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DARREN OVEREND: WE WERE CALLED OUT TO AN OUTDOOR LIGHTING JOINT BOX WHICH HAD BEEN REPORTED AS ‘GETTING HOT’. THIS PICTURE MIGHT EXPLAIN WHY…!
When designing an electrical installation any external influences that can affect installed equipment must be taken into account and the appropriate measures employed to prevent safety issues or damage occurring throughout the expected lifespan.
Although steel conduit boxes can be utilised for external installation, further steps would have needed to be taken to prevent ingress of moisture, water or condensation. The normal neoprene gaskets for fitting under the box lid, while providing some protection, would not eliminate water ingress or condensation.
The conduit box in the image displays a few issues, where the box has been installed vertically and has not been fitted with a suitable IP rated cable gland at the top. The evidence of silicon around the gland and within the box is evidence of the incompatibility for the location installed.
The evidence of water ingress, the build-up of corrosion and the apparent tracking between live conductors or to the earthed metalwork without the operation of the lighting circuit overcurrent protective device would lead to the creation of a mini water heater. If the circuit protective conductor has not been terminated, which is difficult to verify from a photograph, it could also be a contributory factor in the conduit box overheating.
Therefore, the classification code would be a C2, Potentially dangerous – urgent remedial action required, for lack of consideration for external influences, tracking fault between conductors and apparent lack of continuity of the circuit protective conductor.
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