Terminology

[Pat Tester]

Hi, What is the correct terminology for the plastic block with service fuse that feeds the meter ?

I have just looked at a job where the lead sleeved 2 core feed comes out from under the floor into a very old cast iron box. This is shaped vaguely like an upside down torso ! it has ceramic shields protecting the 16mm tails going to the meter. There is an earth clamp on the lead with an un sleeved earth running to one of the DB’s. It also has a bonding clamp below this that feeds an earth to the other DB’s. The cast iron is not earthed to the lead sleeve. I have never seen one of these before in a property, my question; Is there a fuse in side this ? The cover had a seal on it and to be honest looking at the state of it I was not prepared to cut it off and look.
The client wants to upgrade the installation; at the moment he has two 8 way Wylex boards, A plastic 5 way board with MCB’s and a metal switch with 4 mini rewireable fuses within, this is so old it belongs in a museum. I can’t do any of the work as it is not possible to isolate the supply. There is no RCD protection on any circuits and all the sockets in the older part are wired as radials on 15A fuses.

I would like to get a modern service fuse installed by electricity board but want to know the correct term.

Any help would be appreciated. I will post some pics later, there must be some 80 year old electricians on the forum who have installed this equipment !

Regards Pat

 

[Mac]

It is a main service fuse or cut out.The DNO should upgrade this free of charge as they own all the equiptment up to the meter.Hope this helps

 

[Des 56]

It may have two fuse holders inside with the neutral containing a link instead of a fuse

The DNO may still consider it fit for purpose and charge you lots of money to upgrade
Apply for isolation by the supplier to do your work,it makes them aware and they may wave the upgrade fees

 

[Pat Tester]

Re: can this be right ?

Many thanks for info.

Is it considered acceptable for the supply to come from pole in swa underground then run halfway up the wall.
This is then split and taped to 16mm tails (cloth covered brown ones) this runs up the rest of the wall and then inside the roof, cables run side by side touching and held down with flat metal cable clips. Total run
around 4M. This ends in the brown bakerlite fuse holder and nutral block, this is smashed and could be touched. Client would like some work done, I feel I should get RDF out to replace this with new Cut out,
should I ask then to check the supply ? should this be replaced in modern plastic insulated cable ?

Once again many thanks in anticipation of help,
Pat

 

[V]

do u mean EDF

 

[Spudnik]

If you call EDF emergency number and tell them you have live terminals exposed, they will be out pretty darn quick to repair or replace.

Might even be free too.

 

[Pat Tester]

Many thanks for posts
Pat