Alternative ways of mounting a CU

[Tony Way]

Hi all

I had a discussion with a sparky friend today about whether you can mount a CU vertically rather than the usually accepted horizontal orientation.

Is there any reason why it can't/shouldn't be done??

Thanks

Tony

 

[pennywise]

It would look p****d

couldn't help it.

 

[JulianC]

If it's not suitably IP rated, all the electric might run out of the end.

 

[Bobby B]

I know of no reason why other than it's rough as hell. theres always another way

If it's not suitably IP rated, all the electric might run out of the end.

oh yeah and that

 

[baldsparkies]

Well it certainly would have no effect on the mcb's, (Thinking 3 phase board) But it sure would look odd. Not to mention neck ache looking at the circuit chart. May not be considered good electrical practice though.

 

[ghost]

A good question, certainly not a question I have been asked before!
Obviously it's going to look a bit bizzare, as opposed to the normal horizontal mounting, but 3 phase boards have their mcbs mounted in this orientation, so, I suppose not. I'll certainly be interested to hear of any official reply, if you asked the likes of Wylex or other manufacturers of their thoughts on the matter.
I bet it has been done by somebody though!!!!!

 

[JulianC]

I can see no real reason not to do this other than it might look a bit odd.

 

[xraytek]

If space is so limited that it has to be mounted vertically, then I would imagine it must also have limited access which would be against regs.

 

[bugsy]

Technicaly there is no reason why a CU could not be mounted vertically
However asthetically it look as it had been installed the R Charles and S wonder contracting company,
I'm assuming there is a lack of space but please try mount it vertically even if you have to move it and extend cables

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Only thing I can think of is potential heating effects. Vertical stacked commercials tend to have more internal air space.........just a thought

 

[Tony Way]

I'm actually going to increase the size of the exisiting enclosure so I can mount the new CU in the usual fashion. Just thought I'd ask, because other than the 'it would look crap argument', we couldn't come up with a decent reason either.