Service head query

[tlangdon12]

Attached is a picture of the service head at our house. Is this a type that the DNO should replace for free upon notification?

It looks very old, and may have a fused neutral line, I can't quite see through the sight glass to see whether this is the case. The conductors going to the meter look like they have some sort of fabric covering and look very thin compared to the modern meter tails.

The CU is a Wylex rewireable fuse unit that I'd like to get upgraded; one advantage of this head is that it appears to have a built-in isolator (lever on the top rhs), but I think it needs to go.

Thanks in advance.

Tony (Householder)

 

[Knobhead]

One Tony to another,

Get in touch with you’re supplier tomorrow.
That service head is a thing of beauty, but should be in a museum.

It should be replaced ASAP!

Ask if you can keep the head, cleaned up it would be a conversation piece.

 

[jamsey]

I used to fit meters, and yes contact DNO and they should replace it for free

 

[RWJ]

There's even an isolator on the side.... It could be the future lolol

 

[Guitarist]

Makes me smile that the supplier has connected a shiny new meter to those old tails. The DNO boys will enjoy seeing this one, for sure

 

[tlangdon12]

The DNO boys will enjoy seeing this one, for sure

Should I be charging them to come and look at? I can get some tickets printed, perhaps get a caterer in...

I definitely like the idea of restoring it, as a conversation piece.

I thought the DNOs were under some obligation to have completed a replacement programme for a certain type of service head by a certain date. Can anyone point me to anything official that refers to this requirement if it is correct?

Thanks all

 

[Knobhead]

They are under obligation to change the head. Especially any with a fused neutral.

BTW that’s a DC service head. How old is you’re house?

Serve tea and cakes you could be on to a winner.

 

[tlangdon12]

The house is Victorian. There are still some long sections of wooden conduit in the cellar containing one red and one black VIR cable. A separate earth cable of tiny cross section is also present. All the old cables are disconnected. This seems to have been done when the house was rewired with PVC cables.

 

[Knobhead]

It's an ask.

Could you post up some pictures of the wooden capping and casing?

I’m interested in anything that’s electrical and old.

As an industry we don’t have a long history when compared to the other trades.

Much as we despise plumbers and fitters, we are the new boys in town.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

It's an ask.

Could you post up some pictures of the wooden capping and casing?

I’m interested in anything that’s electrical and old.

As an industry we don’t have a long history when compared to the other trades.

Much as we despise plumbers and fitters, we are the new boys in town.

so they can just move aside....cant they...

 

[Geordie Spark]

so they can just move aside....cant they...

................or sign-up to a 5 week course and become a fully qualified electrician .....................

 

[Spoon]

I’m interested in anything that’s electrical and old.

If you send me £5 I will post you some pics of me.... I fall into that category...

 

[thomas-1981]

Yea contact the DNO not the supplier. Should be free of charge. I wouldn't be using the isolator on the side, probably break in the off position.

 

[Knobhead]

Yea contact the DNO not the supplier. Should be free of charge. I wouldn't be using the isolator on the side, probably break in the off position.

From that statement, you’ve never come across old switchgear.

It would out last any modern isolator.

 

[Guitarist]

From that statement, you’ve never come across old switchgear.

It would out last any modern isolator.

Absolutely Tony. When I worked for HP foods about 16 years ago, we had machinery with original switchgear from the 50's early 60's. Stuff was built like a tank, and nobody cared that it was twice the size of the modern stuff.