Does this switch have a fuse? (part 2)

[acmedone]

I have had two quotes, one silly the other ridiculous so I want to consider possible options of grunt labour saving to put to the winning bidder so that he only needs to wire & test. It would be useful to get suggestions in advance that a reasonable electrician would accept. (And I am far better at attaching things rigidly and squarely to brick than many tradesmen.) As a reminder this is the current setup http://tinyurl.com/7f6zqgq

Plan A, is it permitted to break the seal on the EB supply fuse and remove it (and put it in my pocket and, if necessary put a notice over the fuseholder)?

The reasoning behind this is that before the electrician arrives, I would cut the tails between meter & switch, clear the area below the meter and mount the new CU (*), timer and socket on the wall.

Plan B, leave things in place but pull out the clips from the cable feeding the socket (or cut the wire back and make safe). There is room to fit the new CU in the gap between the switch and connector box (ie, on the mark where the old meter used to be). New timer & socket to fit in other available space.

Plan C, leave things in place but prepare a plywood or chipboard board and mountings in the wall. Screw the new kit to the board. After the electrician has taken the old stuff away, just attach the board to the wall. I presume it's still ok to attach things to wood? - considering the meter is on chipboard.

(*) A type either supplied by or approved by the electrician, obviously.

 

[riveralt]

Best to read Part 1 of this moron's tale here

http://www.diynot.com/forums/electrics/does-this-switch-have-a-fuse.312815/

Then you will understand why the two quotes by the electricians are considered 'ridiculous' and 'silly'.
It sounds to be me that independently of each other these electricians quickly cottoned on to this idiots interfering ways and priced the job accordingly.

So now he's back here bragging about how he is going to break the law and probably kill himself in the process - Plan A.

Acmedone, forget about trying to get advice here. Forget about Plan A, B,C etc and pass this job to someone else in these flats to take on board, hopefully in a more reasonable manner.
Then they can employ an electrician and be guided by what he says in response to the needs of the flats residents.

 

[acmedone]

So now he's back here bragging about how he is going to break the law and probably kill himself in the process - Plan A.

So you're saying it is not permitted? OK. Your comments otherwise really make you an obnoxious and unhelpful person.

Then you will understand why the two quotes by the electricians are considered 'ridiculous' and 'silly'.

Given the quotes and the uselessness of this forum, I can't help thinking the best course would be to just forget the matter, leave the system in its present mess and a tradesman without business.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Best to read Part 1 of this moron's tale here

http://www.diynot.com/forums/electrics/does-this-switch-have-a-fuse.312815/

Then you will understand why the two quotes by the electricians are considered 'ridiculous' and 'silly'.
It sounds to be me that independently of each other these electricians quickly cottoned on to this idiots interfering ways and priced the job accordingly.

Or they were OK quotes, but he is one of those people with a silly and ridiculous view of what things should cost.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

So you're saying it is not permitted? OK.

That's right.

Your comments otherwise really make you an obnoxious and unhelpful person.

That's probably going to be your view of anyone who does not support you in your stupid and dangerous plans to fiddle with this installation when you are clearly ignorant and incompetent.

Given the quotes and the uselessness of this forum, I can't help thinking the best course would be to just forget the matter, leave the system in its present mess and a tradesman without business.

No - the best course would be to get an electrician and let him get on with it without any interference from you.

 

[bernardgreen]

the distribution for outdoor and hallway lights

Your meddling could mean that there will be no lights in the hallway for one or more nights. If that happens then lets hope you can defend a legal action for any injuries, loss of earnings etc etc that some one suffers in a fall in that darkness. Can be very expensive if you do not have insurance to cover your electrical work.

 

[acmedone]

Your comments otherwise really make you an obnoxious and unhelpful person.

That's probably going to be your view of anyone who does not support you in your stupid and dangerous plans to fiddle with this installation when you are clearly ignorant and incompetent.

Given the quotes and the uselessness of this forum, I can't help thinking the best course would be to just forget the matter, leave the system in its present mess and a tradesman without business.

No - the best course would be to get an electrician and let him get on with it without any interference from you.

The system provides electricity where it's wanted so there is no reason for doing anything to it other than for possible safety issues that I have warned other flat owners about. They would rather spend money elsewhere on cosmetic improvements. It is amazing that the mere act of asking questions implies "dangerous fiddling". Oh well.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Amazing?

Why? - your questions were about removing the supply fuse, cutting cables etc.

 

[acmedone]

Amazing?

Why? - your questions were about removing the supply fuse, cutting cables etc.

Indeed it is. I was asking whether it is permitted. The question was answered; making inference because a question is asked is unnecessary and stupid.

I see people post here saying "I have messed up, how do I get out of it?" and compare the responses to my "I find something not right and am throwing ideas in the air" and I get tagged as "ignorant and incompetent". Perhaps for some in this rabble it really would be better being truly ignorant and remain blissfully unaware of system faults.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Let's try again.

It is amazing that the mere act of asking questions implies "dangerous fiddling". Oh well.

Yes - you were only asking questions.

3 of them.

Each of which was about a different bit of fiddling around you suggested you would do.

Plan A, ... I would cut the tails between meter & switch, clear the area below the meter and mount the new CU (*), timer and socket on the wall.

Plan B, ... pull out the clips from the cable feeding the socket (or cut the wire back and make safe).

Plan C, ... prepare a plywood or chipboard board and mountings in the wall. Screw the new kit to the board.

You've been told, quite clearly, that the way to proceed is to get an electrician.

You did that, didn't like the prices, so you are back here asking questions again.

I don't know what was wrong with the quotes, if anything, or if there was whether it was because you tried to tell him what to do (you were warned about that).

But getting an electrician remains the only thing you can do.

 

[flameport]

Plan A, is it permitted to break the seal on the EB supply fuse and remove it (and put it in my pocket and, if necessary put a notice over the fuseholder)?

A 'notice over the fuseholder' isn't likely to prevent people or objects from coming into contact with the live terminal inside, the proper item should be fitted in there while the fuse is out.
Irrelevant anyway as removing the fuse is not permitted.

B and C are just silly, and at best would save 5 minutes of time for the electrician.

 

[acmedone]

I don't know what was wrong with the quotes, if anything, or if there was whether it was because you tried to tell him what to do (you were warned about that).

I haven't mentioned price before because it's not really relevant since there is a general principle of not paying a skilled rate for unskilled parts of the work. And no, I haven't told him what to do; I rashly assumed that coming here would help ongoing discussion. But it seems that some would sooner engage in inquisition & libel (bragging, fiddling & meddling).

Since you ask, the ridiculous quote is £780+vat.

Unless someone can be constructive for a change there's no point continuing.

 

[ricicle]

Bye.

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[acmedone]

You did that, didn't like the prices, so you are back here asking questions again.

Since this I have been lurking and noticed a lot of frustration from other people (justified in many cases) hoping to get straightforward pointers rather than insult and libel.

I don't know what was wrong with the quotes, if anything, or if there was whether it was because you tried to tell him what to do (you were warned about that).

No, I did not like the prices and not as a result of telling the electricians what to do. I mentioned the first quote was £780+vat (the ridiculous one). Next was £450+vat (the silly one). Given the photo, amazing that some apparent professionals replied to the effect of "what are you complaining about?"

Finally done for £190 inc. And the more expensive ones suggested only RCD+MCBs. His quote included RCBOs. Oh, and here's part of his reply in one of our emails "All that you say makes sense to me..........especially the part about having a board mounted to facilitate easy installation of equipement."

What this forum really needs is a button to provide negative thanks to reduce some of the smugness.