Getting main fuse pulled??

[ollie_C]

Hi guys,

Ive had an absolute mare with this so thought i'd ask you guys...

im trying to get the main fuse pulled from a meter ata clients house so that I can fit an isolator and change the CU, (although the CU will be done at a later date).

Ive been going around the houses trying to get someone out to do this! Ive spoken to the bill supplier (Eon) and theyve told me I need to go to the DNO (EDF), EDF have then told me to go back to Eon! I always thought it was the DNOs job but now im doubting myself!

Ive spent a fair few hours on the phone trying to sort this now, mostly to 0845 numbers!!

I can now understand the temptation to pull the thing yourself! Ive laso read on other sites that when I (eventually) get someone out, they will want certification for work done...what is the relevant cert for installing an isolator?? are they expecting tests to be done??

 

[youngpadawan]

We had this problem at first, it's hard to get permission to do this no matter how nicely you ask. There is a solution though. DNO's don't want to be wined and dined, they want to be manhandled.

Now the conversation usually goes like so:
"Hello there lovely people at eon, i'm an electrician and i'm about to cut your meter tag so i can safely do some work. You may want to send somebody to retag it after i'm done."
"Oh. Are you a qualified electrician?"
"Yes, i have all the qualifications required for this work. Would you like me to send them?"
"No that's fine, we'll send somebody out next week."

Then make manly crotch thrusts and state how you will never call them back.

 

[bigbaddave]

Firsty 0845 numbers, There is a lovely website called 0870 alternative. Bang the number in there and you get the landline equivalent

As for cutting the seals. I had the annoying phone call the first time I called the DNO. After 20 minutes getting through to someone I spoke to one guy. Here's how it went..

Me.. I am needing someone to remove the main service fuse as I require is isolated in order to change the Consumer unit
DNO guy.. Can you not just switch in off by the fuseboard, You know the thing with all the switches on?
Me.. The thing with the switches on, Really. I presume your preferring to the consumer unit which i intend to change
DNO guy.. I have never herd of this before. can i check with a colleague?
Me.. Right
DNO guy 2... So i understand you need the supply isolated
Me.. Yes (The penny has dropped)
DNO guy 2.. Well we are really busy
Me.. But I need it isolated
DNO guy 2... But we are really really busy.. Are you a qualified electrician ?
Me.. Yes are you suggesting i remove the fuse myself?
Dno guy 2.. No your not allowed that is our property
Me.. So when are you coming round
Dno guy 2.. We are really busy can i call you back
Me.. OK

Any way after i put the phone call i realised that the seals were already cut and the fuse fell out, I think this whole main service fuse issue is a real problem. Working on a domestic property and changing a CU, how can we arrange at sort notice for this to be done?

I dont think you are ever going to end up in court for doing it, If i did then i would be quoting the electricity at work regulations..

Anyway just to confirm i have cut no seal, Every job i have been to has allready had them removed

 

[Guest55]

cut seal
pull fuse
do job
go home
have tea
the old CU was on fire if anyone asks questions
which they wont

 

[bigbaddave]

cut seal
pull fuse
do job
go home
have tea
the old CU was on fire if anyone asks questions
which they wont

Couldnt put it better myself. I certainly wouldnt be losing sleep over it. Cut seals do job, Get paid.

 

[South Spark]

I tend to blame poltergeist activity meself

 

[Robotstar5]

Seal, what seal?

 

[telectrix]

you mean one of these?

 

[nickblake]

cost me £81.00 to get a switch fitted and change the tails

 

[Stonsey]

Get some seals and wire off eBay, you can even get the crimper as well, job done.

 

[MNR]

Seal, what seal?

That bloody seal fairy has been stealing them all again.

I'm lucky every c/u I have changed there has never been any seals. Lucky or what!


Www.aeskent.co.uk

 

[brucelee]

british gas are better send someone couple of days £39 to disconnect fit isolator new meter if needed and tails on there side of the isolator
if not brtish gas then see tels pic

 

[ollie_C]

ya know what, i think i must be working to hard or something...now that i really think about it...i dont think there are any seals...and the fuse DID look like it was half way out already...best not shut the door to the cupboard to hard ay!

 

[jeremy]

I fitted a new board on Saturday for my Girlfriends parents. Rang SSE on Friday to tell them I was going to cut the seals, "ring the provider". Rang co-op energy to tell them, " nothing to do with us, ring the DNO" Can't say I didn't try....

 

[Steve_P]

It's so rare to see seals these days. I reckon they used inferior lead back then and it perished so much over the years it fell off the wire. It's funny how fast they come out when you phone them to say there aren't any seals :wink5:

 

[mydigitalhome]

Cant remember last time I saw a seal think it was in some book that my tutor showed me many years ago. Perhaps one day I may be lucky and find one. Does anyone have a good picture of these items of possible fiction, bit like finding father Xmas in the fireplace or the tooth fairy.

