Supply Authorities isolator Faulty

[alisyed1]

Hi,

Have a problem and not sure what to do next. I went to isolate my consumer unit to change the entire unit in my flat.There is an isolator fitted before the consumer unit, as the supply fuses are not within the premises. The supply cables connect straight into the meter in the premises, the main protective earth connects onto the metal conduit that the supply cables are in using an earth clamp. I have traced the cables back to what I assume are the fuses in a metal enclosure in the communal corridor. The enclosure has a lock on it.

The problem is that the isolator does not function as intended. I cant get the isolator contacts to open, tried flicking the switch a hundred times. Checked for external signs of damage on the isolator. What should I do? Should I contact my supplier to replace the isolator as it has stopped functioning, will they do this for free as there is no fuses within the premises that can be removed. Or should I change the isolator myself? All help will be greatly appreciated.

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[malcolmsanford]

By the sounds of things it would seem that the isolator as fused together, this can happen if the mechanical switching action is just left under a load for several years of non activity.

Im assuming your not an Electrician and so would recommend that you contact a local electrician to help you here. It is against the law to pull the suppliers/DNO fuse and so you would need to contact them to do this. I would imagine that they would charge a call out and a cost for chaging the isolator or advise you to get a local electrician to fit a new. Also the electrician will check over the installation for you, to make sure the isolator is just that, and would be able to advise you what is the best course of action.

 

[Engineer54]

Think he must be an electrician, ...if he was planning to change his Cu!!!!


EDIT.... Depends if this isolator is DNO property or not, it probably isn't, so it will be down to you to change...

 

[telectrix]

or if the flat is rented, it's his landlord's problem.

 

[londonlec]

Probably a Ryefield in the communal intak/corridor.

 

[alisyed1]

First of all I am an industrial electrician, just not dealt with much domestic stuff much, except for change sockets or additions. I've never seen this kind of set up where the supply authorities fuses are outwith the property and locked within an enclosure. So I need to get the correct information to deal with it. Ideally I want the supply authority to replace the isolator, leaves me less to do and saves me money. The only fuses accessible are at the main intake for the building - 8 Flats. So I would rather not pull them as it would require informing all the neighbours that the power will be affected when i change the isolator.

 

[malcolmsanford]

Whoever you pay your bill to will have access to that enclosure, as that is where I would imagine they read the meter. So I would contact them and advise them of what you want to do. Is there a management compnay for the flats that oversee the maintenance of the building and grounds, again they may have a key.

As Londonlec says I would imagine you will have a Ryefield board or 8 individual switch fuses, that will go via the meters to your flat, inside that enclosure. With luck you should be able to isolate your flat and change the isolator yourself, as I'm sure if you want the suppliers to do it they will charge you.

I'm sure you know as a sparks, that the CU change requires a full EIC done and of course the dreaded part P

 

[alisyed1]

Supply isolator issue resolved. Contacted my supplier, explained that the isolator had became faulty, they will replace it free of charge as well as replace the wiring to the meter