To Pull or Not to Pull (DNO Fuse that is)

[DurhamSparky]

HONEST ANSWERS LADS.....! No Lying as its not big but it is very Clever if you can get away with it.

 

[electricians]

In Scotland I am aware that SELECT are trying to talk to the authorities regarding isolation . They are scared , the cost implication is huge . Something needs to be done though , its a real nightmare .

 

[oldtimer]

In Scotland I am aware that SELECT are trying to talk to the authorities regarding isolation . They are scared , the cost implication is huge . Something needs to be done though , its a real nightmare .

Totally agree with this in Scotland why cannot DNO,s just post you a plastic coded seal say the week before you plan to do the job or better still why cant they send you an isolation switch and plastic seal and you could do the job for them. Mind you I recently changed a board in a second floor flat and the cut out was in the stair with no seal so great

 

[ian]

I pull then re-seal, must have pulled 100s over the years, I dont loose any sleep and never had a problem.

Ian

 

[electricians]

The problem is though , its not the electrician thats get into trouble , its the customer that can be charged

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Never found a seal fitted yet that was intact and therefore always pull the fuse if there is no switch. I am about to get a pair of crimps and a load of tags off fleabay as I should be leaving safer than when I arrived.....

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Found a Supply Fuse Head on fleabay, remove cartridge and paint red if you need a blanking carrier. Id also alter so it can not accept a fuse.

 

[Spudnik]

Good link thanks.

One question though, what size hex key is needed for these?

I have stumbled across various lucy blocks with hex key screws and have never got the right size!

 

[Ohmyword]

Good link thanks.

One question though, what size hex key is needed for these?

I have stumbled across various lucy blocks with hex key screws and have never got the right size!

I've found them to be the same size as the ones in the connector blocks. I have "proper" insulated screwdriver type (obviously with the hex key end on it). Struggled for a few years with those stupid little things they brought out. (Mind you, they were an improvement from the allen key taped up ;-) )

 

[Ohmyword]

I have never worried unduly about working on live gear. It's the "calculated risk" I am prepared to take. I agree with Des 56 when he talks about "taking responsibility for his own welfare" (I hope I'm not miss-quoting him). The old saying of "Keep thinking all the time" comes into it's own when you're working with live gear. I can't remember ever getting a belt when I have been knowingly working on live stuff. My serious belts have come from either, assuming something, my own lapse of concentration, or someone else's stupidity.
Having said that, if it's a service fuse that needs to come out, then I pull it!
EDF didn't think much of that recently on a job I was doing. On this particular day I had brought in a mate (lecky) with his trainee to assist me with a triple consumer unit change (and various other works) in a shop and house set-up. The cut-out and meter was to be re-positioned slightly, and in preparation for this, I pulled the fuse to make the site safe for all. I had an isolator already fixed and tailed up for them when they arrived.............................
Mr. Jobs Worth!

 

[mogga]

ROCKER try REECE security products they doLock off kits I Think iv seen shields in their cat.

AS For your Idea for seald with buisness name that should be put to the poweres that be as some way of regulating My meter and fuse is sealed but the meter reader never checks like what they use to and put paper seal on with check dates on it

 

[Paul.M]

With todays technology in our pockets in the form of mobile phones. If the DNO gave us ten seals and after we fit them take a photo, e-mail it to them with an explanation for cutting/pulling then we would have best of both worlds. Cheap, easy, save...... Has anyone been to court for pulling the bullet for a cu change?

 

[saabuldin]

Could do with some of those seals as well

 

[oldtimer]

The ironic thing is that we are thinking from the safety aspect and are willing to be audited but they are thinking robbing B&*(%$£"!
I have just posted a thread on the Voltimum site and I dont expect a reply but I have proposed a system where you (the electrical contractor) informs the DNO that you are changing the DB and that you require an isolator and plastic once used coded seal and because they can trend the customers usage via the years of readings they have amasssed then there should be no problem. When they come to fit the smart meter they can fit the tails between the meter and isolator.
Job done meter not interfered with.
And for all of you who say well you should be upgrading the meter tails from say 16mm to 25mm yes I see your point but the property has worked for years with 16mm tails and will continue to do so until the DNO gets around to fitting the smart meter

 

[oldtimer]

Subcategory - 1. BS7671



When changing a consumer unit you have to contact the DNO to get an isolation switch fitted this can take weeks and a charge to the customer.
So may I suggest a system is implimented where the electrical contractor informs the DNO that they will be changing the consumer unit and it requires an isolation switch but in this case the DNO sends the contractor a plastic coded seal and a isolation switch. Now the meter seals would not be interfered with the main fuse being pulled for safety and when the the isolation switch is fitted the main fuse can be put back in then the plastic seal fitted on to it. Would this not be a lot safer as the DNO already monitors the properties consumption through the billing system so they would spot any irregularties. Ok the contractor has to fit the switch for the DNO but at the same time the DNO is getting an installation up to the current standards



Answer from Select

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE)already operate a scheme where temporary disconnections can be made at the fused cut-out by SELECT or NICEIC contractors however this does not include the fitting of a switch disconnector and is not available in other distributors areas. The introduction of a UK wide sheme for de energisation of fuse cut outs by authorised persons is an objective of SELECT also all of the other industry bodies agree that this would be a benefit to the industry so I can agree with your point of view. SELECT and others are aware of this issue and have been for a number of years working with distributor companies through the ENA to see if such a scheme can be implemented - there are however legal duties relating to de energisation which the distributors require to satisfy and therefore this is not so straight forward to achieve. We are however more than willing to work with distributor companies to introduce such a scheme and the discussion process on this is on going.

 

[Paul.M]

Common sense and big business rarely go hand in hand.