Switchboard. Types of switchboards: a brief description and purpose

The electrical panel is a serious device that distributes electricity throughout the house. It performs many functions for safety, protection of wiring from overloads, and distribution of energy to all consumers.

Installation and assembly of the electrical panel

The composition of the electrical panel includes a complex modular equipment. If necessary, you can carry out the installation yourself, but first you need to learn how to properly assemble the shield.

To separate work from electrical components and installation of the case, you should purchase a panel on which the frame is removed and there are DIN rails.

There are several types of electrical installations:

wall mount;
wall installation.

Consider the second option, since the first is installed simply on the holders. Before you gouge an opening in the wall, you need to make sure that it is not "bearing" in the house. According to the rules, it is impossible to do installation work in it.

The power supply must be visible. Doors should not interfere with his access. For safety reasons, do not place the shield near gas pipes and other combustibles. To place it on the wall, it is necessary to take into account the height from the floor to its lower edge of at least 1.4 m, and the distance of the upper edge from the floor is not more than 1.8 m.

Mark the future area will help building level. To comply with all dimensions, you can attach the case to the wall and circle it with chalk. A cut is made along the marked lines with a grinder.

A chisel and a puncher will help to hollow out the inside. It is necessary to check the depth of the resulting niche by inserting the body of the electrical panel into it.

First, the mount included in the kit is mounted there. Then the electrical panel. Holes are made for fasteners and dowels are inserted. mounting foam the remaining cavities are sealed.

DIN rails are unscrewed from the electrical panel in order to install modular equipment on them. If not included special fasteners, then you need to drill into back wall shield holes for future fastenings. This is done carefully, from excessive force the case may burst.

How to insert cables correctly

The electrical panel with a removable cover will help to correctly and conveniently insert the wires inside. Conventional enclosures have openings for cables that are slightly cut or extruded. They are located at the top or bottom of the case. They may also be in the back wall.

Poor quality switchboards may not even have a hint of any holes. Then you will have to mark and drill them yourself, not everyone has the patience for this. Therefore, it is better to buy a more expensive case and it will take less time to install it.

In modern cases for the plant of cores there are plugs. They are removed after the shield is installed in the wall. Cables are inserted into the holes obtained. Instead of plugs, there can be stuffing plates.

The first step is to get the input core. It should be located near the input machine. There are comb-type fasteners on the shield, an introductory core should be attached to it. A plastic clamp is used as a tie. Its excess ends are cut off.

The cable is marked with a marking, which is indicated on the diagram. So do with all the veins. After their installation, a removable cover is applied and marks are applied to it. Cutouts are made along them, and the lid falls into place.

How to cut cables inside the shield

It is necessary to remove the insulation from the inserted cores. This process is done carefully, the conductive wires cannot be damaged. Immediately it is re-labeled. This is important because after cutting all the wires, a lot of confusion can occur.

Paper tape is good for tags. Do not forget the main rule: labels must be applied, as indicated on the diagram.

To ensure that the cable is enough for the entire length of the wiring, you need to enter it into the electrical panel and run it to its entire height. Then measure the same distance in height again. The result is a length twice the height of the shield. This supply of cable will allow you to confidently lead it to the desired point according to all the wiring rules, and you can always cut off excess pieces.

Modern modular protection devices

Power quality in modern networks not always happy. To protect the line from overloads, they began to apply protective devices modular type. The electrical panel with automatic machines will be protected from short circuit. It will immediately react to the appearance of overcurrents. When connecting the machine, you must adhere to general rule on the power supply - it is connected only from above.

The insulation is removed from the wires. The machines have clamping terminals, insert the core into them and tighten with a screw. Be careful not to get insulating materials into the contact of the terminal. If this happens, then electricity may suddenly disappear in the apartment, or the protection device will fail. Perhaps this will lead to a fire.

There is one more important rule: do not connect cores different section to one AB terminal. A wire with a large cross section will get a good contact when tightened, and a wire with a smaller cross section will get a bad one. The insulation on it will melt and cause a fire.

If the connected core is monolithic, then for good contact its end should be bent in the shape of a U. The area of \u200b\u200bthe connection is increased, and the contact is reliable.

