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New build fuseboard

goldenboy1818
Hi guys a couple of small questions i wondered if you would be able to help me out with.


1 In a new build would anyone have a issue with a fuseboard being in a upstairs cupboard ? as long as its still 1350/1450mm off the ground ?


2 I know main tails are meant to be max 3meters, if this was pushed to say 3.8 / 4 meters is this a major issue ?


Thank you for anyone taking the time to help and reply
  • 0
    goldenboy1818:

    There is a void, where the tails can be run on the first floor, they would pass through a section of cavity and in the stud wall right at the back way over 50mm deep


    How would the tails be supported?


  • 0
    Alan Capon:
    goldenboy1818:

    . . . The meter tails will only be about 800mm too long and not visible  . . . 


    Which is 27% longer than the maximum length the DNO specify.  


    If you did the same in my employers area, you would not get either the meter or the cutout fuse until you complied. We specify 2.500m maximum length to make it clear this is a maximum value. We would also walk away if a customers switch fuse appeared in a meter box. If there really isn’t anywhere else for it, you need to get the builder to sink a second meter box next to the one provided for the DNO’s exclusive use, and put your switch fuse in there. 


    Regards,


    Alan. 




    Hi Alan, out of interest, would your company be happy to have un-inspectable tails enclosed in the building fabric as suggested by the OP?


    OP, sounds like you need to ask the relevant DNO what their requirements are.


  • 0
    if in the end you really do need a second box in the wall from outside, put it so the centre is 1.4m up the wall and put the CU in it,.
  • 0
    mapj1:

    if in the end you really do need a second box in the wall from outside, put it so the centre is 1.4m up the wall and put the CU in it,.


    Ah! Thinking outside the box Mike, I like it!


  • 0
    OlympusMons:

    Hi Alan, out of interest, would your company be happy to have un-inspectable tails enclosed in the building fabric as suggested by the OP?


    We are interested in being able to see everything up to and including the meter, then sufficient to determine the length and type of tails up to the customer’s first overcurrent protective device. 


    Regards,


    Alan. 


  • 0
    If I run them up in the wall deeper than 50mm, to a switch fuse low down in the upstairs cupboard, then tails up to the fuse board 1450mm up would that be OK?


    Tails would be less than 3m , only thing switch fuse wouldn't be a suitable height
  • 0
    goldenboy1818:

    Tails would be less than 3m , only thing switch fuse wouldn't be a suitable height 


    That's what I call being stuck between a rock and a hard place. ? Bear in mind that a switch fuse is a type of distribution board!


    The old fashioned way was to have the service head and CU more or less adjacent to each other. Then came these external meter cabinets, which certainly avoided any difficulty with meter reading; but now even without a smart meter, it seems that meters are very seldom read.


    I see two solutions: (1) install a switch fuse in an adjacent cabinet; (2) get the service head put indoors.


    If tails are to be put in the wall, I repeat my question - how will they be supported?


  • 0
    If you were in Ireland, with new supplies, you are required by the DSO (DNO) to install a 63A type B in the exterior cubicle regardless of how far away the consumer unit is located! Strange these different requirements across a relatively small group of islands.  Sometimes in NI, the DNO will not connect unless main protective bonding is in place, even if the water service is plastic!

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