Locking off the main switch before removing cover from a consumer unit?

Yes... just! I had to do it.. the assessor wasn't going to let me take the cover off until it was locked off! Bit of a squeeze though and it felt far more dangerous jigging it around to get past the lock!
Wow, I'm surprised it's possible but if it's such a tight squeeze then surely safer to remove the DNO fuse? Personally I'd have done a risk assessment and told him to take a hike.
 
Wow, I'm surprised it's possible but if it's such a tight squeeze then surely safer to remove the DNO fuse? Personally I'd have done a risk assessment and told him to take a hike.

He would probably mark it as a non conformance then spank you with a £250 odd quid bill to come back out and do another assessment lol
 
The locking off kit is designed to stop some random idiot turning the supply back on whilst working on a circuit in absence of the distribution board, consumer unit, etc.
Locking of a board with you sat next to it. Pathetic!
 
Yes... just! I had to do it.. the assessor wasn't going to let me take the cover off until it was locked off! Bit of a squeeze though and it felt far more dangerous jigging it around to get past the lock!

Sounds like the various assessors have very different attitudes. My last assessor was quite happy for me to remove the cover on a CU that I had recently installed while still powered up. OK, it was a Crabtree Starbreaker, with the insulated busbar but, given that you have to do live testing anyway, I thought that his attitude was the correct one. Do what you need to do, but take care when doing it.
 
Sounds like the various assessors have very different attitudes. My last assessor was quite happy for me to remove the cover on a CU that I had recently installed while still powered up. OK, it was a Crabtree Starbreaker, with the insulated busbar but, given that you have to do live testing anyway, I thought that his attitude was the correct one. Do what you need to do, but take care when doing it.

In my opinion one of the main benefits of a modern unit over a 3036 Wylex is the ability to remove/replace the cover and work on a single circuit without killing power to the whole house.
 
More fool any of you that allows an assessor impose his personal views.

Have you put a complaint in HHD?
When i had my assessment there was a couple of complaints i could of made or arguments i could of started. However ultimately i (and i think its safe to say most electricians?) just want to get the thing over with and signed off.

Pacification is key.
 
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This assessor is a bloody idiot, exactly what was his reasoning behind locking the main switch off before taking the cover off the CU?? So what happens ''After'' the cover is removed?? I think he must have had a bit of a bad belt sometime in the recent past, by sticking his mits where they shouldn't have been.

I'd have asked him to show me where that practice is stated in the safe isolation procedure. It's true what they say, those that can't ...Teach!! Unfortunately it's the same type of people that perpetuate all the old wife tales, that crop up on here (and on a regular basis) such as you can't export PME, RFC's, are bad etc, etc, etc!!
 
When i had my assessment there was a couple of complaints i could of made or arguments i could of started. However ultimately i (and i think its safe to say most electricians?) just want to get the thing over with and signed off.

Pacification is key.


Then the assessor just caries on imposing his personal views if no one complains.

As I said more fool you all for not getting them in to line.
 
Yes... just! I had to do it.. the assessor wasn't going to let me take the cover off until it was locked off! Bit of a squeeze though and it felt far more dangerous jigging it around to get past the lock!
Is the assessor a bricklayer or baker/ or perhaps a chef? he certainely doesn't sound electrically minded.
 
maybe a change of career to billy smart's is in order for this assessor. he's a bloody clown.
 
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HappyHippyDad,
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tidyboiler,
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