8 tips on how to choose a switchboard: types of electrical panels

Contents

1. №1.Why do we need a distribution box?
2. №2.The main types of switchboards
3. №3.Types of electrical panels on how to install
4. №4.Material of manufacture
5. №5.Protection of the shield from dust and moisture
6. №6.Types of switchboards on the design
7. №7.The number of modules in the distribution panel
8. №8.Manufacturers of switchboards

In order to guarantee reliable and safe operation of the power supply system, switchboards are used in residential buildings and at enterprises where there is protective and distribution equipment. Such devices must meet the most stringent safety requirements and have a high mechanical strength, so buy them better in a proven place. The specialized online store "Electrics Cheap" offers a large selection of high-quality distribution boards from the best manufacturers in the world, which you can purchase at the best prices. The range is presented here: https: //elektrikadeshevo.ru/catalog/ shchity-raspredelitelnye /.Our material will help to orient in a wide variety of such equipment and choose the right switchboard.

№1.Why do we need a distribution box?

Electrical work in apartments, offices, garages and in production can not do without installing a switchboard. Why is it needed, because earlier many were content with only distribution boxes? It's all about convenience and security. If you still use only junction boxes, for example, when replacing sockets you will have to de-energize the whole apartment, and when connecting some powerful electrical appliances you will have to equip them with your own protective devices, and space is also necessary for them.

Installation of switchboards prevents the risk of combustion of electrical appliances. Thanks to the shield, the electric power is distributed evenly across all channels, eliminating excessive current flow through one of them. This device is especially important for large premises where there are huge loads, and for residential buildings, switchboards are also necessary, considering how much electric appliances people use today at home.

The switchboard works not only when an excessive voltage occurs, but also saves a person from electric shock.

№2.Main types of switchboards

The switchboard may be responsible for the safe supply of electricity to an apartment, a floor, or a large building. Depending on the scale of the service area, the switchboards are divided into the following types:

• The main switchboard ( MSB) is at the head of the hierarchy, installed at transformer substations and at large-scale production facilities. It, as a rule, differs in the impressive sizes, is responsible for power supply of the whole object, protects from overloads in a network and short circuits. The main switchboard, which evenly distributes electricity across all premises, can automatically switch from the main power supply input to the backup one;
• input switchgear ( ASU) is installed at the input of the power cable in apartment buildings, office centers, production facilities. VSU distributes power lines for apartment and floor panels, keeps records of consumed electricity, works in case of overloads and short circuits;
• emergency input reserve ( ATS) is not used everywhere and is designed to switch consumers from the main power source to the backup in case of an accident. AVR is necessary for hospitals and other institutions where continuous supply of electricity is important. Sometimes such devices are used in cottages;
• floor shield ( BER) is placed mainly in residential buildings for the distribution of power for 2-6 apartments. In such a panel space is allocated for modular automation and electricity metering devices. Can be used in office buildings;The
• panel ( ShchK) room apartment is located on the electrical cable entry to the apartment, usually installed in the hallway, vestibule, less often - near the entrance door. Apartment panels are familiar to almost everyone, they are used to protect against short circuits and overloads, the distribution of group power lines and electricity metering. The choice of distribution boards of this type will be discussed.

Among other types, we note ( SCHO) lighting panels, which are necessary for rare shutdowns and switching on automation, such devices protect against overloads, are used in public and commercial buildings. The control panel( ShU) is also installed in administrative buildings to control ventilating, heating equipment and alarms. The automatic switchboard( SCHA) is required to control the program controllers of ventilation systems, heating, etc. There are also uninterruptible power supply shields ( SCHBP), which are installed when connecting computing and medical equipment that requires a constant supply of electricity and is sensitive to voltage drops.

№3.Types of electrical panels according to the method of installation

According to the method of installation, the distribution panels can be divided into the following types:

• overhead, or external .This is the most common option, easy to install, but it will stick out a little towards the wall, which needs to be considered when choosing a place. Such shields are used when organizing wiring hidden and outer type, they can be made of metal or plastic. Electricians advise in wooden houses and baths to put shields of the surface type;The
• recessed panel looks more aesthetically pleasing, it is installed flush with the wall, but its installation work is more complicated. The front panel has a flare, which closes the technological joint. Experts recommend choosing a similar option in cases where the number of outgoing lines is significantly less than the number of modules of the shield. Otherwise, a pile of wires will be very difficult to pass through the side walls;
• floor shields are so large that they cannot be hung on the wall. In everyday life, they are not used.

