Moving an Electical Cut-out

[SunbeamMICH]

Hi

This is a general question; I am a home owner and not a trade’s person.

Does anyone know if there are any restrictions to moving an Electrical Cut-out. I am trying to establish the legal standpoint, as I believe it is the Electricity board only that can do this?
If it has already been moved, what actions may be taken?

 

[rjm2k]

If it has already been moved, what actions may be taken?

nothing compared to what could have happened (death, injury etc).

it's possibly criminal damage or more likely breach of contract, realistically, they may just insist that you pay them to re-do it if they know about it.

how did you move it whilst it was live?!

 

[riveralt]

Does anyone know if there are any restrictions to moving an Electrical Cut-out. I am trying to establish the legal standpoint, as I believe it is the Electricity board only that can do this?

If you mean the isolation switch between the meter and your consumer unit then this will probably belong to the company that fits the meter - they are ones to be contacted in the first instance.
I say probably because the general view is that everything after the meter is the responsibility of the homeowner and therefore their property.

If it has already been moved, what actions may be taken?

Most DNO's seem to place a limit on the length of meter tails - between 2/3 metres. If they are longer than this then will insist on some form of cable protection via a fused switch.
If you are concerned (or guilty) then perhaps you should speak to them directly. Unfortunately you will have to speak to your electricity supplier, who may not be your DNO, to find out which meter firm they use.

 

[SunbeamMICH]

I haven't moved it, and I think it was just rotated before I bought my flat.
I am not familiar at all with electrics so it’s not something I spotted.
It’s been brought to my attention, as some 'tar' like substance has leaked out as it is rotated 45 degrees.

 

[riveralt]

I haven't moved it, and I think it was just rotated before I bought my flat.
I am not familiar at all with electrics so it’s not something I spotted.
It’s been brought to my attention, as some 'tar' like substance has leaked out as it is rotated 45 degrees.

That doesn't sound good - put a photograph of the offending switch on the site - so we can make a better assessment - as to who to contact.

 

[bernardgreen]

The legalities of tampering with the cut out can be sorted out later.

You may have a serious risk of the cut out and or supply cable catching fire.

CONTACT THE DNO and have the cut out inspected for safety. Tell them there is tar dripping out of it.

http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Electricity/AboutElectricity/DistributionCompanies/

Rotating the cut out may also loosen the terminals leading to heating, that may be why the tar is melting and coming out of the cut out

Rotating the cut out will have also twisted the incoming cable. That could have damaged the insulation inside the cable. Damaged insulation may not break down immediately, it could be days or years.

When it breaks down the continuous short circut current will be several hundred amps for as long as it takes for the fuses at the sub station to open.

That is about 100 kilowatts of heating at the end of the damaged cable.

 

[JohnW2]

That doesn't sound good - put a photograph of the offending switch on the site - so we can make a better assessment - as to who to contact.

The OP actually called it a "cut-out", rather than a switch - so, particulaly if there is tar leaking out of it, perhaps he really does mean 'cutout' in the sense that you and I would use the term? As has been said, we need a photo.

Kind Fegards, John

 

[SunbeamMICH]

Untitled

• SunbeamMICH
• 9 Oct 2013
• 1

This is how it currently looks. I alerted the electricity borad as I was concerned for fire saftey etc.

 

[SunbeamMICH]

I have had 2 fault engineers out, and they have ok'd it as the tar is cold. And I had a surveyor out today. I am just trying to find out what I need to do next.
I have no knowledge of this, so really any help is much appreciated!

 

[JohnW2]

This is how it currently looks. I alerted the electricity borad as I was concerned for fire saftey etc.

Good grief. You've done the right thing. Don't touch it.

It looks as if it's probably been rotated through 90, not 45 degrees, but goodness knows how the perpetrator achieved that whilst it was live. I suspect, but am not certain, that they're not meant to be used in that orientation (perhaps for reasons such as you are seeing!) - I've certainly never see that.

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

I have had 2 fault engineers out, and they have ok'd it as the tar is cold. And I had a surveyor out today. I am just trying to find out what I need to do next. I have no knowledge of this, so really any help is much appreciated!

Are you saying that the supplier's (DNO's) people have seen that, and are 'happy'?

Kind Regards, John

 

[bernardgreen]

I have had 2 fault engineers out, and they have ok'd it as the tar is cold.!

From where did they come from.

It may have been cold when they looked at it. It will be cold is there has been very little electricity used. It is when there is a lot of electricity being used that the cut out will heat up.

You need the DNO engineers to examine it.

 

[Spark123]

Can you upload a pic of the whole cutout? You may find that other flats are fed from the same cutout. Agree that the DNO need to sort it out.

 

[westie101]

Don't panc too much, the compound leak is an issue but may not be due to heat, just the incorrect positioning of the cut-out!
A lot of the bitument compounds that were used are soft set and never fully harden so are known to "run" out over time

Havig said the there is no doubt that it is a very old obsolete type that does really require changing also to check if there is any issue with the incoming cable. (as well as the risk to paper insulation it is not unknown foe the lead shesth to crack thus disconecting any TNS earth!)

 

[SunbeamMICH]

Yes you're right, 90 degree rotation.
And yes I was told it was very unusual to have it rotated.
I was told that the tar has melted as we had had a hot few months in the year. Its an old flat, prob 1950s
The surveyor has suggested it needs replacing, but it is butted up next to an intergrated fridge freezer, with the cable behind that in a fitted kitchen. So not an easy job, and expensive!
I am trying to just look at my options, and trying to establish, if doing nothing is actually an option also?
I'm in a block of flats so my decision could will others.