Question from a non-electrician, so excuse my ignorance. The main fuse holder in my house has just been updated to a new one, owing to my existing one being about fifty years old. How is this done with the incoming cable still live?
Yes, it can be done with with proper training and PPE.
As has been said, the greater risk is agruably not electric shock, but a short circuit resulting in burns from both the arcing and from molten metal.
In some cases, the existing cut out and cable end can not be safely worked on whilst live. In that case they excavate outdoors and cut the service cable whilst live, and with proper precautions. A new cutout can then be fitted dead.
If all else fails, then the supply may be dissconnected by removing fuses at the substation or elsewhere. That interupts supply to many other customers and is very much the exception and not the usual way of proceeding.
Yes, it can be done with with proper training and PPE.
As has been said, the greater risk is agruably not electric shock, but a short circuit resulting in burns from both the arcing and from molten metal.
In some cases, the existing cut out and cable end can not be safely worked on whilst live. In that case they excavate outdoors and cut the service cable whilst live, and with proper precautions. A new cutout can then be fitted dead.
If all else fails, then the supply may be dissconnected by removing fuses at the substation or elsewhere. That interupts supply to many other customers and is very much the exception and not the usual way of proceeding.
