Electrical Installation - What is it? Substation?

[pezabj]

Hi,

Moving into a house and the searches have just revealed the existence of a Substation on the Property.

Now, I have looked at the "Electrical Installation" - It is Fenced off (Wooden) and with a Danger of Death Sign outside.

It's a Grey Metal Cabinet cabinet, 6 foot high, 1.5 Foot Deep, 4 Foot Wide. No noticeable buzz. Most Substations I have seen are caravan sized.

Doesn't strike me as a Substation (Most of the transformers I've seen are over 3 foot square). EDF when questioned claimed it was "Street Furniture" and Possibly a street lighting control system - Though I suspect they have made a mistake. Land Registry definately have it down as an EL Substation.

Does anyone have any possible idea as to what this might be? Here's the pictures.

Got a very nervous missus at the moment .... though all the research I have done indicates the risk if it was a real substation to be low.

Also, if this is a Control Cabinet of some sort, why is it classed as a Substation?

Cheers,

Pezabj

 

[Theorysparky]

Simple answer to your question would be...

Phone EDF and check ..... you may find its not used

as for safety,,,,,i grew up with a substation at the bottom of my garden

safe as houses but sometimes got a hum......

 

[ProDave]

Looks more like a BT junction box

That padlock doesn't look secure. Give it a tug, it might fall off;\ then you could have a look, and do the decent thing, report you found it unlocked.

 

[Lee321]

very strange. a distribution cabinet I'd say

deffo worth a call and ask for it to be inspected for safety this things have a habbit of being forgot about and could be in need of maintenance

 

[Theorysparky]

where is the edf sign in relation to the box ???

think u might be right Dave

 

[pezabj]

Thanks Gents. I can't see how it can house the requisite parts of a Substation.

I have rang EDF, who said it was "Street Furniture" and most likely a "Light Control Circuit". But the searches have come back with Substation, and the Missus has got the madness hamsters running around her brain.

Cheers for the replies.

 

[pezabj]

where is the edf sign in relation to the box ???think u might be right Dave

The thing is in an enclosure, 10 Ft by 6 Foot with access from a side road. The Gate into the thing contains the EDF warning Side.

It is very odd.

 

[Theorysparky]

does it have a ident number on it ?????

this could help edf with telling you its purpose

 

[Andy™]

probably just control gear/fuses etc

 

[wozz]

with what looks like alot of room inside the enclosure there may have been a transformer there in the past but not now.

I doubt that little box whatever it contains is going to cause you any harm at all.

 

[batty]

Would not think its a substation as a transformer would need ventilation so unlikely to have a transformer in enclosure. What ever it is has probably been there for a long time so cannot see what problem is.

 

[Lee321]

Would not think its a substation as a transformer would need ventilation so unlikely to have a transformer in enclosure. What ever it is has probably been there for a long time so cannot see what problem is.

if its not been maintained then the worst scenario is what the problem could be!

 

[Evans Electric]

I'd agree with Andy looks like a 3 phase distribution cabinet for the estate. Or it could be the links for their ring main , they use them for isolating parts of the distribution rings. Wouldn't think its anything to fret about .

 

[pezabj]

Gentlemen - Thanks to all.

 

[aptsys]

I'd agree with Andy looks like a 3 phase distribution cabinet for the estate.

QFT

 

[pezabj]

So .... according to EDF it's a Feeder Pillar (Low Voltage) with Busses to trip out if there's a surge.

Power comes in, goes through fuses and then goes out to other homes.

The Guy actually seemed as though he knew what he was talking about.

Please confirm this is the case ; -)

 

[Andy™]

probably right for the size of it

 

[Badger]

http://www.schneider-electric.co.uk/sites/uk/en/products-services/electrical-distribution/products-offer/low-voltage-switchgear-feeder-pillars/feeder-pillars/feeder-pillars.page

this is what i reckon it is

 

[Lee321]

being dno i guess it doesn't need a safety check up :coat

 

[Andy™]

of course it does. but only when it fails