Cutting Meter seals

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.




 

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.