Gas & Electric Meter - Same Cupboard?

[driverman]

In later years working for a DNO company, they would advise not in same cupboard. Reason being, if a gas leak, build up of fumes in an enclosed area, an over current device when operating under fault condition could cause a spark therefore possibility igniting the gas
If unavoidable, they would insist that the gas meter be enclosed in a abestolux type enclosure.
Similar outside using OMB's. The electric OMB never sited above the gas OMB.

 

[davesparks]

None. There is no requirement for a cooker isolator apart from the MCB in the CU. They are often fitted as "nice to have".

If go so far as to say it is common sense to have one, who is going to switch on/off the MCB every time they want to use the cooker?

 

[driverman]

Re MCB as only means of switching off Cooker. No doubt just left on 24/7.
Seems common sense to have a local means of local isolation in case of an emergency if cooker should go wrong

 

[123]

MCB not likely to be much use if it's a Dual RCD Board and the Cooker has developed an N-E fault

 

[MDJ]

As title, gas and electric meter share the same cupboard and are more or less on top each other - Regs regarding this are?

So what’s the issue in you view?

 

[GeorgeCooke]

Re MCB as only means of switching off Cooker. No doubt just left on 24/7.
Seems common sense to have a local means of local isolation in case of an emergency if cooker should go wrong

Would you apply the same logic to every other electrical appliance, TV, set top box, table lamps etc?

 

[GeorgeCooke]

To be honest when buying a house there are more important things to worry about than a few recent ideas about meters. For many years they have been in the same cupboard with no problems.

How about, does the roof leak, are the window frames sound, is the pointing OK, does the other half like the kitchen and bathroom, condition of outbuildings etc.

 

[123]

Would you apply the same logic to every other electrical appliance, TV, set top box, table lamps etc?

The plug top is easily accessible and can be pulled out.

I doubt you turn the MCB off for the Sockets to isolate the likes of the TV?

 

[static zap]

Far more likely to have a gas leak near the stove than the meter.
There are plenty of ignition sources in a kitchen.
(just remember if you do smell gas -not to
instinctively "Turn the Lights out" EeeK... )

 

[GeorgeCooke]

The plug top is easily accessible and can be pulled out.

I doubt you turn the MCB off for the Sockets to isolate the likes of the TV?

I hope the plug top is firmly fixed to the plug bottom. They are often behind furniture and can be no more easilly pulled out than behind a washing machine.

So again: Would you apply the same logic to every other electrical appliance, TV, set top box, table lamps etc?

If not why not?

 

[DPG]

I hope the plug top is firmly fixed to the plug bottom. They are often behind furniture and can be no more easilly pulled out than behind a washing machine.

So again: Would you apply the same logic to every other electrical appliance, TV, set top box, table lamps etc?

If not why not?

You're missing a big point here - a cooker is generally producing heat and is much more likely to need isolating than a TV. If the pan of oil catches fire or someone leaves the roast in and forgets about it, then an isolator is much more convenient than trying to get the consumer unit in the cupboard under the stairs which is full of junk. Plus once the householder has flicked all the MCBs off and maybe the main switch, the house will also be in darkness and there is a chance that telephones may not be working, etc.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

You're missing a big point here - a cooker is generally producing heat and is much more likely to need isolating than a TV. If the pan of oil catches fire or someone leaves the roast in and forgets about it, then an isolator is much more convenient than trying to get the consumer unit in the cupboard under the stairs which is full of junk. Plus once the householder has flicked all the MCBs off and maybe the main switch, the house will also be in darkness and there is a chance that telephones may not be working, etc.

All good points of course, but strange no one has thought about instant isolation of a gas cooker where those things could also happen.

There should always be at least one standard telephone in a house which does not rely on an electricity supply.

 

[DPG]

All good points of course, but strange no one has thought about instant isolation of a gas cooker where those things could also happen.

There should always be at least one standard telephone in a house which does not rely on an electricity supply.

Yes, I agree - I was only talking to someone last week about the same issue, ie. isolation of gas cookers.

Yes, as you say - always should be a standard phone. And to be honest most people have mobiles as well these days, so less of an issue.

 

[driverman]

Would you apply the same logic to every other electrical appliance, TV, set top box, table lamps etc?

Hopefully reading and understanding above comment correctly.
All appliances have local over current protection and means of isolation.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

Hopefully reading and understanding above comment correctly.
All appliances have local over current protection and means of isolation.

You surprise me. Most electronics these days has no means of isolation (apart from pulling the plug which may be hidden). There is often a standby mode but that is not isolation.