Had an interesting call last night

[Plonker 3]

So the meter is not next to the main fuse?

Strange set up that, I always thought DNOs kept there equipment together.

 

[Spazz]

Sometimes

This house has a glass brick to show the meter reading, it is only 1 meter away from the main fuse, but in the same cupboard as the CU.
The Main fuse is on the wall outside - I have seen this a few times around here on the newer houses - dont know why they do it mind

 

[baazab]

sorry my friend i think this is a story 'how can N&L CONNECTED 2gather,for a day then fire after? is ther a time delay built in the consumer unit

 

[jase]

Hmmm.....not sure I entirely agree with that. If I had a customer on the phone reporting an electrical fire, under the circumstances of not being able to see with my own eyes, I reckon I would give them very similar advice. It's ultimately what the fuse is there for - remove the source of energy.

wouldnt they have to have a pair of sidecutters to cut the seal? and then they would be in trouble with DNO

 

[Spazz]

The L&N where not directly connected - they where fused because the main switch was melted enough for the installation to melt exposing the 2 terminals - at a guess heat melted it and then fused - again not a clue what happened with main DNO fuse - why it didn't blow.

 

[alarm man]

The L&N where not directly connected - they where fused because the main switch was melted enough for the installation to melt exposing the 2 terminals - at a guess heat melted it and then fused - again not a clue what happened with main DNO fuse - why it didn't blow.

coz the customer pulled it..

 

[Spazz]

wouldnt they have to have a pair of sidecutters to cut the seal? and then they would be in trouble with DNO

I doubt the DNO will care in an emergency situation.

As said before when you pull these fuses the seal will usually break or will break the lugs off the casing - again what would you rather?

 

[Plonker 3]

Get myself and anyone else in immediate danger as far away as possible in the first instance. I thought you were ex St Johns Nic so surely no to remove as much risk as possible from a area first and foremost?

 

[Spazz]

coz the customer pulled it..

it takes more than the 5s trip time for the customer to pull the fuse from seeing the smoke/etc

I can only guess that there was some insulation between L&N and enough to keep a resistance there to stop 100A+ going through the fuse - only a guess

 

[Plonker 3]

So surely if the insulation of the cable has failed you have informed the seller of this and asked them to look into it?

 

[Spazz]

Get myself and anyone else in immediate danger as far away as possible in the first instance. I thought you were ex St Johns Nic so surely no to remove as much risk as possible from a area first and foremost?

Yes I was St John - Electrical Fire - procedure - remove supply if possible and safe to do so - supply fuse outside! - Fire/heat/smoke inside - no danger
Call 999 and get help

As said above endless times - I dont think it actually caught fire - just alot of heat and smoke -impression of fire.

I have had a quiet few months so when he called I knew where his CU was in house and where the DNO head was

 

[baazab]

best thing is to wait for the full report from the dno

 

[Plonker 3]

Yes I was St John - Electrical Fire - procedure - remove supply if possible and safe to do so - supply fuse outside! - Fire/heat/smoke inside - no danger
Call 999 and get help

As said above endless times - I dont think it actually caught fire - just alot of heat and smoke -impression of fire.

I have had a quiet few months so when he called I knew where his CU was in house and where the DNO head was

2 of the 3 signs of fire of which both are more likely to kill yo than flames themselves, which you deemed a untrained person to go near and do something illegal rather than get away and leave for a highly trained professional to deal with?

 

[Spazz]

So surely if the insulation of the cable has failed you have informed the seller of this and asked them to look into it?

Im an going to call this a night!
The insulation between the L&N terminal had melted there is no cable insulation around these terminals - you pull this back!
A fault happened in the CU (at a guess) because of something the homeowner did wrong - could be not tightening screws or anything! - heat melts plastic! the plastic was the insulation on the main switch between the L&N terminals.

Relook at it and go to bed - your probably getting tired like I am!

 

[Spazz]

best thing is to wait for the full report from the dno

DNO been out and installed an isolator and re-installed fuse with seals.

They are aware

 

[alarm man]

Yes I was St John - Electrical Fire - procedure - remove supply if possible and safe to do so - supply fuse outside! - Fire/heat/smoke inside - no danger
Call 999 and get help

As said above endless times - I dont think it actually caught fire - just alot of heat and smoke -impression of fire.

I have had a quiet few months so when he called I knew where his CU was in house and where the DNO head was

st john as in prentdey paramedic

 

[Spazz]

St John is nothing like a Paramedic!
They are Fist Aiders, the difference with me is I did my Ambulance Technician Course (which I paid for myself) which allowed me to do 999s in the major cities in Wales for 1 year till I injured my back and dismissed on medical grounds.

 

[alarm man]

dismissed on medical grounds.

was it just the back.

 

[baazab]

See St John Ambulance in your area for contact details

 

[Spazz]

Well my back and neck!

I carried a 18stone male down the stairs having a heart attack. I badly injured my back as a result!
Apart from the Doctors and Nurses, I was the highest qualified in Wales at the time and the only one with 100% of CPR recovery in the Millennium Stadium.


Yes I gather you where prob on about Metal Health or something stupid but dream on!

I take H&S very seriously!