Disconnecting CU supply (photos)
- Thread starter Daljit
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That may be what some do, but officially you need to fit an isolator and get the DNO to transfer supply to isolator. Or get DNO to disconnect and re-connect latter.
What actually happens varies area to area.
What actually happens varies area to area.
The seal is there for a reason. Cut it and you may have to prove to the supplier and/or DNO that you have not been stealing electricity.
Pull the fuse and the fuse holder may fall apart, this might result in a short circuit across the incomig supply. Fuse at the electricity substation will be at least 200 Amps which will mean the arc ( in the short circuit ) would be more than 50 kW.
Cutting the seal breaks the terms of your contract with the supplier. Pulling the fuse can creates a dangerous situation
Pull the fuse and the fuse holder may fall apart, this might result in a short circuit across the incomig supply. Fuse at the electricity substation will be at least 200 Amps which will mean the arc ( in the short circuit ) would be more than 50 kW.
Cutting the seal breaks the terms of your contract with the supplier. Pulling the fuse can creates a dangerous situation
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Daljit
Arc flash is a real risk that you need to be consicous of and consider before you pull (and also when you replace) that fuse.
When it goes wrong it goes wrong very badly.
https://www.fluke.com/en-us/learn/blog/safety/arc-flash-vs-arc-blast
And remember that if you pull the fuse you will then have a bare electrifed surface (that is basically unfused) that you must conciously not make contact with at all times.
It is a significant risk to you (an to other) to pull (and leave exposed, and replace) that fuse.
SFK
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While working ionisation of the atmosphere was my biggest worry. However it ended when a collogue turned the power back on while I was working, including removing my lock.
We all break the rules, we hope we don't get caught, and I know of when it all went wrong not only did the guy end up in hospital with very bad burns, but was sacked and fined by HSE and had a claim for damages from his firm.
Yet I know people still break the rules. With the poor guy above I think there by grace of god go I. We are told we should always isolate else where. So in theory before removing a consumer unit cover you should make dead, with my house OK I have an isolator, but in most cases only way is to draw the fuse.
Two wrongs do not make a right, the DNO should provide an isolator, but if they don't this will not protect you in a court of law.
If you have the skill, we should not need to tell you, so to ask means you don't have the skill.
We all break the rules, we hope we don't get caught, and I know of when it all went wrong not only did the guy end up in hospital with very bad burns, but was sacked and fined by HSE and had a claim for damages from his firm.
Yet I know people still break the rules. With the poor guy above I think there by grace of god go I. We are told we should always isolate else where. So in theory before removing a consumer unit cover you should make dead, with my house OK I have an isolator, but in most cases only way is to draw the fuse.
Two wrongs do not make a right, the DNO should provide an isolator, but if they don't this will not protect you in a court of law.
If you have the skill, we should not need to tell you, so to ask means you don't have the skill.
Hi all
I appreciate the words of caution, I really do. I’ve seen these fuses in the stairwell of tenement flats, and aware electricians remove them to cut supply to specific flats. I imagined them to be similar to the old style fuses, which although exposed to hell, seemed pretty safe to work with. I’ll investigate further. Thanks again.
Daljit
I appreciate the words of caution, I really do. I’ve seen these fuses in the stairwell of tenement flats, and aware electricians remove them to cut supply to specific flats. I imagined them to be similar to the old style fuses, which although exposed to hell, seemed pretty safe to work with. I’ll investigate further. Thanks again.
Daljit
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If there is no current flowing unlikely to get ionisation when removing a fuse, so using a clamp-on meter will reduce the risk, however if you look at the PPE worn by DNO electricians when replacing fuses it is clear there is still danger.
As said you can draw a fuse 100's of times and nothing goes wrong, then one day for is seems no reason you get ionisation. Wikipedia calls it Arc flash an arc flash suit is silly money
this one over £3000.
As said you can draw a fuse 100's of times and nothing goes wrong, then one day for is seems no reason you get ionisation. Wikipedia calls it Arc flash an arc flash suit is silly money
this one over £3000.Health & Safety at it's best!
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I see, light the blue touch paper and stand well back! And trust to the lord.
You forgot examining the cutout for signs of damage/overheating, ensuring it's securely fixed to the wall, checking for surface voltages on it, ensuring it's not a type that's unsuitable to open or work on, and the rest of the protective clothing, and having the appropriate insulated tools readily to hand in case it goes wrong.
There is a smart meter there. While many think the reporting features of the smart meter is a myth, it WILL inform the local DNO of its outage, and depending on their algorithms, will flag a possible issue. They may completely ignore this (Storm Arwen keeping them busy), or they may send an engineer. If the meters mpan is in area already flagged with an outage it will be ignored. The algorithms vary hugely by area though, so while some would be ignored, others would be investigated. Most likely just slapped wrists.
and having someone near by in case emergency services are required.
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