removal of main cutout fuse!

[HappyHippyDad]

Hello all,

I think this may be a controversial question, but here goes..

I have passed my domestic installers course and will be getting registered soon (so showing a CU change would be good). I would like to update my consumer unit and have read many of the posts on this site regarding that. I will first try and get the DNO to fit an isolation switch if not then I do not want to work with live tails so pulling the main cutout seems like the option. Lets say for arguments sake that I will get permission by the DNO, thats not really what I want to get into on this thread.

From other threads I think it a very good idea to first assess what type of head it is (cast iron seems one to avoid) and what condition it is in.

Wear electricians gloves.

Test the tails after removal of main fuse to be 100% sure they are not live.

Have main switch off when removing and replacing.

One question is how to make the meter box safe for others whilst I am working inside. Do I just remove the fuse from the main cutout and replace?

This is clearly something that should have been taught during my course, but it wasn't, they just said pull it, which isn't good enough for me.

Any futher advice on removing the main cutout fuse would be most welcome.

Cheers.

 

[oldtimer]

The Electrical Safety Council have stated their disappointment that the government has agreed with the Assosiation of Meter Operators
that the cost of fitting an intergral isolation switch on smart meters would cause a delay on the roll out and would have cost implications pluse there is no material evidence to do this on the grounds of safety

Switched On Issue 25 summer 2012 reference

Also ESC welcomes a Select Committe Report on Part P in the same issue to read click on below and select Summer 2012

http://www.esc.org.uk/stakeholder/news-and-campaigns/switched-on/

 

[Jimmy Boy]

Question..as a consumer does the DNO provide me with a means to isolate an electrical source that they supply to me in the event that my equipment AKA the CU bursts in to flames ? yes they do a fkn big fuse lol, so my defence is.." I saw smoke coming from my CU, and in the absence of an isolating device to disconnect your equipment from mine I had no choice but to remove your cut out fuse"

J

 

[hermetic]

Question..as a consumer does the DNO provide me with a means to isolate an electrical source that they supply to me in the event that my equipment AKA the CU bursts in to flames ? yes they do a fkn big fuse lol, so my defence is.." I saw smoke coming from my CU, and in the absence of an isolating device to disconnect your equipment from mine I had no choice but to remove your cut out fuse"

J

Exactly right, we were taught to quote the "Electricity supply act 1921", personally, I remove seals by cutting one wire, do the work, replace the cutout and reseal with the original seal and a quick twist, I have never been challenged in 40 years!, never removed the fuse and replaced the carrier for safety, but I agree with the above poster that a stray cpc going into the unprotected cutout could be.....................................interesting.

 

[Jimmy Boy]

Interesting..Just finished a couple of little ones where I have fitted Wylex isolators before I did the board change seals were *cough* already..gone
TN-S
PFC 2.6kA
Ze 0.09 ohms

Thats a lot of copper in your face !

Considering I think the 1361 has a SCC of 16.5 kA

J

 

[Midwest]

Reply from my distributor:

'In terms of jurisdiction, SSEPD as distributor is responsible for the incoming service and cutout, including the company fuse.

The incoming tails,or rather the tails from the cutout to the meter are the Meter Operator's repsonsibility. I do not work for the MOP, but I would assume that any remedial work on these tails would be organised with the MOP by the supplier at the property.

The outgoing tails from the meter to the consumer unit are the responsibility of the customer and can be worked upon by any qualified electrician.

If the meter seals are cut, or the company fuse is pulled, we would add a site note against the property on a system called CS, listing the electricians name, mobile number,company name and trade association number. Any NICEIC, ECA, NAPIT, ELECSA orSELECT registered engineer is allowed to pull the company fuse or break company seals.

Temporary seals, used to tag works carried out, can be obtained from the closest regional SSEPD depot.

I hope the above information is of some use'.

 

[DNS1]

Could the moderators or someone more computer literate organise a petition online? is this possible.

There's the government e-petitions website...

I'll have a look on there and if there's not already a petition going i'll set one up and post the link...

 

[oldtimer]

Democracy sounds good but it looks like the Assosiation of Meter Operators have a strong lobby plus in this current economical climate politician will not vote for more costs to business no matter how cheap it is as macro economics take place so if you change 100,000 meters a year that a £1.2 million cost on you even although it will cost more to send someone out to put an isolator in the long run it makes common sense but because of deregulation there is big demarcation lines ie meter guys will only touch the meter and the head guys
will not work on the consumer side

 

[huntos33]

Im sure there is a note with regard to pulling dno fuses in the BGB along the lines of ringing them telling them your pulling it and they need to re seal it , ( the phrase competent person is also in there) so assuming if your Nic elecsa etc pull away ???

 

[Midwest]

Im sure there is a note with regard to pulling dno fuses in the BGB along the lines of ringing them telling them your pulling it and they need to re seal it , ( the phrase competent person is also in there) so assuming if your Nic elecsa etc pull away ???

See my post no. 80.

 

[Guitarist]

I will be sending a copy of that PDF from SSE to my MP, asking that all DNO's adopt that kind of sensible attitude towards isolation.

 

[DNS1]

I've set up a petition on the government e-petitions website.

It's got to be approved but as soon as i get the confirmation email I'll post up a link on here.

Wonder if the mods could promote it like the "Fatally Flawed" campaign...

 

[trev]

Wonder if the mods could promote it like the "Fatally Flawed" campaign...

I'm sure it will be promoted mate because it's something that will benefit us all. I'll be signing it and linking on me FB page

 

[Jimmy Boy]

Yea let us know mate nice one !

J

 

[DNS1]

Sorry it's taking so long to get the link to the petition guys...

I'm still waiting for the email to say that it's been approved...

 

[brucelee]

Its an idiotic system
it should be compulsary for the suppliers to upgrade there equipment and provide a adequate means of isolation to allow improvements to be made such as fitting the CCU without breaking any laws or seals
Or allow the seals to be cut and new tails installed as long as the supplier is notified and temporary seals fitted upon completion as well as having to fit a DP isolator if the equipment looks safe to do so