Want to manage energy safely and conveniently outside your building? You will need an external switchboard. It is a key element of the electrical installation, enabling efficient energy distribution regardless of weather conditions. There are many options to choose from. Not sure which external electrical switchboard will work well in your garden? Wondering where to place the electrical box? The most important factors to consider when purchasing and installing electrical switchboards can be found in our guide.
Check out the outdoor electrical switchboards at the Onninen wholesaler
What should the outdoor switchboard be made of?
When choosing an electrical switchboard for the outside of your home or business, weather resistance should be a priority. It contains fuses, differential circuit breakers, relays and other components that protect the electrical installation and devices from current overloads and surges, and users from electric shock. The safety of the equipment is ensured by a special housing. Thanks to their durable, tight housings, electrical switchboards are adapted to work outside buildings. The installation is not threatened by rain, snow, dust or dirt. The degree of protection is expressed by the IP symbol. For use in unfavorable conditions, with the risk of dust or moisture, an external electrical box with a degree of protection IP54, and preferably a higher one, e.g. IP65, is designed. On the other hand, the IP31 box is suitable for installation in a dry, heated utility room, e.g. in a boiler room.
The safety of electrical installation operation is also significantly influenced by the materials from which the switchboard is made. Some of the most resistant materials to external factors are steel, aluminum and modern plastics, such as polycarbonate. It is worth knowing that the requirements for low-voltage electrical switchboards are specified in the PN-EN 60439-3 standard.
Where should you place an external switchboard?
Polish law does not have any regulations indicating specific locations for installing a distribution box. The guidelines are provided by the SEP standards, but their compliance is not obligatory. Depending on the type selected, an external electrical distribution box can be mounted in a building wall in a suitably prepared opening (flush-mounted distribution box) or directly on its surface (surface-mounted distribution box). Surface-mounted distribution boxes are easy to install and easily accessible to the user, but they can be eye-catching and take up some usable space.
On the other hand, flush-mounted switchboards provide a more discreet, aesthetic effect, hence their great popularity, but they are associated with greater interference with the building. Regardless of the method of installation, free and quick access to fuses should be provided in the event of a failure, fire or other critical situation. Do not install the box in tight, remote corners of the garden! A home electrical switchboard can also be in the form of a free-standing box.
Check out the outdoor electrical switchboards at the Onninen wholesaler
Which external switchboard should I choose for a single-family home?
In a single-family home, a garden switchboard will work perfectly to power the lighting, garden vacuum cleaner, power tools or irrigation system. Inside, there are fuses, switches, sockets and other elements that allow control and distribution of electricity in the garden or on the plot. Electrical switchboards differ in type, dimensions, degree of protection, number of control positions and even color. Therefore, it is best to consult the choice with a specialist who will examine the individual needs, in particular, look at the degree of expansion of the electrical network and environmental conditions.
When planning to use it in extreme conditions, the optimal solution will be a hermetic switchboard . You can safely install it in places exposed to flooding, dust, dirt and significant temperature fluctuations. Both the electrical installation and individual garden devices will be effectively protected against damage. Hermetic switchboards are made of high-quality materials. They have a closed housing with an increased IP65/IP67 tightness class and impact resistance. They are also used in industry, where a high degree of IP protection is required. Special embossments facilitate the introduction of cabling to connect individual circuits.
Outdoor switchboards in the Onninen wholesaler
In the assortment of the Onninen electrical wholesaler you will find garden switchboards that combine comfort of use, safety and aesthetic design. They are widely used in installations made outside buildings. We have solutions for installation not only in home gardens, but also on plots, terraces, construction sites, industrial areas, etc. You can order outdoor switchboards from us, ready to connect, equipped with modular equipment (chain of modules, DC/AC surge arresters or overcurrent circuit breaker).
We also supply metal hermetic switchboards in sets with a mounting plate, which, depending on the type of selected equipment, can, in addition to distributing electrical energy, enable measurement, control of electrical devices, control and supervision of the production process. We offer products from renowned suppliers, such as Emiter , Schneider Electric or Sabaj . Each device meets the highest quality and safety standards, which is confirmed by approvals and certificates. The vast majority of outdoor switchboards have a degree of protection IP65.
Still not sure which electrical switchboard to choose for your garden, plot or outside your company building? Wondering how many and what kind of sockets you need? Contact us! We will talk about your requirements and working conditions. We provide professional support in choosing the right outdoor switchboard, its equipment and accessories. Although we are a wholesaler, we also run an online retail sale. However, electricians and installers have special terms of cooperation.
Check out the outdoor electrical switchboards at the Onninen wholesaler