On the subject of pulling the DNO fuse.

Re removing the cut out fuse from DNO's equipment in premises: It's all very well the electrician removing the fuse, and yes he may be competent, experienced and registered - but the rules are there for a reason. It's worth remembering that if something goes wrong, the only protection between the cut out and the transformer could be a 400A HRC fuse in the substation's LV fuseway - if the cut out's on the end of a long service, the fuse probably won't respond and in such a case the only real limit to the fault current is the impedance of the service cable. Should the cut out fail while the fuse is being removed (which can happen), a serious explosion with significant arc energy could result - the consequences being damage, fire, serious injury or death. And there would almost certainly be a health and safety investigation and prosecution. 


For DNO staff and contractors working on service terminations, the mandatory minimum PPE is a full face visor, arc resistant coveralls and insulated gloves with kid leather overgloves - and private electricians are very unlikely to possess these, let alone use them. The DNO will usually charge a fee to remove the fuse, this is to cover the cost of sending staff to site - small expense against the potential consequences of doing it yourself. It's safer, and more professional, to do it right - ask the supplier to arrange for the fuse to be removed.


Re seals missing from the cut out - I'd echo a previous comment that the vast majority of the time, there is no blame on the part of the householder. There is nearly always an innocent explanation, and most of the time the householder is genuinely completely unaware that anything's wrong. It's always been a legal requirement that the distributor's equipment must be sealed or locked (now comes under ESQCR regulation 4.24 - I think - anorak that I am) but I can't remember any prosecutions or proceedings being taken against a householder where missing seals have been found - subject to the caveat of there being no evidence of interference or illegal abstraction. If you notice your seals are missing, ring your supplier and report it - then you've taken reasonable steps to get it rectified. Cases of interference are another matter entirely - those that I've come across have been blindingly obvious to those in the trade. These present a serious risk of fire, shock or fatality and these have always been, and always will be, rigorously followed up. 

Re removing the cut out fuse from DNO's equipment in premises: It's all very well the electrician removing the fuse, and yes he may be competent, experienced and registered - but the rules are there for a reason. It's worth remembering that if something goes wrong, the only protection between the cut out and the transformer could be a 400A HRC fuse in the substation's LV fuseway - if the cut out's on the end of a long service, the fuse probably won't respond and in such a case the only real limit to the fault current is the impedance of the service cable. Should the cut out fail while the fuse is being removed (which can happen), a serious explosion with significant arc energy could result - the consequences being damage, fire, serious injury or death. And there would almost certainly be a health and safety investigation and prosecution. 


For DNO staff and contractors working on service terminations, the mandatory minimum PPE is a full face visor, arc resistant coveralls and insulated gloves with kid leather overgloves - and private electricians are very unlikely to possess these, let alone use them. The DNO will usually charge a fee to remove the fuse, this is to cover the cost of sending staff to site - small expense against the potential consequences of doing it yourself. It's safer, and more professional, to do it right - ask the supplier to arrange for the fuse to be removed.


Re seals missing from the cut out - I'd echo a previous comment that the vast majority of the time, there is no blame on the part of the householder. There is nearly always an innocent explanation, and most of the time the householder is genuinely completely unaware that anything's wrong. It's always been a legal requirement that the distributor's equipment must be sealed or locked (now comes under ESQCR regulation 4.24 - I think - anorak that I am) but I can't remember any prosecutions or proceedings being taken against a householder where missing seals have been found - subject to the caveat of there being no evidence of interference or illegal abstraction. If you notice your seals are missing, ring your supplier and report it - then you've taken reasonable steps to get it rectified. Cases of interference are another matter entirely - those that I've come across have been blindingly obvious to those in the trade. These present a serious risk of fire, shock or fatality and these have always been, and always will be, rigorously followed up.