Pulling the Main Fuse (Poll)

[hightower]

So, anonymous poll - who pulls the main fuse when required (ie CU change) and who get's the DNO/supplier/whoever in to sort it?

 

[sam400]

I pulled a main fuse once, I hadn't noticed but the cut out had been damaged at some stage so a big chunk of plastic came away with it. I rang the DNO to let them know, then carried on with the CU change as I didn't want to lose the day.
When they turned up they didn't bat an eyelid, they replaced the cut out and even asked me what size fuse I wanted in there. They then left it on the side for me to put back in once I had finished the CU.

 

[test electrical]

I've been doing the same as video doctor for over 20 years. Give them call tell them it was in a dangerous condition and that I had to cut the seal and remove the cut-out fuse.
Now I send them an email. Job done, ever had a problem with them ever. In fact Scottish power replied once thanking me.
North West, British gas, never had any problems.

 

[Andy78]

I pulled a main fuse once, I hadn't noticed but the cut out had been damaged at some stage so a big chunk of plastic came away with it. I rang the DNO to let them know, then carried on with the CU change as I didn't want to lose the day.
When they turned up they didn't bat an eyelid, they replaced the cut out and even asked me what size fuse I wanted in there. They then left it on the side for me to put back in once I had finished the CU.

Further to this comment, and seemingly contrary to my last one, I have seen fuses which have suffered heat damage through fault to the point where the insulating exterior had completely crumbled away.

Be sure what you are pulling if you are pulling anything.

I might add that this was not in a single phase domestic system, although I have encountered faulty and overheated fuses in these too, but not to the same extent.

 

[Midwest]

you find them off the coasts of wales and scotland.

To quote Hans Gruber 'Ho Ho Ho'.

 

[Midwest]

yes I've never seen one eitherm

Your guys need to keep up with the programme

 

[Midwest]

I don't see why I should try and hide the fact I need to remove a fuse (to carry out safe isolation) to do a job. Removing the fuse argument aside, I'm doing a job that's fully legal, why should we hide or jump thru hoops todo so. My DNO has a sensible practible approach, about time the others followed suit.
Gas meters got an isolating value, has so for years. Bout time electric companies followed their lead.

 

[danzor]

We're electricians, safe isolation and all.... I will do anything to work safe and get back to my family.

 

[Midwest]

I voted for the last option, but I don't think SSE cover the whole of the U.K
Why not contact your local DNO, if that's your main area of work, and ask their policy?

 

[hightower]

Well I thought this had been done to death but seems people still had a lot to get off their chest. Interesting poll result, but not shocked by it. I suppose the poll options I forgot to add were PPE when pulling the fuse - who wears it, who doesn't? If you do, what do you wear?

 

[rolyberkin]

The fact that people pull fuses on a nod from some admin girl at the end of a phone doesn't make it right. Unless there is a written down agreement or process between a supplier/dno I wouldn't pull the fuse unless some other factor made it dangerous not to do so. I just call the supplier and get a isolator put in. This should be addressed by the IET. To my mind the most relevant post here so far is hightowers comment about PPE, no one expects or plans to have an accident yet they still happen. I bet that most people who pull fuses don't wear suitable gloves or a face shield like they should do? Again the argument will be well the DNO/Supplier come out and they don't bother wearing PPE......in 99.99% of cases there will be no issue but on that 00.01% of cases where the fuse holder crumbles in your hand or there is an issue then at least you have the proper protection.

 

[Midwest]

Agreed, SSE have a written policy. So why not see if 'yours' has?

 

[Midwest]

Well I thought this had been done to death but seems people still had a lot to get off their chest. Interesting poll result, but not shocked by it. I suppose the poll options I forgot to add were PPE when pulling the fuse - who wears it, who doesn't? If you do, what do you wear?

Close my eyes and put my fingers in my ears
If the cutout looks dodgy I wouldn't touch it, call the dno. I wear glasses, safety glasses as matter of course. I acknowledge the previous post mentioning safety visor and gloves. Remove load by safe isolation and remove fuse. Reciprocal in replacing fuse.

 

[DPG]

Stand on something insulating if on a damp concrete floor in a cellar. Daz

 

[Midwest]

Stand on something insulating if on a damp concrete floor in a cellar. Daz

Normally use my safety shoes not my slippers, but get your point.

Expect there will be the normal HS ditties. But when I'm drilling fixing holes for a back box, I don't wear safety hat, hi viz vest, ear defenders, gauntlets and fire extinguisher on stand by for your normal domestic residence.

Tin hat, I'm mean safety hat on

 

[ruston]

They used to be tin lol.