There’s debate about exposed basic insulation in meter cupboards being satisfactory or not? Industry guidance (WRAG) say it’s satisfactory if the door’s in good shape, what’s people views on this ?
There’s debate about exposed basic insulation in meter cupboards being satisfactory or not? Industry guidance (WRAG) say it’s satisfactory if the door’s in good shape, what’s people views on this ?
as mentioned previously ... page 20 and page 24 of this document offers an opinion, re: 'supply' ... does it help in relation to the OP title or question
www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/.../best_practice-guide-4_issue-7-2.pdf
To be honest, I despair at those who wish to rush us to undertake even more responsiblilities which should lie with others.
The meter enclosure belongs to the DNO, so why should we have to undertake responsibilty for the inspection of something which is in reality, nothing to do with us?
The meter enclosure belongs to the customer. The kit inside it belongs to the DNO.
Not all of it. Who owns the consumer tails?
I was told in no uncertain terms that the enclosure belongs to whichever fitted it, either the meter co or the DNO. That is what I was told when they moved my meter to an outside box. At that time I asked if I could fit a DP 80A mccb instead of an isolator and they said No because it was their enclosure.
So if it is their box, it is their responsibility to inspect and maintain, and should be beyond the scope of BS7671
I was told in no uncertain terms that the enclosure belongs to whichever fitted it,
Presumably a retro-fitted surface mounted meter box, if the DNO fitted it? Recessed ones are usually fitted by a builder on behalf of the householder - either during initial house construction or subsequently.
No because it was their enclosure.
The more usual explanation is that the conditions of supply/contract requires the householder to provide sufficient space for the DNO & supplier's equipment on the premises - and that leaves no spare space in a standard meter box.
and should be beyond the scope of BS7671
Unless part of the BS 7671 installation is replying on it for its own safety. We don't skip checking Ze on account of it's the DNO's responsibility.
- Andy.
No because it was their enclosure.
The more usual explanation is that the conditions of supply/contract requires the householder to provide sufficient space for the DNO & supplier's equipment on the premises - and that leaves no spare space in a standard meter box.
Agreed. The contract for the installation process should specify who owns what.
Clearly, the price will include the value of the cabinet (or back-board), service head, tails, and isolator (if fitted). If I have paid for them, and if they are attached to my wall, they are mine unless otherwise stated.
The meter belongs to the supplier. It's cost, and the cost of fitting it presumably comes out of the standing charge/price per unit.
Yes but we check Ze at the consumer's equipment (usually the consumer unit, since the rest is inaccessable) and not the DNO's. If you want to make a case then maybe the DNOs should be tasked with checking Ze and other charactoristics at all of their equiopment at each consumer's installtion annuall, or at least at every meter change. I simply don't see why we should undertaake responsibility for inspecting something which, other than reporting back, we can do nothing about.
I disagree. The DNO/DSO/MO use double insulated (or sheathed and insulated) cable up to the service fuse, then the same principal between the fuse carrier and the meter. Some have even started to use a kind of strain relief boot / Shrinkage boot that also identifies the cable as L1/L2/L3 or N. It probably provides protection, insulation, and environmental sealing. So what changes when the energy comes out of the customer side of the electricity meter? Why is single insulation not accepted before the meter but is OK after the meter?
maybe the DNOs should be tasked with checking Ze
They already are.
Reg 28 of ESQCR 2002:
28. A distributor shall provide, in respect of any existing or proposed consumer’s installation which is connected or is to be connected to his network, to any person who can show a reasonable cause for requiring the information, a written statement of—
...
(b) for low voltage connections, the maximum earth loop impedance of the earth fault path outside the installation; ...
Why is single insulation not accepted before the meter but is OK after the meter?
Because one side is done to ESQCR and the supplier's own rules, and the other side is done to BS7671.
Why is single insulation not accepted before the meter but is OK after the meter?
Because one side is done to ESQCR and the supplier's own rules, and the other side is done to BS7671.
So if you come across something like the image below, you shall except this is to BS 7671 standards.
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