Stranded wires in the terminals of the machine cannot be tightened without special lugs. Contact will be poor and unreliable. For their switching use:

tip NShVI (2);
tip NShV.

Assembly of modular shield elements

For those who have never come across such a task, you can give instructions for assembling an electrical panel. Preparing workplace, nothing should interfere with the assembly of modules. We make good lighting.

You will need the following modules:

automatic switch (load switch);
voltage relay;
residual current device (RCD);
differential automata;
automatic switches;
cross module.

You can assemble a single-phase shield with your own hands, provided that you have some knowledge of an electrician.

All modules are mounted on a previously removed DIN rail. They are arranged in the same order strictly according to the list. Modules are fastened with special clamps. After checking the correct distribution, proceed to the terminals. They need to loosen the screws.

Need different types comb. Introductory clamps (terminals) will help to more conveniently connect the combs to the power wires. They must be placed between the terminal of the module and the comb.

The introductory load switch has a phase output (lower contact) from which a phase is distributed to the RCD, automatic machines and other switches. There are zero clamps on the RCD, they receive a working zero, which is taken from the lower output clamp of the introductory machine.

For further assembly of the electrical panel, one end of the neutral wire must be free. It is connected to the main bus of the working zero. Zero tires and zero outputs of all RCDs are switched with a blue wire.

All unused connections are twisted with a screwdriver. After that, the entire installation is checked. After applying voltage to the introductory machine, press the test button.

Terminals circuit breakers tested for voltage. When they are turned on, the same measurements are taken at the output. To Appliances did not burn out from voltage drops, install a voltage control relay. The method of assembling a three-phase shield is the same as for a single-phase one. They differ only in the number of conductive wires.

Final assembly

When all modular devices adjusted and tested, it remains to transfer them to the electrical panel housing. For safety, turn off the power. A niche in the wall is being prepared. The assembled devices on a DIN frame are mounted inside the case.

The main and protective zero tires are mounted. When distributing wires into bundles, it is not recommended to allow their intersections. Protective zero wires are attached to the PE bus. The connection sequence is observed as in the electrical panel diagram. Protective zero before switching with the bus terminal - marked.

When all devices are connected, a check for compliance with the connection diagram begins. On the Internet you can see a photo of the electrical panel in the assembled state.

To check assembled electrical panel, it is necessary to install all switches and sockets in the apartment. Connect the load to sockets on all lines of powerful consumers. After applying voltage, phases and zeros are checked for compliance.

When the adjustment is over, do not rush to close the electrical panel. He should work for a couple of hours, and then it will become clear whether the assembly was carried out with high quality. Installing and connecting the shield is a laborious process that requires certain knowledge and experience. It should be started after studying the theoretical part, and follow step by step instructions by assembly.

There are several various kinds switchboards, each of which has its own design features and scope. In this article, we give a brief description and purpose existing species distribution boards.

Classification of electrical panels according to the method and place of installation

There are three types of switchboards according to the installation method: overhead, built-in and floor. Overhead shields are mounted directly on a wall, support or other building structure. Main distinguishing feature shields of this type is that its entire body is located outside.

Recessed shields are mounted in a pre-prepared recess in the wall. Thus, only the cover is visible from the outside, and the entire body is recessed into the wall.

The floor shield is installed directly on the floor surface or mounted on a special stand.

As for the installation site, in this case electrical panels are external or indoor installation. The possibility of installing the shield outdoors is determined by its design features, namely the presence of appropriate body protection.

There are several degrees of enclosure protection that indicate where the shield can be installed. The most common degrees of protection of the body of electrical panels:

IP20, IP30 - shields installed indoors without high humidity, since they do not have protection against moisture, they differ in the degree of protection against foreign objects;

IP44, IP54 - shields have more a high degree protection against foreign objects, have protection against moisture, are installed in rooms with high humidity, as well as outdoors, but subject to protection against ingress of a jet of water;

IP55, 65 - shields installed in rooms with aggressive conditions environment as well as outdoors. They have sufficient protection against moisture, rain and can be installed outdoors without additional protection. These enclosures have full protection against contact, differ in the degree of protection against dust - the first has partial protection against dust, the second - full dust tightness of the housing.

