Breaking Main Fuse Seal..

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Discuss Breaking Main Fuse Seal.. in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

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whazza22

Hi everyone,

I'm sure this topic has been risen plenty of times.

I'm a qualified electrician and I am going to replace a consumer unit for a relative. I am not registered with NICEIC or NAPIT so will be getting it tested by the council.

Can anyone explain the procedure for removing the main fuse as it is sealed?

I know it will never be checked but would just like to know what everyone does. It's absolutely crazy that a qualified electrician is meant to call western power to remove the seal or replace the seal, especially if they have a business to run!!

Thanks in advance.
 
Get western power to put a dp isolator after the meter unless the seals accidently have fallen off the cutout
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Although it is an easy process to remove it, incorrect removal can be either fatal due to the high voltage etc, or end up with a broken fuse or carrier and then you will need to pay them to come and fix it whilst trying to explain to them why you removed it in the first place. This is why they wired with a security seal as to attempt to prevent unauthorised removal. If you remove the fuse, you are in breach of your contract with the supply company and have commited a criminal act.

Although its straight forward enuogh, unless it comes out in one go you are likely to run into problems. I will not touch the main fuse as would rather not have the hassle. If you are going to do it, my advise would that, you shouldnt, but if you do, ensure theres NO LOAD, so switch the consumer unit off, then take firm hold of it and pull it out in one smooth but swift movement. Thats my thoughts anyway.

Personally if i ever had to for whatever reason have to remove one, I would take all measures needed to prevent killing myself, so would ensure I was wearing insulated shoes, appropriate rubber gloves, and some form of mask, then hope for the best. I know this is more than likely over kill, but id rather not do it, just incase it breaks it, as you will not be able to fix it without third party help.

Oh and when you do put it back in, try and get the pins to connect at the same time, and push it in firmly in one go, dont mess about with it.

Best of luck!
 
Its also highly unlikely that anything will ever come of it, if you do pull it out and put it back as most people do, but its more the fact that it might break or not come out nicely when you do that puts me off. Oh and dont forget to put a protective thing in the slot to prevent accidentle contact. Not sure where you buy the red thing from though.
 
FixitElectrical said:
and dont forget to put a protective thing in the slot to prevent accidentle contact. Not sure where you buy the red thing from though.
Click to expand...

Please don't give out advice when you have absolutely no idea what your talking about, Electricity is very serious you know, will your insurance cover the OP if he is killed by putting a protective thingy in the red thingy????
 
whazza22 said:
I'm sure this topic has been risen plenty of times.
To many times, try using the search facility!

I'm a qualified electrician and I am going to replace a consumer unit for a relative. I am not registered with NICEIC or NAPIT so will be getting it tested by the council.
Apprenticed or 5 week course?

Can anyone explain the procedure for removing the main fuse as it is sealed?
No, it would be breaking the law.

I know it will never be checked but would just like to know what everyone does. It's absolutely crazy that a qualified electrician is meant to call western power to remove the seal or replace the seal, especially if they have a business to run!!
Everyone abides by the law

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Thanks for asking. Do you think people are so stupid as to publicly advocate breaking the law?
 
My advice is not to remove it, but if you read I have said what I feel appropriate. I am the only one who has made a constructive comment and thats helpful.
 
FixitElectrical said:
My advice is not to remove it, but if you read I have said what I feel appropriate. I am the only one who has made a constructive comment and thats helpful.
Click to expand...

Ducttape.jpg
 
FixitElectrical said:
Although it is an easy process to remove it, incorrect removal can be either fatal due to the high voltage etc, or end up with a broken fuse or carrier and then you will need to pay them to come and fix it whilst trying to explain to them why you removed it in the first place. This is why they wired with a security seal as to attempt to prevent unauthorised removal. If you remove the fuse, you are in breach of your contract with the supply company and have commited a criminal act.

Although its straight forward enuogh, unless it comes out in one go you are likely to run into problems. I will not touch the main fuse as would rather not have the hassle. If you are going to do it, my advise would that, you shouldnt, but if you do, ensure theres NO LOAD, so switch the consumer unit off, then take firm hold of it and pull it out in one smooth but swift movement. Thats my thoughts anyway.

Personally if i ever had to for whatever reason have to remove one, I would take all measures needed to prevent killing myself, so would ensure I was wearing insulated shoes, appropriate rubber gloves, and some form of mask, then hope for the best. I know this is more than likely over kill, but id rather not do it, just incase it breaks it, as you will not be able to fix it without third party help.

Oh and when you do put it back in, try and get the pins to connect at the same time, and push it in firmly in one go, dont mess about with it.

