Isolation Switches for New Consumer Unit

[westward10]

Given you a dumb West cuz it is dumb, in all honesty.

Horses for courses Pete I work on live systems nearly every day.

 

[Midwest]

Either we should be allowed to pull fuses ourselves with the appropriate training or where not.

Depends on the DNO.

 

[Pete999]

You have to ask yourself, why don't the DNOs fit a Switch fuse at the intake? save all this faffing around wouldn't it? or is that too simple an idea?

 

[Octopus]

You have to ask yourself why these new snazzy "smart meters" don't have an isolator built in...

 

[MJPD29]

The DNO here (NIE) tried telling a customer that the Electrician fits the isolator and not them. They didn't explain how this could be done with their supply being energised, of course...

NIE utterly clueless in my experiences, guys who fit meters havnt got 2 brain cells to rub together had many encounters with them

 

[Midwest]

You have to ask yourself, why don't the DNOs fit a Switch fuse at the intake? save all this faffing around wouldn't it? or is that too simple an idea?

I think its common practise on new builds now, but that doesn't help on existing installs. Was a bit of an oversight from eons ( ) ago.

 

[Midwest]

You have to ask yourself why these new snazzy "smart meters" don't have an isolator built in...

I thought some had?

 

[Octopus]

I thought some had?

I have that thought too, but have never seem one!

 

[Ian1981]

I think its common practise on new builds now, but that doesn't help on existing installs. Was a bit of an oversight from eons ( ) ago.

They fit a DP isolator only not a switch fuse.
That’s our job and the position the architects like positioning the consumer unit nowadays it’s a struggle to get the builder to fit a 2nd meter box to house the switch fuse.

 

[Which One’s Live?]

New connections we always fit an isolator and an earthing block (one of those welded ones).

Personally, I always ask the customer if they’re likely to do some electrical work at some future point and offer to fit one.

If the fuse board and/or tails look old and knackered I fit one anyway.

Quite often the cutouts aren’t sealed and I’m assuming a fair few get pulled so work can be carried out. A few days ago on one job the new meter tails were already in the existing meter after a rewire/new fuse board install, so I’m assuming the electrician did this as well as pull the fuse. It’s fairly common.

Btw, I used to pop into this forum a while back, I’m here (yet) again and have kept the same username. I’ve ended up in probably the most contentious and least respected work by you guys, but heh-hoh, we all gotta earn a crust.

You can throw things at the screen now...

 

[camerabloke]

Welcome back

 

[Which One’s Live?]

Many Thanks.

 

[Wilko]

With that intro you would always be welcome out here !

 

[telectrix]

if anyone is wary of pullinf a (dodgy) DNO fuse, cut the meter seal and (with no load on) whip the outgoing tails from the meter. reverse procedure for re-energising. then reseal meter.

 

[camerabloke]

Nah the seal fairy must live in my area I think

 

[Octopus]

At the end of the day we mustn't work live........

 

[westward10]

At the end of the day we mustn't work live........

Ever?

 

[Midwest]

Ever?

The reason for doing so, must justify the risk, not just the inconvenience for doing so.

 

[Midwest]

They fit a DP isolator only not a switch fuse.
That’s our job and the position the architects like positioning the consumer unit nowadays it’s a struggle to get the builder to fit a 2nd meter box to house the switch fuse.

Expand if you will please?

 

[AJshep]

To be honest, i dont really think about it, I just cut the seal and pull the fuse.
You can sometimes seal/bodge it back up with a red through crimp if you have enough slack, just cut the insulation of once crimped, whos really going to notice though.
Honestly though the meter guys ive met, couldnt give a monkey's. If I were put in the possition where I feared prosecution then id just go on ebay and buy a load of flag crimps with a tool, cheaper to do it that way then waste my time and rack up my phone bill.

 

[Octopus]

I was doing a CU change a few months back - when the meter reader arrived ......... had to pop the main fuse back in so he could read the meter!

 

[AJshep]

I was doing a CU change a few months back - when the meter reader arrived ......... had to pop the main fuse back in so he could read the meter!

Exactly, did he give you a couple of spare seals too ?

 

[westward10]

The reason for doing so, must justify the risk, not just the inconvenience for doing so.

Isn't life becoming dull.

 

[Taylortwocities]

You have to ask yourself why these new snazzy "smart meters" don't have an isolator built in...

The original smart meter spec included a built-in isolator, but then the requirement was dropped for cost-cutting reasons

 

[Taylortwocities]

I’ve ended up in probably the most contentious and least respected work by you guys, but heh-hoh, we all gotta earn a crust.

Go on, what you up to:
Plasterer?
Plumber?
LABC bloke?
Traffic Warden?
PPI Call-centre monkey?

 

[Which One’s Live?]

Go on, what you up to:
Plasterer?
Plumber?
LABC bloke?
Traffic Warden?
PPI Call-centre monkey?

Traffic Warden? PPI guy?

I haven’t sunk that low yet.

 

[Toneyz]

You have to ask yourself why these new snazzy "smart meters" don't have an isolator built in...

If you look back at past copies of P.E. mag all the schemes etc were pushing for it to be part of the meter or a separate one fitted as part of meter change but they would not have it.
As far back as 20 years ago, all the new builds that I have seen have been self-connect meters or a stand-alone isolator for connection of tails.

 

[Toneyz]

Nah the seal fairy must live in my area I think

Do you put them under your pillow and the tooth fairy leaves you money in the morning.

 

[stevels4]

Tell him the isolator was already installed, and wipe your finger prints from the DNO fuse.

How can you leave any fingerprints when you are wearing your class O gloves when removing and refitting the service fuse

 

[Toneyz]

Do you put them under your pillow and the tooth fairy leaves you money in the morning.

Should have been the seal fairy.