Outside the premises, cases of shields of the consignment note and floor types. Shields are mounted on the walls of buildings and structures, on supports, stands or directly on the equipment case.

Electrical cabinet material

The body of electrical panels can be made of plastic or metal. Plastic shields (boxes) are used as small switchboards indoors. The entire body of such shields is made of plastic, the cover is made of transparent plastic for easy control of the state of protective devices and various devices.

Metal shields can be made entirely of metal, or they can have glass or transparent plastic inserts on the front panel for the possibility of taking readings from metering devices, controlling the operating mode of various devices, etc.

DIN-rails for the installation of electrical devices in all shields, regardless of the case material, are made of metal. The metal enclosures of the shields are equipped with special mounting panels, on which various devices and electrical devices can be mounted, as well as allowing the necessary modular devices to be mounted.

To ensure the required degree of protection, the electrical panel housing may have rubber seals, sealed cable glands that provide a dust-tight and airtight enclosure. The metal cases of shields, as a rule, have locking devices that prevent unauthorized persons from entering them.

Shield body size

Switchboard enclosures are also classified by size. The size of the shield body determines how many electrical devices and other devices can be installed in it, how much can be cable lines and is there enough space to connect them.

In this case, the main characteristics are:

internal volume of the shield;

number of modular places on a DIN rail;

mounting plate size;

number of cable entries.

Classification of electrical panels by purpose

The above types of electrical panels can be equipped with various electrical devices, protective devices and have different purposes. Consider the main types of switchboards according to their purpose.

ASU - introductory switchgear. Cabinets of this type are installed to receive electricity from a source - power transformers or from the supply lines of the electrical network.

In this switchboard, switching and protective devices are mounted, and various protection and automation devices, metering devices can also be additionally mounted. This panel distributes electricity to other shields located in the building.

Main switchboard - main switchboard, in fact, is the same ASU and performs the same functions - receiving and distributing electricity to supply power to boards for other purposes, which are discussed in the following paragraphs.

In large switchboards of enterprises, various electrical installations, measuring instruments and metering devices for monitoring the operating mode of the switchboard equipment, as well as metering the electricity consumed, both in general and on individual outgoing lines that feed switchboards for other purposes.

AVR shield- automatic reserve input shield. This panel is equipped with automation devices that monitor the parameters of the electrical network and switch the power supply of consumers from a backup power source in case of power loss at one of the sources. One of the supply lines, a generator or a storage battery can act as a backup power source.

SCHO - lighting or heating shield. In these cabinets, electrical devices and other elements are installed that are designed to control lighting equipment or space heating, equipment that requires heating.

ShchS - power shield, designed to supply power consumers at the facility, where there is a separation of circuits and electrical receivers for their intended purpose. Also, this marking may mean that this is a communication shield.

Various telecommunication equipment, means of communication, collection of information from various equipment and objects at the enterprise are mounted in the body of the communication shield.

ShCHE - storey shield. Installed on floors apartment buildings in a special niche or directly on the wall of apartment buildings, they serve to receive electricity from the main switchboard (ASU) and distribute it to several apartment shields.

ShchK - apartment shield. Installed on the floor or directly in the apartment. In this shield, a metering device for this apartment is installed, as well as protective devices.

Two shields can be installed - one on the floor, introductory protective devices and a metering device are mounted in it, the second shield is installed directly in the apartment, it distributes electricity to several electrical wiring lines and installs protective devices.

SCZ, SCHU and SCHA- protection, control and automation shield. These types of shields can be found in electrical installations; a number of devices are mounted in these shields for the implementation of protection and automation of equipment for distribution substations, power plants, and industrial enterprises.

These shields are often combined into one shield, in which protection devices, automation and control elements are mounted. separate element equipment, a group of equipment or a section of the electrical network. The abbreviation ShchU can also show that this is a metering board.

SCHSN - shield for own needs. It is, in fact, the main switchboard, only this switchboard serves exclusively to power devices located at the facility - the so-called own needs. Such panels are installed in electrical installations of electrical stations, distribution substations.

