Dangerous DNO Head - Lucy Oxford

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JosephandAmber

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Just a FYI. I called out UKPN this week to request a supply head inspection before a complete upgrade of their domestic installation. It turns out that following a nasty incident with one of these Lucy Oxford supply heads, UKPN will no longer even open them. Instead, UKPN is going to dig up the road, disconnect the main cable, cut the head off and then rejoint.

So beware, don't be tempted to pop the cover off to check the fuse when undertaking an EICR.

Screenshot 2023-02-01 at 23.38.56.pngl
 
WPD (now National Grid) have the same policy for ISCOs. Client commissioned WPD to install an isolator before a board change as their electricity supply company was dragging its heels; the fuse carrier and neutral block had already been swapped for bakelite from their original cast iron but they still wouldn't touch it... they dug up the cable and replaced the whole head.

Another client with an ISCO, the 6mm (ish) green earthing conductor is clamped to the sheath just below the cast iron spreader, the same clamp earths the metalwork of the head. No way I'm touching that, so asked WPD to have a look at it. Same thing... gonna dig up the pavement, new head.

80-90 years old, cast iron, nothing between you and the substation except a 300A(?) breaker... yeah, not messing with that.
 
@JosephandAmber if you can get them to leave it behind, I'll pay you to send it to me for the museum. I'm really struggling to get hold of these things now that I'm not working. If it costs you a few beers to persuade them I'll reimburse.

300A(?) breaker
Click to expand...
Commonly a 400A fuse.
 
Lucien Nunes said:
@JosephandAmber if you can get them to leave it behind, I'll pay you to send it to me for the museum. I'm really struggling to get hold of these things now that I'm not working. If it costs you a few beers to persuade them I'll reimburse.


Commonly a 400A fuse.
Click to expand...
I've asked the client to relay this to UKPN if they get there before me. Will let yo know the outcome
 
Lucien Nunes said:
@JosephandAmber if you can get them to leave it behind, I'll pay you to send it to me for the museum. I'm really struggling to get hold of these things now that I'm not working. If it costs you a few beers to persuade them I'll reimburse.


Commonly a 400A fuse.
Click to expand...
At the risk of sounding stupid (not hard, i know) have you considered contacting DNOs and seeing if their jointers can save any old switchgear?
 
Lucien Nunes said:
@JosephandAmber if you can get them to leave it behind, I'll pay you to send it to me for the museum. I'm really struggling to get hold of these things now that I'm not working. If it costs you a few beers to persuade them I'll reimburse.


Commonly a 400A fuse.
Click to expand...
I tried to get Lucien a complete, original ISCO that was being replaced a year or so ago (still had all 4 fuse carriers). The chaps removing it said they couldn't due to the asbestos - I suppose everything gets logged to confirm proper disposal. I guess it might take something official-looking regarding handling of asbestos to persuade them, maybe? Don't know if the same issue will apply to the old Lucy Oxford heads
 
Yes that's a common scenario. The heart of the matter is that the DNO don't want the item, it's automatically defined as waste not switchgear, therefore only a hazardous waste company can take it. If they wanted to sell us the heads then they could be called switchgear and we could take on the duty of care re the ACMs. But they don't want to get involved, or have to sort the safe from the hazardous, so at an official level they just put up a flat no, it's too complicated. But sometimes at ground level, it's not so difficult to organise the occasional item.

95% of the switchgear I would like to have saved, has been 'unavailable' due to either actual or suspected ACMs. Even when I know there are no ACMs present, sometimes they won't let me have it tested to prove that is the case. The demolition people don't want to pull the contract from their mates at the hazardous contractors, they just call it all hazardous and everybody's sorted except us.
 
Lucien Nunes said:
Yes that's a common scenario. The heart of the matter is that the DNO don't want the item, it's automatically defined as waste not switchgear, therefore only a hazardous waste company can take it. If they wanted to sell us the heads then they could be called switchgear and we could take on the duty of care re the ACMs. But they don't want to get involved, or have to sort the safe from the hazardous, so at an official level they just put up a flat no, it's too complicated. But sometimes at ground level, it's not so difficult to organise the occasional item.

95% of the switchgear I would like to have saved, has been 'unavailable' due to either actual or suspected ACMs. Even when I know there are no ACMs present, sometimes they won't let me have it tested to prove that is the case. The demolition people don't want to pull the contract from their mates at the hazardous contractors, they just call it all hazardous and everybody's sorted except us.
Click to expand...

So the head was changed today and they let me keep it. There were no fuses inside, just linked directly, which surprised the engineers. If you want to DM me an address, I'll get a price to send it to you.
 

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