For the installation or repair of the electrical network, a schematic diagram is required. It is difficult for an uninformed person to understand the meaning of the conventions that fill the equipment connection plan. To understand the purpose of the wires, the designation of the phase and zero in English will help.
Content
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Assigning wires in the wiring
- Phase line
- Zero designation
- Precautionary measures
Assigning wires in the wiring
From the power source to the consumer, electricity is transmitted through stranded wires. Devices and mechanisms are provided with energy through at least three lines. Voltage is applied through the phase and zero cables. A grounding conductor protects a person from electric shock.
Each line on the wiring diagrams is indicated in a certain way. Cables marked with the letters n and l are used in electrics to carry current. "Earth" is abbreviated as PE, which stands for Protective Earth and translates as "protective earth".
The wires for phase, zero and ground have specific colors and markings.
The difference in appearance makes it easier to assemble the network and prevents electrician mistakes leading to an accident or breakdown of the appliance.
Phase line
The operation of the AC network is formed by two components - the working phase and the zero component. The working phase, or simply the phase, is the main wire in a multicore cable. Through this line, electrical energy is supplied to the device.
In electrical documentation, the phase channel is denoted by the Latin letter L. The use of a lowercase letter l is allowed. Professionals attach different meanings to abbreviation. The preferred options are Lead, Live or Line. From English, the words are translated respectively as "lead wire", "voltage" or "line".
If the circuit provides for the use of several phase cables, then the phase number is added to the letter. According to European standards, which do not allow changing the tinting, phase wires are painted in specific colors:
- L 1 - brown.
- L 2 - black.
- L 3 - gray.
In household wiring for 220 volts, 3 lines are used to connect zero, ground and voltage. Therefore, the only phase bus is covered with brown insulation. The use of cables of a different color is considered a gross violation of technological standards.
Zero designation
In an alternating current circuit, a zero line is necessary to create a closed voltage drop circuit at the contacts of an electrical device. Together with the working phase "Zero" is the main component of the network.
On schematic diagrams, the zero phase is indicated by the letters of the Latin alphabet N or n. The abbreviated designation implies the concepts of Null or Neutral. The dictionaries give translations "Zero" and "Neutral".
Depending on the flexibility of the cable, the neutral conductor is colored blue. The rigid single-strand tire has a rich ultramarine hue. The insulating layer of the stranded wire is painted in light blue.
Amateur craftsmen sometimes connect neutral and ground, mistakenly believing that they are one and the same thing. A dangerous delusion has dire consequences. The neutral phase and the ground bus perform different functions from each other.
The color also differs. The protective conductor is yellow-green. Connecting buses for various purposes in one line is strictly prohibited by safety precautions.
Precautionary measures
Correct wiring is carried out in accordance with IEC 60445, adopted by European legislation in 2010. The norms of Russian GOST 50462-2009, which correspond to international rules, indicate the color of the wires "phase", "zero" and "earth".
Sometimes electricians have to work with networks that were installed many years ago, and the wiring plan is lost. The lack of a schematic diagram makes it useless to know how zero and phase are indicated. The electrician's task will become more complicated if the circuit uses wires with an insulation color that does not correspond to GOST.
Before starting work, the installer must determine the purpose of each line using a test lamp, indicator screwdriver or multimeter. When ringing electrical circuits it is necessary to comply with the basic safety rules:
- manipulations with the indicator screwdriver are performed with one hand;
- with your free hand, do not touch metal structures or walls;
- the work is carried out in the presence of a qualified assistant.
Having found out which wire is intended for what, an experienced specialist marks the lines. For this, special adhesive-based tags or PVC nozzles are used. On the surface of the marking material symbols are applied in English - n, l or PE. Only after the completion of the definitive work is the installation or repair of electrical equipment started.
Understanding the meaning of the Latin letters l and n in the diagram helps the electrician to carry out the installation and repair of the network faster and better. In addition, the letter designation of the phase and zero on the diagram, as well as the color coding, clearly determine the purpose of the wire with which the master works. This prevents accidents in the workplace.
