Bypassing main fuse. Anyone else seen this?

[simpson93]

Evening all,

I was doing an eicr in a flat today, it came to checking the main service fuse.
Fuse pulled I proceeded to undo the case to check the amperage and was a little shocked with seeing a metal bar essentially bypassing the fuse(pics attached).
After a little thought I guess there is another fuse down below removing the need for a second fuse.

Anyone else seen this before and know the name of the part used? Or is this a one off

 

[Octopus]

That’s not bypassing the fuse ....

 

[westward10]

That is a Redlink it is a link not a fuse.

 

[simpson93]

Rightio, first time I’ve seen one used.

Common practice then?

 

[westward10]

Yes.

 

[westward10]

Is it in a block of flats.

 

[GMES]

Is it in a block of flats.

No it's in his hand, keep up Westy

 

[westward10]

No it's in his hand, keep up Westy

Gonna report you if you send this highly informative thread off course

 

[GMES]

Gonna report you if you send this highly informative thread off course

Sorry Sir, you're right Sir, won't happen again Sir, promise Sir

 

[rolyberkin]

Is it common practice or required now to pull the main fuse on an eicr or am I doing it all wrong again!?

 

[Richard Burns]

For any standard electrical work including EICRs: It should not be common practice, it is not required, it is illegal, it is dangerous, to pull the fuse.
In this case luckily he has not pulled the fuse as it is just a link!
Just as dangerous though.
Where there are two service heads in series on the single supply it is redundant to have a second fuse so a link is used instead at the downstream service head.

 

[davesparks]

Evening all,

I was doing an eicr in a flat today, it came to checking the main service fuse.
Fuse pulled I proceeded to undo the case to check the amperage and was a little shocked with seeing a metal bar essentially bypassing the fuse(pics attached).
After a little thought I guess there is another fuse down below removing the need for a second fuse.

Anyone else seen this before and know the name of the part used? Or is this a one off

Oh dear oh dear.

So you’re a DIYer carrying out an eicr and you don’t even know what a red cutout link is???

Clearly you are not competent to carry out an EICR if you don’t know something as basic as this! If you don’t even know the difference between a fuse and a disconnect link do you know the difference between left and right?

 

[Midwest]

I’ve never seen one before, but don’t do work in flats, EICR’s and I’ve lived a sheltered life.

 

[telectrix]

Oh dear oh dear.

So you’re a DIYer carrying out an eicr and you don’t even know what a red cutout link is???

Clearly you are not competent to carry out an EICR if you don’t know something as basic as this! If you don’t even know the difference between a fuse and a disconnect link do you know the difference between left and right?

diplomatic as ever, dave. .

 

[Midwest]

diplomatic as ever, dave. .

davesparks would never makes it the diplomatic corp.

Edit that said he might prove useful in forthcoming discussions with the Russkies

 

[telectrix]

maybe we could get him elected as our Brexit representative. that'll sort them europe federalists out.

 

[rolyberkin]

For any standard electrical work including EICRs: It should not be common practice, it is not required, it is illegal, it is dangerous, to pull the fuse.
In this case luckily he has not pulled the fuse as it is just a link!
Just as dangerous though.
Where there are two service heads in series on the single supply it is redundant to have a second fuse so a link is used instead at the downstream service head.

Just in case.................I was joking!

 

[Richard Burns]

I kind of hoped you were!
Not really your level at which to fail.
I was just confirming your point categorically.

 

[oracle]

I've found 200 Amp fuse in the suppliers fuse holder in a domestic installation. Probably followed the logic of if a fuse blows fit a bigger one. Since both the EIC and EICR require one to state the type and rating of the fuse, how can you be sure it is as expected, without removing and opening the fuse holder ?

 

[stevels4]

But it was only a fuse I put back and it was fine when I left.