External distribution box: first plan the installation location and required connections
An externally installed distribution box is appropriate when sockets and connection technology need to be permanently accessible without the installation dominating the façade or outdoor area as an exposed unit. What matters is not having as many connections as possible, but choosing the right combination of installation location, SCHUKO/CEE requirements, locking mechanism and a professionally planned electrical installation.
The current GRIMM BIG 515B-GS is designed as a recessed distribution box. It houses the socket strip protected inside; when in use, the cable can be routed out through the lower opening and the front closed again.
Brushed stainless steel or RAL colour: which suits the building?
The technical function remains the same, but the effect on the building can be very different. Especially with a recessed solution, the front forms a permanent part of the façade – so it is worth choosing the finish deliberately.
What equipment does the distribution box need?
The enclosure should not be purchased independently of its intended use. With the GRIMM BIG, enclosure, socket strip and access type can be combined to suit the task.
| Planning item | Current GRIMM-BIG option | Practical benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure | Recessed distribution box approx. 710 × 410 × 150 mm | The equipment is integrated into the wall rather than being mounted as an additional surface-mounted unit in front of the area. |
| Without equipment | Distribution box without socket strip | Sensible if the technical equipment is to be planned separately. |
| SCHUKO | 3 × SCHUKO 16 A / 230 V | For typical 230 V devices, provided the supply and protective concept are planned accordingly. |
| CEE + SCHUKO | CEE 16 A / 400 V + CEE 16 A / 230 V + SCHUKO | For projects where different connection types are needed at a protected point. |
| Cable exit | Cable routing through the lower opening | A connected cable can be routed to the outside while the front is closed. |
| Access | Lever lock, cam lock or RFID lock | Access can be adapted to private, communal or controlled-use areas. |
Distribution box and socket column serve different purposes
The recessed distribution box is the right choice when a protected connection area should be integrated directly into a wall or a structurally prepared surface. It keeps the technology visually discreet and creates a lockable area for the chosen socket configuration.
If power is required in an outdoor area such as a garden, parking space, campsite or depot, a freestanding energy or socket column is often the more suitable solution. It stands where the connection is needed and does not have to be attached to a building wall.
The sister category includes compact BASIC columns, modular ORDO solutions and larger GRIMM energy columns with an enclosed distribution area.
The distribution box is usually the right choice if …
- a wall or masonry is available as the installation location,
- the technology should be integrated as inconspicuously as possible,
- the connection area should be lockable,
- SCHUKO and/or CEE should be protected inside the enclosure,
- later cable use should be possible despite a closed front.
Prepare the installation, plan the electrical connection professionally
The distribution box is a component of the outdoor area – however, the electrical equipment installed in it is part of the electrical installation. For this reason, enclosure position and wall opening should be defined early, while supply, protection, safety measures and the exact socket configuration should be planned by a suitably qualified electrician.
The GRIMM-BIG recessed distribution box has pre-punched cable entries and fixing points on several sides. This simplifies the structural preparation but does not replace professional electrical design. The suitability of the components used must also be appropriate for the location and environmental conditions of the specific project.
Frequently asked questions about distribution boxes for outdoor use
What is a recessed distribution box for external use suitable for?
It is suitable for projects where sockets and connection technology should be permanently available on a wall but not mounted visibly as an exposed installation. The box integrates the technology into the wall and creates a closed access that can be controlled depending on the lock type.
Is the GRIMM BIG 515B-GS supplied with sockets?
The equipment is selectable. The distribution box can be configured without a socket strip or with the offered SCHUKO/CEE strips. In addition, individual configurations are possible on request.
Which connections are possible in the distribution box?
Currently, for example, a strip with three SCHUKO sockets and a mixed version with CEE 16 A / 400 V, CEE 16 A / 230 V and SCHUKO are offered. Which variant is technically sensible depends on the intended appliances and the electrical planning.
Can the front be closed when a device is connected?
The product concept provides a lower opening for cable routing. This allows a connected cable to be routed to the outside while the front is closed.
Is the distribution box available in RAL colour?
Yes. The GRIMM BIG is available with a brushed stainless steel finish or powder-coated in a RAL colour. This allows the visible front to be matched to the façade or other outdoor components.
Who is allowed to connect the distribution box electrically?
Mechanical installation of the enclosure and the electrical connection are distinct steps. Supply cable, protective devices, socket configuration and commissioning should be planned and carried out by a suitably qualified electrician.
When is a socket column better than a distribution box?
If the power connection is required freely on an area rather than directly on a wall, a freestanding energy or socket column is usually more suitable. For wall-integrated, lockable technology, the recessed distribution box is the more appropriate design.
Still undecided about configuration, colour or installation details?
Please tell us the installation location, desired finish and required connection types. BML will check the suitable enclosure and equipment variant and can coordinate individual configurations specific to the project.
