Fitting 100A isolation switch between meter and consumer unit

[flameport]

Adding a car charging circuit.

That is just another circuit in the consumer unit, much like any other.

If the consumer unit is already stuffed full or is of an unsuitable design, then it needs to be replaced.
There may be a small number of circumstances where replacement is not an option, and that might lead to a separate consumer unit for the charging circuit.

 

[SUNRAY]

That is just another circuit in the consumer unit, much like any other.

If the consumer unit is already stuffed full or is of an unsuitable design, then it needs to be replaced.
There may be a small number of circumstances where replacement is not an option, and that might lead to a separate consumer unit for the charging circuit.

The 3 EVC fitting companies I have encountered will only connect a small CU into Henleys and refuse to touch any existing CU

 

[Joyrider]

Not any work - just the one specific task of replacing a consumer unit, which for most properties is something done once every few decades.

Any other electrical work involves switching off using the isolator in the consumer unit.

You are correct most of the house work can be done switching off power at the consumer unit. I replaced most of the power sockets and light switches by isolate at the CU.
The switch has never really crossed my mind. But with EV chargers I hear electricians won't pull the fuse once smart meter is fitted because smart meters can detect this and swift knock on the door by a mystery guest.

My CU was fitted 18 years ago when the house was fully rewired. I suppose that will be fine for another 10+ years.

 

[Joyrider]

Just an update guys. I got a reply back from the enery supplier. They will include a isolation switch free of charge with the smart meter install.

The meter company is SMS so now to make a appointment

 

[flameport]

the 3 EVC fitting companies I have encountered

Bandwagon organisations that only exist to sling things in while money is being flung around via grants and subsidies.
What they may or may not do has no relevance to anything.

 

[SUNRAY]

Bandwagon organisations that only exist to sling things in while money is being flung around via grants and subsidies.
What they may or may not do has no relevance to anything.

With respect, very relevant to discussions about isolators and Henley blocks

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Not any work - just the one specific task of replacing a consumer unit, which for most properties is something done once every few decades.

Any other electrical work involves switching off using the isolator in the consumer unit.

Prior to my smart meter install, and later revising my CU's, I had a mess of a too small main CU, and two small CU's, with a plan to tidy it up, at some point in the future, when I got a roundtuit. I recall adding an isolator, next to the meter, but I'm not sure whether I connected it, or whether the SM installer added it, when the SM's were fitted, but it certainly later made the task of fitting a new a CU, new tails, and ripping out the old items much easier.

 

[opps]

Don't forget to shut your eyes when you pull that main fuse!

And wear those marigolds from under the kitchen sink when you plug it back in.

I was working in a mate's house a few years ago. He was too tight to pay the DNO to move the meter from the back of the house to the front, so he paid someone else to do it. The fellow told me that he used to work for a DNO, until they discovered that he was taking on private jobs. Now he exclusively does "private" jobs.

He wore "rubber" gauntlets. I asked him when he knew it was time to replace them. He told me that he senses a slight tingling once they are reaching end of life. I stood clear as he worked.

He moved the meter into a unit in the exterior porch.

Someone else undid the threaded gas pipe and moved that in to the porch as well. The plumber was old skool and semi retired. He would turn up, unwind a section of cast iron, cap it off, come back the next day and remove another section.

At no point did anyone notice when they came out to read the meters.

 

[Ragnar_AT]

The official testing procedure for insulated gloves is to inflate them and check for leaks, every time you use them.

 

[Joyrider]

Just an update. SMS metering turned up.
Initially they said the switch is a seperate job and will need to booked by the supplier.
After a quick call to SMS office the switch was installed.

SMS do fit the switch free of charge

 

[Joyrider]

The meter fitter will do this

View attachment 347875

The installer did exactly what you said

 

[SUNRAY]

The installer did exactly what you said

I wonder how I managed to guess right?

 

[JohnD]

it looks like your switch enclosure has an access panel over the outgoing terminals, which is a good point.

the supply tails from the meter look poor, as does the main bonding and supply earth connection.

 

[SUNRAY]

it looks like your switch enclosure has an access panel over the outgoing terminals, which is a good point.

Which is the correct device forthe job and completely normal.

the supply tails from the meter look poor, as does the ... supply earth connection.

It must be fine as the qualified meter fitter did it and signed it off.

 

[JohnD]

It must be fine as the qualified meter fitter did it and signed it off.

Doesn't nessarily follow.