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Cutting Meter seals

Farmboy
Elsewhere, one person says they were told by a DNO that cutting seals on service fuses is not illegal, but abstraction is, whereas someone else argues that cutting seals is illegal - consider the EWR, the HSAWA, and the Theft Act, that each in their own way will deem it illegal, but it needs the DNO to chase it up. So, what's your take on it?


F
  • 0
    My local DNO, SSE, permits registered electricians to remove single phase service fuses.


    At a pinch, it may amount to criminal damage.


    A general defence to a crime is that it prevents a worse crime. So avoidance of working live might, arguably, prevent transgression of R. 14 of EAWR 1989. I think that such an argument fails because one may always request the DNO to remove the fuse; and the DNO will not refuse.
  • 0
    Chris Pearson:

    My local DNO, SSE, permits registered electricians to remove single phase service fuses.


    At a pinch, it may amount to criminal damage.


    A general defence to a crime is that it prevents a worse crime. So avoidance of working live might, arguably, prevent transgression of R. 14 of EAWR 1989. I think that such an argument fails because one may always request the DNO to remove the fuse; and the DNO will not refuse.


    I love cutting the main fuse seals. The sound of the cutters working through the hard wire, the sound of the seal as it hits the floor. Bliss.


    I recently cut a main fuse seal to remove a very dangerous situation. Two old rubber wires were twisted together as they came from the main fuse, (old rubber insulated twin cable) a risk of a dead short was imminent. I immediately rewired the cable which served as tails.


    The meter people are coming anyway to enlarge the tails this week, and U.K.P.N. next week to fit a new P.M.E. earth terminal.


    On another job recently I cut the main seal to remove the main fuse, taped over the service head to prevent an accidental entry by a cable whilst I was installing  new consumer unit. After I had finished the customer was advised to contact U.K.P.N.  U.K.P.N. attended the same day and resealed the main fuse.


    Yes, in an emergency I would cut a main fuse seal, but I NEVER cut meter seals.


    Z.




     


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