Like it or Not. The outdoor CU/DB is here to stay.

In the recent years there has been a massive increase in the use of outdoor switchgear for the domestic dwelling (PV, EV, Heat Pumps etc).  They are mainly metal but this then brings in the question of RCD protection for the enclosure itself and the characteristics of the supply cable to the CU/DB.


EG Is it OK for the CU to be fed from Henly Block (Other Brands are available) with only the protection offered by ( BS 1361 ) the main cut out fuse?  The standardized BS 1361 breaking capacity of these fuse-links is 33kA at 0.3p.f. However to cater for increasing fault levels all Lawson house service cut-out fuse-links have been ASTA tested to 80kA at 0.15 p.f.

A few suggestions

Height from floor and positioning.  IE can a child touch it, if so should the metal enclosure go inside a plastic or GRP enclosure?  GRP being preferred.

A breather plug/vent

A sticker on the front Stating.....All Penetrations to Enter from Below

A sticker on the front Stating.....IP rating, IK rating for the enclosure and Pollution Degree rating for the breakers inside if it is sold as a kit.

Pollution degree (IEC 60664-1)

Pollution degree    rough environment
1    In a clean environment or enclosed equipment
2    most common environment
3    Harsh environments such as factories
4    Outdoors where it is mainly exposed to the elements

As always please be polite and respectful in this purely academic debate.




Come on everybody let’s help inspire the future.

  • Does regulation 433.3.1 make it permissible to supply the additional Consumer units from a Henly Block

  • These enclosures are good.

    As you can see, they are sold for EV points, but they also make them in white, and partially populated.

  • If the Outdoor metal CU/DB is supplied from the Henley then the supply cable and enclosure itself do not have RCD protection during normal operating conditions or under fault conditions. 

  • Looking at the datasheet it states

    IP65 External then further down it states you can drill the top or the bottom. 

    In my engineering judjement if you drill the top of the enclosure moisture will always get in.  It also lacks a breather vent/drain. 

  • If the Outdoor metal CU/DB is supplied from the Henley then the supply cable and enclosure itself do not have RCD protection during normal operating conditions or under fault conditions. 

    Could you explain why you think "no RCD" is an issue for a distribution circuit in a TN system supplying a CU (outdoors or indoors)?

    Provided, of course, that the CU, being Class I, has an appropriate protective conductor?

    The answer cannot be 'to protect against fault current' ... because RCDs cannot protect against overcurrent ... they can provide 'fault protection' for ADS (Chapter 41), but not protection against overcurrent (Chapter 43). However, Chapter 41 does not require RCD protection for fixed equipment outdoors ... it may be required for the circuit conductors under some conditions (e.g. concealed in walls and not SWA or other earthed metallic protection, or it may be required for some circuits in special locations identified in Part 7 ... but not in the general case.

  • IP65 External then further down it states you can drill the top or the bottom. 

    Even if you don't drill it, if you install it below about 300 mm from the ground, you will almost certainly get internal condensation ... and this can happen even if installed higher than 300 mm from the ground under certain conditions such as sudden temperature or humidity change you might see when jet-washer spray is close to the device. IP65, IP66 or IP67 alone is not sufficient to prevent condensation when jet washing ... anti-condensation heaters and/or suitably IP rated 'drain plugs' are necessary.

  • I agree with the fact that technically it is a distribution circuit to a CU/BD.. However 300 mm from the ground minimum is well within reach of children or animals to come into contact with the CU/DB.  Now consider that contact with that metalwork when there is fog/mist or rain.  The other thing to consider is that under fault conditions the Normal user may need to reset the device. 

    Another worthy point of note is that the ENA state 2 to 3 meter tails from main cut out to CU/DB now if they are going into a Henly block they may exceed this length.  Caveat is some DNO/DSO state their cutout can only be 2 meters of tails to CU.  It would then require a KVM fuse switch.  Many EVSE, PV, Heat Pumps are going beyond this cable length limit.

    Other points of note are that the cable used is not always SWA sometimes it is a H07 variety like Tufsheaf.  These cables themselves could suffer from impact of abrasion damage.  Also if there was cable insulation damaged which was an detected by the Normal person/home owner there is a highly probable risk of shock or electricution.

  • I totally agree that for outdoor enclosures a drain plugs should be mandatory

  • I agree with the fact that technically it is a distribution circuit to a CU/BD.. However 300 mm from the ground minimum is well within reach of children or animals to come into contact with the CU/DB.  Now consider that contact with that metalwork when there is fog/mist or rain. 

    OK, but the same could be said of a permanently connected cooker, or even a heat pump outside ... whilst no-one is saying don't do it, there is no requirement in BS 7671 for this.

    The other thing to consider is that under fault conditions the Normal user may need to reset the device. 

    That is the same indoors.

    Another worthy point of note is that the ENA state 2 to 3 meter tails from main cut out to CU/DB now if they are going into a Henly block they may exceed this length. 

    That is a completely separate point to RCD, and I agree an OCPD may be needed depending on circumstances. Same for an indoor CU.

    Other points of note are that the cable used is not always SWA sometimes it is a H07 variety like Tufsheaf. 

    SWA was an example that doesn't require RCD if enclosed ("hidden") in a wall at a depth of less than 50 m. H07, if installed so it's not concealed at a depth of less than 50 m, would also not necessarily require an RCD. However, is it always considered suitably protected against mechanical damage?

    Also if there was cable insulation damaged which was an detected by the Normal person/home owner there is a highly probable risk of shock or electricution.

    Again, selection & erection (external influences) rather than RCD. I agree that H07 might not be the correct solution if it is accessible to rodents etc. outdoors, or if there is a risk of mechanical damage.

    Consideration of external influences would apply regardless of whether an RCD is used, because BS 7671 has provisions that will prevent a shock in the first place in these instances !!! There should be no need for the RCD in many cases.

  • I totally agree that for outdoor enclosures a drain plugs should be mandatory

    "Drill a hole" may be OK for IP43, IP44 or in certain cases, IP45, but there are, as I'm sure a lot of readers will be aware, anti-condensation drain plugs that go up to IP68 (if appropriately installed) !!!