Basic insulation exposed in electrical outdoor meter box.

Having read all the way through this thread, one most important aspect is missing. Why is this question being asked in the 1st place? Has it been sparked by a sudden increase in fatalities due to faulty or missing meter cupboar doors? How many people have been killed as a direct consequence? And out of those, how many were of the skilled and instructed variety and how many were simply joe public?

Finally, is it worthwhile to contine the debate? In todays world we seem to have become afflicted with an almost addictive need to look for non problems and then over-diagnose them to death when our time could be better spent on other more vital stuff.

Bank holiday rant over! But what do others think about how this affliction to agonize endlessly over nothing in particular and then diagnose and label it as a dangerous negative seems to grow and grow Must be keeping some otherwise unemployable person in a job somewhere.

I think the whole thing is a storm in a teacup.

If someone wants to read the meter, then they will open the meter box and read the meter.  At most, they will have to poke a button on the meter to wake up the display.

I can't see any consumer then deciding to do something stupid like attacking the single insulated meter tails with a pair of scissors.

It's the common sense problem: neither common nor sense [on both sides of the electrocution] 

Depends what you mean by “meter box”. I doubt anyone would feel comfortable with single insulated cables in this meter location;

Agree. I think the best approach is to think first and ask yourself why you are asking the question in the first place. In the majority of instances when this approach is adopted, the questioner suddenly finds that there is no real need to ask in the first place and that the answer is self evident when a smidgeon of thought is applied upfront.

If however, the questioner persists, then at least give a reason why you are asking and what your thoughts are on the suject.

whjohnson said:

think first

... Which is best done by writing down the problem and attempting to vocalise the problem with a specific question (it's why writing down notes in school/college/university classes works well..). I often find that once the [my] question has been formulated, that the release of frustration happens after pressing 'send', that the [my] brain can then allow itself some free thinking and bring forward alternate 'obvious' (isn't hindsight wonderful) solutions. When we receive such queries we often forget that the obvious answer shouldn't be over analysed.

I suspect that in this big discussion we have the classic scissors/paper/stone arguments at the three registration levels, and we have a massive round robin of finger pointing. Those who maintain standards need clarity about those standards. Those that interpret standards need an understanding of the rationale, and those that create/update standards depend on those that maintain the standards. [we all are standing on shoulders of giants etc.]. 

.. Not sure if I was meant to reply :wink: .

I acknowledge that there are more pressing matters to address; however, is this forum not intended for discussions related to BS 7671?

The question arises due to the increasing acceptance of terminating SWA cable cores directly into an REC isolator within an external wall-mounted meter box. This practice does not comply with regulations 134.1.1, 526.8, and 521.10.1. 

I acknowledge that there are more pressing matters to address; however, is this forum not intended for discussions related to BS 7671?

The question arises due to the increasing acceptance of terminating SWA cable cores directly into an REC isolator within an external wall-mounted meter box. This practice does not comply with regulations 134.1.1, 526.8, and 521.10.1. 

134.1.1 is a vague catch-all which can be interpreted as "if I don't like something, then it doesn't comply".

Why do you think the other two regulations are not complied with?

Simon Barker said:

134.1.1 is a vague catch-all which can be interpreted as "if I don't like something, then it doesn't comply".

That's a bit harsh! I think that we can distinguish fine workmanship (craftsmanship), good workmanship, mediocre workmanship, rough as a badger's bottom, and downright dangerous. Problem is defining the boundary between good and mediocre.

I agree with Chris. During elec training, individuals are taught proper installation practices The practice of using a SWA cable with its cores exposed and connected directly into a REC isolator does not align with best practices ( my training to ECS installation technician grade)Additionally, other relevant regulations address the fundamental requirements for insulating exposed basic insulation outside an enclosure.

fundamental requirements for insulating exposed basic insulation outside an enclosure.

That's the sticking point though - as soon as someone decides a meter box counts as an "enclosure" (accessible only with a key or tool) - anything goes.

  - Andy.

AMK said:

The practice of using a SWA cable with its cores exposed and connected directly into a REC isolator does not align with best practices

How polite! My mind is boggling. I would like to think that even these badgers clip the end of the SWA to the back of the meter box, but perhaps that would be too much trouble.

Those REC isolators trouble me. On the face of it, they do the same job as e.g. an Eaton Glasgow switch-fuse-isolator (or just switch-isolator if solid links are fitted), but when you look at the innards, surely they cannot perform the same function!