My first Consumer unit change

[pablod]

I have my first job so I can get signed off by one of the part p bodies. I need to know the best route to take for the isolation of the supply to the unit. I'm from Brentwood in Essex and wondering how easy it is to get the supplier to fit an isolation switch inplaceof the Henley block. And what it costsThanks

 

[telectrix]

most suppliers will fit isolator free if you provide it. if you've got henley blocks already installed. you can ( carefully ) disconnect the load side cables from the blocks. most guys pull the DNO fuse as your safety overrides any other consideration.

 

[tommy76it]

Just pull the fuse,Dont be scared.

 

[pblec]

speaking to the guy which read my meter last i asked him what he would do if he found a seal broken, he said if he'd seen signs of work like new tails and board then he'd just reseal it.

another said he'd report it as you're not allowed - jobs worth but correct.

i now do as the others say and pop it, my safety is my concern.

i was always told if you ring the DNO up they'll install an isolator for free, they wont in my area.

 

[gooner1984]

pop the main switch off on the cu then take suppliers fuse out jobs a good un reseal :seeya:

 

[Sjn electrical]

I was under the impression we weren't aloud to touch the main fuse.

 

[tanglewood]

were not supposed to cut seals and remove service fuse. BUT ...safety first, in the real world all self respecting sparks cut the seals and remove service then plead ignorant if questioned!!

 

[Sjn electrical]

Of course we do, I do it myself but for someone who has never changed a db before and maybe not that confident, Should be told the right way first to stop him hurting himself or others.
Just my opinion.

 

[tanglewood]

Point taken SJN i agree. Do not touch the service fuse, it is illegal.

 

[pablod]

thanks for the replys on this. i have heard some stories of bad experiences pulling the fuse. I personally would only use two options 1 is pull fuse and other is isolation switch. As never pulled a fuse not to keen without seeing it done first to know what to expect really. One problem is getting to the fuse as well. would the energy supplier need to pull the fuse to put an isolator in place. and sorry for the stupid question but what does DNO stand for

many thanks

paul

 

[DiscoDave]

If you isolate the consumer unit by it's main switch, there is then no load on the system, so removing the main incomer fuse should not pose any difficulties. Be careful once you've got it out, because there is then a rather large unfused lump of brass at the bottom of the fuse socket that is where the supply is terminated.

Re the meter reading guys, mostly it's subcontracted out now, and rarely do they actually know what a seal should look like, however you can get seals and crimpers to replace the seals your self, although they won't have the traceable id tag on them.

 

[Geoffsd]

Distribution Network Operator

 

[gooner1984]

if you don't feel confident touching it then don't. Are you confident about changing the cu? what about live test would you be ok testing it all, the isolation is not that hard, just be safe and be care full, if you do take it out yourself make sure you turn main switch off first, and there wont be a problem. good luck

 

[pablod]

Thanks for that. Yea gooner I'm all good and confident on testing and installing it's just I have no experience of dealing with the main fuse so don't know what to expect. Will prob get isolator fitted. I guessing they would need to pull the service fuse for this?

 

[gooner1984]

trust me i understand, we have all been there sometime, when they come out to put isolator your see what they do and next time you should be ok by yourself, and i have never seen them fit an isolator but i should think they will pull the main fuse,