Shield electrical apartment scheme. Assembly of electrical panels

You should also consider how the rest of the furniture and interior will be placed. If a hidden type switchboard is installed, then it is necessary to choose a place where a niche for it can be arranged.

The following steps should only be carried out with power off. After turning off the electricity, you should lead the cable inside the case through the cable glands, after removing the plugs.

This completes the electrical installation. further task - installation and connection of machines.

Installing an electrical panel is not something difficult, it is quite possible to do it yourself. You just need to understand its device, comply with all requirements of GOST and PUE as well as electrical safety regulations. And after installation, check if all the elements work correctly.

No modern home is complete without electricity. During the repair, the question arises of the correct, safe distribution of energy throughout the room - this is the function of the electrical panel. If you plan to install the equipment yourself, it is important to understand the whole process.

Why do you need an electrical panel

The purpose of the electrical panel is to receive energy from an external source, distribute it to consumers. It prevents short circuit, controls current loads. The electrical panel in the apartment is able to monitor the quality of incoming electricity, in case of failures it fixes the problem on its own or connects additional equipment. Another important function is to ensure the safety of people and animals, preventing electric shocks.

Where is the best place to install

The most convenient place is in the hallway, near the front door. With this placement, you do not need to pull a long cord from the platform. The optimal height is the level of the eyes of an adult, in order to facilitate the taking of readings from the meters, and, if necessary, without effort to de-energize the room.

In a private house, a place for it is selected taking into account the location of the underground power supply and the point where the cable will be brought into the house.

Switchboard elements

Before you deal with the plan of the electrical panel, you need to find out what elements it consists of:

1. Introductory automatic switch. Installed to ensure the safety of all wiring. Allows you to turn off the power supply of the room in order to replace the elements, safe prevention. For convenience, a switch is placed in front of the module and a power cable is connected to it.
2. Electric meter. It calculates the energy consumption in the room, it is installed at the entrance, with all the equipment or separately, for example, on the landing.
3. Residual current device. Prevents fires, protects against electric shocks. In small apartments with a small load, one is enough, in large apartments it will take several, for separate lines that consume a large amount of energy (washing machine, electric stove).
4. Linear machines. Separate the lines of different rooms, equipment, lighting. Protect wiring, household appliances from short circuit, overload. Prevent fire by triggering heat.
5. Differential circuit breaker (diffavtomat). Provides fire safety, prevents electrical wiring overload.
6. DIN rail. Attached to the rear wall of the electrical panel, performs the function of fastening. The quantity depends on the size of the cabinet, the installation plan will help you not to make a mistake.
7. Connecting tires. Designed to connect, working zeros. Allocate zero and ground bus-terminals. Both are used in the electrical panel.
8. Distribution tires. They connect linear circuit breakers, RCDs, differential automata through the input terminal block. Used for current conductor, working zero.

Which modular equipment to choose

The purchase of modular devices should be made only after drawing up a plan for the electrical panel, when all the ratings are known.

There are several points to consider when choosing:

• It is better to buy equipment of the same brand and series. For different manufacturers, the width of the module may vary slightly in size, this is visually imperceptible, but can lead to problems with docking combs.
• Installation wire PV1 or PV3 is required for assembly. Enough length of 2-4 meters. Zero and phase conductors are divided by color: white, black or red for phase, blue for working zero.
• The modules are interconnected using special one, two or three-pole combs. They will need end caps.
• Zero tires can be replaced by a cross-module. They are in the same housing, reliably isolated from each other. This makes assembly easier.
• A DIN rail limiter will come in handy. It fixes the modules, preventing them from moving during installation and connection.
• Plastic ties, clamps for fixing cables, wires inside the box.

How to distribute electricity into groups

For the correct distribution of electricity, a number of rules must be observed:

1. Powerful consumers of electricity, such as an electric stove, oven, washing machine and dishwasher, air conditioning and others, are separated into separate groups. The cable must be solid, without branches and go from the electrical panel to the device. For connection use a section of 2.5. Each line in the shield is protected by an automatic switch (AB) 16A.
2. There are ovens that require the use of a wire with a large diameter - 4 mm2. For them, AB should be 20 amperes.
3. Sockets are allocated in separate groups for each room. Use a three-wire cord 2.5. If necessary, you can de-energize without turning off the rest.
4. Lighting is also done separately for each room. Use wire 1.5 mm2.

