Adding an enclosure next to the Distribution Board

[Michael Stolman]

Inside my DB board I currently have a Toptronic timer, with built in battery to keep time, running my geyser at certain times in the morning and evening. This works great if it were not for load shedding where the cycle to run would pass during load shedding. However to overcome this problem I would like to install a Sonoff smart switch Timer connected to/with a double pole 20amp contactor to run my geyser basically on a second timer which can be activated very simply via remote or cell phone app. However I have no space available in my DB board but then am I allowed to fit the Sonoff and contactor in a small plastic enclosure right next to the DB board and have a small cut-out in the plastic cover of the DB board cover to run a single surfix cable from the DB circuit breaker through the Sonoff and contactor and back to the circuit breaker bypassing the Toptronic timer?

[Isetech]

Dont waste your time, just fit a CBI ASC or ASI, no need for a contactor.

I install a lot of ASC's and highly recomend them, even though CBI is not my prefered supplier for MCB's and ELU's etc (they are way too expensive)

If you shop around, you can get them for around R500.

[Isetech]

Watch for specials, sometimes I get them for R450, I buy out all the stock.

https://www.builders.co.za/Electrical/Plugs,-Sockets-%26-Switches/Smart-Electrical/CBI-Astute-Smart-Controller---Grey-Black/p/000000000000744335?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0bunBhD9ARIsAAZl0E3VZUJtIp3wlIE9sVW03ifW9CrkylI7D1cFhjP-ZpjsHduoSzar79MaArNXEALw_wcB

[Michael Stolman]

Dont waste your time, just fit a CBI ASC or ASI, no need for a contactor.

I install a lot of ASC's and highly recomend them, even though CBI is not my prefered supplier for MCB's and ELU's etc (they are way too expensive)

If you shop around, you can get them for around R500.

Thanks so much for the feedback guys. I had a look at the CBI ASC which looks like a great product. Being a hobbyist in electronics/electrical I am already using several Sonoffs to set up lights in the house, pool pump, irrigation system, geyser using the Sonoff timer and the handy remote transmitter that goes with it. Comparing Sonoff and ASC, Sonoff to me has more functionality and as mentioned is the route that I have already gone. Prior to the crazy load-shedding we have had the Toptronic served its purpose well. Then came the aggressive load-shedding which through a spanner in the works. So I then went the Sonoff/contactor (Sonoff R200 Contactor R115) route which I connected to a socket in the roof via a bathroom heater cable in the roof thereby supplying a second live and neutral to the input of the Geyser isolator. (I understand that this is not a problem as they are both on the same single phase) So the input supply to the Isolator basically has two feeds, one from the Geyser circuit breaker and one from the Sonoff in the roof. I always make sure that I comply with the regs but think that this setup of two live from 2 different courses is not ideal in terms of the regs. Hence my thought is to rather move the Sonoff/Contactor to next to the DB and feed only one supply via the Geyser circuit breaker. In due course I will probably just scrap the Toptronic and run the geyser only via the Sonoff/contactor setup. (Rather complicated I know )
So my question is still, can I have the Sonoff/contactor in a plastic container next to the DB as outlined in my original posting??

[Derlyn]

As long as you have a main 2 pole isolator or circuit breaker in that sub db / "container" to isolate the supply to everything inside that sub db with the appropriate labelling then it's no problem and perfectly legal. It will be a sub db.

[Michael Stolman]

As long as you have a main 2 pole isolator or circuit breaker in that sub db / "container" to isolate the supply to everything inside that sub db with the appropriate labelling then it's no problem and perfectly legal. It will be a sub db.

Thanks very much Derlyn - that is what I will do.

[Andrew_van_Zyl]

I'm a huge fan of the CBI unit and have several in my bakkie to install when needed. Best thing for me is to be able to switch on my geyser (a 4kW beast) when I leave site if I need a shower when I get home. Otherwise I program it to run my geyser for 1 hour a day. Even my 84 year old father in law has figured out how it works on his phone app.

[Isetech]

Very important, you can manually overide it on the unit.

I use them for all the lights in the house, It is set to stay off after load shedding, you dont wake to a million lights on in the house when there is load shedding from 10-12pm.

I'm a huge fan of the CBI unit and have several in my bakkie to install when needed. Best thing for me is to be able to switch on my geyser (a 4kW beast) when I leave site if I need a shower when I get home. Otherwise I program it to run my geyser for 1 hour a day. Even my 84 year old father in law has figured out how it works on his phone app.