Electrical panel - a device that receives and distributes energy of single-phase (up to 1000 V) and three-phase (up to 50-60 Hz) current. GOST 51321 notes that the electrical panel can be powered from one or more input lines, it is connected by zero and protective cables. Installation is made for the organization of lighting and power communications of houses and apartments.
Switchgear
The apartment switchboard replaces the system of meters, switches, RCDs, which saves space in the entrance. The product consists of several nodes:
- case made of metal or heat-resistant plastic - it is built-in and hinged;
- opening circuit breaker - a double element can de-energize the phase and zero lines;
- RCD, or differential relay - when registering a voltage leak, it turns off the electricity;
- circuit breakers - controllers are selected according to the power rating of consumers;
- din-rail - a metal plate on which automatic devices are placed with clamps;
- connecting cables with a cross-section according to the characteristics of electrical appliances;
- electric meter for metering energy consumption.
The electric meter is mounted if necessary.
Electric Shield Functions
The electrical distribution panel is the technical department of the house or apartment where the control and emergency stop devices are located. They perform the functions of:
- branching lines for powering various consumers;
- automatic shutdown of electricity in case of breakdowns;
- control of energy consumption, if a meter is installed;
- monitoring the general condition and quality of energy supply, if there are relays and sensors;
- preventing the risk of burning household appliances;
- uniform distribution of load on the line.
Switchgear, triggering at increased load, prevents personal injury.
Main classifications
By scope of use
The electrical panel ensures the safety of supplying electricity to apartments, floors or buildings with large quadrature. According to the coverage of the served area, the devices are divided into several types.
- The main switchboard, or the main switchboard, is a dimensional structure, which is used in electrics at a transformer substation or production lines. The device supplies energy to a large object, distributing it evenly. Due to this, network congestion is prevented, an automatic transition from the main to the backup power occurs.
- A shield installed on the input, or ASU, is used under the power cable of houses, offices, production. It is designed to separate the lines from which the apartment or the entire floor is powered. The device takes into account the energy consumption, tripping on shutdown during overloads and short circuits.
- ShchE - floor board. The module is installed to divide the power into 2-6 apartments. It has compartments for consumer automation, electricity meters and user equipment: telephone, television, radio, intercom.
SCHK - ShchK -vvodny device mounted at the entrance of the conductors in the apartment. The standard installation location is the entrance hall, the vestibule, the area at the front door. The shield prevents short circuits, overloads, provides separation of power and control costs of electricity.
- SCHU - a device that controls the automation and drives of heating, ventilation and alarm systems. The user configures the settings manually.
- ЩА - the control panels are equipped with software controllers that monitor the status of the electrical system and other networks.
- ShchBP - an uninterrupted supply shield is necessary to provide electricity to control systems, equipment of medical facilities and other equipment of the 1st category of power supply.
- ЩСН - auxiliary devices supply equipment to facilities - stations and substations. Thanks to them, power transformers, control systems and basic communications work.
ShchPT (dc shields) with batteries, chargers, rectifier units are also used at enterprises.
By the method and place of installation
There are several models depending on the installation method.
- Overhead. The outer shield is mounted on the wall with self-tapping screws and dowels. The place for fastening should be chosen taking into account the protrusion of the mounted distribution board 12-20 cm from the surface. The wall-mounted appliance is suitable for wooden houses, made of metal and plastic, and is used for a hidden or open line.
- Recessed. To install the device in the wall, a special niche is made, which complicates the installation work. Concealment of the technological seam is ensured by special flanging on the front of the built-in electric switchboard.
- Floor standing. The models are large in size, so they are not used for household power lines. Devices are relevant in production, in administrative buildings, shopping centers.
The switchboard is mounted on the street or indoors. The internal type of apparatus is placed on floors, in apartments, in special utility rooms.
Outdoor electrical switchboard is made in overhead and floor versions. Installation takes place on the wall of the building, on the body of special equipment, using supports and stands. To protect against external influences, it has an all-weather housing.
Switchgear installation is carried out at a site remote from fire hazardous substances, with good natural ventilation, ease of access and adequate lighting.
Materials for the manufacture
Depending on the production of raw materials, there are two types of boards:
- Metal with high resistance to mechanical influences. Products are durable, reliable, but have a lot of weight. Installation is carried out in garages, a special switchboard room at the factory.
- Heat-resistant plastic, which is lightweight. Aesthetic and durable products are mounted in apartments, installed in a private or country house without the organization of grounding.
Budget plastic models turn yellow over time.
In addition to the body part, the power switchboard consists of metal din-rails, special mounting panels. For durability and protection against external influences, the box is equipped with sealing rubber bands, sealed dustproof cable leads. On metal products often there are locking mechanisms - overhead, mounted, electronic.
