ᐅ Requirements for Temporary Power Distribution Boxes / Construction Site Power Panels
Created on: 7 Oct 2022 13:05
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Oberhäslich
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything suitable in the search…
Since May 2021, there is a new VDE regulation regarding temporary site power distribution boxes. They must be equipped with Type B RCDs and a main switch. The box must also be lockable. Before that, between 2018 and 2021, there was a transitional period. So far, so good.
I’m now looking for a used site power distribution box on eBay Kleinanzeigen. Unfortunately, it seems that all of them still have the older Type A installed. I’d rather not upgrade, as an RCD typically costs between 100-200€ (about $110-$220) depending on the brand, plus installation.
Now I have a good offer through classified ads. According to the seller, the box was connected by an electrician as late as July 2021, i.e., after the transitional period. I looked up the RCDs and both seem to be older models, not Type B. At least the box has a main switch.
The seller said, based on his electrician, that for private building projects it is not relevant whether Type B is installed; this requirement only applies to commercial construction. I’m unfortunately not an expert and feel doubly uncertain. I’d preferably not buy a box that I can’t have connected later. Does anyone have advice? I haven’t engaged an electrician yet.
Since May 2021, there is a new VDE regulation regarding temporary site power distribution boxes. They must be equipped with Type B RCDs and a main switch. The box must also be lockable. Before that, between 2018 and 2021, there was a transitional period. So far, so good.
I’m now looking for a used site power distribution box on eBay Kleinanzeigen. Unfortunately, it seems that all of them still have the older Type A installed. I’d rather not upgrade, as an RCD typically costs between 100-200€ (about $110-$220) depending on the brand, plus installation.
Now I have a good offer through classified ads. According to the seller, the box was connected by an electrician as late as July 2021, i.e., after the transitional period. I looked up the RCDs and both seem to be older models, not Type B. At least the box has a main switch.
The seller said, based on his electrician, that for private building projects it is not relevant whether Type B is installed; this requirement only applies to commercial construction. I’m unfortunately not an expert and feel doubly uncertain. I’d preferably not buy a box that I can’t have connected later. Does anyone have advice? I haven’t engaged an electrician yet.
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Oberhäslich7 Oct 2022 16:57Not at all 🙂 There is a company in Leipzig that rents out almost new temporary power distribution boards for 25€ per month. Picking up and returning them would not be an issue for me. A used one costs 220€, plus the 2 RCDs which might be around 200€. Buying used could end up more expensive if I need to have anything repaired. Renting would cost me a maximum of around 100-150€.
Don’t get caught up in minor details. Make sure you get a temporary power distribution box that can also run the crane. A difference of 100–200 € (about $110–220) is nothing compared to the hassle if the crane won’t operate (we had exactly that situation and had to upgrade for nearly 400 € (about $440). Thanks to good connections with an electrician, we got this done late in the evening just before the crane’s startup. By the way, the box owner covered the 400 €).
100 or 200 € (about $110–220) is still “a lot” of money, but during construction, I learned that there’s always a “small” issue for 500 € (about $550), followed by steps of 1K, 5K, and serious thinking about how to pay for it all.
100 or 200 € (about $110–220) is still “a lot” of money, but during construction, I learned that there’s always a “small” issue for 500 € (about $550), followed by steps of 1K, 5K, and serious thinking about how to pay for it all.
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k-man20217 Oct 2022 19:28If the difference between buying and renting is this small, I would definitely rent from the contractor = crane operator. My employer often sets up machines with frequency converters on (industrial) construction sites, which are then connected to the client’s temporary power distribution. In about 50% of cases, there are issues because the RCD of the temporary power distribution does not match the frequency converter or the RCD of our machine, or there is one RCD too many, or... and so on. Given the effort required to resolve this, I would always avoid it—if it is possible “for a small cost”—and choose the same person responsible for the crane and the temporary power distribution.
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Oberhäslich7 Oct 2022 20:53Thank you for the example and the advice. I’d rather borrow something sensible and new.
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xMisterDx8 Oct 2022 11:24Each temporary power box has at least a 16A CEE outlet. Otherwise, the plasterers will be out of luck at the latest because the mixer won’t run—it requires three-phase power. But the bricklayers will probably have trouble with their band saw as well...
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