Breaking Main Fuse Seal..

[whazza22]

Hi everyone,

I'm sure this topic has been risen plenty of times.

I'm a qualified electrician and I am going to replace a consumer unit for a relative. I am not registered with NICEIC or NAPIT so will be getting it tested by the council.

Can anyone explain the procedure for removing the main fuse as it is sealed?

I know it will never be checked but would just like to know what everyone does. It's absolutely crazy that a qualified electrician is meant to call western power to remove the seal or replace the seal, especially if they have a business to run!!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Guest111]

Seriously?? Telling someone how to work live?????????

Well I dont know about you but I personally am getting sick to death of diy wonders coming onto a so called electricians forum! When I joined up it was a good forum with proper sparks and decent discussions,now its more like a drop in for B and Q every diyer and his dog turning up,If he is a proper spark then he will have the appropriate equipment and ppe, I have but then again I'm from an age when we did work live,when we had proper training and before these 2 week training courses that turn out so called sparks who haven't a clue! rant over

 

[shocking_eg]

Was It?

you tell me !?

 

[MDJ]

I wish I knew, I hope it was in Jest, but who knows, I'm sure phil knows his stuff

 

[shocking_eg]

Well I dont know about you but I personally am getting sick to death of diy wonders coming onto a so called electricians forum! When I joined up it was a good forum with proper sparks and decent discussions,now its more like a drop in for B and Q every diyer and his dog turning up,If he is a proper spark then he will have the appropriate equipment and ppe, I have but then again I'm from an age when we did work live,when we had proper training and before these 2 week training courses that turn out so called sparks who haven't a clue! rant over

we most likely all do stuff we "shouldnt". just best not to go blabbing it on a public forum. you just dont know could happen ! lol

 

[Guest111]

we most likely all do stuff we "shouldnt". just best not to go blabbing it on a public forum. you just dont know could happen ! lol

Well I wouldnt follow any advice if i didnt feel confident carrying out the procedure,but then again i was trained properly and wouldnt dream of asking about pulling a service fuse but by the same token I would not dream of carrying out a heart transplant as I am not a trained doctor and I know my limitations.

 

[Knobhead]

we most likely all do stuff we "shouldnt". just best not to go blabbing it on a public forum. you just dont know could happen ! lol

Live working is a fact of life, it’s just unfortunate modern electricians aren’t trained to work safely.

 

[Hawk81]

Well I dont know about you but I personally am getting sick to death of diy wonders coming onto a so called electricians forum! When I joined up it was a good forum with proper sparks and decent discussions,now its more like a drop in for B and Q every diyer and his dog turning up,If he is a proper spark then he will have the appropriate equipment and ppe, I have but then again I'm from an age when we did work live,when we had proper training and before these 2 week training courses that turn out so called sparks who haven't a clue! rant over

I agree with you on many of your points. I do things at work that I would not advise on this forum. Simply because I can not judge the level of competence or ability of the person asking the question.

- - - Updated - - -

Well I dont know about you but I personally am getting sick to death of diy wonders coming onto a so called electricians forum! When I joined up it was a good forum with proper sparks and decent discussions,now its more like a drop in for B and Q every diyer and his dog turning up,If he is a proper spark then he will have the appropriate equipment and ppe, I have but then again I'm from an age when we did work live,when we had proper training and before these 2 week training courses that turn out so called sparks who haven't a clue! rant over

I agree with you on many of your points. I do things at work that I would not advise on this forum. Simply because I can not judge the level of competence or ability of the person asking the question.

- - - Updated - - -

Well I dont know about you but I personally am getting sick to death of diy wonders coming onto a so called electricians forum! When I joined up it was a good forum with proper sparks and decent discussions,now its more like a drop in for B and Q every diyer and his dog turning up,If he is a proper spark then he will have the appropriate equipment and ppe, I have but then again I'm from an age when we did work live,when we had proper training and before these 2 week training courses that turn out so called sparks who haven't a clue! rant over

I agree with you on many of your points. I do things at work that I would not advise on this forum. Simply because I can not judge the level of competence or ability of the person asking the question.

 

[Stroppy]

I'd much rather change a CU 'live', moving the tails with properly insulated tools and PPE to a temporary Henley block if necessary, than try to pull an ancient pre-war ceramic or bakelite fuse and risk it crumbing in my hand, and risking the fuse-police coming and giving me 20 lashes, or whatever happens these days.

 

[Guest111]

I'd much rather change a CU 'live', moving the tails with properly insulated tools and PPE to a temporary Henley block if necessary, than try to pull an ancient pre-war ceramic or bakelite fuse and risk it crumbing in my hand, and risking the fuse-police coming and giving me 20 lashes, or whatever happens these days.

true but hang on a minute there are people going about that pay good coin for some bird in long black boots to give em 20 lashes,now you've said that they'll all be running around pulling service fuses lol.

 

[Geordie Spark]

true but hang on a minute there are people going about that pay good coin for some bird in long black boots to give em 20 lashes,now you've said that they'll all be running around pulling service fuses lol.

Have you got her telephone number? ........... maybe you can PM it to me????