Dust and moisture protection
The degree of protection is indicated by the manufacturer's marking on the case. The most common degrees of protection include:
- IP20, IP30. The box without protection against moisture and dust is suitable only for dry rooms. The inner contents are hidden by the sash.
- IP44, IP54. Good moisture and dust resistance determines the use of products outdoors or in damp rooms. To protect against water flows, you will need an additional transparent body overlay.
- IP55, IP65. Moisture-proof type of device, suitable for installation in aggressive conditions. Are put without auxiliary protection, are not exposed to moisture and rain. Boxing with IP55 partially does not allow dust, with IP65 it is 100% dustproof.
Indoors, IP21, IP31 and IP32 category models are installed. For outdoor installation, it is better to choose a flap from IP54 with sealed flaps and sealed cable entries.
Design Classification
By design, you can choose the model:
- Modular.An electric shield is used under relays, automatic machines, conductors. It is a small cabinet, closed with a metal or plastic panel, with rails and busbars.
- Accounting. Inside, you can put an electric meter and other metering devices on dynes and screws. Some modifications are available with modular circuit breakers.
- Accounting and distribution. The device has a mounting rail for the RCD of the branch lines, a compartment for the switch, which is sealed, locked with a lid or a lock.
The switchboards have complete mounting panels, under which an installation project and assembly diagrams are drawn up.
By the number of modules
An electric switchboard of medium or small size can vary in the number of modules. Special compartments are intended for the installation of oversized equipment.
The number of modules in the devices varies. There are products with 10, 12, 16 and 18 compartments. One element has a width of 18 mm, which corresponds to the parameters of a single-pole switch.
It is necessary to select modular models depending on the number of consumers, such as circuit breakers, the availability of difavtomatov, counter and RCD. A two-pole circuit breaker pops up into 2 modules, a three-phase circuit breaker - by 3, a single-phase RCD - by 3, a three-phase RCD - by 5, an electric meter - by 6-8.
For an average apartment, models with 12-16 modules are enough. When installing the meter in the distribution box, you will need from 16 to 24 modules. In a private house, appliances with a number of models from 24 pieces are used. When laying a line of a two-story country cottage, 2 shields are placed.
Top Switchboard Manufacturers
In the domestic market there are electrical panels of Russian and foreign assembly. Among the worthy manufacturers producing high-quality goods, we can distinguish:
- Electromol. Moscow brand specializing in switchboard equipment. They make ASU, apartment and floor switchboards.
- 1Electrical equipment. The Russian company is a manufacturer of floor, input distribution devices, as well as control boxes for lighting devices.
- QMS. The Novosibirsk brand, in the assortment of which there are SchO panels, substations, floor boxes.
- Makel. It produces indoor and outdoor appliances with transparent and opaque sashes and IP40 protection. The brand does not use halogen.
Electrical panel metal Iek outdoor for meter and 24 circuit breakers - IEK. 98% of production is collected in the Russian Federation, 2% - in Italy, Bulgaria, Poland. Boxes are designed for 2-96 modules. The assortment includes mounted, built-in, distribution and metering devices.
- Fotka. The Greek manufacturer produces built-in steel devices with a decorative design of the front panel, doors. They have 13-80 modules, suitable for a small apartment and production. The din rail is adjustable horizontally and vertically.
- ABB. It produces several series of switchboards - without frames or doors or with them. Switchboards have a row spacing of 125-150 mm, steel frames and sashes, are equipped with holders on which the wiring is attached.
The products of the presented brands comply with GOST; they are distinguished by quality and reliability.
Installation and Instrument Requirements
The purpose of installing an electrical switchboard is to ensure electrical safety, therefore, when selecting and installing it, you need to pay attention to the requirements of GOST 51778-2001 and PUE:
- documents with a detailed description and an indication of the rated current must be attached to the product;
- an electrical safety sign with a voltage limit is applied to the case;
- a high-quality shield is made of non-combustible materials - heat-resistant plastic or metal with a polymer coating;
- cables for connecting household appliances must be marked;
- the designation of tires, ground terminal blocks and neutral is carried out in accordance with the rules of the PUE;
- the doors and the body of the electrical panel must be grounded;
- on the doors there are special places for installing seals;
- to protect against child access, a lock is placed on the flap.
The GOST states that the shield machines are connected using special busbar-combs.
Installation of switchboard equipment is carried out near the front door of the apartment in a special niche. If it is impossible to arrange it on the wall, an external box is fastened or the wall is ditched. The device is placed at a height of 1.5 m from the floor line. A number of upper automata should be at eye level. In wooden buildings, hinged models with good dust and moisture resistance are preferred.
