DNO fuse - who can remove it?

[KeenPensioner]

Hi, as my profile says I'm not a sparky but I've wired up the odd light switch and socket! I know my limitations and take safety very seriously but I like learning. I have no intention of ever doing this but can someone explain who can remove the 100 amp fuse to a domestic CU. What is a "competent person" in layman's language? I've trawled the internet (dangerous I know) and can find no definitive answer.

 

[Octopus]

It all depends on who the supplier is! There are some suppliers who will allow registered sparks to pull fuses...

And no you won't find a definitive answer ......

 

[Wilko]

Hi KP and welcome to the Forum !
The fuse is owned and maintained by your DNO company and so they have the say.
Competent Person, as @Murdoch says is not uniquely defined, but there are guides that Competent Person Schemes use to assist in making a judgement (on line if you hunt). My own view is if something went horribly wrong and you were explaining yourself in court one question might be "please explain to us why you felt competent to do this work?" and then what would be an acceptable answer ...

 

[buzzlightyear]

Hi, as my profile says I'm not a sparky but I've wired up the odd light switch and socket! I know my limitations and take safety very seriously but I like learning. I have no intention of ever doing this but can someone explain who can remove the 100 amp fuse to a domestic CU. What is a "competent person" in layman's language? I've trawled the internet (dangerous I know) and can find no definitive answer

in order to pull the DNO fuse .is to insure that the person dose not work live .the electricity work act . e.g. by ask the DNO to put a isolator in
after the DNO fuse before the work is started down to the cost to the customer. the competent person is person that has been inspected
by their body .or fully quilifed to do so.

 

[Octopus]

I wonder why the OP wants to know this?

 

[Dobes_88]

May take the OP a while to reply, think the power to his property has suddenly gone off....

 

[buzzlightyear]

maybe he has blown the main cut out .and gone to the big orange house to find one.

 

[l4urence]

This is documented in 7671 pretty clearly.
See the note after 537.1.3 - only when authorised by the DNO

 

[l4urence]

I wonder why the OP wants to know this?

That's a really good point... wiggling 80A fuses is not a good idea even when you can.

 

[Midwest]

This is documented in 7671 pretty clearly.
See the note after 537.1.3 - only when authorised by the DNO

My DNO authorises me to pull their main fuse, 'cos I pay 500 squids a year to Elecsa.

 

[Octopus]

This is documented in 7671 pretty clearly.
See the note after 537.1.3 - only when authorised by the DNO

Yup - just one of the many glaring issues and errors in the big book

 

[Toneyz]

Years ago anyone doing a consumer unit change would just pull the fuse.Does anyone know of any electrician being prosecuted for doing so ?.

 

[buzzlightyear]

i know of a spark got threatened to be taken to court by DNO
told him to mentation electricity work act .

 

[l4urence]

My DNO authorises me to pull their main fuse, 'cos I pay 500 squids a year to Elecsa.

Bear with me @Midwest but I'm not sure being a member of Elecsa* (*or any other body) does automatically authorise you - It should do I agree. I'm not sure it actually does. Unless you know that Elecsa* have an agreement with the DNO that their members have automatic authorisation.

If push came to shove - who's lawyers would back down first.

Then after it's pulled - it's resealed right but without a seal ID who did it.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Bear with me @Midwest but I'm not sure being a member of Elecsa* (*or any other body) does automatically authorise you - It should do I agree. I'm not sure it actually does. Unless you know that Elecsa* have an agreement with the DNO that their members have automatic authorisation.

If push came to shove - who's lawyers would back down first.

again electricity work act !

 

[buzzlightyear]

I dire any body to challenge me on pulling a DNO cut out .
send in the men to pull the fuse . or see you in a few hours or put me in a 100amp isolator.by the way I have not seen one isolator fitted out by the suppliers for smart meters yet .

 

[123]

It's strange but any time I have needed to pull the DNO fuse for a CU change and the like the seal fairy has always been around before me and cut the seals. A very common occurrence for others as well I am led to believe.

 

[l4urence]

again electricity work act !

Dammit @buzzlightyear you made me look this up! Regulation 29 would be a good defence - well done you.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Dammit @buzzlightyear you made me look this up! Regulation 29 would be a good defence - well done you.

will tell the truth but nothing but the truth milord.

