400v 3P Disboard Distance from Belfast sink

I drove up to North Wales and did a job, when I got home I wrote a letter with recommendations for improvements one of which was to do something about the consumer unit in the kitchen cupboard next to the sink which had obviously been water damaged at different times. A few weeks later I had a phone call from an electrician who lives up there because he had gone to look at the installation and was reading my letter, we talked through the recommendations I had made and why, then he told me he was also an Electrical Lecturer at a local college in North Wales.

Consumer units and distribution boards definitely are not  water resistant, as we can both tell you.

I have just had a butcher's at my TPN DB and would struggle to get a paper clip in anywhere.

Manufacturer says IP4X for TP boards, but only IP3X for SP. http://techsupportuk.eaton.com/Power-Distribution-Components/MCB-Distribution-Boards/MEM-3-Distribution-Boards/1114112101/What-is-the-IP-rating-of-Eaton-MCB-distribution-boards.htm

ETA: BS EN 61439 requires minimum IP2XC indoors and IP23 outdoors.

Wylex ones are BOD, I don't know what you have but it is pretty BAD. Wylex have door seals and locks, and I have always found them very good. As this one has a door I cannot see why it is not at least splash-proof, but this may be some quirk of specification. I would certainly not want to use this Hager one anywhere near the sea, internal corrosion would be very likely from salt-laden damp air.

I was not talking about a CU Andy, neither was the OP.

To Colin, the ESF are not the arbiters of all questions Colin, in many ways they are not what they claim. Giving away a few leaflets makes very few people in any way expert. The answer is as usual “it all depends” but even if this board is as leaky as a sieve, provided everything is Earthed properly, it is very difficult to see why it is dangerous. Water does not make Earthed and bonded items dangerous, although it may well cause damage. You know this because overhead lines outside with bare conductors and metal poles in pouring rain are in no way dangerous. The voltage available may well be 400kV and the insulators flashing a bit, but pylons are still not dangerous to touch. Please explain how a shock may be obtained. I suggest that bridging an insulator with your body is unwise! 

davezawadi (David Stone): 
 

Wylex ones are BOD, I don't know what you have but it is pretty BAD. Wylex have door seals and locks, and I have always found them very good.

Are you talking about the temporary installation distribution boards that you are more used to?

Regards distribution boards versus consumer units, the Wiring Regulations doesn't differentiate between them and they comply with the same standards. 

Not particularly Andy, the one you show is fully exposure proof but the normal metal types are very good. Why don't you show the IP67 ones? I assure you I am fully “used” to all kinds of switchgear.

The BG garage units are IP65 the lid clamps shut onto the rubber seal and there's a rubber seal to bed the front cover onto the pan.

Dave I know its only guidance a long with a lot of advice.  It’s not a question of it being dangerous more of case of accessibility and safe to work on. I personally feel the 300mm guidance sensible advice in this case. You really don’t want  obstacles in the way of distribution boards for safe working. 

Anyway poor Josh asked if there was a minimum distance allowed between a sink and distribution board. The simple answer is no only a recommended 300mm. The 300mm is also quoted in GN1 which again is only guidance.

Yes I`d say 300mm as a starter for 10. Plus or minus according to conditions including can you achieve it. Some kitchens of very old houses are very tiny and 300mm might be impossible anyway. No fixed reg as  such as a measurement but uncommon sense is a guide