Best of luck!
Click to expand...
hobbyists mistake no.1
told you all it would come..lol...
look at what defines `high voltage` will you before posting!!..lol..
 
FixitElectrical said:
Its also highly unlikely that anything will ever come of it, if you do pull it out and put it back as most people do, but its more the fact that it might break or not come out nicely when you do that puts me off. Oh and dont forget to put a protective thing in the slot to prevent accidentle contact. Not sure where you buy the red thing from though.
Click to expand...

From the same shop you bought your red thong from ???
 
whazza22 said:
Hi everyone,

I'm sure this topic has been risen plenty of times.

I'm a qualified electrician and I am going to replace a consumer unit for a relative. I am not registered with NICEIC or NAPIT so will be getting it tested by the council.

Can anyone explain the procedure for removing the main fuse as it is sealed?

I know it will never be checked but would just like to know what everyone does. It's absolutely crazy that a qualified electrician is meant to call western power to remove the seal or replace the seal, especially if they have a business to run!!

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...


As you intend to get building control involved and they will send someone to inspect your works, I strongly recommend you be very careful how far you go in regard to this situation, regardless of your experience, if someone comes to look at your work you may get into trouble if you are reported for installing new tails to the meter, beware in this case IMO.
 
In my new job I have been given training in pulling the main bullet. Never in all my years have I ever been so ---- scared after seeing the consequences (photos and personal testimony). The electrical explosion that occurs on short circuit on a faulty service head is simply something that I would never want to experience, even with full PPE.

I think we need to be factoring in a DNO callout to at least provide safe isolation, but preferably examination of and fitting of an isolator, in our prices.
 
Edd said:
should i be laughing so much at this thread, does that make me a sad person
Click to expand...

No not at all LOL, but considering the OP is getting building control involved, advising him to cut the seals is like sticking a one legged man into an --- kicking contest haha
 
FixitElectrical said:
Its also highly unlikely that anything will ever come of it, if you do pull it out and put it back as most people do, but its more the fact that it might break or not come out nicely when you do that puts me off. Oh and dont forget to put a protective thing in the slot to prevent accidentle contact. Not sure where you buy the red thing from though.
Click to expand...
Talking from experience are we? Advising those less experienced. Advice coming your way....look left, look right, look left again and put the tin hat on.
 
There really is a lot of talking bull ox here sometimes, the question is this, are you a "competent person" If so, you are going to a customers house to replace a consumer unit, to do that without isolating the supply presents a real danger to yourself, and to the customer. It is therefore your duty to isolate the supply by whatever means available in order to work safely. If that means removing the cutout fuse, remove it. One proviso here, and it has been discussed in other threads, I would be wary of touching some of the older cast iron/porcelain fuse set ups unless they are in top nick! IT IS NOT ILLEGAL TO REMOVE THE FUSE! there, I've said it. We used to quote the "electricity supply act 1921" In case of danger any competent person may remove the cutout fuse in order to render the installation safe. What you gonna do if you walk through the door and there is magic smoke escaping from the meter/consumer unit/tails etc? In 50 years on the job I have removed thousands, done the necessary work, replaced them, and wound the previously carefully cut seal wire back in position. If you have ever seen a supply authority "engineer" remove a seal with a pair of uninsulated tin snips big enough to cut a transatlantic cable you would realise that all they want is the fastest way out of the door. The seal is there to prevent naughty consumers abstracting un-metered juice (always presuming it is there at all). Competent person means just that. You DO NOT have to be a scam member, but you will be expected to supply LABC (elec) with a completed test cert which you can also do without joining the scams. I have my fireproof underwear on, no pedants need reply. Happy new year to all engineers everywhere, onward and upward lads and lasses!
 
You can do what you like, just don't expect us to advise a spark who is getting building control in to check his work to cut meter seals, whether it goes on or not is regardless, and I still want to know what a thingy is???
 
I can't see the harm in adding a DIY forum here, it would save a lot of grief, we would all be prepared and there would be less slating IMO, in fact we would be concerned for the H&S of the poster and be more subtle.
 
MDJ said:
I can't see the harm in adding a DIY forum here, it would save a lot of grief, we would all be prepared and there would be less slating IMO, in fact we would be concerned for the H&S of the poster and be more subtle.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but the problem would be that many wouldn't consider themselves DIYers
 
I am apprenticed qualified.

An isolator is the best option but thu charge :(

Do tails "need" to be upgraded? They are 5 metres long and go through the roof space into a cupboard in the hallway (property is a flat)
 
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