Hi all,

does anyone have experience of working with their REC? I have a job where a new supply is going to be installed from the street , we have installed service box and an enclosure above it to mount relevant submains switch fused isolators within. However they are asking for a cert before they supply. How can i issue a certificate without a supply, considering the circuit so far is one metre of 25mm L+N double insulated tails and 16mm earth?

regards
Misterben

Well, basically you give them a certificate with the dead tests only - they may take exception that you are then going to add an installation afterwards and might even suggest to you that what they will offer at this stage is a TT construcution supply

Generally though, they just want a bit of paper - they are often less concerned with what's actually on the bit of papaer other than the word "certificate" in 2" high letters across the top

Regards

OMS

-------------------------
Failure is always an option

You will normally find that if the guys that turn up consider that you know the job and are not likely to do anything stupid, they will connect without any problems.

A couple of times I've been asked if I'm going to do a cert to which the answer is of course yes, they have then replied ok then...



Stu

--they are often less concerned with whats on the piece of
paper-------------------

so says the voice of experience!

Regards.

Indeed - what's your experience of it then ?

A recent example - we had a new transformer installed for a developement adjacent to the building "energy centre", actually it was a brick housing constructed as part of the project - the green GRP shed offerd by the DNO being totally unacceptable - which housed the main switchboard, boilers etc.

Setting aside the issue of PNB with the N-E bond at the switchboard main circuit breaker and the inclusion of a CT metering chamber in the client switchboard the DNO wanted certification - they got manufacturers factory and site tests for the switchboard - and that was it.

I did actually point out to them that we were a long way away from testing sub mains etc, but they could have certification for the temporary sub main that would feed the site construction supplies - again dead tests only (as it had been running off a generator as the DNO were 16 weeks late on site and the live values would be pointless to them and of course without a supply we couldn't do live tests - at that point they got a bit confused by things, leaving with the switchboard FATS test certificate only.

So - that's one recent example - would you like a few more ? - perhaps the one where I got the DNO in to denergise a 630A service to allow a new switchboard to be installed in preparation for a comprehensive rewire of a public building - it was over Xmas - I drove for 3 hours to site on 27th december to be met by the clients contractor and a big space where the DNO van should have been - after a lot of phonng to the ruthies in the front office (god bless 'em) I eventually found the network engineer I'd dealt with 6 weeks earlier - he was mighty ***** off at getting phoned whilst oon his Xmas leave until I pointed out to him we had a no show and no explanation or in fact any idea if someone was actually going to turn up ever - his respose, i sounded like I knew what i was talking about so could I instruct the contractor on site how to open the cast irn service cut out, remove the fuses and then remove the tails via the CT chamber - and could we just please repeat the exercise in reverse on new years eve - not to worry about test certs or sealing, he might be able to get someone round in the new year. No one ever arrived, the complaints line took a pounding, the ombudsman decided that the DNO action was unacceptable and we got all the money back including my fee for time wasted.

then there was the time......................

So yes, that's my experience of it

best regards

OMS

-------------------------
Failure is always an option

I did work for a client and he announced that he had had to get another electrician in as I was holding the job up keeping him waiting a couple of days.

So I finished my bits and invoiced him including a certificate with the paperwork.

He phoned yesterday because the DNO had declined to accept my certificate he has submitted with his application for connection of a supply as it is dated the 17th July 2007, so can I send a updated one.

So five years after I was "sacked" for delaying the job I am going to go back to give it the once over and sort his paperwork out for him, it looks like my couple of days delay in getting to site were nothing compared to his nearly two thousand days to get the supply connected!

Anyway the last twelve new supplies have been put in without any certification from me, because the DNO installed the supply to a isolating switch and the earth into a terminal leaving me to make the final connections and take all responsibility.

Regards Andy

Thanks for replies,

sounds like it is a bit of a lottery depending on who turns up! I will issue an installation certificate for the small part we have done.
Also doing another job , I found a 3 phase supply cable dripping with which I think is bitumen?
I Informed the client who then phoned REC, the guy came out and said we need to dig up road and repair/replace.
Next thing I hear is that another guy from same company came out and said dont worry about it??

regards
Misterben

Usual dno nonsense.
I've never understood why a supply can't be installed ready for connection at a future date.

Should have added, it's not normally the DNO who will want certification as in most areas they don't fit the meters. It's the metering operator as they make the connections.


Stu

--"i drove for 3 hours on 27th dec to be met by a big space where the DNO should have been."

thats the difference you see, i always phone before i make any length of
journey, things happen, the engineer could have had any number of issues
to deal with, and while that job was big for you, the DNO have other jobs,
especially with 8,000,000 customers, 130,000km of lines and 130,000
sub-stations.

still, the waiting would have given you time to read your treasured copy of
"100 ways to convince yourself PNB is TNS" and "how to instruct total
strangers to open 630 amp cast iron cut-outs"
not forgetting-"why use rubber matting to save your life when working
on switchgear"

i hope the contractor didnt ask the method of earthing!!!

Regards.

I must get a pair of your rose tinted glasses, so I can see things the same as you do.

Most people can complete a project whilst the DNO and their bedfellows are still getting their act together.

Regards

OMS

-------------------------
Failure is always an option

Indeed there is a post from UKPN referring to the DNO's as public service organisations, strangely not many people actually consider that to be true.

Andy