Outdoor fuse/trip switch for car charger

benish

Morning folks, 
Can any qualified sparkys tell me if this is safe!? 

I had a pod point car charger installed a week ago, I wasn’t in at the time so never had the chance to query the workman, but ever since I’ve wondered if the fuse switch/mcb shouldn’t be outside. I opened the cover up after a rain shower and water leaked in through the sides. I certainly wouldn’t want to open it during a shower! 

Apodemus

Interesting!   I'm not an electrician, so not qualified to comment, but a quick google suggests that the box is a Europa ECW series insulated distribution enclosure, which conforms to IP65.   And that IP65 means: Water resistant. “Protected against water jets from any angle” 

Ajmason42

Googling europa do an ip65 rated consumer box and it looks like the one in your picture but if in doubt call the installer for confirmation 

benish

Ok. I guess if it’s IP rated it’s fine. Thanks for the comments. 

TELLIT01

Although it may be the correct box surely it shouldn't be letting water in.  It may simply be a case that the seal hasn't been seated properly but I would get the person back who did the installation to check it out.

coffeehound

Was it the act of opening the cover that let the rain in?

Risteard

External equipment needs to be adequately IP rated. That said, "consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies in domestic (household) premises" must be made from non-combustible material, or housed in a cabinet made from non-combustible material. Ferrous metal, e.g. steel, is given as an example of non-combustible material. So in my opinion it doesn't comply with BS 7671:2018 (2020) aka the IEE Wiring Regulations.

Ectophile

Risteard said:

External equipment needs to be adequately IP rated. That said, "consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies in domestic (household) premises" must be made from non-combustible material, or housed in a cabinet made from non-combustible material. Ferrous metal, e.g. steel, is given as an example of non-combustible material. So in my opinion it doesn't comply with BS 7671:2018 (2020) aka the IEE Wiring Regulations.

But it's outside the habitable area.  The IET considers that there is no requirement for it to be metal. https://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/years/2015/55-special-edition-ii-2015/new-non-combustible-enclosure-requirement-for-consumer-units/

Risteard

Ectophile said:

Risteard said:

External equipment needs to be adequately IP rated. That said, "consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies in domestic (household) premises" must be made from non-combustible material, or housed in a cabinet made from non-combustible material. Ferrous metal, e.g. steel, is given as an example of non-combustible material. So in my opinion it doesn't comply with BS 7671:2018 (2020) aka the IEE Wiring Regulations.

But it's outside the habitable area.  The IET considers that there is no requirement for it to be metal. https://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/years/2015/55-special-edition-ii-2015/new-non-combustible-enclosure-requirement-for-consumer-units/

Not true. They consider the external wall of a dwelling to be part of the dwelling. They simply suggested that a detached garage might not be considered to be. That has always been their position on it, so I am assuming that this is what the article you have linked to alludes to.