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Discuss Fused neutral cut-out in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

I believe WPD jointers need specific authorisation to replace metal clad cut outs live. Not everyone has it and a risk assessment is carried out on each one before it is changed. Risk assessments being subjective and every person being different what one deems to be OK to change live another will want dead (ie service cutting outside)
 
Thanks all!

So it sounds like it depends on their risk appetite & is potentially quite valid for them to say they need to dig outside.

I'll see what options they can suggest for a hole that doesn't wreck our driveway (though unfortunately there's no pavement outside - it's our Tarmac straight to the road).

Should i expect them to have a good record of where the service cable runs?

and on a slightly different note, the house was gutted & renovated in 2011, with all the electrics (on consumer side of the meter) completely replaced. Was it valid for that work to be certified with the fused neutral cut-out left in place? (does that certification only consider consumer-side bits, with meter, service head, etc handled totally independently under DNO regs??)
 
If you ask them they can trace the service cable with a cable location tool, I know this as I used to work in the Radiodetection design office. Should be able to trace it back to the street without needing to dig.
 
It goes without saying that you must not in any way attempt to even open that cutout, let alone do anything else to it.
But for anyone who is interested here's a few pages from the book.
View attachment 28870
View attachment 28871
And if you are wondering what tools the modern cable jointer might require to practise his trade, here's the list.
View attachment 28872
View attachment 28873

Love it...you would enjoy my book collection! ...only bit that let it down,was the ball "pane" hammer...not seen one of them...:yes:
 
Love it...you would enjoy my book collection! ...only bit that let it down,was the ball "pane" hammer...not seen one of them...:yes:

Yes, I noticed that one, it's a bit late to tell the publishers though!

That book is WT Henley's 'practical cable jointing' fifth edition published 1940.
 
Yes, I noticed that one, it's a bit late to tell the publishers though!

That book is WT Henley's 'practical cable jointing' fifth edition published 1940.

Not got that particular journal,but i do have the appropriate Buck and Hickman catalogue,with most of the equipment listed for sale...i also have a collection of vintage tools,including joint box casts,for bitumen,and even a 9lb lead mould,for casting a "tee" on a water pipe,to save all that wiping!

...Born too late...i fear my lads first phone call,the day after my service...will be to the scrap-man...:smile5:
 
I was surprised to see you can still get CI through and breach joints for 11KV PILC-SWA. When I went to the EMEB I had to take one with me, EMEB didn’t use them but we did. The company still use them to this day.

I’ve never done an 11KV breach joint and I’ll be honest I wouldn’t even attempt one. There’s about 5ft of wiped joints around the lead sleeve. I’d be happy doing a modern breach using a cast resin joint.

I’ve still got my apprentice log books. There’s an entry 11/02/74 for a 11KV termination, 23/07/74 3.3KV through joint and 30/08/74 11KV through joint. A lot of my time was sat in muddy holes.
 
Thanks all!

So it sounds like it depends on their risk appetite & is potentially quite valid for them to say they need to dig outside.

I'll see what options they can suggest for a hole that doesn't wreck our driveway (though unfortunately there's no pavement outside - it's our Tarmac straight to the road).

Should i expect them to have a good record of where the service cable runs?

and on a slightly different note, the house was gutted & renovated in 2011, with all the electrics (on consumer side of the meter) completely replaced. Was it valid for that work to be certified with the fused neutral cut-out left in place? (does that certification only consider consumer-side bits, with meter, service head, etc handled totally independently under DNO regs??)

Let the forum know the out come please. Regardless of the neutral issue, as it is a metal clad cut -out, it wants changing anyhow by the DNO's own standards. The DNO should of been informed it was metal when the meter was changed. Meter fixers are not supposed to remove metal lid in order to remove fuse.
 
Will do. Haven't managed to speak to anyone at DNO yet who knows what they're talking about, just their call centre. Will update after I call the local team in office hours this week and get it sorted.
 
Will do. Haven't managed to speak to anyone at DNO yet who knows what they're talking about, just their call centre. Will update after I call the local team in office hours this week and get it sorted.
When you have all info at hand and they still want to dig up the new tarmac that you have recently laid. Ask them instead of digging a joint hole in order to make safe your cable, ask them to carry out a local shutdown procedure. That means shutting down other properties also by giving them notice, possibly several weeks. There fore no need to dig up the tarmac.....Worth a try
 
When you have all info at hand and they still want to dig up the new tarmac that you have recently laid. Ask them instead of digging a joint hole in order to make safe your cable, ask them to carry out a local shutdown procedure. That means shutting down other properties also by giving them notice, possibly several weeks. There fore no need to dig up the tarmac.....Worth a try

if it's a pole TX with two customers on maybe but not if it will affect any more customers.
 
When you have all info at hand and they still want to dig up the new tarmac that you have recently laid. Ask them instead of digging a joint hole in order to make safe your cable, ask them to carry out a local shutdown procedure. That means shutting down other properties also by giving them notice, possibly several weeks. There fore no need to dig up the tarmac.....Worth a try

And the cost? A couple of bags of cold roll is far cheaper.

The OP has to realise that the H&S of the DNO’s employees has a higher priority than his damned driveway.
 
And the cost? A couple of bags of cold roll is far cheaper.

The OP has to realise that the H&S of the DNO’s employees has a higher priority than his damned driveway.

Tony - I don't know if you're more polite in person, and manners just get lost behind the safety of your keyboard??

As I said in my original question, I came here to find out if there was a valid need to dig the joint hole, and as per my later reply I recognise, based on all the helpful replies, that there is (though might also be equally safe options that involve digging a hole in road surface that's already wrecked and pot holed by prev utility company work...)

and as for the local shutdown option - they just did it on Friday for a (unknown, but only 10mins) job on something in our local supply. So can't do any harm to ask.
 
Ahhh TNS earth. Tell them to leave it as it is but change head, you'll never get one again. It'll probably be "upgraded" to the magic of the change of physics around the 50s/60s.

;-))
 
Tony - I don't know if you're more polite in person, and manners just get lost behind the safety of your keyboard??

As I said in my original question, I came here to find out if there was a valid need to dig the joint hole, and as per my later reply I recognise, based on all the helpful replies, that there is (though might also be equally safe options that involve digging a hole in road surface that's already wrecked and pot holed by prev utility company work...)

and as for the local shutdown option - they just did it on Friday for a (unknown, but only 10mins) job on something in our local supply. So can't do any harm to ask.

I think the DNO's are limited / restricted on how many planned shutdowns that can be carried out in same location, ie you wouldn't want your supply interrupted in a short space of time several times due to work going on locally. Emergency work of course is another matter. I would still go for the shutdown though. Don't forget, the DNO could of already of done the work, when their meter was changed
 
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