isolator switch

[Marco1976]

Hi all,

Could someone tell me how does an isolator switch look like.

I have to commission some work in my house (rewire) but before doing so
I need to know if my supply has one.
Between the meter and the CU there is only wire.
Before the meter there is a black box but from the outside i cannot see a switch.

Should the isolator switch be before or after the meter?

thanks

 

[ColJack]

between meter and CU.. however some meters have the switch built in..

if you have to ask then you really aren't competent to be "comissioning" anything..

 

[Marco1976]

between meter and CU.. however some meters have the switch built in..

if you have to ask then you really aren't competent to be "comissioning" anything..

you got me wrong here.
I am reluctant to tender 4000 pounds worth of work if our supply is not up to standard.
Having to wait over one month for a supplier to install a switch AFTER agreeing a date with a contractor does not seem a good idea hence why I asked the question.
Now I will have to get the switch before having someone else doing any work on our electrics.
Having been done before by UU promising appointments and then not showing up I feel this is a wise move.

Don't worry, I am not doing any work myself, far from it.

I'd be grateful if someone could tell me what the waiting list / cost is like for NPower or UU in the North West for installing and connecting an isolator switch.

 

[ColJack]

my apologies, i took your meaning of "commisioning" the wrong way..
I thought you meant commision as in put into service, IE switch on..

not commision as in to order work..

 

[JohnD]

In a house it might look like one of these

this one is about 50mm wide and about 150mm tall

or it might be a larger grey enclosure, possibly with a transparent cover to keep dust or rain out

It will have two thick cables going into it (usually the top) from the meter, and two more going to the consumer unit or large plastic connector block. The larger ones may have all the cables going into the bottom (this prevents dirt falling inside)

It should have a durable label saying "Main Switch) (because it turns off the supply to everything in the house)

here is one installed

 

[Marco1976]

Thanks John.

I have one of those but it is on the non RCS side of my MEN CU.

Wish I had a separate one like on your pic.

 

[Lectrician]

You do not need one prior to starting anywork, rewire or not.

 

[Marco1976]

You do not need one prior to starting anywork, rewire or not.

Hello lectrician,

I have work planned in two weeks time and UU have a four week waiting list to fit a switch.

Either the spark decides to work live (which i assume is illegal) or I have no option but to call off the job.

I don't want to pay a lot of money for something that may not be connected if a) the board do not show as planned and b) the board shows up but is of the opinion that supply cable is old and needs replacing resulting in further appointments.

 

[RF Lighting]

Have you actually asked your electrician if he wants an isolator?


Very few properties round my area have an isolator, and this doesn't prevent any electrical installations taking place.

 

[Lectrician]

I have fitted an isolator, and never will. I hate them.

There is no need to work live either.

Your spark will likely pull the service fuse, replace the CU or whatever, and leave the new tails slightly over length, and henley blocked onto the old tails. They will then send in a 'completion notice' (not a BS type form) to 'UU' to get them to connect the tails. This costs £25 ish for my DNO to do.

You will be left with power, and will have a neater installation without an isolator, which is also something more to maintain, and something more to go wrong.

 

[JohnD]

... an isolator, which is also something more to maintain...

maintain?

 

[Lectrician]

Yep - When it breaks, needs moving etc.

I dont mean oiling

We 'maintain' every installation.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I dont mean oiling

What about regular polishing with Mr Sheen?