Which I think in return, is stillp's suggestion. That 3m predates the use of metric measurements.
Very old henley fuse box
- Thread starter curlyzoo2002
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Indeed they do appear to, on this occasion! [but did it really take you 34 minutes to type a 2-line post?
]As I suspected - so as 'round' figures as were possible under both imperial and metric regimes!
Kind Regards, John
In between trying to do my expenses, answering the phone twice and providing advice to our technical support department, yes
Does one?
Does one hear it directly, or as as a many-steps-removed rumour?
Does one have any real evidence?
Indeed.
But that 5s time applies in BS 7671 to all final circuits which do not serve portable equipment. And the tails from the meter are part of the consumer's installation, not the DNOs, and "have to" comply with BS 7671.
Is there a 3m limit formally specified in the ESQCR or in the contract the consumer signs?
If not, then as long as the Zs at the CU incomer is such that the fuse will operate in 5s, can a DNO insist on something different?
Well, one does 'hear of' these things happening, but your second two are very good questions - it can be very hard to distinguish between fact and 'urban myth' these days! However, in context, I don't think that even westie is denying that DNOs do (and have done for a long time) have (and therefore presumably sometimes' impose'/'enforce') a "3m rule".
You say 'indeed'- but, as I've pointed out, even with tails of zero length/impedance, one cannot satisfy that requirement if Ze is above about 0.38Ω - so there appears to be something a bit wrong with (or unworkable about) that 'requirement'!
Kind Regards, John
In effect it forms part of our T&Cs for a new or altered supply
See the specification below for out door meter reading facilities where it states
Customer's switches on inside wall within 1800mm of meter board
Which is the actual requirement, we though have always had discretion to extend that distance to allow for a maximum length of tails of 3m.
What would we do it the customer could not meet that requirement? Not install the supply (or move the meter)
http://www.enwl.co.uk/docs/connections/guidance-for-outdoor-meter-reading-facilities.pdf
Within the DNO (and Electricity Board prior to that) I work for it is a fact. One that I've worked to for nearly 40 years!!
This also has some useful information
http://www.enwl.co.uk/docs/connections/guidance-for-meter-board-layout-for-domestic-connections.pdf
If one takes that view, then do you feel that an immediately-pre-CU OPD should always be installed in those cases in which Ze is too high (>~0.38Ω or whatever) for the cutout fuse to provide disconnection times (for faults in meter-CU 'tails') which would satisfy BS7671?
Kind Regards, John
I can really understand the 3m rule. If, like us, you have a DNO supply, then goes up to in between the floor void, then down to above your lounge door, then 3m will cover it. (LA property, and before anyone bites my head off, all beds occupied, full rent paid, not all buying our house on govt. handouts!!).
It was the rather odd route (regards length) that I was querying. But Hey!! I know where it is, I won't be drilling there!!
N.B. Soz for drifting off topic!
It was the rather odd route (regards length) that I was querying. But Hey!! I know where it is, I won't be drilling there!!
N.B. Soz for drifting off topic!
N.B. #2 I'm finding this a very interesting and informative post. Has any bickering really occurred??? When may it start again?????
It would probably make more sense if, rather than worrying about length, they simply prohibited meter-CU tails being 'concealed' (except, I guess, where inevitable to pass through walls) and/or installed in 'vulnerable' positions/locations (per someone's judgement,I suppose!).
Kind Regards, John
DOH!! Feel like Alan Davis now. Always destined to lose!!
He's a comic actor¹ - that's what the part requires him to do, and he's well paid for it.
¹ or so we are led to believe - personally I have doubts about both of those labels.
¹ or so we are led to believe - personally I have doubts about both of those labels.
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