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Service cable and cut out too hot.

broadgage
I was called by a local hospice to investigate "overheating" and found the DNO service cable and cut out to be alarmingly hot, I would estimate the surface temperature of the service cable to be at least 60 degrees. Definite smell of hot PVC.

Enquires suggested that the supply was originally 60 amps, single phase and was upgraded to 100 amps by fitting a larger fuse.


Measured load was just just under 100 amps, it probably exceeded 100 amps if anyone used a kettle.Service cable looks like only about 10mm. Voltage is rather low at 221 volts, but just within tolerance.


Is it worth calling the DNO, or will they simply say "supply working, do not worry" I suspect that the service cable is very undersized, but am aware that DNOs work to different rules.


I have moved combustibles away from the cable and advised reducing the load a bit,


Parents
  • 0
    Thanks for the replies,.

    The cut out is off white, Bakelite or similar material, made by AEI.

    The cable was hotter than the cut out.

    The premises were originally a large private bungalow, but was given to a charity some years ago and converted to a hospice. It was re-wired then to a good standard.

    I suspect that the service cable and cut out date from the 1960s. Green main earth, not green/yellow.


    There should be 100 amps available continually, as the supply capacity is stated as 23KVA.

    Fair amount of extra load, several large portable air conditioners.


    Meanwhile, events have overtaken me.

    The supply failed shortly after I posted. DNO investigating, I suspect that the pole mounted transformer  has died of heat/overload. One of the 11Kv fuses has blown.

    The standby generator at the hospice started and worked perfectly, and actually has a slightly greater capacity than the DNO supply.(94 amps prime power, 108 amps standby, 112 amps for 1 hour)
Reply
  • 0
    Thanks for the replies,.

    The cut out is off white, Bakelite or similar material, made by AEI.

    The cable was hotter than the cut out.

    The premises were originally a large private bungalow, but was given to a charity some years ago and converted to a hospice. It was re-wired then to a good standard.

    I suspect that the service cable and cut out date from the 1960s. Green main earth, not green/yellow.


    There should be 100 amps available continually, as the supply capacity is stated as 23KVA.

    Fair amount of extra load, several large portable air conditioners.


    Meanwhile, events have overtaken me.

    The supply failed shortly after I posted. DNO investigating, I suspect that the pole mounted transformer  has died of heat/overload. One of the 11Kv fuses has blown.

    The standby generator at the hospice started and worked perfectly, and actually has a slightly greater capacity than the DNO supply.(94 amps prime power, 108 amps standby, 112 amps for 1 hour)
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