Has anyone seen a service head like this before?

[telectrix]

Just say its really old and looks dangerous. Can they come and check it please.

Good shout I am emailing clinet not to make this priority, side point is that we have a 2.5mm copper cable supplying the entire house which must have been like this for some time bloody hell!!![/QUOTE]
2.5mm bare copper wire is roughly round about, in the same ballpark, approximately, equivalent to a 100A fuse wire, so what's the problem?

 

[davesparks]

Hello dave
You may have the wrong idea, i was simply talking about the possibility of changing the copper wire you can see to a 60a equivalent fuse wire.
However the advice of overyone has been greatly received and I will get client to get the DNO to change the service head as opposed to me changing the fuse wire. (Which I should not Ben touching anyway)
And yes if I were to even think about changing the service head I would be daft which I would never even dream of even if I were to be paid a million squid

I don't think I do have the wrong idea, most DNOs won't allow their guys to pull the fuse out live due to them being too fragile and too great a risk of arcflash. Pulling the fuse out is exactly what you have done.

 

[chris day]

Haha cock sorry the not is a typo

I really meant to say make it a priority, long sorry short uk power networks are coming out asap

 

[chris day]

I don't think I do have the wrong idea, most DNOs won't allow their guys to pull the fuse out live due to them being too fragile and too great a risk of arcflash.

You have a really good point and yes thinking about it the head was quite old and if anything happened the only fuse protecting the head would have been at the sub satation

 

[chris day]

Good shout I am emailing clinet not to make this priority, side point is that we have a 2.5mm copper cable supplying the entire house which must have been like this for some time bloody hell!!!

2.5mm bare copper wire is roughly round about, in the same ballpark, approximately, equivalent to a 100A fuse wire, so what's the problem? [/QUOTE]

Sorry (not) was a rather bad typo, we contacted the supply authority asap and they are coming out tomorrow, long story short I have learnt I should not the check the service head but at the same time I am glad I did because this client is a friend and that was really dangerous.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Do let us know what UKPN say when they come out.

 

[sparkdog]

Usually check all that before starting an installation, the service head, bonding & tails condition & any N to E surprises.

 

[7029 dave]

Looks like you have pulled a 60 amp rewireable naughty naughty, give the DNO a call they are into replacing such a cut out.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Last one of those I had to deal with, was buzzing, had steel legs instead of copper.
Had to re-tighten all terminations, file corrosion from the legs and adjust the legs so they made better contact.

 

[chris day]

Usually check all that before starting an installation, the service head, bonding & tails condition & any N to E surprises.

Hello spark dog, Yes in future I will be doing the above because I don't want this again.
If the head looks old I will say get ukpnw out to check it as it's suspect.
When you say N-E surprises do you mean you check for current flowing down the main earthing conductor or IR check?

 

[chris day]

Looks like you have pulled a 60 amp rewireable naughty naughty, give the DNO a call they are into replacing such a cut out.

I know mate I won't be doing it again I was lucky this time by what some people have been saying.

 

[chris day]

Do let us know what UKPN say when they come out.

Yes i will do they are coming out this morning, I hope they don't pull her power supply?

 

[telectrix]

the problem with pulling those old service fuses is that the ceramic could break in you hand and give you a lethal shock. even the DNOs are wary.

 

[UKMeterman]

When you say N-E surprises do you mean you check for current flowing down the main earthing conductor or IR check?

With respect I would expect an electrian to understand that N-E surprise = N-E fault without any further explination. In other words tie LN and test with respect to E.

 

[chris day]

With respect I would expect an electrian to understand that N-E surprise = N-E fault without any further explination. In other words tie LN and test with respect to E.

Well LN-E I would have understood I was just not sure why you specifically just spoke of a neutral to Earth fault.