Changing a consumer unit, whilst live.

[somersetiron]

Hi, I'm about to do my major NICEIC application job, which will be replacing a consumer unit. Is it acceptable to not pull the main 100A fuse (which is tagged) therefore not getting the local electrical authority involved. I've got High voltage gauntlets, so is it acceptable to use these? Thanks for your help, Steve.

[sparx]

Hi steve, NO! we have a crazy situation at the moment where technically the supply companies won't agree to us cutting seals, but it is ILLEGAL under HASAW act to work live.
There used to be a system where bona-fide contractors had temp. numbered seal & could replace them & notify supply authority who would change them for perm. ones later, but since now so many suppliers they won't agree to do so.
Only way I know at the moment is to cut seal, pull fuse, do job, refit fuse and tell the supplier that, 'there is a seal missing at....found during inspection'
Don't forget if you try to do it live and slip, electrocution is the least of the problems, PSCC in a typical installation will be around 2000Amps which will flow for as long as it takes to blow the company fuse, thats 460 kilo-watts!!!
Your rubber gloves won't stop your face being blown off!! & someones still got to get the fuse replaced....
Ask the NICEIC help line how they would expect you to proceed as they are checking your work,regards
SPARX

[BLAKEY1963]

[quote="somersetiron"]Hi, I'm about to do my major NICEIC application job, which will be replacing a consumer unit. Is it acceptable to not pull the main 100A fuse (which is tagged) therefore not getting the local electrical authority involved. I've got High voltage gauntlets, so is it acceptable to use these? Thanks for your help, Steve.[/quote]

STEVE
I WOULD ADVSE SAFE ISOLATION WORKING PROCEEDURES
AND INFORM LOCAL ELECTRICAL AUTHORITY THAT U NEED
REMOVE MAIN FUSE . THEY R NORMALY QUITE CO OPERATIVE
IF U LET THEM KNOW YOUR INTENTIONS.

BLAKEY1963

[somersetiron]

Thanks for your help guys, thought that was the situation. Whilst on the NICEIC inspection, any tips? is it a nightmare or a fairly pain free process? Cheers Steve.