 

[LlandrilloSpark]

Me......I just cut the frikkin seals , what's the damn point messing around or lying!

There , I said it, god I got it off my chest !

 

[Guest55]

anyone who advocates working live on a cable thats backed up only by a 100A service fuse just to avoid cutting a wire seal is , quite frankly , mad.

it hardly tallies up in the risk vs gain ratio does it ?
just pull the fuse out.

 

[Guest111]

Me......I just cut the frikkin seals , what's the damn point messing around or lying!

There , I said it, god I got it off my chest !

Exactly in the words of the great monty python GET ON WITH IT! lol

 

[Stroppy]

Guys, I'll PM you her number for the lashes The fact shes does it with live meter tails which are more than 3 metres long laced with cut seals gives it an added 'frisson' OMG, I'm off for a cold shower...

 

[Guest111]

anyone who advocates working live on a cable thats backed up only by a 100A service fuse just to avoid cutting a wire seal is , quite frankly , mad.

it hardly tallies up in the risk vs gain ratio does it ?
just pull the fuse out.

have you not read my signature then?

 

[Knobhead]

anyone who advocates working live on a cable thats backed up only by a 100A service fuse just to avoid cutting a wire seal is , quite frankly , mad.

it hardly tallies up in the risk vs gain ratio does it ?
just pull the fuse out.

What's 100A got to do with it? It goes quicker than a 600A no blow special.

 

[LlandrilloSpark]

I mean, I don't work in an unsafe fashion but imagine your in a situation. (School/hospital) and you can't isolate, you have a damaged socket, ask your self if your a skilled, trained spark with the right tools could you change a socket front without isolating the supply?, pretty sure I could

 

[Knobhead]

This one got me woried

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I mean, I don't work in an unsafe fashion but imagine your in a situation. (School/hospital) and you can't isolate, you have a damaged socket, ask your self if your a skilled, trained spark with the right tools could you change a socket front without isolating the supply?, pretty sure I could

i`v done it...

 

[Guest55]

What's 100A got to do with it?

i thought the topic was discussing domestic cut-outs which are limited to 100a ?

 

[Guest55]

.... It goes quicker than a 600A no blow special.

so that makes it a much safer idea to work on live tails that can be otherwise isolated ?

 

[Sparkyphill]

I'd much rather change a CU 'live', moving the tails with properly insulated tools and PPE to a temporary Henley block if necessary, than try to pull an ancient pre-war ceramic or bakelite fuse and risk it crumbing in my hand, and risking the fuse-police coming and giving me 20 lashes, or whatever happens these days.

If you come across a metal clad main fuse with ceramic fuses or anything that doesn't look to clever call the lecy board and tell them about it, throw in words like 'feels warm to the touch' and 'I'm getting a burning smell from it' they'll be out sharpish and replace it along with a DP isolator so problem solved

 

[Stuuk1]

Although it is an easy process to remove it, incorrect removal can be either fatal due to the high voltage etc, or end up with a broken fuse or carrier and then you will need to pay them to come and fix it whilst trying to explain to them why you removed it in the first place. This is why they wired with a security seal as to attempt to prevent unauthorised removal. If you remove the fuse, you are in breach of your contract with the supply company and have commited a criminal act.

Although its straight forward enuogh, unless it comes out in one go you are likely to run into problems. I will not touch the main fuse as would rather not have the hassle. If you are going to do it, my advise would that, you shouldnt, but if you do, ensure theres NO LOAD, so switch the consumer unit off, then take firm hold of it and pull it out in one smooth but swift movement. Thats my thoughts anyway.

Personally if i ever had to for whatever reason have to remove one, I would take all measures needed to prevent killing myself, so would ensure I was wearing insulated shoes, appropriate rubber gloves, and some form of mask, then hope for the best. I know this is more than likely over kill, but id rather not do it, just incase it breaks it, as you will not be able to fix it without third party help.

Oh and when you do put it back in, try and get the pins to connect at the same time, and push it in firmly in one go, dont mess about with it.

Best of luck!

Haha this is ridiculous... I must remember to wear my 1000v gauntlets each time I go near anything electrical

 

[whazza22]

Is there a sneaky way to get a dp isolator installed for free?

 

[Stroppy]

 

[Plonker 3]

Is there a sneaky way to get a dp isolator installed for free?

Yes. They will invoice once the work is carried out, so simply dont pay the bill.

 

[whazza22]

Yes. They will invoice once the work is carried out, so simply dont pay the bill.

Surely they will keep chasing you until you pay up?

 

[Des 56]

Electricians working with live electricity,shock,horror, :89:
Keep muttering Health and safety,Health and safety Health and Safety,make a wish and it will go away :shame:


Maybe it's time,once again, that we train them to work with this force of nature,instead of going into cardiac arrest each time the danger of working with it is mentioned

 

[Plonker 3]

Surely they will keep chasing you until you pay up?

Well just refuse to pay. I am sure you dont mind your customers not paying you for work you do for them?

 

[jonni770]

Whats wrong with you guys. Just snip the seal remove fuse and put back when you finish if your that concerned bout the law ect order some seals from ebay and replace when your done.