Isolator in the outdoor electrical box

[Rokmais]

Hi there,

I'm planning to replace the MCB on my outdoor electrical box with a better quality one, and since there is already an isolator installed by ESB Networks, as a DIY I can safely do it myself. My question is, about the isolator marked inside the orange circle. Does anyone knows what key should I use to rotate it to the OFF position and is there any safe procedure for that I should be aware before touching it?

Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance

 

[westward10]

It isn't a key the switch knob assembly is missing.

 

[Risteard]

These are Restricted Electrical Works. You must not interfere with the Main Overcurrent Device. By doing so you will be committing a criminal offence which is punishable by a fine of up to €50,000 and/or three years' imprisonment.

Only a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) can carry out these works.

 

[westward10]

I had a feeling this was Ireland.

 

[brianmoooore]

Is that some kind of current limiting device then? More than an isolator with a missing knob?

 

[Risteard]

Is that some kind of current limiting device then? More than an isolator with a missing knob?

No. It's just the DSO isolator. Operated with an allen key.

 

[brianmoooore]

You must not interfere with the Main Overcurrent Device.

The main overcurrent device is the fuse in the service head, isn't it? Don't think there's any intention of interfering with that.
Isn't the 63A MCB in the IP65 enclosure the consumer's property?
Or is it normal in Eire to have a second overcurrent device on the whole supply?

 

[Risteard]

The main overcurrent device is the fuse in the service head, isn't it? Don't think there's any intention of interfering with that.
Isn't the 63A MCB in the IP65 enclosure the consumer's property?
Or is it normal in Eire to have a second overcurrent device on the whole supply?

The Main Overcurrent Device is part of the consumer's installation and is not the DSO fuse. Traditionally it was typically a switch fuse but now in almost all circumstances needs to be in the Permalli Box. It is the MCB.

Incidentally in this image the customer's meter tails & main protective conductor are coming from the top right-hand side of the Permali Box. They should only ever enter through the bottom right and should be protected in the wall and entering the enclosure (e.g. with kopex).

 

[Rokmais]

The main overcurrent device is the fuse in the service head, isn't it? Don't think there's any intention of interfering with that.
Isn't the 63A MCB in the IP65 enclosure the consumer's property?
Or is it normal in Eire to have a second overcurrent device on the whole supply?

Exactly. The 63A MCB in the IP65 enclosure is part of my property. No intention of interfering with the ESB Networks side. I was just wondering about switching the isolator to OFF and replacing the MCB for a better quality one with the same specs, as the current one feels very loose when operating it. Anyway I will get an electrician to do it. Thank you for the help.

 

[Risteard]

Exactly. The 63A MCB in the IP65 enclosure is part of my property. No intention of interfering with the ESB Networks side. I was just wondering about switching the isolator to OFF and replacing the MCB for a better quality one with the same specs, as the current one feels very loose when operating it. Anyway I will get an electrician to do it. Thank you for the help.

But you're not correct. Read my post above. That is the main protective device and it is automatically Restricted Electrical Works. The fact that it is your property is of no relevance.

 

[Jock from the north]

These are Restricted Electrical Works. You must not interfere with the Main Overcurrent Device. By doing so you will be committing a criminal offence which is punishable by a fine of up to €50,000 and/or three years' imprisonment.

Only a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) can carry out these works.

Is that the usual set up in Ireland looks like a dogs dinner .but I guess there's lots of theft regarding electricity in the old country

 

[Risteard]

Is that the usual set up in Ireland looks like a dogs dinner .but I guess there's lots of theft regarding electricity in the old country

Fairly standard setup (although as mentioned tails are not entering correctly). There used to be meters with an inbuilt contractor's isolator but ESB have moved back to these separate isolators in recent years.

 

[Rokmais]

But you're not correct. Read my post above. That is the main protective device and it is automatically Restricted Electrical Works. The fact that it is your property is of no relevance.

I got it! As an IT engineer with an degree on Electronics and 30 years of experience, if I touched that MCB probably the whole world would explode.... Jaysus! If the Irish standards wouldn't be so low, where everything is about ripoff prices while using the cheapest stuff, and doing a crap job always in a rush, I wouldn't even be in a electricity forum talking about this... Look at the photo. Do I need another Irish electrician on my electrical box making it look like something you would find in Africa? Seriously? Even the fact that everything is attached to a piece of wood says a lot about the standards in Ireland. You wouldn't find that sort of installation in continental Europe. But I know that the legislation doesn't allow me to replace an MCB, so no need to stress. I will get somebody to do it. Anyway, my initial question was more about the isolator installed by ESB and if anyone every saw that model and if a key or knob was missing.

 

[westward10]

I suspect replacing the mcb will make no difference unless the DIN rail clip is broken.

 

[brianmoooore]

Even the fact that everything is attached to a piece of wood says a lot about the standards in Ireland. You wouldn't find that sort of installation in continental Europe.

That service box and its contents are similar to that found in the UK. The IP rated PVC box and MCB would not normally be there, but some electricians do fit similar items in there, although it's prohibited by regulations.