Moving a CU

[Stephen H]

Hi.

Original CU has 2.5m long meter tails back to the meter cupboard. I would like to move the CU to a new location, which would result in 5m long meter tails from meter cupboard.

the new meter tails would use the existing cable route but extend further along the wall to the new CU location.

Now I know I need a switch fuse due to new meter tails being over 3m long.

Now my question is this, can the Switch fuse go in the location of the original CU and meet the regs with respect to the new CU's location?

Or has the new switch fuse be moved closer to the meter cupboard?

On a related note, is there any such thing as a fush mounting switch fuse that I can sink into the wall instead of a surface mounted switch fuse?

Regards,

Stephen.

[jgharston]

You may find it more convenient to put the switch fuse isolator nearer to the meter that the old CU position. Otherwise, from what you've described, you'll have your switch halfway between the meter and the CU. You want to move the CU, so presumably the current location has disadvantages, which would continue being a disadvantage for the isolator.

Also, as I read the regs, a long-tails switched fused isolator needs to be at the start of the tails, not halfway along, as otherwise there's potentially no overcurrent protection for the length going from the meter to the halfway point.

JGH

[dennis]

What's the company fuse for?

I notice that they have been swapping the 100A fuses for 80A when they switch the meters around here. One way of cutting down on peak demand. Or maybe the meters can't take 100A?

[Andy Burns]

Opposite here last year, they swapped mine from 60A to 100A.

[John Rumm]

They often do that if the tails are undersized...

[S Viemeister]

Same here, a few years back. I only found out when I checked the box.

[dennis]

I don't think its that, the guy said they were doing it to all the houses. It doesn't matter I would struggle to find enough kit to draw

80A. Maybe I need a welder?

[ARW]

Depending on the age of your house and the type of supply you might have something similar to this picture

here

is not uncommon for these to be dropped from 100A to 80A when the meter is changed.

[ARW]

I see no reason why you cannot put a switched isolator where the exiting CU is.

What was your final decision on the tails behind the plaster?

[Stephen H]

I would actually prefer to put the switch fuse within my meter cupboard but as I understand it, this is a no-no from the local power network provider. I'm happy to be corrected on this point though but I need to see hard evidence rather than hearsay, hence my original question.

[Stephen H]

it will be 3mm metal plate and also uprating the tails to 25mm and

16mm earth (thats why my cut out fuse got dropped from 80A to 60A when they put switch isolator in)

Adam, whats the real information regarding putting a switch fuse in a meter cupboard? I would prefer to do this provided It does not break any regulations.

Regards

Stephen

[Dave Liquorice]

Ask your local power netwrok provider? But if they are anything like ours getting a straight answer to a straight and simple question will be impossible.

AIUI only their equipment is allowed on the meter board.

[ARW]

is usually acceptable to place fused isolators in a meter cuboard. I have not had a comeback yet and I have fitted plenty of them.

[ARW]

I would just fit it in the meter cupboard and forget. No-one will care.

[ARW]

That's why you never ask.

Who owns this board?

[Dave Liquorice]

I'm not going to say anything. B-)

The spark who did the work here has some wonderful stories. Where REC engineer come along to install/move meter to a cupboard, board etc supplied and fitted by customer, switch fuse on board ready. Engineer says that'll have to go nothing allowed on the board but his stuff. OK, install your own cupboard, board etc next to this one and run tails to ours or you are welcome to fit onto *our* board. Guess which happened?

[ARW]

Best not mention that some posters to this group are now using some of the

100A isolators that the REC sometimes fit to their boards where I have swapped them for fused isolators.

YOU fit the isolater after the meter goes in.

[Mike Tomlinson]

En el artículo , ARW escribió:

The terminals also look rather undersized for 100A.

[Smallsparky]

Yes, you are correct, the local District Network Operator own everything inside the meter cupboard, including the fire rated chipboard, they would have every right to ask you to remove any additional equipment that is installed there, the chances are that they wouldn't, but, they still could.

If you install the Fused iso where the CU is currently, any additional tails/SWA cable installed would have to meet Regs (if your burying them, you must RCD protect them) otherwise you would have to surface mount the cables. you would also have to ensure the main earth and the bonding to services are up to the current regs, but i'm guessing your a fully qualified spark as to sign the cert off and part p notification.

[Martin Crossley]

RCD for buried SWA? T'other one's got bells on!