Isolator switches - who fits them?

poppellerant

In order for work to be done, the electricians who advised that the fusebox needs replacing asked me to contact my supplier to install an isolator switch.  After contacting my supplier, I have been told that it will cost the neck end of £200 and there is a backlog going back a couple of months before they will get round to me.

Thinking on, I wondered if it's just the supplier who can fit the isolator switch or can a local electrical contractor do it for me? I spoke with one contractor who has 3-figure reviews, averaging more than 4 out of 5 stars.  The price they gave me was nearly half that of the supplier's.  I did confirm that they will replace the seal too.

Now the only thing that worries me after reading online is that having a smart meter will notify my supplier of any disconnections.  So will they be okay with me arranging for an electrical contractor of my choice disconnecting the supply for what I guess might be an hour?  My understanding is that the smart meter notifies the supplier of disconnections, in case the supply is being tampered with.  I then worry that they might turn their nose up to me having the work done, cheaper and faster.

If anybody can offer their opinions and/or advice, I'd really appreciate it.

[Deleted User]

I offer no comment other than this link which may not be that helpful:

https://www2.theiet.org/forums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=205&threadid=106805

spiro

If the electrician is prepared to work on the cables live then he can remove then from the consumer unit and fit them into an isolator. He can then change your consumer unit and connect everything back up. The meter and main fuse are the property of third parties and only authorised staff should be working on them.
I believe this is all covered in the Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement (DCUSA) which covers all connections to the network.

niktheguru

It is common place for electricians to take the main fuse out in order to do a consumer unit change. At the same time they can install an isolator switch for you so you won't need the main fuse removed again in future. If they're willing to redo the seals for you that's a bonus. The dno does frown upon this practice, but it is not a crime and is common place.

Personally I would get your local electrician to do it (and the consumer unit at the same time)

The fact you have a smart meter is irrelevant, will not get you into any trouble and won't be a problem.

When I got a ev charge point the national company that did it removed the main fuse in order to installed it and just left a note in the box saying that they had to do it and told me I'd need to contact my dno to get the tails redone (bit cheeky) when I contacted the dno they didn't seem bothered and said they'll come and reseal on a non urgent basis. Within two weeks it was done. The guy took about 90seconds to do it.

Good luck.