Supply fuse - quote to change.

[1Justin]

My customer needs bigger than 60A supply. Currently BS1361 60A. 4 bedroom house, 4 kids, new circuits..

Before I started in the place it came up at 72A (with diversity), and after my 2 new circuits I am 79A (with diversity). PME, nice condition, modern supply cable, Ze 0.27 so should be able to take 80A fuse).

Given the additions, however I look at it and use diversity I need 80A.

Since I'll be inspected on this job (Mr NICEIC etc), I am sure this needs to be shown to be all ticked off OK. The quote from SSE is £131.42+VAT to upgrade the fuse. Surely all they are likely to do is confirm Ze, check the supply cable and earthing conductor, and change the fuse. (modern cable and 16mm main earthing conductor).

Is this a typical quote? I haven't told the customer yet but he's not going to like it given that in his eyes he gets nothing for it.

Is someone here now going to tell me that they just change the fuse anyway without informing DNO? DNO never seem know what the fuse rating is anyhow when I've asked them before.

Justin

 

[snowhead]

When the jobs done, no 80a fuse ,No Hobnobs and No tea. :26:

 

[1Justin]

Wow such a lot of responses. Thanks. All confirming my own opinion really.

What I was trying to do was cover myself for the question Mr NICEIC might inevitably ask me. I was hoping to have a robust response up my sleeve.

As TopCat says:

"If asked by NICEIC inspector what method did you use for working out the estimated load say "the common sense method", you may even get a smile!

If I can "pass" an inspection under this sort of hand-waving policy than that's fine by me. It's not the way we've been taught to behave but I do see how classroom and reality are not always the same thing.

I'll give SSE a call anyway and ask if they'll l get me an 80A fuse for free, no harm, asking.

Rgds

 

[sedgy34]

My customer needs bigger than 60A supply. Currently BS1361 60A. 4 bedroom house, 4 kids, new circuits..

Before I started in the place it came up at 72A (with diversity), and after my 2 new circuits I am 79A (with diversity). PME, nice condition, modern supply cable, Ze 0.27 so should be able to take 80A fuse).

Given the additions, however I look at it and use diversity I need 80A.

Since I'll be inspected on this job (Mr NICEIC etc), I am sure this needs to be shown to be all ticked off OK. The quote from SSE is £131.42+VAT to upgrade the fuse. Surely all they are likely to do is confirm Ze, check the supply cable and earthing conductor, and change the fuse. (modern cable and 16mm main earthing conductor).

Is this a typical quote? I haven't told the customer yet but he's not going to like it given that in his eyes he gets nothing for it.

Is someone here now going to tell me that they just change the fuse anyway without informing DNO? DNO never seem know what the fuse rating is anyhow when I've asked them before.

Justin

they have installed this BS1361 60A either because they didnt have an 80A on the van or they did it knowing more money again for company in years to come YOU CHANGE IT to 80A £40 you say its got a modern supply cable same as any other.
"just put my tin hat on" :army:
and yeh DNO wont like it cause they havnt got there £131.42 +vat

 

[Knobhead]

Is someone here now going to tell me that they just change the fuse anyway without informing DNO?

I'll not tell you. But.....

 

[Engineer54]

they have installed this BS1361 60A either because they didn't have an 80A on the van or they did it knowing more money again for company in years to come YOU CHANGE IT to 80A £40 you say its got a modern supply cable same as any other.
"just put my tin hat on" :army:
and ye DNO wont like it cause they haven't got there £131.42 +vat

There's a more than good chance that, that 60A BS1361 fuse has been sitting in that service head cut-out since the 50's or 60's, long before 80A fuses became the norm!!!

As for changing it yourself, ...well, your the same guy that liked the idea, that you can convert your service head to PME yourself!!! ...Enough said!!!

 

[Knobhead]

You can be evil at times E54

 

[Top Cat]

You can be evil at times E54

Mine is quite soothing actually!

Or is that E45?

 

[WPD Lad]

As E54 has said, that fuse will probably have been there since the service was installed in the 50's, the service cable may well only be an 0.0225" service so don't get dropping a 100a in

 

[mhar]

Had similar issues as you the other day apart from it was a 7.5kW supply. Was told by the DNO system planner that everybody has a 'right' to a 15kW supply but their standard supply is 80A.
Two guys came out on Monday and altered the cutout position and meter positions, fitted a four pole isolator (econ 7), upgraded cutout to 80A and was told that the max charge would be around £70 if they bothered to charge!
The DNO's do know what fuses are fitted and do know what the earthing systems employed are at individual properties. They will come out a couple of times to change the cutout fuse free of charge before they suggest you apply for a supply upgrade.
Personally I think the dangers of peeing off the local DNO boys by unauthorised alterations far outweighs the benefits gained from keeping them sweet

 

[WPD Lad]

Had similar issues as you the other day apart from it was a 7.5kW supply. Was told by the DNO system planner that everybody has a 'right' to a 15kW supply but their standard supply is 80A.
Two guys came out on Monday and altered the cutout position and meter positions, fitted a four pole isolator (econ 7), upgraded cutout to 80A and was told that the max charge would be around £70 if they bothered to charge!
The DNO's do know what fuses are fitted and do know what the earthing systems employed are at individual properties. They will come out a couple of times to change the cutout fuse free of charge before they suggest you apply for a supply upgrade.
Personally I think the dangers of peeing off the local DNO boys by unauthorised alterations far outweighs the benefits gained from keeping them sweet

Which DNO was that?

 

[mhar]

Western Power

 

[Knobhead]

Can I laugh now?

View attachment 12015

 

[WPD Lad]

Can I laugh now?

Please do, I am

Sounds like they did a stellar job

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Please do, I am

Sounds like they did a stellar job

I am in fact currently engaging in a Stella job. phase 3

 

[1Justin]

I just spoke to SSE DNO.

Up till April they charged nothing for this.

Since April thay are charging £131.42 + VAT. Apparently they change the cut-out also and this with two blokes and call out and 1.5 hours is where they get the cost.

Shame I didn't do it three weeks ago.