supply of isolator between meter and CU

[babylonsBurning]

Hi all, hope you all had a good Easter.
I recently requested to a customer that they request an isolator to be installed by their meter supplier (EDF).
He contacted them and they have refused to supply and fit an isolator but have agreed for an "engineer" to visit to pull the cut-out while an electrician (me in this case) fits an isolator.
Just wondering if there are any special requirements for the isolator (other than the normal requirements for BS), e.g. does it need to have a facility to allow the meter provider to seal?
Also is this the norm? Was doing a job in london and requested EDF to fit an isolator and it was no problem!

 

[telectrix]

isolator does not need sealing if it's after the meter.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Wylex 100A DP Supply Isolator

 

[Knobhead]

Why do you need the isolator to be fitted?

Most electricians get by without one being fitted. The consumer unit has a built in method for the customer to isolate if needed.

In the ideal world they would be fitted to every instalation. Sorry this is the real world.

 

[telectrix]

maybe the OP is unwilling to pull the fuse. just like the rest of us. :angelsad2:

 

[Robson689]

e.g. does it need to have a facility to allow the meter provider to seal?

Would you honestly let them try and seal an isolator that you paid for?

 

[shocking_eg]

lol - just fit your own isolator if need be

dont see why you need one unless you have multiple DB's

 

[babylonsBurning]

Thanks for all the replies, all very useful. To answer the questions:
It is on a camp site where the main tails go to a henly bock then to various distribution boards which I will be doing work on in the near future. There is quite a lot of work involved and the henly block will be removed after the updating. EDF have been involved at the site quite a lot due to problems with voltage levels on PV installation (not sure on details on this) and have also installed smart meter with new seals so reluctant to break them! Just seemed easier for an isolator to be fitted.

 

[babylonsBurning]

Thanks telectrix for clearing that up and thanks geordie for the link, the isolator looks ideal, has separate sealable covers for incoming and outgoing so ideal!!!

 

[shocking_eg]

well if you have various dis boards then by regs you should have one main point of isolation.

so sounds like a good idea to get one installed

 

[babylonsBurning]

Cheers shocking I agree, its only going to cost £20 and it will make the job so much easier!

 

[Knobhead]

well if you have various dis boards then by regs you should have one main point of isolation.

so sounds like a good idea to get one installed

A very good reason for the OP to fit an isolator.

There is no reason to even touch the meter seals only the cutout. Do it live and even they can stay as they are. The tails from the meter can be made off in to the new isolator. It couldn’t be any more simple.

 

[babylonsBurning]

Hi Tony, agree that your suggestion is possible but seems much safer to have cutout pulled.
Wasnt going to touch meter seals, i meant that to say that all seals have been renewed including the cutout
which was until recently was not present. Have done live work on tails many times in the distant past, customer has organised visit by "engineer" and i will be on site all day anyway on the day of his visit so its no hassle for me.

 

[Gage]

It's even better if the tails bypass the meter completely

 

[Knobhead]

Just tell the engineer to reseal the cutout after you've fitted the isolator.
Given the price of an isolator, I can't see any reason to involve them in the first place.