When does taking a fuse out protect you..?

[Bob Geldoff1234]

Why didn't you just switch off the main switch?

 

[Pete999]

Why didn't you just switch off the main switch?

Shouldn't be playing about with it anyway Bob asking for trouble in my opinion

 

[snowhead]

Why didn't you just switch off the main switch?

Would still have needed safe isolation confirmation, which the O.P does appear to be aware of or have the equipment to test.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Just remembered a previous job having reread the OP...2 of the lives on 2 different rings had been put back in the wrong MCBs so in reality lives on the 2 rings now formed a figure of 8. might be worth considering? as if you turned off one breaker then the other would still feed both rings.

 

[Bob Geldoff1234]

Why didn't you just switch off the main switch?

I'm not saying its the right way but if he had of turned off the main switch then all of your other guesses as to why it went bang would have been irrelevant.
If your at all unsure as to which breaker/fuse feeds what then at least turning off the main switch would have made it a darn site safer than what he did.
Agree with everyone else that he shouldn't be touching it in the first place.

 

[DJ Ovengloves]

sorry, you still need to safely isolate and test..always the possibility of a faulty switch, fake switch or some moron has wired wrong actually bypassing it.

I'm not saying its the right way but if he had of turned off the main switch then all of your other guesses as to why it went bang would have been irrelevant.
If your at all unsure as to which breaker/fuse feeds what then at least turning off the main switch would have made it a darn site safer than what he did.
Agree with everyone else that he shouldn't be touching it in the first place.

 

[Dave Rudderham]

Identify Circuit, Isolate, check tester, test tester, test circuit at work point, test tester again. I'm a Level 3 student and this is being drummed into our heads. If in doubt (and it's doable), switch the whole sodding lot off. I found out my kitchen radial circuit feeds the down stairs toilet lights, which was nice. Had I just switched off the lights and not tested I'd have been in a fair amount of pain.

 

[Pete999]

Just remembered a previous job having reread the OP...2 of the lives on 2 different rings had been put back in the wrong MCBs so in reality lives on the 2 rings now formed a figure of 8. might be worth considering? as if you turned off one breaker then the other would still feed both rings.

Both legs of one ring

 

[mikeup]

Why didn't you just switch off the main switch?

Indeed. A reckless decision. However the result is I have discovered that the wiring is possibly dangerous per se. The wiring / smart meter was done AFAIK by " experts" so I'd rather try and understand myself what is going on and also get a expert in and at least understand what he tells me and the action he recommends to remedy.

 

[mikeup]

Would still have needed safe isolation confirmation, which the O.P does appear to be aware of or have the equipment to test.

You are indeed correct. I have no idea what " safe isolation" means nor do I think I have the equipment. I have one of those screwdrivers with a lightbulb in the handle - tells you if wire is live?? I didn't use it - I made the stupid mistake of thinking that taking the fuse out meant the wires on the kitchen socket circuit were isolated from the mains.
So lesson learnt - I can not ever rely on labels on fuse boxes ( circuit breakers ) to isolate wiring and make it safe to work on.

If I throw mains switch - I can safely assume wiring is safe to work on!!? Not even then I guess - not ever in fact unless you have real time data on cables you are working on you never know for certain - could be mixed up with next door's wiring!!?

Would still have needed safe isolation confirmation, which the O.P does appear to be aware of or have the equipment to test.

 

[Dave Rudderham]

You are indeed correct. I have no idea what " safe isolation" means nor do I think I have the equipment. I have one of those screwdrivers with a lightbulb in the handle - tells you if wire is live?? I didn't use it - I made the stupid mistake of thinking that taking the fuse out meant the wires on the kitchen socket circuit were isolated from the mains.
So lesson learnt - I can not ever rely on labels on fuse boxes ( circuit breakers ) to isolate wiring and make it safe to work on.

If I throw mains switch - I can safely assume wiring is safe to work on!!? Not even then I guess - not ever in fact unless you have real time data on cables you are working on you never know for certain - could be mixed up with next door's wiring!!?

I doubt you'd find many electricians who'd recommend a light bulb screwdriver. The minute you touch the end you make yourself part of the circuit.

 

[mikeup]

As stated above - the whole house is "protected" by a "RCCB" , it's old ( GARO G12.280.030 - GOOGLE SEARCH CAN'T FIND IT)

Could this be faulty? - It did trip, but not before the screwdriver melted - lost half its tip - that's a lot of current!!

yes yes - yada yada - get a professional in.

All would have been fine IF i'd simply switched off. However the fact that I didn't has raised these questions.

Thanks for the helpful replies so far.

RCCB is an essential protective device in your electrical circuit that helps to preventelectrical hazards in cases of earth faults. A properly set RCCB will ensure that there is no fatal injury caused to human being in case of an accidental touch to live wires.7 May 2014


Agree? Am I wrong to " rely" on this as a back up?

 

[Pete999]

RCCB is an essential protective device in your electrical circuit that helps to preventelectrical hazards in cases of earth faults. A properly set RCCB will ensure that there is no fatal injury caused to human being in case of an accidental touch to live wires.7 May 2014


Agree? Am I wrong to " rely" on this as a back up?

What exactly were you touching with the screwdriver with a light bulb in the handle, to cause it to melt?

 

[mikeup]

I doubt you'd find many electricians who'd recommend a light bulb screwdriver. The minute you touch the end you make yourself part of the circuit.

Hmmm.. yes indeed but through a resistance so high it is safe.

 

[mikeup]

What exactly were you touching with the screwdriver with a light bulb in the handle, to cause it to melt?

As stated above.
1/. Didn't use " lightbulb screwdriver "
2/. Accidently completed circuit between red ( L ) wires and earth strap on socket I was installing ( earth having been connected )