Workshop Supply

[willy fixit]

Hi Guys (and girls),
Can anyone come up with a reason not to fit a 2 way consumer unit into an outside meter box to supply a workshop extension?

 

[ImpededLoop]

What's the benefit over installing it in the workshop?

 

[willy fixit]

I need 2 supplies. One for the workshop and another for a conservatory/utility extension. And it would avoid going through the wall into the existing CU - I want to split the tails in the box to the new one.
I can't see any reason for not doing it that way myself.

 

[davesparks]

It's better to mount it inside where it will be better protected from the elements


Why does a utility room extension need a new supply? Are there not circuits already there you can extend?

 

[Engineer54]

Hi Guys (and girls),
Can anyone come up with a reason not to fit a 2 way consumer unit into an outside meter box to supply a workshop extension?

Other than a main switch fuse for extended tails or split tails, i don't think the DNO would be too happy having a CU housed in their provided space....

 

[Pete999]

Other than a main switch fuse for extended tails or split tails, i don't think the DNO would be too happy having a CU housed in their provided space....

Same as ^^^^^^^

 

[andyelectric]

If the meter box is large enough that you could fit your own board in there they would be happy enough, but the dno don't allow customer equipment on their board. So if it's a normal size cabinet with only room for a DNO board the CU will need to go inside.

 

[andyelectric]

Other than a main switch fuse for extended tails or split tails, i don't think the DNO would be too happy having a CU housed in their provided space....

On my recent meter move the DNO allowed our switch fuses in place of DNO double pole isolation switches to free up a bit of room. But they would not allow the switch fuses on their board, if the cabinet had been too small the tails would have had to run through the wall with the switch fuses internal.

 

[Engineer54]

On my recent meter move the DNO allowed our switch fuses in place of DNO double pole isolation switches to free up a bit of room. But they would not allow the switch fuses on their board, if the cabinet had been too small the tails would have had to run through the wall with the switch fuses internal.

That would kinda defeat the whole point of having a switch fuse if the tails are over 3 metres. If that was the case i'd be having a few words with the DNO's Area Engineer, rather than listening to the meter installer.

 

[driverman]

Hi Guys (and girls),
Can anyone come up with a reason not to fit a 2 way consumer unit into an outside meter box to supply a workshop extension?

Not the best solution but seen it done before. You could install another OMB next to the existing OMB and house a suitable 2 way unit within something like a garage unit to increase IP rating.

 

[andyelectric]

That would kinda defeat the whole point of having a switch fuse if the tails are over 3 metres. If that was the case i'd be having a few words with the DNO's Area Engineer, rather than listening to the meter installer.

No. Tails would have been less than 3 meters with switchfuses internal so not defeating object at all..

Meter installers were not involved at any stage of the supply move, the DNO dealt with both fitting the new cable, cut-out and moving the meters from their old position.

And I am correct that they would not allow customers gear on their board. With the DNO not fitting double pole isolators they were able to use a smaller board, but we had to fit our own seperate board for the switch fuses.

This was SEPD. Other DNO's may have different policies.

 

[Buckfast]

Reason given for not installing equipment with DNO's is that there is quiter a high occurence of burn back from metering equipment (Cut Out) etc. If your equipment is in same enclosure it can become a chicken and egg situation, whose equipment caused the fire/burn back ?. Cheaper staying away from there equipment than legal fees ?.

 

[Engineer54]

No. Tails would have been less than 3 meters with switchfuses internal so not defeating object at all..

Meter installers were not involved at any stage of the supply move, the DNO dealt with both fitting the new cable, cut-out and moving the meters from their old position.

And I am correct that they would not allow customers gear on their board. With the DNO not fitting double pole isolators they were able to use a smaller board, but we had to fit our own seperate board for the switch fuses.

This was SEPD. Other DNO's may have different policies.

You only need ONE switch fuse, and as far as i'm aware, these can be fitted into DNO cut-out/ meter cabinets. The buggers should be fitting DP isolators as standard/matter of course anyway!! All this crap about too expensive, ....what's the standing charge for, if not for supply maintenance and improvement work...

 

[driverman]

Basically in the past it was not practical to fit anything else on Elecy Board meter boards (internal or external OMB's). Board was solely for their equipment and additional equipment if so required at a later date. Typically E7 metering Time clock and or check meters when being monitored.
The Elecy Board personal where told , never interfere with customers electrical installation. If the job couldn't be done because someone had fitted a con-unit or something similar onto the board......Job stopped. Up to the customer at their cost to employ an electrician to remove it.

 

[driverman]

You only need ONE switch fuse, and as far as i'm aware, these can be fitted into DNO cut-out/ meter cabinets. The buggers should be fitting DP isolators as standard/matter of course anyway!! All this crap about too expensive, ....what's the standing charge for, if not for supply maintenance and improvement work...

Isolator one thing, as we know makes life easier to isolate the supply 100%. Switch fuse in there I'm not so sure.