How many flats from a 60A meter

simonspark · Nov 9, 2010

Oh my word. I was called out today because of a power cut, or so I thought. When I got to the block of flats it was true. No electricity. After delving into the reason I was a bit taken aback to find that the entire block (16 flats ) plus common parts were running via 1 x 60A meter. All the flats were linked out with Henley Blocks and this poor little meter had been coping with this for 7 years! EDF and someone else and some other company and the other one plus British Gas and Siemans and another part of Siemans plus The Red Army and All and Sundry denied this ever happened under their watch. And they all refused to do anything about it. It was really cold and dark in there so what could I do apart from listen to teh kids cry. Actually I got in touch with someone who just overode the meter. Obviously not me. But these supply companies were saying that it would take 2 weeks to get the electricity on. Come back LEB, all is forgiven!

simonspark · Nov 9, 2010

And Ive just remembered. As a follow up Im reliably informed that the main fuse was a 60 1361 and that all the riseres are in 16mm. So no problems with undersized cabling, apart from the earth but thats a different matter. It was 6mm.

IQ Electrical · Nov 10, 2010

That 60A fuse would probably take about 85A before melting, that's 5A each for the flats and landlord services, I'm not doubting what you've seen but I wouldn't take a bet on that fuse lasting 48 hours, never mind 7 years!

Also, how are the tenants paying for their supplies?

Something just doesn't seem right there!

megawats · Nov 10, 2010

Maybe that 60Amps is supplying only 1 flat.. I bet 5flats energized with their A/C on not to mention their cookers, lights etc... will fuse the fuse..
But nevertheless, I agree with IQ Electrical that there is something wrong..

simonspark · Nov 10, 2010

My Dear IQ Electrical. I love your understated 'somethings wrong' comment. Yeah, just a bit. I did make one mistake. It was only 13 flats and not 16.Honestly honestly. That was the set up. The Siemans/EDF guy said he had never seen this in 30 years. I did notice a spare fuseholder that had a bit of 1.5 as fuse wire for a fuse and I assumed that must be the winter fuse!
And today I found out that certain elements had hit the pan with British Gas/EDF/God knows.
Oh yeah, the tenants do not have electrcity bills because they are inclusive with the rent.
But really. I made no mistake.

olly w · Nov 10, 2010

A 60 amp b 1361 fuse will take 100amps permanently and not blow.
Check out the adiabatic curves in the BRB.
It will take 200 amps for over a minute.

IQ Electrical · Nov 10, 2010

simonspark said:
My Dear IQ Electrical. I love your understated 'somethings wrong' comment. Yeah, just a bit. I did make one mistake. It was only 13 flats and not 16.Honestly honestly. That was the set up. The Siemans/EDF guy said he had never seen this in 30 years. I did notice a spare fuseholder that had a bit of 1.5 as fuse wire for a fuse and I assumed that must be the winter fuse!
And today I found out that certain elements had hit the pan with British Gas/EDF/God knows.
Oh yeah, the tenants do not have electrcity bills because they are inclusive with the rent.
But really. I made no mistake.

That really is an amazing find and never for one minute did I think you'd made a mistake!