Own needs include: heating and cooling systems for equipment, power supply for on-load tap-changers of power transformers, equipment control circuits, lighting, space heating, etc.

Separate switchgears (shields) are installed to supply the outgoing lines of consumers. In the auxiliary switchboards, the same elements are mounted as in the main switchboard, ASU, as well as automation devices, in particular, ATS.

SHPT - shield direct current . It is used in electrical installations of stations, substations, enterprises for the reception and distribution of DC circuits. Reception electrical energy direct current is carried out from batteries, special charging units, rectifier units.

Direct current is distributed to separate lines as an operating current for powering various protection, automation and equipment control devices. In this shield, switching and protective devices are mounted, as well as measuring instruments to control the mode of charging batteries, load and voltage.

One of the most important elements in the infrastructure of any building is a system for providing it with electricity. Indeed, today, without this, imagine life modern man impossible.

However, just installing a power cable is not enough: it is necessary to correctly distribute electricity, ensure the necessary level of protection for the electrical wiring itself, as well as for the life and health of people, install a meter for the consumed electricity, and, for all that, fulfill these conditions in such a way that, if minimum sizes and ease of installation, the structure had easy and quick access.

To fulfill these conditions, there are so-called input-distribution devices (APU) or simply - switchboards.

Looking at the photo of the switchboard, you can see enough of them on the resources on the network, another reader will note the complexity of the internal content, as well as a large number of machines, switches and wires. In fact, you can independently assemble an electrical panel in your home, especially in the case of single-phase wiring.

However, if you have never dealt with electrical work, it is better to turn to specialists, and for those who decide to do everything themselves, you need to know some key points about installing and choosing an electrical panel, as well as its features. internal device- this is what this article will be about.

A bit of theory

The main purpose of the switchboard follows from its name, but still let's dwell on this issue in a little more detail.

The main functions of the introductory switchgear in the house include:

Ensuring in one place the distribution of all electricity to separate branches of electrical wiring;
Management of connection / disconnection of individual branches to the power grid;
Accounting for consumed electricity;
Protection of both the entire electrical wiring and its individual branches from overcurrent;
Protection against current leakage to the ground in addition to electricity consumers;
Constructive unification of all named functions into a single block;
Defence from external influences internal contents of the switchgear.

It is important to note that these functions are assigned both to the switchboard in the apartment, and to the one installed in a private house, garage, cottage, etc.

Electrical panel device

Development electrical circuit The electrical panel is completely dependent on the entire wiring of the building. That is, it is she who predetermines the number of automatic protective switches, their type, parameters, as well as other elements and their properties.

Since in each case there is whole line specific features, we will not dwell on the development circuit diagram, but only consider the main, common structural elements.

First of all, a switchboard for a private house can be made of metal or plastic. AT recent times became increasingly popular plastic structures, they have an attractive appearance, less weight and price, however metal structure more reliable, lasts longer and withstands high mechanical loads. The choice is yours.

The housing can be structurally built into a niche, previously prepared in the wall, and also installed directly on it.

Embedded structures are more convenient during installation concealed wiring, they occupy less space, do not stand out externally, look aesthetically pleasing and harmoniously fit into the space. However, their installation and installation is much more difficult.

The internal arrangement of the electrical panel consists of the following main components:

Special DIN - rail, all circuit breakers and other control and protection devices are installed on it;
A special kind of distribution busbars for neutral and pinching wires. The ground bus is designated "PE", and the zero bus is designated "N";
Circuit breakers, residual current devices and other automation and control devices, for example: lighting, exhaust, etc.;
Electricity consumption meter;
Wires connecting all elements of the electrical panel into a single circuit.

In some cases, for example, in apartments, there may not be a meter in the electrical panel, and in addition, other, not indicated, automation and control units may be installed. Fasteners and installation additional elements must be done in accordance with the instructions for these devices, it is supplied with them.

