What's this object?

[Harry Worth]

Hi all - Showing my ignorance/lack of experience here. I presume the main fuse for this system lurks inside the bulbous green box which has a seal on it. I need to pull the fuse to do some work on the system. There appears to be black slime oozing from this contraption. Any advice on how I isolate this system and what am I going to find when I snip the seal (ideally not Alien 5)

Cheers, Harry

 

[Geoffsd]

Get the DNO - don't touch it.

 

[Harry Worth]

Wow - As bad as that. Could you let me know your thoughts - Thanks

 

[Plonker 3]

It is sealed for a reason. The DNO are the only ones allowed break the seals so contact them, even tell them what you see there and they may send someone round as a emergency.

 

[Knobhead]

Don’t touch it, get the DNO in to replace it. That is ancient, it will have porcelain fuse carriers that can disintegrate in your hand.

 

[NMc]

It looks like an old metal-clad cut-out and the black slime oozing from it will be the pitch from inside.

If it is what I think it is the inside will not be the standard cartridge fuse but a piece of fuse wire wrapped around two posts

Get the DNO out to check the leakage, if it is the old type they will or should change the cut-out and possibly fit you an isolation device

 

[telectrix]

echo above posts. DNO job. don't even look art it funny. it's a right worm can for the unwary.

 

[mogga]

This must be a record two days running guys knowing their abilities and seeking advice AND by the looks of it ACTING on advice given
What you have is a very old cast metal cutout the fuse carrier will possibly be porcalain and shouldnt be touched due to reasons previouslty posted the black ooooozzzz is pitch and shouldnt be Ooozing this is a sign odf deterioration probably down to load it MAY also contain a small asbestos flash gaurd wadding
CALL the DNO and tell them its smelling and oozing they will come out and replace it correctly with a nice new spangly series 7 cutout and probably an isolator for you to connect your tails to

 

[telectrix]

with some DNOs, if you have an isolator on site, they will fit it free. otherwise they may charge.

 

[Harry Worth]

Thanks everyone for the information. A big help in explaining to the guy I work with as to why we won't be tackling the job until the DNO has sorted it!

 

[Marvo]

I think this is a first. Everyone's in agreement.

Just to buck the trend and return things back to normal I'm going to suggest you cut the seals forthwith pull out the rubber mat, Ray-Bans and the 10KV gloves and start investigating yourself.

*Joking*

 

[Fin170]

Are those the ones some refer to as 'Coffin Incomers'?

 

[Knobhead]

That’s weird! No arguing?

The compound running out can be for a couple of reasons. The usual being heat from loading. The back and front of the cable spreader box used to be sealed with Kearns cement, over the years this dries and falls out.
The oil used in the cable can soften the compound and force it out, this is when it gets dodgy. As the cable dries out due to oil loss it’s IR value falls, it can take years but the bang at the end of it is just as loud.
At one time the old electricity boards tried wax instead of Trinidite compound, I’ve seen the wax bubbling in terminations, not a sight to inspire confidence.

For once I’m saying “DON’T TOUCH”

 

[bradder]

porcelain fuse (some even have the neutral fused) + asbestos in the fuse carrier

 

[supasparxs]

It's located on the feed side of the meter.
The equipment is not your customers.
Call the DNO

 

[wade88]

I think this is a first. Everyone's in agreement.

Just to buck the trend and return things back to normal I'm going to suggest you cut the seals forthwith pull out the rubber mat, Ray-Bans and the 10KV gloves and start investigating yourself.

*Joking*

Beat me to it...