Mollom 18 Way Power Distribution Box with Bus Bars and Din Rail for Miniature Circuit Breaker MCB, Waterproof IP66.Padlock Available for Indoor and Outdoor Use

Why I picked the Mollom 18-way enclosure

I needed a compact, weatherproof distribution box that could take a run of miniature circuit breakers on a DIN rail, survive outdoors, and still look tidy on a wall that’s not an industrial plant room. The Mollom 18-way enclosure checked those boxes on paper: IP66, IK08 impact resistance, clear viewing window, and a full-width DIN rail with included neutral/earth bars. After a few weeks of fitting it out and living with it, I can say it’s a capable, cost-effective enclosure—provided you understand its strengths and a few limitations.

Build, sealing, and durability

The body is a PC+ABS alloy, which strikes a reasonable balance between toughness and weight. It’s not a metal can, but the enclosure doesn’t feel flimsy. The lid compresses evenly onto a continuous gasket, and the cover tolerances are good. I hosed it down (directed spray, not a pressure washer at point-blank), and the interior stayed dry—consistent with an IP66 claim. The clear window is stiff enough to avoid flexing while you latch it, and the padlock tab accepts a small lock for casual tamper deterrence.

Impact resistance is listed as IK08. I didn’t subject it to sledgehammer testing, but routine bumps and handling left no marks. If you’re installing in a high-traffic or vandal-prone area, I’d still consider a heavier-gauge metal enclosure. For general outdoor use—solar arrays on a wall, a charging spur, or a weather-exposed utility corner—this is fit for purpose.

Hardware is stainless, and the package includes three waterproof cable glands. The finish and molding are neat; no sharp edges or flashing. It looks clean on a wall, which matters when the install is visible.

Layout and capacity

Inside, you get a 35 mm DIN rail spanning the width, plus two bus bars mounted in blue holders—one intended for neutral and one for earth/ground. There isn’t a dedicated phase/line distribution bar, so plan to use a proper comb busbar for your MCBs or a separate terminal block if your scheme requires it.

At 390 x 110 x 235 mm, the enclosure is relatively shallow for an 18-way face. Space is sufficient for a row of MCBs and neat routing, but bending radius becomes a consideration with larger-gauge wires or stiff solar PV cable. Top and bottom cable entry work best; side entry is possible but tight, and rear entry isn’t what the housing geometry is optimised for. If you’re packing a lot of devices or heavy gauge conductors, treat this as a compact board and plan accordingly.

The cover has a clear viewing window so you can see device states without opening. The window panel is retained by spring latches; it’s not a hinged, swing-open door. That’s fine for inspection and quick access but means you’ll set the window aside while working inside. The overall aesthetic is modern and unobtrusive.

Installation experience

• Mounting: The backplate provides internal mounting points so you can fix the enclosure without compromising the seal. I used four fasteners into masonry with wall anchors, and the unit sits flush and rigid. Because the case is plastic, don’t overtighten and deform the back.

• Cable entries: There are no knockouts. You’ll mark and drill your own holes. A step bit works best for clean, round openings. Deburr carefully and match gland sizes for the IP rating to remain meaningful. The included glands are handy for small to medium cable, but plan for additional glands or conduit fittings depending on your layout.

• DIN rail and bars: The DIN rail alignment was good. The neutral and earth bars snap into their holders; on mine, the bars needed a firm press to seat fully. Once in, they’re secure. The bars are reasonably sized for typical home or small commercial circuits.

• Fasteners: The cover screws bite into plastic bosses. They hold well if you don’t over-torque, but repeated removal will always be the enemy of plastic threads. Use a hand screwdriver for the last quarter turn, and avoid power drivers. A small dab of silicone grease on the gasket helps prevent sticking without compromising the seal.

• Labeling and layout: There’s no printed circuit index strip or label kit. Add your own legend for clarity. I routed conductors using low-profile stick-on tie bases; the case depth makes that a useful accessory for tidy bends.

Performance in use

Once populated with MCBs and wired to a small subpanel application, the enclosure stayed dry through rain and hose spray. The window made it easy to confirm breaker states at a glance. Thermal performance was uneventful; with modest current and reasonable spacing, there’s adequate air volume inside. The latch action remained positive after multiple open/close cycles.

For DC breaker applications (like small PV strings), the enclosure is well-suited as long as you use appropriately rated devices and glands. The neutral/earth bars become nonessential in pure DC circuits, but they’re handy when mixing AC and DC sections across different projects.

Safety, ratings, and compliance

The enclosure is advertised with an IP66 rating and an IK08 impact rating. Those are meaningful for environmental protection and basic durability. My sample did not carry the sort of third-party listing marks (e.g., UL/CSA) typically required by some jurisdictions for enclosures used in fixed wiring of occupied buildings. The documentation included a test report reference, but that’s not the same as a formal listing. If your installation falls under an authority having jurisdiction, confirm what’s acceptable before you install. For many low-risk or non-inspected applications (equipment shelters, sheds, off-grid systems) this is a non-issue; for commercial interiors or certain residential scenarios, it may matter.

As always: use MCBs and accessories with ratings appropriate to your system voltage, current, and fault level; maintain clearances; and follow the wiring code where you live.

Where it shines

• Weather-exposed distribution where a neat appearance matters
• Compact AC subpanels for workshops, outbuildings, and small guest suites
• PV combiner or DC breaker groupings (with the right devices)
• Rapid projects where an included DIN rail, neutral/earth bars, and glands speed up the job

What could be better

• No preformed knockouts means more layout work. I prefer removable knockouts for common gland sizes; this enclosure is drill-only.
• Interior depth is on the lean side. It’s fine for typical branch circuits but becomes awkward with multiple heavy conductors or rigid cable.
• The included bars cover neutral and earth only. You’ll need a DIN comb busbar or separate terminals for line distribution.
• The cover uses thread-forming screws into plastic bosses. They hold, but repeated removal deserves a light touch to preserve the threads.
• The window isn’t hinged. It’s secure, but you have to remove and set it aside while working.

Practical tips for a cleaner install

• Plan the entry points and cable routes before drilling. A cardboard template helps align glands evenly.
• Use a step bit and a backer block for clean holes, and add gland locknuts inside for firm clamping.
• Support heavier cables with clips nearby so the glands aren’t bearing the full weight.
• If installed outdoors, add a slight drip loop on each cable and, if possible, mount with a small overhang or eave above for longevity.
• Consider a DIN rail comb busbar to tidy line feeds across a row of MCBs.

Bottom line

The Mollom 18-way enclosure is a solid, good-looking, and genuinely weather-resistant box that makes DIN-rail projects straightforward. The included rail, neutral/earth bars, stainless hardware, and cable glands get you moving quickly, and the clear window adds convenience. Its compact depth and drill-only entries demand a bit more planning, and you’ll want to bring your own comb busbar for line distribution. For light to medium-duty electrical distribution—especially where IP66 protection is important—it’s a strong value.

Recommendation: I recommend it for outdoor or indoor installations where you need a compact, IP66-rated DIN-rail enclosure and don’t require a heavy-gauge metal box or formal third-party listing. If your job needs a hinged door, deeper wiring space, or mandated certification markings, look for a larger, listed metal enclosure. Otherwise, this is a cost-effective, tidy solution that performs as advertised.