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BNO Connection Issues

gibb01
Hi - I'm new Here! Although I've been lurking for a while...I've had a Job today that has managed to Irk me enough to see if anyone else has had this issue.  We've been asked to carry out the works for a new supply to 3n. Flats & 1n. House - All of which are existing. (Long story - but they've all been connected via a communal supply from a commercial building for some time)  The new UKPN supply terminates into a standard 100A 3 phase head inside a kiosk. We've then installed a 5 way Ryefield board, From here Tails go out awaiting the meter connection & then onto 100A Switch Fuse isolators & then out in SWA's to each property. We've done this plenty of times & have never had an issue.

However....

The meter company (SSE) Attended site today & the installer stated he was unable to connect as we haven't installed Henley Red Link Fuses. I've never seen these before & after a quick google - they look like a normal surface mounted 100A cutout. I suggested that this was really no different from the Ryefield board & In fact that would then mean 3 100A fuses in series within the same kiosk within around 300mm of each other. However, He wouldn't have it & still refused to connect. This resulted in a very unhappy customer Who  may have to pay for an aborted visit (Unless I can prove there should be no reason for no connection)  & us having to temporarily connect back up all the cables we had disconnected...

Am I missing something - Or is this just an overzealous (& Perhaps underexperienced) installer?

To me - Cutout to Ryefield board to Meter to SW Fuses isolator is perfectly acceptable. 

Anyone's thoughts would be welcome
  • 0
    Are you aware that the red link "fuses" are not fuses but just links? They are used where a means of isolation is wanted within the flat/house itself, while the fuse is back in the communal area.
  • 0
    Thanks for the message. That's still just as confusing as all the equipment is in the one brick built kiosk. Ie, the UKPN head is at low level, Sited on top of this is the Ryefield board, from here we have tails in readiness to terminate into the Supply side of the meter & another set of tails from the Load side of the proposed meter which go into the supply side of our 100A switch fuse, with SWA cables then going out to feed each House / Flat. 


    Thanks
  • 0
    I should add, that I know the meter installer will also install their 2 pole Isolator before the meter (The Wylex REC  type) But we couldn't fathom why they would also want another fuse (Or cutout link) When we have isolation at the Switch fuses in the same Kiosk


    Cheers
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    The new UKPN supply terminates into a standard 100A 3 phase head inside a kiosk. We've then installed a 5 way Ryefield board, From here Tails go out awaiting the meter connection & then onto 100A Switch Fuse isolators & then out in SWA's to each property.


    I'm sure our resident UKPN expert will be along to make a useful contribution soon but my understanding is that the incoming 3ph cut-out is fused at 100 A and in your Ryefield you install red links (as their name suggests, unfused but with a solid link and overall red colour to avoid whoopsies). You don't detail how the 3 flats, 1 house and Landlord supply will share the 300 A available but it looks as if two of the flats will end up sharing 100 A between them. No electric showers then!


    Regards


    BOD
  • 0
    Thanks! Unfortunately we weren't involved at the design stage & have just been asked to connect onto the  UKPN 100A 3 phase head. The Ryefield board is actually individually fused @ 60A for each 1 bed House / Flat has a combi boiler & no electric heating (Other than a Hob) The red Links we've been told need installing don't fit within the Ryefield Board. I'm not sure if I can post links, but the they are essentially a surface mounted cutout with a red fuse carrier - That we cannot see any point in installing when you already have the Ryefield board, Meter with 2 pole isolator to be installed by the meter operator & then our Switch fuse all in the same kiosk.


    Cheers
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    I can only think that the installation of the red links ensures that there's only your switchfuses (at 60 A) and the cut-out fuses that can rupture.


    Regards


    BOD
  • 0
    When I used to install submains whilst working for Southern Electric/SSE the red links (fsmi( flat sub main isolators)) were installed inside the flat, this was so that if a prepayment/key/card meter was needed then the meter could be installed within the flat and not either in an outside kiosk or a mains room.
  • 0
    Thanks - The Kiosk is remote from the buildings. Hence outgoing supplies in SWA's from the kiosk to the Consumer units in each dwelling. So all the meters are within the kiosk & are standard not pre-payment. Hopefully if I can get through to the correct technical perople at SSE tomorrow they will be able to shed some light on this!
  • 0
    The DNO, in this case SSE, have installed a 3 phase head. The DNO will not energise their supply unless the building network is complete if there is no (as in this case) MS/MSF. The building network from there is BS7671 requirements, up to a red head link/neutral block correctly terminated. on a meter board to which a suppliers meter and isolation switch will be fitted.by the Meter operator.


    All cables and ancillary equipment between the intake position and individual premises are installed in common access areas within the building and not through the property of another customer or third party. 


    While a PME connection can be available at the intake position if appropriate, the avoidance of neutral current diversion within a property is essential Therefore the building network shall be designed as separate neutral and earth network.


    Hope this helps, 


    Regards, UKPNZap
  • 0
    From my understanding (& I'm definitely open to being corrected!) UKPN have installed their 3 Phase head and cutout & nothing else. We as the BNO then installed a Ryefield board to split the supply into 5 separate 60A (In this case) feeds. From the Ryefield board we have installed 5 sets of tails to terminate into the meter operators Isolators and meters. from the output of the proposed meters we have installed tails which then terminate into our switch fuse isolator that we have already installed. So essentially all the meter installer has to do is install their 2 pole isolator & their meter. 

    This is where I can't seem to grasp for what reason they are asking for this additional cutout!

    It's one of these: https://www.yourelectrics.com/product/54361-05-wt-henley-meter-isolation-series-7-spne-red-link/


    Thanks

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