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Hi,
Anything inherently wrong with installing consumer units outside?
IP rated (IP65/66).
The plan is to install henley blocks into the exterior meter cupboard, and a supply taken to an IP rated lockable enclosure on the wall directly below the cupboard to supply an outbuilding.
How does the sway in temperature impact MCB and RCD functionality? They all seem to be rated to sub zero temperatures and in excess of 40 degrees.
Anyone with any extensive experience doing this?
Thanks.
GTB:
Zoomup:
Always make a small drain hole at the lowest point. It allows natural aspiration and prevents condensation buildup. I try to use the bottom entry knockouts only. This is Chris's suggestion….
BG Metal Garage Consumer Unit IP65 2 Way (toolstation.com)
Z.
Zoomup,
If you drill any kind of hole in a IP rated enclosure even as you say to deal with condensation you will have compromised the manufacturers IP Assurance! Yes the manufacturer may have 20 or 25mm knockouts/entries but its then the responsibility of the installer to ensure glands/cable entries equal the IP rating of the enclosure. If there are 20mm knockouts I would suggest you obtain and fit a purpose made 20mm condenstation plug that are readily availible.
I think condensation would be a item that needs worthy consideration, with certain times of year, humid air and diffrence in temps, water gathering on the protective devices wont be great in the long run, also as others have said, in a winters storm at night, I wouldnt like to be outside fault finding if I could help it.
GTB
Most outdoor wiring accessories like these below, have drain provisions where a drain hole is made by the installer. The back box has an indirect exit for water moulded into the back box at the lowest points, and is marked as such. I always drill a hole or two at these positions.
522.3.2
Z.
GTB:
Zoomup:
Always make a small drain hole at the lowest point. It allows natural aspiration and prevents condensation buildup. I try to use the bottom entry knockouts only. This is Chris's suggestion….
BG Metal Garage Consumer Unit IP65 2 Way (toolstation.com)
Z.
Zoomup,
If you drill any kind of hole in a IP rated enclosure even as you say to deal with condensation you will have compromised the manufacturers IP Assurance! Yes the manufacturer may have 20 or 25mm knockouts/entries but its then the responsibility of the installer to ensure glands/cable entries equal the IP rating of the enclosure. If there are 20mm knockouts I would suggest you obtain and fit a purpose made 20mm condenstation plug that are readily availible.
I think condensation would be a item that needs worthy consideration, with certain times of year, humid air and diffrence in temps, water gathering on the protective devices wont be great in the long run, also as others have said, in a winters storm at night, I wouldnt like to be outside fault finding if I could help it.
GTB
Most outdoor wiring accessories like these below, have drain provisions where a drain hole is made by the installer. The back box has an indirect exit for water moulded into the back box at the lowest points, and is marked as such. I always drill a hole or two at these positions.
522.3.2
Z.
