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Consumer unit in external meter box.

IronFreely

I’d like to ask for some advice on an unusual EICR observation. Domestic bungalow, the installation has the main consumer unit installed in the external meter box, the recessed kind.

Ive paid attention to opinions of others over the years as this certainly isn’t a new subject and theres plenty of opinion on Google about it. Unless I’ve missed something obvious a general consensus seems to be that putting a consumer unit in a meter box might be frowned on by the suppliers who may need the space for their equipment, but from a BS7671 point of view there aren’t any specific requirements that would prohibit it so long as the box maintains the correct IP rating. 

And then I found myself there in the pouring rain, wind lashing rain drops right into the consumer unit while I was trying to get a Ze reading… And I thought to myself this right now is dangerous. I’m at risk of electric shock and none of this equipment is type tested for get wet in any way, an explosive short of the main switches live terminals seemed inevitable if I continued. In the short term I felt it necessary to close the lid and wait… and wait…. 

So now I’m asking myself does this experience justify a C2? Regulation 513. requires that “every item of equipment shall be arranged so as to facilitate its operation, inspection and maintenance and access to each connection. Regulation 522.3.1 requires that “a wiring system shall be selected and erected so that no damage is caused by condensation or ingress of water during installation, use and maintenance. I felt it was dangerous to inspect and maintain that consumer unit in that location under those environmental conditions. I also feel it may be a concern for old Mrs Smith (not her real name) to go outside in a storm and try to reset an RCD or isolate a circuit if there as a problem, I’d feel more forgiving it it were an industrial location where only skilled or instructed people require access, but this is old Mrs Smith in her bungalow here.

edit also 529.3 requires “Provision shall be made for safe and adequate access to all live parts of a wiring system which may require maintenance.

Has anyone else had to provide an EICR under similar circumstances? Does any one have any advice on how they may code this on an EICR? And does anyone want to offer any other requirements from BS76171 for me to also consider?

Thanks for your opinions in advance.

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    It is a good point, and ties in partly with our earlier discussion that hinged on to what extent a meter box is an electrical enclosure, and in that case if insulated singles were allowed within. Presumably your Zs test is a bit more involved than a gloved hand operating an RCD, but consumer units are very for use by ordinary persons, and meter boxes may be opened by folk of almost any level of skill at any time. 

    You'd not be too surprised if the opening of street cabinets for traffic lights or a bus stop had to consider the weather,  (the phone chaps seem to bring small tents with them) but this is perhaps not that sort of 'electrical enclosure'

    Equally if it was identical except to being sheltered under a porch or car port, while still not indoors it's would be much less exposed and presumably not an issue.

    I have worked in many places where the house meter and a main circuit breaker are outdoors, and in some places in south America,  not even on the customers property, out in the street on a supply pole, and these are in a clear plastic box with a lifting flap that is set a little tall to discourage children.
    I agree its not exactly a wiring regs thing, except for this not really an adequate enclosure, but it will for example be against the spirit of part M and what I would hope is common sense. 

    I don't do  EICRs but I'd imagine at least 'recommend improvement' and maybe stronger if the user really is there with the door open to do things quite often.

    Mike

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  • 0

    It is a good point, and ties in partly with our earlier discussion that hinged on to what extent a meter box is an electrical enclosure, and in that case if insulated singles were allowed within. Presumably your Zs test is a bit more involved than a gloved hand operating an RCD, but consumer units are very for use by ordinary persons, and meter boxes may be opened by folk of almost any level of skill at any time. 

    You'd not be too surprised if the opening of street cabinets for traffic lights or a bus stop had to consider the weather,  (the phone chaps seem to bring small tents with them) but this is perhaps not that sort of 'electrical enclosure'

    Equally if it was identical except to being sheltered under a porch or car port, while still not indoors it's would be much less exposed and presumably not an issue.

    I have worked in many places where the house meter and a main circuit breaker are outdoors, and in some places in south America,  not even on the customers property, out in the street on a supply pole, and these are in a clear plastic box with a lifting flap that is set a little tall to discourage children.
    I agree its not exactly a wiring regs thing, except for this not really an adequate enclosure, but it will for example be against the spirit of part M and what I would hope is common sense. 

    I don't do  EICRs but I'd imagine at least 'recommend improvement' and maybe stronger if the user really is there with the door open to do things quite often.

    Mike

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