 

[Megavolt]

Never have never will as said re seal with new seals from eBay property always safer when I leave then when I got there

 

[vjsmarwick]

Ok here is how it worked for me 2 weeks ago called in past our local hydro station office told them I was going to replace the cu's in the premises and gave them the address they said ok here is a temporary seal for you to fit when you are done and we will resell it when we next read the meter. I had to give my name address and qualification in return they gave me a sticker to go across the fuse and the holder as easy as.

There are advantages to living on an island where your face is known everywhere I have even moved hydro supplies before when they could not get there to do it I do it live then they come and reseal but a few of them have said there is no way they would have done it the way I do lol makes a difference when you respect the power in the cable. Good luck guys.

 

[vxwestie]

I dont as you guys say years ago. Broke the seals and told them i done it, only difference was it wasnt long before they send the guy around and I was there... (sweb then) but i knew this guy and he was a complete jobsworth arse...
Ive always wondered what words he used the next time he looked in his tool bag for his crimpers, tin of seals, and the huge roll of non removable stickers ... even he'd be suprised at the number of meters he's sealed since "lossing" his crimpers....

 

[DNS1]

Seal, what seal?

I'm confused as to why we're discussing wildlife on an electricians forum.

I went to my girls family holiday home in Norfolk not long ago, we took a boat trip to see the seals. Got some great photos, but to my disappointment they weren't going "argh argh" or bouncing beach balls on their noses...

Why people think one would fit in a meter cupboard I don't know...

 

[Knobhead]

I fitted a new board on Saturday for my Girlfriends parents. Rang SSE on Friday to tell them I was going to cut the seals, "ring the provider". Rang co-op energy to tell them, " nothing to do with us, ring the DNO" Can't say I didn't try....

Wonder they didn't try to sell you some freezer bag seals.

 

[bigbaddave]

Anybody sean these before, to my supprise found it on the floor in the meter cupboard when i cam to change a DB the other day..

 

[Guest111]

many years ago a girlfriends dad used to make the sealing pliers at the company he worked for(bicc)he got me the tools for most crimps but the sealing pliers were impossible to get,apparently all the serial numbers were noted down and a record kept of which board they were sent to.

 

[Knobhead]

A ghost used to reseal any job I got involved in. A mates widow gave me his tools, sealing pliers, seals etc. Would have been OK for you Phil, NWEB.

 

[Stroppy]

Taking out the main fuse? Never done it. Just do it live and don't touch the shiny bits!

 

[Garythenab]

I tend to blame poltergeist activity meself

Haha class

 

[thekingiam]

Taking out the main fuse? Never done it. Just do it live and don't touch the shiny bits!

lol tickled me that

 

[Midwest]

I asked my local DNO this question, this is the reply:

In terms of jurisdiction, SSEPD as distributor is responsible for the incoming service and cutout, including the company fuse.

The incoming tails,or rather the tails from the cutout to the meter are the Meter Operator's repsonsibility. I do not work for the MOP, but I would assume that any remedial work on these tails would be organised with the MOP by the supplier at the property.

The outgoing tails from the meter to the consumer unit are the responsibility of the customer and can be worked upon by any qualified electrician.

If the meter seals are cut, or the company fuse is pulled, we would add a site note against the property on a system called CS, listing the electricians name, mobile number,company name and trade association number. Any NICEIC, ECA, NAPIT, ELECSA orSELECT registered engineer is allowed to pull the company fuse or break company seals.
Temporary seals, used to tag works carried out, can be obtained from the closest regional SSEPD depot.

Seems straight forward enough?

 

[ollie_C]

Got a bit of info for anyone who actually wants to do things by the book...

Heres the number for the meter operations dept at Eon: 08453015322

They only cover certain areas (and were zero help in my case) but they are the relevant people to talk to and are the only dept. that have a clue whats going on if they happen to be the meter operators in your area!!

 

[FAA Greenie]

I have met a few decent DNO guys. The last dealing I had was when I was doing apre-test for a board change. The Ze was2.8 on an allegedly TNCS system so I called them up and they said that theywould be there ‘soon’. Without thinking,the fuse ‘fell out’ just as I started the board change.
Anyway, the guys turned up and confirmed the fault,obviously noticing that the fuse had fallen onto the windowsill, I told themthat ‘it was like that when I got here’ and a few sniggers were heard. After going away to fix the fault they knockedon the door to let me know all was well again and had been a quick fix. I offered them a cuppa and got chatting aboutthe craziness of the fuse situation and even talked them into fitting anisolator for free while they were there.
As he left, he handed me a bag of seals so I could ‘sort outany other fuses that fell out while I was changing stuff’…..
Thoroughly nice and realistic bloke.

 

[Stroppy]

Presumably they 'accidentally' left behind a set of crimpers as well?

 

[High Tower]

Presumably they 'accidentally' left behind a set of crimpers as well?

They don't need to, a lot of the DNO boys I kno use their pliers, they don't want to leave their numbers behind, don't ask me why.

I use my ratchet crimpers, looks ok when it's done.juj