For an electrical panel, it is important to choose the right place, because our safety is at stake. The following requirements are put forward to the installation site:

• sufficient distance from fire and explosive substances;
• good natural ventilation;
• easy accessibility. The electrician, in which case should make a minimum of effort to get to the panel;
• desirable sufficient level of natural light.

№4.Production material

Switchboard can be made of metal or plastic. The metal shield is more resistant to mechanical damage, has a high durability and reliability, and at the same time a decent weight. The appearance of such products is not the worst, but still not perfect, so metal shields are more suitable for installation in garages and industrial premises.

For an apartment it is better to choose a plastic plastic trim .These are lightweight and aesthetic devices, and important manufacturers produce quite durable products that are not inferior to metal in terms of durability and do not require mandatory grounding. Cheap plastic shields from little-known Chinese companies tend to turn yellow over time.

Shields made from a combination of plastic and metal are also on sale.

№5.Protection against dust and moisture

The degree of moisture and dust protection is selected depending on the operating conditions of the equipment:

• for installation in the rooms suitable guards with protection standard IP21, IP31 and IP32;
• for outdoor installation. shield must have at least IP54 protection, as well as sealed doors and sealed cable entries.

№6.Types of switchboards by design

By type and purpose, electrical panels are divided into the following types:

• modular are designed exclusively for installation of modular equipment, consist of rails and platforms for tire installation, everything is covered with a metal or plastic panel from the outside;
• accounting panels necessarily have a platform for the installation of accounting equipment, which is mounted on rails or screws. Also, the design provides for the presence of modular circuit breakers;
• registration and distribution boards differ from devices of the previous type by the presence of a rail for mounting protective devices on outgoing lines. They also have a compartment for the input switching device, which is closed with a lid and can be sealed.

№7.The number of modules in the distribution board

The fundamental difference between all panels is the number of modules. Some people mistakenly believe that their number should be a multiple of 12, but this is not always the case: they use panels designed for 16 and 18 modules, there are even compact models in which the number of modules does not exceed 10.

To decide on the number of modulesit is necessary in your case, to begin with, it is best to draw up an electrical wiring diagram showing all consumption points, this includes sockets, lighting fixtures, and separate electrical appliances that consume a lot of energy( air conditioner, washing machine, boiler).Further groups are defined. For lighting wiring, circuit breakers for a current of 10 A are used, for socket wiring, 16 A. You can use not only circuit breakers as switching and protection devices, but also RCDs, or you can replace these two devices with a differential circuit breaker. The number of residual current devices, automats and difavtomat need to know for the correct choice of the number of modules. Also it is necessary to take into account the presence of the counter and its dimensions.

The width of a single module is 18 mm, it is equal to the width of a single-pole switch. To connect a bipolar circuit breaker, you need 2 modules, a three-phase circuit breaker - 3, a single-phase RCD - 3, a three-phase RCD - 5, an electric meter - from 6 to 8 depending on its size( the width of the device can be simply divided by 18 mm).

In some cases, a flat panel for 12-16 modules is sufficient for an apartment. If the meter is located in the dashboard, you will have to take the device for 16-24 modules. For a large private house, you may need a shield for more than 24 modules. In large cottages, sometimes they put two panels, because, due to the long wiring length, in the event of an accident, it may not always work quickly, or it may not work at all.

In addition, overvoltage protection devices, photo relays or automatic light switching starters can be located in the panel. If you are not sure that you can make the right choice of switchboard, then it is better to rely on experts. Help is likely to be needed when assembling, installing a shield and connecting all groups of electrical appliances to it - it’s better not to joke with electricity.

№8.Manufacturers of distribution boards

Defective panels will not be able to perform their functions fully, being unable to evenly distribute the electric current in all rooms. Even such shields, if necessary, are not likely to disconnect the damaged group of circuits automatically, so it is better to trust your safety to trusted manufacturers. The leader in terms of quality is ABB , but its products are expensive. Makel and IEK shields are a bit cheaper, but the quality is very good. In terms of design, the FOTKA boards are manufactured in Greece. The best Chinese and Turkish products can be avoided - this is not the case when you can save.

Finally, we note that, other things being equal, it is better to give preference to shields with a transparent door, which provide a simpler control over the state of the automata.