Main Fuse

[westie101]

As for the comment regarding the fuse size, I replaced like with like (the casing states a 100A fuse).

The casing states the MAXIMUM size fuse the cut-out is rated to carry, NOT the fuse size that was fitted!!!

To reiterate earlier comments

It is NOT your property and you had no rights to start interfering with it

Folk (even trained folk) have been seriously injured or killed working on these devices (rare but it does happen)

If it was disconnected for revenue protection you have committed an offence that gives the supplier/DNO the right to disconnect the supply external to the property. Cost of this and re-instating it could be in the region of 4 figures - for which you (or the estate) are liable.

If it was disconnected on safety grounds you may have inadvertently introduced a serious hazard! Safety grounds could include that it is in disrepair so could be subject to vandalism or illegal entry, you need to ensure that the property is secure at all times and is regularly checked.

 

[Chris123abc]

The 100A written on the casing is the maximum that the cutout can safely carry. The cable supplying or supplied by the cutout may not be capable of carrying this load, and that would be a fire risk.


It is common practice to remove the fuse as it is much easier (and cheaper) for the DNO to reconnect the supply, but I would expect the cutout to have been resealed afterwards. Maybe someone cut the seal whist trying to illegally reconnect the supply?

The cable will only be cut in the street as a last resort if access can not be gained to the property, or the supply has been illegally reconnected.

Is that fire risk between the main fuse and the consumer unit? (does it get downrated in strength @ the consumer unit before supply onward to the house?)

 

[phatboy]

Is that fire risk between the main fuse and the consumer unit? (does it get downrated in strength @ the consumer unit before supply onward to the house?)

Yes, the cable between the fuse and CU may be too small for 100amps of power. Equally, the power supply before the fuse may not be capable of 100amps.

 

[RF Lighting]

It's a fire risk of the main service cable in to the house, and the tails to the meter and consumer unit, and all the CU internals. Possibly the isolators too....

 

[bernardgreen]

There is also the risk of electrocution of people who enter the property.

Even if it is a criminal who breaks in and is then electrocuted the person who re-connected the supply to an un-safe installation will be held responsible. That will be you, and it could be a manslaughter charge.

 

[viewer]

OK You shouldn't have done it, but, for safety, the important thing now is to leave it alone. Turn off at the main switch and put a bit of duct tape over the switch so it can't accidentally be turned on. If it has old fuses you could pull them out if you want. Let the suppliers sort out the problem of whether there should be one or not and don't worry about the reasons. The fuse holder may be faulty or cracked and fail if you were to try and remove the fuse. Molten copper + eyeball = ouch.