When wiring a new CU to a meter...

[MeterMonkey]

Is it possible to burn out a neutral terminal on the meter if you are connecting up a new CU when the meter is live?

What could cause the outgoing neutral to burn out?

 

[RF Lighting]

Do you mean you were connecting live tails to a new CU?

 

[MeterMonkey]

Nah I wasnt, I got called to replace the meter because the outgoing neutral had burnt out.

Spark had been there that day and had connected direct to the meter, but with the burnt out neutral, he put both neutrals in the incoming one, obviously to keep supply on.

Just trying to find out why the neutral would burn out..

 

[flameport]

Yes, it's possible.

However only if the buffoon connecting it had
a. decided to connect to the meter while it was live,
b. also connected the line to the meter first,
c. also inserted the neutral wire while there was a load connected.

 

[MeterMonkey]

Are there any situations in which the neutral could just burn out without interference?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Are there any situations in which the neutral could just burn out without interference?

I suppose it could, if energised and under load, and the termination was loose.

 

[flameport]

Damage would be caused if the neutral terminal screws were loose, but this would take an extended period of time, during which the lighting in the building would be going dim when the kettle was switched on, possibly flashing on and off randomly, other appliances malfunctioning, crackling sounds emanating from the meter with a nice smell of burning chemicals to go with it.

Not likely that this would go unnoticed.

 

[westie101]

No doubt it would be an incorrectly tightened terminal on the meter which is more common that you would think!

I wonder if the lights were flickering so the CU got blamed and the true cause only found when the connection was made!

 

[JohnD]

during the connection process, the connection is bound to be loose until it has been tightened up.

If the fitter chose to go off for his tea, or to look for his screwdriver, then the poor connection would get hotter and hotter under load.

he'd have to be an idiot, though.

Was it a herbal plantation?

 

[MeterMonkey]

The meter was quite old, cant remember exactly, off hand.

It was the type with a circular nut to hold the cover plate to the meter. The thing is probably 20 years old.

Thanks for all the advice, electrics are still rather new to me, but my scope is limited.

One other thing, like in Gas, if there is a problem with the emergency control valve, we are to ring national grid/gas transporter to report the emergency..

Does the same apply to sparkies, If you see an issue with the cutout, are you supposed to call the dno up?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Spark had been there that day and had connected direct to the meter, but with the burnt out neutral, he put both neutrals in the incoming one, obviously to keep supply on.

He was probably anxious to get back to his horse.

 

[westie101]

If you see an issue with the cutout, are you supposed to call the dno up?

Yes, it is their property and they are the only people allowed to work on it. Meter problems (as you found) should be reported to the supplier.

It is also far better if you ring rather than get the customer to do so, it means that we get the full story!