My DNO's network surveyor has just been to see if I can have a fuse upgrade to 100A (from 60). He was very professional, knowlegeable and helpful, so no complaints there. BUT he reckons that to have the fuse and holder replaced (it's leaking that brown gunge and he says the whole thing needs replacing) I need to arrange for the network people (to install fuse holder), the electricity company (to disconnect and reconnect meter) and my own electrician (to fit new tails) to all be there at the same time. I have to arrange all this and presumably will be charged by each of the three. Can it really be that complicated and expensive or am I missing something? My DNO and the network people (separate companies) work on appointments between 8 and 1 or 1 and 5 so what happens if the meter people turn up at 8 and the network ones at 12.55? Or does it run smoother than this in practice? I'd appreciate help from those who've been involved in this process to give me an idiot's guide. My DNO and network company are both EDF, but the two branches require separate contact and appointments.
Let me get this right......
- Thread starter Vicario
- Start date
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The reason you need 3 guys is your DNO are the only people allowed to work live which is required to change the cutout. A meter operator is the only one allowed to work on the meter and neither of them are allowed to touch your installation (everything after the meter).
Having said that, you don't need them all there at the same time. You or an electrician can buy a suitable double pole isolator and fix it to the wall near to the meter. Install 25mm² tails on the supply side with sufficient length to reach the new meter (leave plenty of slack). When the meter guy comes he doesn't technically have to touch your installation and you can then fit the new tails into the main switch in your CU when the other work is complete.
The only issue I see is that the meter guy might not want to pull the fuse if the cutout is damaged/leaking. I'd hope they would be experienced/trained in dealing with this but that will depend on the person, and their response might be to get it replaced and call them back another time. The best option is to get the cutout replaced first and ask him to leave the main fuse out. Then the meter guy just has to make the connection between the main fuse and the meter, and the meter and your isolator.
Having said that, you don't need them all there at the same time. You or an electrician can buy a suitable double pole isolator and fix it to the wall near to the meter. Install 25mm² tails on the supply side with sufficient length to reach the new meter (leave plenty of slack). When the meter guy comes he doesn't technically have to touch your installation and you can then fit the new tails into the main switch in your CU when the other work is complete.
The only issue I see is that the meter guy might not want to pull the fuse if the cutout is damaged/leaking. I'd hope they would be experienced/trained in dealing with this but that will depend on the person, and their response might be to get it replaced and call them back another time. The best option is to get the cutout replaced first and ask him to leave the main fuse out. Then the meter guy just has to make the connection between the main fuse and the meter, and the meter and your isolator.
In the real world, you would get your spark to replace the tails and leave them presented ready first thing in the morning. The spark would likely isolate the supply by pulling the fuse himself.
You would then have the DNO sort the service service head.
The meter operater would then turn up and sort the meter, connecting your new tails too. He can snip and reseal the service head.
There is no reason for them to all be there at once.
You would then have the DNO sort the service service head.
The meter operater would then turn up and sort the meter, connecting your new tails too. He can snip and reseal the service head.
There is no reason for them to all be there at once.
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Yes it is this complicated, welcome to the reality of a privitised and chopped up industry.
You don't want them there at the same time because like said the suppliers meter fixer does his job after the network people- if he's held up he may cancel the job and charge you a cancellation fee and leave you with no electric.
The network may also demand an electrical safety certificate, and earth bonding to be upgraded beyond the norm especially if PME earth required. If their requirements aren't met you could be charged a cancellation fee and left with no electric.
You don't want them there at the same time because like said the suppliers meter fixer does his job after the network people- if he's held up he may cancel the job and charge you a cancellation fee and leave you with no electric.
The network may also demand an electrical safety certificate, and earth bonding to be upgraded beyond the norm especially if PME earth required. If their requirements aren't met you could be charged a cancellation fee and left with no electric.
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