Electric meter seals

Leave well alone.

|On 2 Oct 2006 06:37:15 -0700, no idea wrote: | |> hi, |> my electric meter is getting replaced or recertified whatever that |> means, |> i had a nosey in the cupboard to see how old it was and noticed the |> seal on the main fuse was cut and the seal on the meter where the glass |> is with the circle thing going round is missing, i presume it should |> have one fitted, there is a seal under the meter where some wires go, |> that is still on. |> i had some work done about 4 yrs ago, all the house was rewired so |> maybe it was done then, they said they where going to replace the meter |> but never did |> the meter has been read with no problems,no body has said anything but |> now its getting replaced could i be in trouble for having no seals on i |> was told u can buy seals on e bay, should i fit some myself, or is it |> best not to do anything |> any help would be appreciated |> thanks | |Leave well alone.

And if anyone asks say "Seal, what Seal? don't know anything about that!" Will put you on a par with 90% of the population.

More importantly, seals are crimped with special pliers that have unique identity numbers that tie them back to the craftsman who fitted the meter or the meter test station that originally certified the meter.

Fit dodgy seals off ebay, crimped with an ordinary pair of pliers, and you'll immediately rouse suspicions that you've been tampering with the meter.

hi the seals only show whether the meter box has been opened, as you dont need to open the meter to 'fiddle' it its very unlikely anyone will pay any attention to them.Just forget it and if anyone questions you, just pretend ignorance and youre covered dont believe the jobsworths who will warn of dire consequences- cos there wont be any mate

At the risk of sounding distinctly continental.

Who is "they" ?

On 2 Oct 2006 06:37:15 -0700 someone who may be "no idea" wrote this:-

They would have difficulty proving that you removed them.

Assuming you are not one of the lowlifes who steal electricity. If challenged you have no idea what the seals are and you never look in that cupboard anyway as electricity is dangerous. Add, if necessary, that you had some work done four years ago by an electrician and since then the meter readers have been reading the meter without mentioning seals, whatever they are.

They will probably re-seal the connections and little else, but you never know when someone will have an officious turn.

When they changed my company fuse the other day no comment was made whatsoever about the lack of seal on the fuse carrier.

AWEM

ok thanks for all the advice, i will leave well alone

-- they are our beloved council, they rewired the house then we bought it

The council have absolutely nothing to do with electricity meters, 60 years ago they might have, but not any more.

Even electrical contractors with all the stickers on their vans indicating membership of such "upstanding" bodies as NICEIC and the like are not allowed to break seals on either the main fuse or the meter connections.

PLease don't top post!!

Dave

You will have to plead nothing. You will be asked no questions and the meter will be swapped and resealed. I assume that the meter reader has looked in the cupboard and said nothing for the last few years. If so you are worring for nothing.

Also, say nothing to the guy that changes the meter other than morning/afternoon and offering him a brew.

Adam

And don't disturb any dust in the surrounding area - adds credence to the idea that you aren't up to anything untoward :-)

Missing seals are fairly common and not something that is likely to cause comment, especially if your electricity use remains much the same after the new meter goes in. OTOH, non-standard seals (the sealing pliers put identifying marks on when they seal) are going to attract attention, particularly if they look new.

Colin Bignell

'S funny, but that's exactly what I said when I replied much earlier in the day. Never fails to amaze me how many people read the OP and throw in their twopennyworth without reading what's already been said.

:-)