Installation

In general, the installation of a switchboard in a house is carried out at the stage of all electrical work. There are no special features in this case: everything is done in strict accordance with safety requirements, as well as the prescribed norms and rules. The only thing is the connection to an external power supply, it must be done after assembling and checking the circuit.

All connections inside the electrical panel must be made strictly in accordance with the previously thought out and sketched electrical diagram.

On the inside of the electrical panel door, as a rule, there is a special place where you can specify the purpose of all switches.

A sign of a well-executed work and one of the requirements of electrical safety, it is necessary to consider the mandatory signature-marker of all machines. So, in the event of a protection trip, this will allow localizing the search for a malfunction, and if repair or maintenance work is necessary, disconnecting the necessary branch of the electrical wiring.

Photo of switchboards

Having reached the consumer, it goes through many stages. Among them are such stages as generation and transportation by lines electrical networks. Before getting to the consumer, electricity comes to electrical panels in which electricity is distributed, a protection system is installed in case of emergency situations associated with overloads and short circuits.

Such shields are used to organize the infrastructure of industrial buildings, residential buildings, public buildings. An electrical panel of a certain type is mounted, depending on the purpose. On sale there is a wide choice of options and models of such devices, which have their own differences in content and form.

Purpose

AT simple execution electrical panels are used to create a network that feeds lighting devices, household appliances, sockets, etc. The spectrum of electricity consumers is constantly expanding, so a more complex model may be needed to create a division of energy into groups. These are already devices with great power switching capabilities. They work with different categories of stationary electrical appliances.

To determine the tasks that electrical panels perform, it is necessary to consider in more detail the organization of energy supply. One shield can supply electricity, as in a separate apartment and the building as a whole. In this case, the switchboard manages the electricity that is fed to different switchgears covering other local service areas.

Types of electrical panels

There are different classes of electrical panels. They share their designs, first of all, according to their intended purpose. This type of equipment, such as electrical panels, can provide electricity to one apartment, or several different energy consumers.

Also, the shields are divided according to the method of installation and the material of construction. According to the first factor, conventional suspended and wall structures are the most popular. In operation, electrical panels that are built into a wall niche are very convenient. But the installation of such a shield is not always suitable for location conditions.

If we consider the materials from which electrical panels are made, then most often manufacturers combine several materials, for example, metal with plastic. Metal shields have proven to be reliable designs, time-tested. However, new materials and composites that have appeared recently are no worse than metal in terms of durability and strength, and in some ways even surpass it. A significant difference between electrical panels from different materials there is none.

To better understand the purpose of electrical panels in the network, consider their hierarchy by types, types and subspecies.

Main switchboard

This switchboard (MSB) is used to enter power supply lines, distribute electricity to various facilities, and also account for electricity. In emergency cases, it protects against overloads, short circuits in electrical networks. In the hierarchy tree, the main switchboard is located at the very top. The main switchboard is usually located at the site of the transformer substation, either in production or in the boiler room.

Introductory switchgear

This device (ASU) is used to receive mains power from power cable, and further distribution of electricity through the power lines of electrical panels lower level, as well as for accounting for energy consumption, protection against short circuits, overloads in case of accidents. It includes a system of structures and electrical automation. The introductory electrical panel is usually located in production shops, at the input of buildings public organizations, residential buildings.

Emergency input of a reserve

Standby input shield (ATS) equipped with special automatic devices, which switch power in the event of an accident from the main source to the backup source of electricity. After eliminating the causes of the emergency mode, the AVR reconnects the main power source to the line. It is used in many places: communal buildings, cottages, in production.

Storey electrical panel

Electrical panels on the floors of buildings (ES) are used to distribute the supply of electricity to apartments on the same floor.

ShchE is usually divided into 3 compartments:

Distribution compartment (for consumer groups).
Accounting compartment ().
Subscriber compartment (, radio, television, telephone).

Housing shield

Most often, such an apartment shield (SC) is located in an apartment near the entrance, usually in the hallway. Its main purpose is to account for energy electric current, distribution of electricity along the lines of the apartment for food in different rooms and for various household devices. Modules of automatic devices located in the apartment panel protect the network from short circuits and overloads.

Apartment switchboards are divided according to the type of installation:

Internal.
Overhead.

