be happy to hear them!

 

[polo1]

TBH a joiner could knock up a "shelf" and with mastic, prevent water running down onto the backboard, but if the backboard is in poor nick, then SP will have to become involved to allow this to be replaced - looks like you may have to splash the cash for both.
Regards

 

[mogga]

By the looks of it the DNO look to have just thrown it there IMO it should be down to them as they fitted it there in a cleary unsafe posistion or at least in an posistion exposed to the elements
As suggested a joiner should be able to knock up a small cupboard and seal it against the elements BUT remember if you fit a padlock to it inform the DNO you are fitting a hasp they will probably want to fit a DNO padlock rather than have you fit one If they need to get in and its not their padlock they will just jemmy it open and its back to you tpo repair it
Seems like your neighbour plays with himself tomuch to care about those around him probably drives a nice shiney BMW