DB Board placement

[mike@shepstone.org]

Hi there. I hope someone can advise me. I have just sold my house in Germiston and received a CoC from an apparently certified electrician.
Now that the new owners are moving in they claim that the CoC is wrong as the DB board is outside on the side of the house. They claim that it has to be inside the house by law. I have lived in that house for 15 years and have never been told the board is illegal.
Is it true that the board has to be located inside the house?
Thanks,
Mike.

[ians]

Disclaimer: I have never been to the site so my comment are merely my opinion of what could be the issue.

Request a report with reference to the code would be a good start ...

I am sure section 5.3.7 on page 69 ... would be a good start.

For all we know the main switch could be inside the house and the DB outside.

Something to add ... in the old days the meter and "fuse box" was mounted on the wall on the front verandah right up against the ceiling ... so you had to go outside climb on a chair and scratch around in a wooden box full of porcelain fuses ... to switch off the power or isolate a circuit ... if the fuse blew ... a thick wire or nail would fix the problem ... man I am getting old.

[Derlyn]

Nowhere in the regulations can I find that a DB is not allowed to be outside.

It does not have to be inside.

However, distribution boards must be suitable for the environmental conditions in which it operates. 6.6.1.4 and
Distribution boards shall be protected against corrosion. 6.6.1.5

Conclusion: If the DB is weatherproof it is acceptable.

That's my take according to the regulations.

I have, in the past, issued COC's for domestic houses with DB's outside, no problem.

Let's hear what the other toppies say.

Peace out ... Derek

[skatingsparks]

I'm with Derek on this one. As long as suitably IP rated and IP rating not compromised then I can't see any problem with it being outside.

Not a fan of Eave boxes but they are designed to be outside.

[mike@shepstone.org]

Hi all. Thanks very much for your replies! Just to mention the main switch is also in the DB enclosure.
So my take on it is that as long as the enclosure is weatherproof it should still be legal.

[Dave A]

Now that the new owners are moving in they claim that the CoC is wrong as the DB board is outside on the side of the house. They claim that it has to be inside the house by law.

That sounds like a purchaser trying it on rather than the findings of a competent person.
Derlyn is 100% correct.

[AndyD]

As per Dave, sounds like they're trying their luck. Ask them to state the regulation they believe supports their position.