Meter isolator

[chapeau]

Took a meter reading the other day and noticed the isolator is starting to melt and is warmer than it should be. Who is responsible for this? Me, the DNO (Powergen) or supplier (BG). Powergen said all they would do is pull the fuse to make it safe.

Thanks!

 

[JohnD]

post a photo and point out which part you mean.

//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=129539

 

[chapeau]

Hi johnd,

Thanks, happy to do that but will have to wait until get home tonight. Just a standard isolator, 'after' the meter and before the tails which disappear into the wall and go to the CU. From reading these pages I have assumed the DNO would sort it out, even if for a fee, but they sent me off to British Gas.

Don't want to get the main fuse pulled and left as the mrs would be less than happy, want to have a bit more knowledge before I make the next phone call.

Cheers

 

[plugwash]

DNOs aren't supposed to deal directly with customers, you are supposed to go through your electricity supplier who will then contract to the DNO or another approved company. Crazy I know but thats how things work nowadays.

Who is responsible depends on who owns the isolator and what the cause is. If the isolator is yours (which is probablly is if it has no identifying markings) then it is your responsibility to sort it out. If it is thiers then I belive it is thier responsibility to sort it out but if the melting is round the output terminals I could see them trying to blame and charge you for it.

As always photos are very helpfull to us in figuring out what is going on.

 

[Lectrician]

Usually even if the DNO fit the mains isolator, they sign the responsibilty over to you.


RF - I am sure you will agree with me.......THIS IS WHY I HATE THE POINTLESS THINGS!

 

[RF Lighting]

I rest my case your honour.

I've even bookmarked this thread for future reference

 

[JohnD]

Isolators are great!

Looking forward to seeing the photo...

 

[securespark]

Some DNO's hate isolators because ownership is often disputed.

If you are billed by BG for leccy, they have a company to fit isolators on their behalf & will make a small charge.

 

[Click-Sure]

The dissolusion of the Regional Electricty Companies and the formation of DNO's and suppliers (and the way it has been gone about) is one of the worst things that has ever happened in this industry.

There are other Parts as most pro spark on here will agree.

 

[plugwash]

Some DNO's hate isolators because ownership is often disputed.

Others seem to insist on fitting them whenever they do any work.

 

[Click-Sure]

Making them an accessable part of all new meters would be so much easier, and when the meter came up for replacement/service, so would the in-built isolator.

 

[Roo]

Making them an accessable part of all new meters would be so much easier, and when the meter came up for replacement/service, so would the in-built isolator.

Good idea.

But the version I saw on here wasn't designed by the cleverest of people.

If it's melting at the top, it's the DNO's isolator (has something on it like PROPERTY OF POWER COMPANY) and is also sealed a the top then i'm sure if you phoned your SUPPLIER and said "it looks like one of your contractors has left a loose connection" they would send somebody within the hour.

Lectrician's right about them trying to disown isolators, but if it says "PROPERTY OF" on it it's a bit hard for them to say it's not theirs.

 

[JohnD]

Looking forward to seeing the photo...

(Still)

 

[securespark]

Norweb (Now UU) went through a phase (sorry, guys ) of fitting slimline digi meters with two terminal covers. the left-hand side was connected to the meter & sealed up. The r/h/s was left accessible & adjacent to the terminals was a small DP rocker switch as isolation.

But they don't fit them no more.

 

[Roo]

Thats the type I saw on here.

It also had the terminal for the time clock on the right and side too.