Mix of 16mm and 25mm Meter Tails

[kevkdg]

Hi,

Just had a new Smart Meter fitted yesterday along with isolator.

The chaps installing the SMART meter used 16mm tails from the main DNO fuse cut out (containing 80 amp fuse) to the meter, but then used 25mm tails from the meter to the newly installed isolator (which they also installed). I am wondering why they didn't use 25mm from cut out to meter, if for no other purpose than constancy. Might this be due to the size of the terminals and/or entry holes for the cable in the older Henley Series 3 Bakelite Cut out which I have. They wrapped insulating tape around the tails where they enter the cut out holes just to ensure no gaps. I think the tape sits just above the cut out cable entry holes and does not extend through it.

Should I flag this?

I also asked them for an "80amp Fuse Fitted" sticker for the Cut Out for future reference but they didn't have any. Any ideas where I can get one? Have an EV charge point being installed and seem to recall they will want to know the fuse size, and it will look much better if it is labelled.

 

[Avo Mk8]

I also asked them for an "80amp Fuse Fitted" sticker for the Cut Out for future reference but they didn't have any. Any ideas where I can get one?

I noticed a photo on the UK Power Networks website showing a label seemingly made with a Brother labelling machine!
Any friends got one?

 

[DPG]

I noticed a photo on the UK Power Networks website showing a label seemingly made with a Brother labelling machine!
Any friends got one?

View attachment 94877

Glad they labelled live and neutral. Would have been tricky to know which was which otherwise

 

[kevkdg]

Good idea, I'll ask around
cheers

 

[snowhead]

If you can't get a labeller just write 80a Fuse and the date it was checked near to the Cut out

 

[kevkdg]

Label aside, any thoughts on why the SMART meter fitter used 16mm tails from cut out to meter but 25mm tails from meter to isolator? This is an 80amp supply. cheers

 

[Avo Mk8]

Label aside, any thoughts on why the SMART meter fitter used 16mm tails from cut out to meter but 25mm tails from meter to isolator? This is an 80amp supply. cheers

No personal knowledge on this, but I've read comments, I think elswhere on this forum, that this is quite common for 80A supplies to be so fitted, including the 16 to meter and 25 from meter combo.

 

[kevkdg]

I did wonder whether it was simply the logistics of getting the 25mm tails into the older style 80amp max rated Henley Series 3 cut out or possibly the terminals inside.
I mean the meter installer went to the effort of wrapping insulating tape around the 16mm tails where they enter the cut out and meter to ensure there is no gap, but the wrapped tape itself does not appear to extend into the cable entry hole in the cut out.

The old meter he removed had cable boots/grommets/guides (not sure of official name) where the tails entered the meter, but apparently they don't use these anymore and opt for insulating tape. I think people slid them down and inserted metal rods to bypass the meter. Not sure insulating tape will avoid this though lol.

As long as 16mm is OK for 80 amps then all good.

 

[Avo Mk8]

As long as 16mm is OK for 80 amps then all good.

16mm is fine for 80A

 

[kevkdg]

If I wanted the DNO to upgrade me to a 100 amp supply, I assume I would need a more up to date cut out. Does anyone know what the maximum fuse rating is for a Henley Series 3? I cannot see it printed/embossed into the bakelite anywhere.