How to upgrade really old Service Head, Meter and Consumer Unit

[UNG]

Mentioning a "burning smell" or similar usually motivates them.
It's possible that the neutral fuse has been replaced with a solid link?

I must admit I have never come across an old double fused service head where they could fit a solid link in the neutral as they were all rewireable fuse carriers

I've contacted UKPN emergencies department and they've also said I need to contact the supplier regarding the fused neutral. They require a B11 flow from the supplier.
But, for the black earth wire, they will be sending someone out to have a look soon.

I contacted E-On and the earliest appointment they've given me is 10th December - this is to attempt to install a smart meter which I assume they cannot and result in them reporting the situation to UKPN.

How good is your hearing, can you not hear that faint crackling noise from the service head and report it.

I have never known a DNO be so obstructive or ask me to contact the supplier when it comes to safety issues unless they react differently if it is an electrician calling them, in my local area both of the DNO's would be out within a few hours of being called with an issue like this and depending on how urgent it was considered the DNO guy would have a jointing team onsite within 2 - 3 hours if it was considered urgent or 24 - 48 hours for a less urgent job

 

[Julie.]

I must admit I have never come across an old double fused service head where they could fit a solid link in the neutral as they were all rewireable fuse carriers

How good is your hearing, can you not hear that faint crackling noise from the service head and report it.

I have never known a DNO be so obstructive or ask me to contact the supplier when it comes to safety issues unless they react differently if it is an electrician calling them, in my local area both of the DNO's would be out within a few hours of being called with an issue like this and depending on how urgent it was considered the DNO guy would have a jointing team onsite within 2 - 3 hours if it was considered urgent or 24 - 48 hours for a less urgent job

Agree, never had issues like this.

It's usual for the dno to address this sort of thing pretty quickly.

You could (OP) try contacting the hse and asking them for advice, noting that the dno have 28 days from being informed and aren't even going to look at it for much longer than than let alone sort it.

 

[MKhan7249]

Mentioning a "burning smell" or similar usually motivates them.
It's possible that the neutral fuse has been replaced with a solid link?

How can one tell if it is a fused neutral or it's been replaced with a solid link?
I can confirm this hasn't been touched since 2000. Is it likely it may have been updated?

 

[snowhead]

I seem to remember seeing recently, maybe earlier in the year that the DNO now only take requests from the Supplier not the customer, so even if your cut-out is on fire you have to ring the supplier.

I'll see if I can find the link.

Just found this on UKPN site, it must be if it's loss of power or upgrades that go to the supplier first, emergencies still to the DNO

 

[UNG]

How can one tell if it is a fused neutral or it's been replaced with a solid link?
I can confirm this hasn't been touched since 2000. Is it likely it may have been updated?

It would need to be opened and the carrier pulled to confirm but only the DNO can do that

That doesn't look like it has been touched for 30+ years

I seem to remember seeing recently, maybe earlier in the year that the DNO now only take requests from the Supplier not the customer, so even if your cut-out is on fire you have to ring the supplier.

I'll see if I can find the link.

So in an emergency dialling 105 would connect me to the customers electricity supplier

If the cut out was on fire I would be calling the fire brigade and let them contact the DNO I would bet it would not take that long for the DNO to attend and they certainly wouldn't be asking them to contact the electricity supplier then

 

[Markyd]

This is what I was thinking at first, but in a kitchen refit earlier this year, I was able to see the cables running between the floor/ceiling. T+E are 2.5mm^2 solid copper, some in white PVC others in grey but obviously with the old wiring colours.

There are some tin-copper wires which are either cut or no longer connected to anything left behind.

And, looking at the meter board, I think the space there, I assume was a previous fuse box or the like. On the CU, it has a "100A Main Switch".

So I think it was rewired once at some point.

So you had a kitchen refit done this year and there is no RCD protection at the board...How was a cert issued for the work carried out, and just by looking at the cables doesnt mean you have underlying problems that will cause problems when the new cu is fitted

 

[MKhan7249]

So you had a kitchen refit done this year and there is no RCD protection at the board...How was a cert issued for the work carried out, and just by looking at the cables doesnt mean you have underlying problems that will cause problems when the new cu is fitted

My parents weren't aware that the kitchen fitter wasn't an electrician until after I realised so there was no certificate.

And I completely agree with you about getting an EICR before the CU upgrade.

 

[Vortigern]

I have rarely found that the first line operator at the DNO can be unhelpful. I usually ask to speak to their supervisor in such an instance. If I were on site I would propbably be able to get the DNO around within the hour. Reason being I can insist they meet their legal duties as per ESQCR statute, and also be able to talk about what we are looking at. To be clear, it is most definitely the responsibility of the DNO to attend and make safe their equipment which is all the parts prior to the meter. From the meter to the Consumer unit is the responsibility of the energy supplier, roughly speaking. There are some finer points to the exact parts but generally that is how it works.
So in summary I suggest you get a spark around to phone the DNO and talk turkey with them and get the cut-out sorted with a conversion to TN-C-S which is usually doable. It may cost a little but it can be another approach to getting a response. Sometimes we have to approach these problems with a different tack.

 

[MKhan7249]

I have received a call from UKPN in response to my initial online enquiry about a fuse upgrade. I've explained about the fused neutral and metal-encased cutout (sent them pictures) and they've arranged a site visit (with intention of replacing the cut-out) on the 15th November.

I've done some research. The cut-out is engraved with "NMEPS Co." which relates to North Metropolitan Electric Power Supply Company that merged to become Eastern Electricity in 1948. My meter itself has a sticker "Certified to 84". I'm sure this would be extremely valuable to historians.

 

[UNG]

I have received a call from UKPN in response to my initial online enquiry about a fuse upgrade. I've explained about the fused neutral and metal-encased cutout (sent them pictures) and they've arranged a site visit (with intention of replacing the cut-out) on the 15th November.

I've done some research. The cut-out is engraved with "NMEPS Co." which relates to North Metropolitan Electric Power Supply Company that merged to become Eastern Electricity in 1948. My meter itself has a sticker "Certified to 84". I'm sure this would be extremely valuable to historians.

I'm surprised they are taking that long to come out and sort it