ECON® Iso +
First electrical installation box for mounting in wood fibre insulation boards
Schalksmühle. KAISER, the specialist for boxes, housings and systems for professional electrical installations, has now introduced the first installation box specially for wood fibre insulation panels to the market. Wood fibre insulation boards are among the natural insulating materials and are seen as an ecological alternative to foamed polystyrene materials such as EPS and XPS. In addition to insulation for roofs, ceilings and floors, the wood fibre insulation board is used increasingly as a composite thermal insulation system (WDVS) for external and internal walls.
In the past, there were no suitable installation boxes for electrical installation work in the insulation level of fibreboards. For this reason, the electrician had no choice but to develop unconventional solutions using conventional products. For example, cavity wall or flush-mounting boxes in wood fibre insulation boards were also glued in position in order to achieve the required torsion and pull-out security. However, according to DIN 18015-5, this method is not permitted. It is an untested solution whose execution can be seen as faulty, because there is no functional guarantee and, in the worst case, building damage may result.
Practice-oriented solution
Against this background, by means of its ECON® Iso + one-gang junction box, KAISER – working closely with leading manufacturers in the insulation materials industry – has developed a practice-oriented and coordinated solution which makes possible easy, fast and secure mounting in wood fibre insulation boards. In contrast to the commonly-used composite thermal insulation systems made of foamed insulation materials, the wood fibre and its high gross density present special problems for the fixing. For this purpose, the ECON® Iso + installation box is fitted with four swivels which were developed specifically for the insulation panels which are used. Thanks to their optimal geometry, these swivels cut into the wood fibres where they anchor themselves absolutely tightly. The offset arrangement of the swivels on two levels give the box a secure fit, although at the same time they require a low mounting force. In addition, more longitudinal bridges also bite into the wood fibres and ensure support against twisting.
Tried-and-tested ECON® technology ensures air-tightness
The new one-gang junction box is equipped with tried-and-tested ECON® technology for air-tight installation in the insulation level. By securely enclosing the cable or conduit, an elastic membrane guarantees air-tightness in accordance with the EnEV (German Energy-Saving Ordinance) and efficiently prevents unwanted heat losses through the building shell. The ECON® Iso + offers four conduit entries up to M20, with two in the side wall and two in the box base. In the same areas there are also four entries for sheathed cables. The different arrangement allows both a vertical cable feed through the wall construction and near-surface laying in pre-cut channels. The air-tight connection of multiple boxes for through-wiring with combinations of devices can be carried out with a support connector which is also inserted with the use of a tool via an opening tab on the box. Sealing lips on the base of the box and on the swivels seal the box securely against the insulation panel, so no exchange of air - possibly resulting in moisture-related damage caused by convection - can take place.
Optimised ease of mounting
The ECON® Iso + is designed to be especially easy to mount. It can be fitted by the electrician without the need for coordination with other trades, because this may result in delays on the building site. Later extensions in existing electrical installations are easy to carry out. For fitting work in insulated external or internal walls, a matching installation opening must be cut using a hardened metal cutter (available as a system accessory) and a centering aid. Even when a cable has been laid in walls which are already insulated and plastered, a centering aid can be used to cut an opening without any damage to the cable. Four markings on the box edge help the fitter to align the box during installation.
If the drill hole is too deep, the holding ring in combination with the plaster layer ensures that the box cannot be inserted too deeply. Anchoring does not take place on the wall, but directly in the insulation material. Installation is possible in insulation panels with a thickness of 60 mm and greater. Use the setting tool (included) to push the four integrated swivels into the wood fibres, where they anchor themselves firmly and ensure a secure fit for the installation box. Although the material is compacted, this mounting process can be carried out with minimal pressure. This creates a mechanically and permanently secure fixing without any additional aids such as adhesive, foam, dowels or similar.
Before insertion, the fitter feeds the cable for the accessory connection through the appropriate opening. For mounting switches or sockets, ECON® Iso + is equipped with four screw domes which allow variable and precise alignment. The device screws have a Plus-Minus head of the type found in switches, sockets and terminal blocks, so mounting can take place with a single screwdriver which matches the screw head.
The included mounting frame is for use if the box is already in place before the layers of plaster are applied. Simply fit the mounting frame over the box as far as the holding ring. It functions as a stop and efficiently prevents too-deep insertion of the box, above all in insulation panels with lower gross density. The shape of the mounting ring is designed in such a way that multiple combinations are still possible.
The new ECON® Iso + one-gang junction box complies with the normative requirements of an air-tight and heat bridge-free electrical installation in accordance with DIN 18015-5, with proof of air tightness in accordance with DIN EN 13829. This ensures that when the electrician is carrying out installation work in the wood fibre insulation boards which are used more and more frequently, he can always rely on the secure, air-tight, halogen-free and time-saving KAISER box solution.
