no seals on cutout

jackfoley · 11 Nov 2008

Hello,

Having recently purchased our house i've noticed that the cutout does not have seals.
Nothing appears to be exposed but the survey did not pick this up.

We are due a meter change soon and i've heard that the DNO in the north west can be akward at times....could they refuse to change the meter on the basis that the cutout is not supposed to be how it is? Also could they disconnect our property as a result of this?

I have heard others having bad experiences with DNOs visiting their properties and I am a little bit worried.

Thanks

pte440 · 11 Nov 2008

do not worry about it, as long as the meter seals are intact.

ncoups · 11 Nov 2008

They generally blame electricians for breaking seals, not homeowners. Plus you've only just bought the property. I'd say they definately won't disconnect you.
Perhaps you should call them and warn them though.

kkynaston · 11 Nov 2008

Our resident North West meter fitter, 'Roo' might be along shortly to reassure you

jackfoley · 11 Nov 2008

Hello again,

I rang customer services and after being transferred to three dept. the call centre woman did not know what a cutout was.
The house needs a lot of work so i did not bother chasing this in terms of priorities up but now that they are coming to change the meter i've become a little worried but thanks for the advice.

I could show them the solicitors letter with the completion date on it and the meter is reading above 92000 now so i would guess it is obvious that other owners "could" have broken the seals.

hairyben · 11 Nov 2008

I really wouldn't stress it.

I've worked for the leccy board and since then been in millions of houses that "happen" to have broken seals on the cutout. Never been a problem.

Meter fixer couldn't care less, he's probably on a bonus/job rate and his slice doesn't include worrying about it.

consumer done over · 11 Nov 2008

i have a similar problem to yours. My house was rewired nearly a year ago and the spark just pulled the fuse. Unfortunately he has not done a good job of wiring the tails into the meter as the blue (neutral) tail has 1cm of copper exposed. There is no isolator between meter and CU.
Can the DNO refuse to change my meter due to the exposed copper or can they sort the tail out by cutting a little bit off it?

RF Lighting · 11 Nov 2008

The meter man would probably sort it, but TBH, you should be getting the electrician back to sort it if he has left the installation in an unsatisfactory condition.

As for the isolator, it is not a requirement, and I personally recommend AGAINST their use, but other electricians would fit them as a matter of course.

consumer done over · 12 Nov 2008

thanks RF.

I hope the guy does not mind sorting the copper out.
I doubt i'd find a spark that would just come to cut 1cm of copper off a tail. Also it would mean two visits by the DNO, one to pull the fuse for the repair and the second to actually change the meter.

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no seals on cutout

kkynaston

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