Just plunged Boots(the chemist) into darkness...whoops

[LlandrilloSpark]

Whoops

Was working in a very small shop fitting downlighters, the shop is next to an equally small outlet of Boots the chemist, Whilst doing the paperwork I needed to find the cut out fuse type and rating, the head was an old crabtree cast iron with a hinged door, the cut out is a rewirable with a porcelain carrier, the head cover was held shut by a screw so thought right i'll just have a quick look to determine the rating, I isolated the installation and then noticed another set of tails AFTER the cut out which led upstairs so i knocked on the door of the upstairs flat and asked if she minded if she flicked her main switch whilst i removed and replaced the fuse to prevent any arcing, she did.
So i went back downstairs and pulled the fuse carefully from the head, had a quick look under torchlight and noted the 60A rating on the paperwork, As i went to replace it there was a good old crack and flash from the head, WTF i thought, About 1 minute later the manager from Boots came in and said "has your power gone off!", turns out the whole of Boots is also on this 60A rewirable and the good old flash was the the current from his shop arcing over the fuse contacts.
A bit red faced i went into boots, isolated the huge big singing and dancing 25 circuit board(on a 60a rewirable ) and then slotted the fuse back in next door before re powering up boots.

Turns out many years ago before conversion it was one big corner shop and the supply arrangement wasn't altered or split, I wonder how the sparks who certified boots logged it?

 

[LlandrilloSpark]

millions of us check them, Im no different im afraid, your going to tell me that you have never ever pulled one

Officially your right of course, but there was no tag so i had a look

 

[Knobhead]

best way here would be to have the metering in the shop as the landlord can keep an eye on it all...(unless theres a rula against this of course) dwellings to be self contained....or summat like that?...

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Consumers/Documents1/11782-resaleupdateoct05.pdf

 

[malcolmsanford]

why are you checking the DNO fuse ? offically you have no access to their CO fuse. I would have entered LIM on the PIR or EIC. Isolation for safe working is a different matter. Metal clad CO are especially suspect and DNO employees are supposed to wear a full face visor when opening (for good reason)

How do you LIM an EIC?

 

[grimysparks80]

with the BFG on the KP via the CSI

 

[mogga]

BIG Flash when you put fuse back in Your LUCKY it wasnt BIG BANG this is the reason DNO wear full PPE when doing removal,refit of cutout fuses IF anything had happened ie youd fallen back n knocked out ect ect ect insurance would say NO chance when you made your claim as YOU arent autherised to remove and refit cablehead fuses

 

[LlandrilloSpark]

Im aware of the above Mogga, and i woulnt of made a claim m8, It was by decision to pull the fuse right or wrong

 

[mogga]

but if the worst had happened your wife wouldnt have been able to make a claim ect ect ect
Could go on for ages but Lesson learned I trust
How did you get on with that problem you had at travelodge??

 

[mechelec]

millions of us check them, Im no different im afraid, your going to tell me that you have never ever pulled one

Officially your right of course, but there was no tag so i had a look

It is not that i dont pull the fuses but for me it about risk assesment ie risk and benefit.

EIC or PIR---- risk is the cutout may fail and i may be injured as i pull the fuse. benefit is i can fill in a box on a form

Work on tails or cu----risk is the cutout may fail and i may be injured as i pull the fuse. benefit is i wont get electrocuted or flash burns working with live equipment which is more likely to happen than the co faulting

 

[LlandrilloSpark]

I agree with you, and I knew the risks involved but I don't know anybody apart from the DNO who would of assumed that this small rewirable fuse is protecting a fair load in a separate property, if u read the original post u would see I did everything possible to reduce or stop arcing and an accident,

 

[LlandrilloSpark]

Mogga, the tripping stoped when I changed the rcbo's from Eaton 6amp type B to contactum 10amp type C, havnt heard anything in 6 weeks and I've been paid so I presume it's all sorted m8!!

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Hi mechelec, i think the point about "LIM" on an EIC is...it has no place.

Its a common mistake, LIM is only for PIR's! Cheers.

 

[sparky3366]

I had the dubious pleasure of plunging the ex-mp of monkeyhanger land (you know where it is...) into total darkness. He cried like a baby...pmsl

 

[mechelec]

Hi mechelec, i think the point about "LIM" on an EIC is...it has no place.

Its a common mistake, LIM is only for PIR's! Cheers.

Find the rating by enquiry then.

 

[Mr.Ian]

If the shop next door had been wired on it's own supply then there wouldn't have been the flash on refitting the cutout fuse due to the instant loading, is it such a no no to remove the cutout fuse ? I know you're supposed to call the supplier but i'm sure i've read somewhere that in an emergency (I know this wasn't) or to work safely in an emergency situation you are allowed to remove the fuse but replace the cover minus the fuse to cover the live supply. Or have I imagined it ?????

 

[grimysparks80]

Ive heard that some suppliers will now give you permission to remove the fuse over the phone, and then come round and seal it up when youre done.