Swapping meter tails - no consumer fuse

Al · 2003-10-27T13:27:15+00:00

I have a 30s house with some rubber-coated wiring.Before replacing this, I'm going to put in a new consumer unit.Before doing that, I'd like to ask a couple of questions.My problem:There is no consumer fuse - tails go straight from the supply cable tothe meter.From the meter, the tails go to a small junction box (would this be a"Henley" block?).Tails then go from the junction box to the consumer unit.My plan is to carefully remove the old consumer unit tails from thelive terminals using an insulated screwdriver, then fit new consumerunit and new tails.My other problem:The current wiring would not pass any sort of inspection, and I'm notexpecting to finish the rewiring very soon.Q1: Who owns the junction box?It is after the meter, but is sealed with wire and (old looking) leadcrimps. That might mean something official, or might be to discourageme from the above dangerous manouver.Q2: What exactly is inside the junction box?Bakelite box, about 4" x 3". The meter tails enter on the bottom-rightone in front of the other (ie in a plane perpendicular to the wall)and the consumer unit tails exit on the bottom-left, similarly one infront of the other.Thanks, Al.

Oct 27, 2003 22 Replies

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Christian McArdle 22 years ago

The other advantage is that you can run the old manky rubber off an RCBO, if you can stop the thing from tripping constantly...

Christian.

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Owain 22 years ago

Stefek Zaba wrote | "bloomineckerslike, off to Stores for another of those | Poles, Barge, Wooden, Full-length, Touching, For The | Avoidance Of" implements.

Poles, Barge, Wooden, etc, no longer comply with the HSE requirements for avoiding live working. They have to be Poles, Barge, Fibreglass, etc, now.

Owain

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Wanderer 22 years ago

That sounds very much like an old 30A rewireable fuse, which all Electricity Boards (pre-privatisation) had a programme for removal. Whilst you may now be fairly happy with what you're doing, I would still contact your local distribution company and tell them you think you have an old rewireable main fuse, and could they please inspect and replace it if necessary.

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