 

[Midwest]

Bear with me @Midwest but I'm not sure being a member of Elecsa* (*or any other body) does automatically authorise you - It should do I agree. I'm not sure it actually does. Unless you know that Elecsa* have an agreement with the DNO that their members have automatic authorisation.

If push came to shove - who's lawyers would back down first.

Then after it's pulled - it's resealed right but without a seal ID who did it.

My DNO SSE (some others do as well), have a written policy that gives permission for electricians registered with an approved scheme (they don't include Stroma ), to pull their main fuse to carry out certain tasks (like replacing main tails or CU). They will supply temporary sticky seals (no Phocidae jokes please), for you to re-seal and inform them with yours & seals details etc.

You should check out your local DNO policy on the subject.

 

[Midwest]

Can't wait for all the 'just because your in a scheme, doesn't make you competent' splashback

 

[l4urence]

My DNO SSE (some others do as well), have a written policy that gives permission for electricians registered with an approved scheme (they don't include Stroma ), to pull their main fuse to carry out certain tasks (like replacing main tails or CU). They will supply temporary sticky seals (no Phocidae jokes please), for you to re-seal and inform them with yours & seals details etc.

You should check out your local DNO policy on the subject.

And that is exactly the way it should be. We should start calling the anti tamper on the main fuse, the Phocidae and see if it catches on!

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Lets be honest a lot of the new DNO cut out fuses are quite stable and with no load are reasonably safe to pull. a lot of the older ones i wouldnt dare touch with a barge pole, even the DNO wont pull them they will cut the cable outside and rather replace the cutout entirely due to health and safety. Yes, we shouldn't do it without permission but i suspect i am not the only one to have done it in the past ;-) . its a risk assessment you have to make on each job and only you can decide is it worth it from a safety viewpoint and in case the proverbial hits the fan? i think you would only get the DNO on your case if it goes wrong, otherwise they have no proof who cut the seal and pulled it. Around here western power distribution will come pull the fuse for £60+vat.... add another £100 to fit a double pole isolator... hence why so many fuses get pulled.
I had a job a few months back with really old tails and fuse board that needed upgrading, they came out pulled fuse, i had new tails ready to go with an isolator to fit myself. they pulled fuse and were there less than an hour sat in van drinking tea!

 

[Midwest]

I do recall reading there was some steps towards a nationwide approach on this subject, seems daft that its different in different areas. Perhaps after Brexit

 

[Octopus]

This is a classic example of why the CPS's have failed completely - they need to push for a consistent approach for the benefit of us sparks.

 

[HandySparks]

My DNO SSE (some others do as well), have a written policy that gives permission for electricians registered with an approved scheme (they don't include Stroma ), to pull their main fuse to carry out certain tasks (like replacing main tails or CU). They will supply temporary sticky seals (no Phocidae jokes please), for you to re-seal and inform them with yours & seals details etc.

Several years ago, while registered with Elecsa, I applied to SSE for some temporary seals. I'm now registered with Stroma. Am I now prohibited from using the remaining seals?

 

[rolyberkin]

Six to eight weeks around here to get an isolator fitted!?

 

[PEG]

I dire any body to challenge me on pulling a DNO cut out .
send in the men to pull the fuse . or see you in a few hours or put me in a 100amp isolator.by the way I have not seen one isolator fitted out by the suppliers for smart meters yet .

Mmmm,had Eon out,for a new meter (telemetry function disabled),to replace original two meters and clock,on RHT tariff.

Requested isolator to provide single point of isolation,they agreed need,as did NWE who had updated the head,and they had a mini meltdown.

They said it could not be fitted before the meter,which would be a simple two pole. No admission,but i would say it provides a possible future means of turning off their meter's telemetry.

Fitting after the meter,with it's 2nd RHT feed,would require a 4 pole isolator,which the lad had with him,but was unsure how to configure (4 weeks into the job)

Now waiting for a "Tech Spec"?,from Eon,to come back and sort.

Not holding one's breath...it will be their fifth visit

 

[sparkdog]

Used to have a Phocidae living in our street, I think he was from Poland.

 

[Midwest]

Several years ago, while registered with Elecsa, I applied to SSE for some temporary seals. I'm now registered with Stroma. Am I now prohibited from using the remaining seals?

You can post them to me, your seals, not your Phocidae animals.