According to the material of manufacture:

Plastic.
Metal.

Types of residential electrical panels for the intended purpose:

Accounting (SCKU).
Distribution (ShKR).

Lighting shield

The lighting board is located in almost all existing buildings equipped with lighting devices for rare switching lighting equipment using automatic shield. The lighting board protects the outgoing lines from short circuits and current overloads.

Electric lighting panels are divided into:

Lighting panel with a switch (OSCHV).
Built-in (recessed) lighting board with a switch (UOSCHV).

Switchboard

This type of switchboard (ShU) is designed to control automatic devices responsible for the drives of mechanisms: heating, alarm, ventilation, etc. Property values are adjusted manually.

Automation shield

This type of shield contains software controllers that monitor the functioning of drives of various mechanisms and systems.

Shield of uninterrupted supply

This shield (ShBP) provides electricity to devices and devices of control systems, computers, medical equipment, and other systems that must be provided with constant power supply, and related to category 1 power supply.

We have considered only some electrical panels used in electrical networks, but there are many more types.

Shield Assembly

Installation work on the installation of electrical panels usually begins with the assembly operation of the main structure. There are panel devices in the form of assembled cases with mounting panels included. However, complete panels are more often used, and a project and an assembly scheme are already being developed for them.

First, the body is prepared for assembly, then the plugs of the body walls are removed. Electrical panels have a different number of sections of cable lines, depending on their design. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate in advance the location and number of holes for cables and wires, taking into account the possibility of making additional holes.

Next, mounting rails, grounding bars, mounting brackets are mounted. The components of the shield may be different. It depends on the type of switchboard. But the main thing in the assembly is the preparation for the final installation.

Mounting

The installation method also depends on the type of shield construction. The main difficulty is the design of the built-in electrical panel, since for it it is necessary to hollow out the space in the wall necessary for its installation.

After gouging a niche in the wall, the shield is put in place and fixed with special brackets. In advance, before choosing the location of the shield, the possibility of access to electrical wiring is calculated. After the final installation, the connection to the power supply and the consuming load is carried out.

An input cable with additional wires is inserted inside the shield. The wires are aligned in one layer, while taking into account the placement of circuit breakers, their configuration. When the wiring is connected to all devices of the shield, then the load of consumers and electrical installations is connected. Further, all lines are turned on in turn to check the network performance.

Access limitation

When operating electrical panels, electrical safety rules must be observed. They must also be performed when installing the shield. When installing in a public place, fencing and insulation of live parts are provided. Access to the elements of the switchboard is protected by lockable fences.

The distribution of electrical energy has always been one of the most important operations. It affects the efficiency of energy consumption, the stability of the power supply to consumers. Therefore, manufacturers are interested in producing reliable and functional devices, such as electrical panels.

The range of household appliances is constantly growing, so switchboards also need to be modernized and expand their functional tasks. The popularity of models that are designed for the arrangement of devices inside the shield for individual use is increasing.

So, using threaded connections, the mounting panel of the shield can be equipped with almost any devices and modules.

This type of device is designed for the reception and subsequent distribution of electrical energy in various circuits. Distribution cabinets are classified into several types.

Usually cabinets are marked with the letters "shr". They are used in networks with a rated current of 400 amperes and a rated voltage of 380 volts with a frequency alternating current not exceeding 50 hertz. In addition, allocate separate view distribution cabinets for use in networks with a voltage of 660 volts.

Marking "shrn" means that the distribution cabinet is wall-mounted. Typically, the capacity of such cabinets varies from two hundred to one thousand two hundred bar. These types of cabinets are equipped with special frame fastenings where the plinths are subsequently mounted.

The marking "pr" means "distribution point", this type of cabinet serves to distribute electric current in networks with voltages up to 660 volts and with a frequency ranging from 50 to 60 hertz. distribution points also serve to ensure the safety of electrical networks and prevent short circuits and accidental overloads.

Another type of wall cabinet ("shrn") is wall-mounted. It should be singled out separately, since increased requirements for strength and reliability are applied to its design. Often these cabinets are made of metal and are reliable and durable.