ESB Meter box - chipboard panel rotting away

somebodude

Chipboard holding meter and terminals is crumbling from damp.

I've contacted ESBN to rectify, but what materials would be suitable to avoid this problem ?

Fireproof marine ply ? Treated OCB ?

horseman34

If that was my home I'd want a new box installed

somebodude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120610829#Comment_120610829

with the same shitey chipboard? or ... ?

horseman34

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120612416#Comment_120612416

The cabinets come with a board

10-10-20

If you ask me, the existing cabinet has a leak somewhere, otherwise where has all of the damp and mold appeared from? Trace that down before you go replacing it anyway.

somebodude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120612718#Comment_120612718

Mean monthly relative humidity hereabouts (beyond the pale! west of the shannnon!) is, for January, 90%

There is no 'dry' basically

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120613081#Comment_120613081

Wow, right. Maybe a fire-proof backer board would be better in this situation then.

antoinolachtnai

Or sheet of polycarbonate?

monseiur

If there's a building site nearby or if you know a local builder get an off cut of WBP 3/4'' plywood, (a building site skip is an ideal place to look) - cut it to size, the ESB lads will fit it for you.

Cerco

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120612718#Comment_120612718

Good advice here. I would also check the inside wall for any signs of dampness. I never saw anything like that even in the most remote and wettest part of the country.

sparcocars

If your property is supplied via an overhead connection (the other end of the esb cable goes to the top of a pole) and the head of the cable is not weather sealed then this is most likely how the water is getting in to soak the board.

Water flows downhill and will always find its way.

I would put money on it that when the esb fuse unit is stripped out there will be evidence of the water coming out of it.

Have seen it plenty of times.