Moisture / Condensation proof consumer units

[Nuttyboffin]

Hi, I have a problem with condensation in a shed where I keep cattle. In winter condensation can form on electrical fittings such as lights and switches etc and cause the RCD to trip. Can anyone recommend a good quality supplier of consumer units that are moisture / condensation proof ? I have found a supplier for the other fittings which I am happy with. Do any new consumer units fitted in a shed have to comply with amendment 3 and be manufactured out of metal. Or as it is in a shed can it be plastic? Thanks

 

[Jadele]

just surround the Cu with a plasterboard or wood cupboard with insulation and draft seals to minimise the moist air near it.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Can still be plastic.

New silly rules only apply to "household (domestic) premises".

 

[KenGMac]

nurryboffin, good evening.

Looks as if you are looking for Waterproof Electrical Enclosures?

Suggest you have a look @

MK Sentry
6 Way Consumer Unit - Weathertight - IP65
Super Garage Kit

Weatherproof IP65 enclosure to EN 60670

c/w 63Amp RCD + c/w 6 Type B MCB's 2 x 20A + 1 x 16Amp + 3 x 6Amp

May meet your needs?

Ken

 

[JohnW2]

Do any new consumer units fitted in a shed have to comply with amendment 3 and be manufactured out of metal. Or as it is in a shed can it be plastic? Thanks

The requirement for new CUs to be 'non-combustible' applies only in "domestic (household) premises". I suspect, but am not certain, that that would include outhouses (e.g. sheds) associated with domestic premises. However, it sounds as if you are talking about commercial (i.e. not "domestic') premises - is that the case?

Kind Regards, John

 

[Nuttyboffin]

Hi all,
many thanks for your prompt and helpful replies. The shed is non domestic, so it appears I can use plastic (which also will not rust over time) I will also take a look at the MK Sentry range as suggested by Ken.

Thanks,

Martin.

 

[KenGMac]

A load of replies well inside one hour?

Just goes to show Strictly does not appeal to everyone??

Ken

 

[mwatsonxx]

The requirement for new CUs to be 'non-combustible' applies only in "domestic (household) premises". I suspect, but am not certain, that that would include outhouses (e.g. sheds) associated with domestic premises. However, it sounds as if you are talking about commercial (i.e. not "domestic') premises - is that the case?

Kind Regards, John

No he keeps cattle in his living room.

 

[EFLImpudence]

The requirement for new CUs to be 'non-combustible' applies only in "domestic (household) premises". I suspect, but am not certain, that that would include outhouses (e.g. sheds) associated with domestic premises.

421 states "within household (domestic) premises".

It is up to you how you interpret that but I think the general consensus is that it does not apply to outhouses and not to even exterior meter boxes of the premises should one wish to fit a "similar switchgear assembly" - e.g. a switch fuse; an isolator, of course, not being a s.s.a.

 

[JohnW2]

421 states "within household (domestic) premises".

Almost ... it actually says "within domestic (household) premises"

It is up to you how you interpret that but I think the general consensus is that it does not apply to outhouses and not to even exterior meter boxes of the premises should one wish to fit a "similar switchgear assembly" - e.g. a switch fuse; an isolator, of course, not being a s.s.a.

As I said, I was not sure whether it was mean to apply to outhouses (of domestic premises, so you may be right. What you say about exterior meter boxes makes sense (well, as much sense as any of this regulation has!). I wasn't so sure about outbuildings. Given that many domestic outbuildings are built of wood, and a good few of them are used as offices, gyms, workshops etc., I was wondering whether LFB might expect 'their regulation' to also apply to such places.

In any event, as I implied (and you stated) a cow shed is clearly not 'domestic' - so, as far as the OP is concerned, the above issue is moot.

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

Almost ... it actually says "within domestic (household) premises"

Oh well, in that case ...

 

[stillp]

I was wondering whether LFB might expect 'their regulation' to also apply to such places

I suspect their concern was more about dwellings than sheds.

 

[JohnW2]

I suspect their concern was more about dwellings than sheds.

I'm sure it was but it still wouldn't have surprised me if the LFB had, in the infinite wisdom, 'expected' the regulation they 'forced' on us to also apply to to outhouses used for the same sort of purposes that rooms in a domestic residence often are!

Kind Regards, John

 

[stillp]

Looks as if you are looking for Waterproof Electrical Enclosures?

Suggest you have a look @

MK Sentry
6 Way Consumer Unit - Weathertight - IP65
Super Garage Kit

Weatherproof IP65 enclosure to EN 60670

IP65 does not mean it will be free from condensation. As already stated, an insulated box around the CU might help. Industrial distribution boards and control panels are sometimes fitted with heaters to prevent condensation.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Almost ... it actually says "within domestic (household) premises"
As I said, I was not sure whether it was mean to apply to outhouses (of domestic premises, so you may be right. What you say about exterior meter boxes makes sense (well, as much sense as any of this regulation has!). I wasn't so sure about outbuildings. Given that many domestic outbuildings are built of wood, and a good few of them are used as offices, gyms, workshops etc., I was wondering whether LFB might expect 'their regulation' to also apply to such places.