Getting Power

[m4tty]

Hi,

If your doing an unoccupied rewire and the property is empty and the electric is off (at sockets) is there any way which you can get temporary power. Ie tapping in before meter.

Please dont reply .... thats theft as it would be stating the obvious. But whats the best way to do it.

Thanks and if this post causes any problems my pm box is free cheers

 

[Andy™]

you can easily get power from output side of meter - either cut tails into henley, then to temp board, or wire temp board direct to meter terminals. this is assuming that there is power into the property

or if the board is still in place & live, wire temp board to an MCB

 

[ProDave]

DON'T do what I encountered once:

I was called to rewire a house that had been empty and unoccupied for a number of years. The supply had been disconnected by the DNO removing the cut out, and putting it back WITHOUT a fuse and sealing it in place.

I was called to give an estimate for the rewire and moving the meter and CU to a new location, so I called the DNO to meet me at the house.

Unknown to me, another guy had been before me to fit a water filtration system. Finding no power, he cut the seals, pulled the main fuse carrier, wrapped some fuse wire around the fuse holder and plugged it back in, thus illegally re energising a condemned installation.

I had a hard job convincing the DNO guy it was not me that did it, but the DNO guy agreed to re fit the fuse properly so I had power for my rewire, and fitted one of those nice new meters with an inbuilt isolator.

 

[M107]

As said I split tails post meter via dp henly & mec to earth termblock & connect a builders cu that I have mounted on a plyboard with 2x16amp mcb both on double sso's one being rcd type

 

[dariusthemead]

who pays for the electricity that is used.

 

[Megaohm7]

Walls have ears !!! ]

 

[superspark]

I made up a board recently for this job, i even use it when changing fuse boxes now got to keep the kettle on m8.

I got some mdf board big enough to house a 2 way board on with rcd main sw and 16a mcb and then fixed twin socket to it.Then either henley block tails from meter or put tails from origanal db to supply it.

happy days KETTLE ON

 

[Theorysparky]

I made up a board recently for this job, i even use it when changing fuse boxes now got to keep the kettle on m8.I got some mdf board big enough to house a 2 way board on with rcd main sw and 16a mcb and then fixed twin socket to it.Then either henley block tails from meter or put tails from origanal db to supply it.

happy days KETTLE ON

i must find time to make one of those....

 

[Evans Electric]

It would be illegal to connect a 1 way RCD C/u with a socket on it, to the output of the meter, and put a fuse in the cut out to enable you to do a rewire, with the next owner paying for the units used. The same applies if you fit the new C/U with the meter tails and connected a socket to that.

 

[batty]

It would be illegal to connect a 1 way RCD C/u with a socket on it, to the output of the meter, and put a fuse in the cut out to enable you to do a rewire, with the next owner paying for the units used. The same applies if you fit the new C/U with the meter tails and connected a socket to that.

Why?

 

[Evans Electric]

That was tongue in cheek , Batts , But , yes I think it would be illegal to energise a supply TBH even if the power used was recorded on the meter. I guess the "proper" way is to ask for a "Builder's supply".

 

[batty]

That was tongue in cheek , Batts , But , yes I think it would be illegal to energise a supply TBH even if the power used was recorded on the meter. I guess the "proper" way is to ask for a "Builder's supply".

If it had been cut off I would not reconnect you would have to be mad too but if its still live can not see a problem with using it.

 

[ProDave]

That was tongue in cheek , Batts , But , yes I think it would be illegal to energise a supply TBH even if the power used was recorded on the meter. I guess the "proper" way is to ask for a "Builder's supply".

See post #3

I've done a builders supply several times. All it means in reality is the DNO come and connect to a temporary CU often in a temporary waterproof outside box. Then when the house build / restoration is complete they come and move the supply over to the permanent connection.

It's usually only necessary to do that on a new build, where there is no building to fit the meter and CU into yet, but you want site power and power for a static caravan or office.

You are supposed to TT earth a building supply.

If you are renovating an old building that's reasonably watertight, just decide on your new CU location, fit the new CU there, with at least one double socket, then get the DNO to come and (if necessary) move the meter and re connect the supply to the new CU.

A temporary CU should only really be necessary on a rewire to cover the time between disconnecting to remove the old CU, and getting the new CU with one double socket back on the wall. That doesn't usually take long, and it's what battery tools and flasks were invented for.

You can always tell a new build (or very often a rewire) that I have done, as there's always a double socket immediately next to the CU.

 

[Lurch]

If your doing an unoccupied rewire and the property is empty and the electric is off (at sockets) is there any way which you can get temporary power. Ie tapping in before meter.

What do you mean by 'power off (at the sockets)'? You mean like you've pulled the old CU out and you want power? Why would you need to bypass the meter? Just stick a CU on the outgoing meter terminals for your power. If you mean something else, well, can;t see any other logical meaning TBH.