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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
    The DNO don't connect bare ends. You need to fix a red head link and neutral block on the board. The supplier will fit a meter and wire from the red head. They will fit an isolator after the meter and wire to it. The earth, separate terminates in a block. You connect into the Suppliers isolator on the board. At no time will there be bare ends. 

    Regards, UKPN
  • 0
    Who has the key for the Ryefield and where will it be kept?


    Do Metering Services want to ensure they can disconnect the supply’s  to the meters without having to access the Ryefield?
  • 0
    The red link is just as said above, Meter fitters don’t go near cables hence they don’t fit your tails either.

    https://www.google.com/search?q=flats+electric+meters&rlz=1C9BKJA_enGB739GB739&hl=en-GB&prmd=sinv&sxsrf=ALeKk03HOaLAV1CA4dufubOp3hq8aH_kgw:1613543958709&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjxxPPTp_DuAhXEiFwKHblxDB8Q_AUoAnoECAIQAg&biw=1366&bih=909#imgrc=T7XaDqHFUddkqM


  • 0
    Sparkingchip:

    Who has the key for the Ryefield and where will it be kept?


    Do Metering Services want to ensure they can disconnect the supply’s  to the meters without having to access the Ryefield?


    They don’t want to be pulling the wrong fuse, cut out next to the meter or DP isolator and there’s no risk. Remember meter fitters aren’t electricians.


  • 0
    Thanks All for the messages. I'm now starting to understand this. However, Is this a new requirement? As we had a similar project 6 months ago (Although In London & from memory it was EDF installing the meters) With a similar setup Ryefield / Tails out to meter / then SW Fuse isolators after load side of meter & the meters were installed without issue.

    I understand the need to mitigate risk - but has there been many incidents of meter installers getting electric shocks from bare ends?  Or is this a question of a de-skilling of the industry? 

    Does it also have to be a 'Redlink fuse' or are standard DP isolators generally accepted before the meter.  As the former are not generally readily available from wholesalers (I know this from trying yesterday!)  It still seems a little OTT to me that in a 2m x 2m enclosure we will then have 4 points of isolation for each supply


    Thanks again for all the responses.
  • 0
    Seen both methods, but always best to check beforehand. I’ve always been lucky and the DNO have done the cables and cutouts.
  • 0
    or are standard DP isolators generally accepted before the meter.

    Not usually - as allowing ordinary persons to switch off the before a revenue meter doesn't discourage "abstraction" - at least a red link requires a seal to be broken which in theory leaves an evidence trail.


    Normally the DNO/Suppliers have strict rules about the security of wiring before the meters (even though it's not their equipment any more) - things need to be sealable, cables that aren't visible throughout their length need to be resistant to tampering (typically SWA rather than insulated & sheathed singles) and so on.


       - Andy.
  • 0
    Thanks all, we have now relented (I say that - we didn't exactly have a choice..) & understand that the meter operator require a 'Redlink' cutout or similar - however I can't imagine that the type of person who is going to bypass a meter is going to be unduly concerned as to whether a 2 pole isolator or 'redlink' fuse with a couple of piano wire meter seals around it is present before hand..


    Cheers

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