Locking off the main switch before removing cover from a consumer unit?

[HappyHippyDad]

Evening all..

I've just had my first ever thread deleted which felt a little disappointing, although perhaps justified.

I've changed it from a poll to a general discussion (hopefully this will be acceptable), although I feel it will lose some of it's validity as it will no longer be anonymous. If the moderator still feels it is a duplicate then I wont repost again as that would be rude.

Rather than talking about locking off mcb's to isolate a circuit to work on, which a certain percentage of electricians do in a domestic household I was interested specifically in seeing if anyone actually locks off the main switch of the consumer unit before removing the front cover? This is in relation to domestic households.

I was not taught to do this, but I believe it is the correct practise?

 

[Marvo]

I've never worked on a consumer unit. Can you actually fit a lock off device to the main isolator and still be able to remove the cover?

**edit** I think you other thread was closed because there was a very similar poll still running elsewhere.

 

[Octopus]

How can you lock off 3036 cu AND take the cover off?

 

[7029 dave]

How can you lock off 3036 cu AND take the cover off?

You cant

 

[SPARTYKUS]

How can you lock off 3036 cu AND take the cover off?

Crowbar

 

[uksparks]

How can you lock off 3036 cu AND take the cover off?

More often that not, I am sure you will agree to remove the cover on say a wylex 3036 or most actually, you need to have the switch half way between on and off to get the cover off as it catches otherwise.

 

[R G]

Cant see no point of locking of to work on the unit because you will be present at the unit , if you leave the unit the cover would have to be replaced anyway , due to exposed parts on main switch, apart from that the cover would not be removable with a lock in place ..

 

[drzsta]

Why would you need to "lock off" if you are working local to the point of isolation? I.e. At the CU

 

[baldsparkies]

In a domestic environment I cant really see the practicality of what's trying to be achieved by locking off a consumer unit main switch whilst your in attendance.
The bottom line is in this situation you should never leave the c/u with the cover removed unattended.
Sure isolate before removing the cover, its common place safe working practice.
But once you have completed the task at hand, cover back on.

 

[baldsparkies]

Looking at posts 7,8,and my own 9.
I would say we were all typing around the same time, and 3 electricians have come up with virtually the same thought process.
I think the questions been answered.

 

[robd]

Only thing I can think of is a self connect switch, is that what you mean? Could lock one of those of independent of the cu.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I think everyones comments seem reasonable! Again the most recent assessor I had insisted I lock off the main switch before removing the front cover of the CU. I thought I must be missing something! Since the assessment I did research this and I'm sure I read somewhere that it was suggested this was done, but I just didn't see it happening in practise! I can only think that it is to stop you accidentally flipping the main switch back on as you take the cover off, but I just cant see this happening... can it?

As for the 3036's... no chance of locking those off!

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I've never worked on a consumer unit. Can you actually fit a lock off device to the main isolator and still be able to remove the cover?

**edit** I think you other thread was closed because there was a very similar poll still running elsewhere.

Yes... just! I had to do it.. the assessor wasn't going to let me take the cover off until it was locked off! Bit of a squeeze though and it felt far more dangerous jigging it around to get past the lock!

 

[robd]

That's just daft, like saying you've got to put your seat belt on before you get in the car.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Not looking forward to merting this assessor. Dont think im going to get on with him...

 

[ferg]

HHD why the **** would you take the cover off without making it as safe as you can?

 

[ferg]

AHH I missed the point I saw switching off and not locking off.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Not looking forward to merting this assessor. Dont think im going to get on with him...

Is this a stroma assessor?

 

[Marvo]

Yes... just! I had to do it.. the assessor wasn't going to let me take the cover off until it was locked off! Bit of a squeeze though and it felt far more dangerous jigging it around to get past the lock!

Wow, I'm surprised it's possible but if it's such a tight squeeze then surely safer to remove the DNO fuse? Personally I'd have done a risk assessment and told him to take a hike.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Wow, I'm surprised it's possible but if it's such a tight squeeze then surely safer to remove the DNO fuse? Personally I'd have done a risk assessment and told him to take a hike.

He would probably mark it as a non conformance then spank you with a £250 odd quid bill to come back out and do another assessment lol