Had an idea, anyone tried it or think it may work?

[Mattja]

I'll keep the blurb brief for you all!

Old fusebox in bathroom cupboard. No suitable place it could realistically be moved to. Clear signs of corrosion damage (I've cut back the damaged parts and reterminated). Upgrading to CU in a few weeks when client is back from holiday.

My idea is to install a fan pumping air from the adjacent room (dining room end of combined kitchen-dining room) through a duct and into the cupboard to create positive pressure, hoping to stop (or greatly reduce) steam from the shower getting into the cupboard. There's no window in there since it's below street level, so they would always turn the light (and hence the fan) on when using the shower.

P.S. yes there's already a bathroom fan installed as normal

 

[Silly Sausage]

Sod all that.
Stick the new CU in a suitably IP rated enclosure and glands for the cables.

 

[StephenRowley]

I'm with archy.

 

[Wilko]

Hi - another thought - is it possible to put it on the other side of the wall ? (where your air vent was going? ). I'm guessing the flat is fed via a switch fuse and swa to the board, but in the bathroom ... .
The issue with your +ve pressure idea is that I think the installation would have to be under supervision, as the release from having the correct IP.
Just fyi, the Last Electrician at my home put the CU in a kitchen cupboard. It is accessible (just) but has halved the household tea cup capacity. Shocking !

 

[Mattja]

Unfortuntely I can't put it in an enclosure. CU is barely going to fit as it is. If you know of a CU that is rated to at least IPX2 to protect from condensation and complies with amd3 I'd love a link as I've not found one.

 

[Midwest]

It should go in a suitable location.

Where it is, is not suitable apparently. It needs to go somewhere more suitable. When you've added you fan thing etc, and when it starts going Pete Tong (which it will), you'll inherit the problem. The problem is not yours, but the owners to bear.

 

[Mattja]

@Wilko from my view yes. Client isn't happy with the idea though.

A fan I can hide up in the corner just above the cabinets, but a CU plonked in the middle of the fancy plates and silverware is a little more conspicuous >.<

Thinking I may have to insist upon move it there and hope he's still willing to have it done. Wish me luck on that then.

 

[Mattja]

thanks for your feedback guys

 

[Flanders]

Could you not install a plastic IP rated consumer unit and put it down as a deviation, proving that it is safer, as long as you tighten all the conections up it will a dam site safer than a metal one full of water

 

[PEG]

You are adding an extra,which may have unintended influences.
I presume the cupboard is sealed? ....so you will need two vents,in and out,and decide where they go to and from...

I suppose,it would be a departure....in the same way,as not fitting a metal enclosure,but mitigating the risk of fire,in the new plastic one,by mounting a constant 24 hour video feed of it,to your smartphone,so it can be monitored.