isolation switch

weblock

I am having a new consumer unit fitted and my electrician told
me to contact my energy supplier EDF to fit an isolation switch I was told by an advisor that a smart unit would suffice. Today I had the smart unit fitted but the guy who fitted it seemed unsure as to whether there is an isolation switch. Looking on Internet I am no wiser. I have used EDF chat no help so has anone got experience of this. Thank you

Robin9

Others will correct me but I believe an isolation switch is only required when the consumer unit is more than 2m from the meter. When it is required I would expect the electrician to fit it and not electrical supplier.

A smart meter does not satisfy this requirement.

AndyPK

I think digital meters have isolation ability.

Your electrican could just pull the main fuse once the CU is off.
Assuming the cutout isn't old/dangerous.
He shouldn't really. But if the isolation switch hasn't been fitted as requested then he will have to

Robin9

[QUOTE=AndyPK;74772987
Your electrician could just pull the main fuse once the CU is off. [/QUOTE]

To do so the electrician would have to break the company's seal. I doubt he would be able to reseal it - in my years with one of the supply company's a pair of sealing pliers had to be signed for in triplicate !

Carrot007

Robin9 wrote: »

I doubt he would be able to reseal it

I think it would not be too hard....


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALING-PLIERS-25-SEALS-SECURITY-AL-FERRULES-ELECTRIC-METER-TAMPER-TAGS-UK-/142930057008

molerat

Carrot007 wrote: »

I think it would not be too hard....


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALING-PLIERS-25-SEALS-SECURITY-AL-FERRULES-ELECTRIC-METER-TAMPER-TAGS-UK-/142930057008

They are not company seals though. The ones on my cut out are round and embossed with a number.

JC_Derby

AndyPK wrote: »

I think digital meters have isolation ability.

Your electrican could just pull the main fuse once the CU is off.
Assuming the cutout isn't old/dangerous.
He shouldn't really. But if the isolation switch hasn't been fitted as requested then he will have to

Your electrician SHOULD NOT pull the cut out fuse, that would be breaking all sorts of electrical regulations and is not covered on their part p (or whatever the certification is now)


An isolating switch is fitted between the meter and the consumer unit, therefore either the supplier or the DNO can install them.
Some meters do have an isolating function in them, not sure whether the smart meters do, however I don't believe they would be classed as an isolator (in the fact that you could not isolate your from them).

AndyPK

Loads of electricians do it though.

Don't bother refitting seals.

Meter changer will do it when they are next doing work

JC_Derby

just be aware smart meters now tell the suppliers and ultimately the DNO when the supply has gone off - hope you are aware of that if you think you are going to remove the cut out fuse.

AndyPK

True.

Isn't it to inform the dno of a supply fault if lots of meters report this

Robin9

JC_Derby wrote: »

.
Some meters do have an isolating function in them, not sure whether the smart meters do, however I don't believe they would be classed as an isolator (in the fact that you could not isolate your from them).

The suppliers have decided not to use this facility on the basis of safety - imagine switching off a gas supply with a cooker being used, then switching it on again or an electric supply plunging a disabled persons house into darkness.

As regards the electrician he will not work on a installation live - as a minimum he will want to see the point of isolation, additionally he may label it and even lock it off. How does he do this with a smart meter?

How would this even work ? Imagine - Mr Electrician ringing Robin Hood Energy - "Hello, I'm working at Mrs Smith, Flat 1, 1 High Street, Anytown, Post Code - can you switch the supply of please ........."