Outdoor Consumer Unit ?

[Trusty Crow]

Have been asked to run cable down a garden to a sauna. Still quite new to this game so wondering what solutions are common currency for having a consumer unit in an outdoor enclosure? Obviously I'm not going to have it in the sauna so exploring having it in some kind of IP-rated box out of doors. Is this a thing?

This Lewden one is available, I notice it's plastic but presumably that's OK because it's outside and not a fire hazard. ( unless it's fixed to a wooden Sauna :-D Wondering if outdoor CUs are mostly avoided unless circumstances force their use?

Lewden IP65-REV40AS IP65 Polycarbonate EV Consumer Unit | Consumer Unit World

Shop for the Lewden IP65-REV40AS IP65 Polycarbonate EV Consumer Unit . Order online today from Consumer Unit World

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An alternative is to have the CU in an open sided summer house close by and run the sauna power from there.

Any thoughts welcomed. System will be running off a brand new single phase TNCS 100a supply being installed solely for the sauna as it is 15Kwh and too much to strap onto the existing house with ASHP and EV etc.

 

[mainline]

Have been asked to run cable down a garden to a sauna. Still quite new to this game so wondering what solutions are common currency for having a consumer unit in an outdoor enclosure? Obviously I'm not going to have it in the sauna so exploring having it in some kind of IP-rated box out of doors. Is this a thing?

Some protection from the elements would be better.

This Lewden one is available, I notice it's plastic but presumably that's OK because it's outside and not a fire hazard. ( unless it's fixed to a wooden Sauna :-D Wondering if outdoor CUs are mostly avoided unless circumstances force their use?

Plastic is preferred.

Lewden IP65-REV40AS IP65 Polycarbonate EV Consumer Unit | Consumer Unit World

Shop for the Lewden IP65-REV40AS IP65 Polycarbonate EV Consumer Unit . Order online today from Consumer Unit World

consumerunitworld.co.uk

An alternative is to have the CU in an open sided summer house close by and run the sauna power from there.

Any thoughts welcomed. System will be running off a brand new single phase TNCS 100a supply being installed solely for the sauna as it is 15Kwh and too much to strap onto the existing house with ASHP and EV etc.

The last outside supply I did, I put the Cu in an outside cabinet as it meant a shorter run for the hot tub circuits.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tricel-Electic-Electricity-Surface-Mounted/dp/B0763N34RP?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A315ZB2AEHOGH9&gQT=1

I also did a cabinet like this:

 

[brianmoooore]

Hager Vector series is the most robust plastic CU by far, but it should be installed with at least a roof over it, and in such a position as it is not exposed to direct sunlight. UV is the plastic killer, not water.

 

[SparkySy]

Hager Vector series is the most robust plastic CU by far, but it should be installed with at least a roof over it, and in such a position as it is not exposed to direct sunlight. UV is the plastic killer, not water.

I use these a lot on agricultural jobs, they are an excellent board and my main choice.
I have used the Lewden ones before and Niglon, but they are not as robust as the Hager Vector range.

 

[brianmoooore]

I use these a lot on agricultural jobs, they are an excellent board and my main choice.

It's the only one robust enough to take a SWA gland and supply sized SWA cable.
The only one that I've ever had fail was a twin row one on a concrete block wall that was totally demolished by a runaway tractor, and even then, the entire front and door survived undamaged.