Accordfire . Sorry about this you set me OFF in one “ Knowledge “ Old Amber . so my books are Out .
Fact of Fiction
The Supply Authority are duty bound On Enquiry to tell you what System you have . Although it Often takes some Persistence to get them to tell you as often they need to send someone Out to Test & of course that Cost them Money . ( Can you Confirm this Please )
From .
Statutory Instrument 2002 No.2665 .
The Electricity Safety . Quality & Continuity Regulations 2002 . ( Can you Confirm this is it change to 2006 ?? )
The DNO, you would imagine, should be under an obligation to know precisely HOW it supplies every customer it has. I seem to recall much noise being made when PME was introduced that it would be delivered to all properties in the UK by a given time, though I cannot recall now, where in the mists of time I got that. Either way, you would assume that it would be a relatively simple matter for a DNO to maintain records of connection type, without reverting to field inspection.
I don't believe the Q&CR 2002 has been superceded yet - it replaced the Electricity Supply Act of 1988 (as amended) - so I think the information you quote is still valid in all respects.
It States :-
Information to be provided on request
28 . A Distributor shall provide . in respect of any existing or proposed Consumer’s Installation which is connected or is to be connected to his network . to any person who can show a reasonable cause for requiring the Information . a Written Statement of -
(a) The maximum Prospective Short Circuit Current at the Supply Terminals .
(b) for Low Voltage connection . the Maximum Earth Loop Impedance of the Earth Fault path Outside the Installation .
(c) the Type & Rating of the Distributor’s Protective Device or Device’s nearest to the Supply Terminals .
(d) the Type of Earthing System applicable to the connection . &
(e) the Information Specified in Regulation 27(1)
Which apply . or will apply . to that Installation .
Under (d) above it is clearly the Responsibility of the DNO to tell you what Earthing System you should have .
As Regards the Earthing System your local Distributor is Legally Obliged to confirm the Type of Earthing Arrangement that you have Free-of-Charge . Quote Regulation (28) of the Electrical Safety . Quality & Continuity Regulations 2002 ( ESQCR2002 ) ….. HSE rules are Complex . Yeah .
They Must tell you or they are Breaking the Law . ??
This is certainly the basis on which the BS7671 forms state that certain figures can be ascertained "by enquiry" and IMHO, I believe the intent was to attach a copy of said written statement to the EIC forms where enquiry was used as the method of establishing the figures. Of course, it isn't done that way, in reality, and I cannot recall the last time I saw a written statement from a DNO confirming supply characteristics.
But yes, my read of the Act is the same as yours - they are legally obliged to provide this information free of charge to anyone with a reasonable interest - e.g. electrical contractor, property owner, and similar. Failure to provide such would, in simple terms, be breaching this Act, and as such, breaking a law.
Require the Fuse Drawing . ( in an Emergency of course one can Draw the Fuse although One should Not Replace it . of course Firemen do just this )
DNO do not want the User to be able to Isolate their Meter as this would allow People to Steal Power with More Ease . & with Smart Meter’s it would stop the DNO getting Information from the Meter . ?? ( This is my View only )
A Car must have a Brake but Nothing stops it from having Two . So use of “ a Means “ what a word can do . Yeah DNO !! Accordfire
Yes, the Fire Service has been known to pull the cut out fuse - though as you say, will rarely replace it (though many electricians subsequently will as the "seal" is no longer an issue)....and claim it was necessary for testing purposes. It does highlight that DNO's are selective with their rules - in other words you can pull and replace the cut out if and when it suits them, but not at other times - whatever your role.
When we install sub-mains from a primary incomer to say, an outbuilding, we often do so by means of a switch fuse at either end of the sub-main supply cable - this is deemed safe, and proper practice, and allows us freedom to work on the sub-main supply if needed. I fail to see how a primary main coming into a building is ANY different at all.
The installation of a second main switch on the tails between the meter and the CU would in no way bypass the meter, and in fact, would discourage ANYONE from tampering with the meter at all.
For those intent on stealing electricity - and we have, I daresay, all seen plenty of this, I don't think safety is, or has ever been, the primary concern, as so many times I've seen a bit of 6, 10, or 16mm T&E wedged into the supply tail terminals with the seal still fully intact.
That is a different case, and would happen irrespective of a second main switch fitted or not. Indeed, it may lead the less intelligent electricity thief to wedge his bit of twin and earth into the main switch thus NOT avoiding the meter.......the use of a switch in such a position, IMO would only serve to provide safe isolation between "repsonsibilities" - e.g. a clear and SAFE deliniation between what is the DNO's responsibility, and what is the property owner's. The current arrangement does NOT provide that at all.
433.3.1 . (iii)
At the Origin of an Installation where the Distributor provides an Overload Device & aggress that it Affords Protection to the part of the Installation between the Origin & The Maim Distribution point of the Installation where further Overload Protection is Provided .
thank you Amber .
Yes......two fuses. However, it makes the distinction between PROTECTION (of the supply) and SAFETY (for working on or around it).
Compare and contrast with a gas supply coming into a property......a shut off is provided, yet that allows easy access to the meter. Water, on the other hand, works exactly the way we're asking for - the meter is put out in the street, and a shut off (main stop cock) is provided inside or adjacent to the property.
