Posted By KS-TI Hello All, I am currently looking at reviewing procedures and permits for live electrical works. This is for work within domestic properties replacing the fuse board and is re-active maintenance so could be emergency works. Would like comments and help and advice from people who may have knowledge on this subject, firstly on is it acceptable (staff are qualified and competent) to work on a live circuit including all proper precautions i.e. rubber matting, been informed (not looked into yet) that NEDL would need advance notice to terminate electrical supply and this is emergency repair work. Any other suggestions for a better practise of this work and would really appreciate copies of any procedures, documents, safe systems of work anyone has covering this. Regards KS

Posted By KS-TI According to the information I was fed, the main supple fuse is to do with local electricity company and other persons not in their employment are allowed to touch it. However the stance has now been took that these will come out and isolate system before our electricians can work on the fuse box and the compnay are willing to lose the clients work on this basis.

Posted By Ron Hunter I can't see how the replacement of an entire consumer unit would come within 'emergency work'. This should be a planned activity, indeed it should be part of an overall maintenance improvement strategy, perhaps to coincide with rewiring and other upgrade works? I am aware that historically electricians have unmade and remade the final connections from the incoming supply 'live', however the industry may have moved on since then. Temporary connection via one of the existing circuits is surely an unsafe practice in a modern home (consider cooker, washing machine and electric shower all on at once - not uncommon)?!

Posted By Garry Homer There is no need to carry out live work. If it is a real emergency - say the board is flashing and banging, then the electricity company will send out their emergency electrician to make safe by withdrawing the main fuse. The electricity company may permit your people to remove the main fuse to make safe and they will turn up to re-seal etc. You can take the responsibility yourself and pull the main fuse, re-seal and then tell the electricity company. The ear-ache you get from the electricity company is nothing compared to the grilling you could get in the courts for killing one of your staff. If the board is not flashing and banging or overheating, then it is not an emergency. The electricity companies charge about £25 to fit an isolating switch after the electricity meter. So safety can be cheap! Garry