Electrical panel diagram

A master with extensive experience can install a shield without first drawing up a diagram; for beginners, it is advisable to think over and calculate all the details in advance.

In an apartment without grounding

In the houses of the old stock, there is no grounding, so there is no need for a PE bus. To assemble the simplest option in a one-room apartment, you will need:

• enclosure with DIN rails;
• bipolar introductory machine 32 Ampere;
• electric meter
• RCD 2P 40A at 30 mA;
• 3 single-pole AB 16 A (lighting, sockets, washing machine);
• PEN-bus (for separate connection of zero and protection).

A necessary element in the presence of old electrical wiring is a voltage control relay. It protects household appliances from damage by breaking the circuit when the insulation is damaged.

When planning 2-3-room apartments, the scheme should be expanded. Additional two-pole protection is installed on outlet lines and branches with large household appliances. This ensures a high degree of safety even without grounding.

In an apartment with grounding

In a new house with grounding, the electrical panel layout will be different. To install a switchboard in a one-room apartment with a stove in the kitchen, you will need:

• enclosure with two rows of DIN rails;
• bipolar AB 40 A;
• protection 2P 50A at 30 mA;
• single-phase electric meter;
• zero bus (working zero N) and ground (PE);
• 4 single-pole package switches (three 16 A and one 25 A - for the stove);
• bus-comb (for connection).
• An electric meter of 40 A is mounted on the landing or in a separate box.

Large living areas with many rooms and branches for large appliances require additional two-pole 16-25 A/10 mA residual current circuit breakers. In this situation, they are more reliable, they will quickly respond with a small leak. Many have experienced electric shock from the washing machine, this is due to problems with internal wiring and is dangerous, especially for children, the elderly. The equipment senses jumps on the line connecting the machine, turning off the power.

Both of the above circuits are designed for a voltage of 220 watts. It is used in most residential buildings. However, there are apartments with a power supply of 380 W, the electrical panels in them are arranged differently, much more complicated.

Diagram of a shield with a three-phase power supply

In new modern townhouses, wiring with a voltage of 380 watts is found. The electrical panel device in this case can be three-phase or single-phase. The electric meter is placed separately on the site next to the knife switch.

For installation you will need:

1. case with din-rails;
2. three-phase counter;
3. three-pole AB with a nominal value of 63 Amperes;
4. linear automatic machines for 1 pole (16, 25, 40 A);
5. two-pole RCD 40 A at 30 mA;
6. zero tires and protective;
7. additional bipolar kitchens 16A/30mA;
8. comb tires.

Electrical panel in a private house

In houses, too, there are two types of wiring: 220 W and 380 W. For a small house or cottage, where there are no heavy loads, complex assembly is not required.

For installation you will need:

• case with din-rail;
• introductory two-pole electric switch with a nominal value of 40 Amperes;
• bipolar diffavtomat or residual current device with a rating of 50 A / 30 mA;
• electricity meter (single-phase, corresponding to the current rating of the introductory machine, single or multi-tariff);
• packet switches / circuit breakers per 1 pole (according to the number of load lines, with a rating of 16A (for lighting, sockets), a rating of 25–40 A for a powerful load, for example, a stove);
• protective, N tire;
• insulated connecting comb.

If there is a garage or a workshop, therefore, there will be more working branches, they are also equipped with disconnecting equipment, additional protective shutdown devices. This measure is necessary due to high humidity and lack of heating in these rooms.

Large houses, as well as cottages, are most often powered by a three-phase network. To assemble an electrical panel, many elements are required:

1. housing with 2–3 rows of DIN rails;
2. input machine for 3 poles 63A;
3. three-phase electric meter (63 A);
4. distribution tires;
5. 1P circuit breakers for individual load groups (light - 16A, sockets - 25A, powerful household
6. equipment and outbuildings - 40A);
7. four-pole RCD 80A at 300mA (for general fire protection of the wiring circuit);
8. three-pole machine with a nominal value of 20 A, RCD 4R at 25A with a leakage current of up to 30 mA for connection
9. electric stoves or difavtomat 20A / 30 mA;
10. additional two-pole RCDs 10/16/30 mA to protect individual groups: sockets, garage;
11. zero tires and PE;
12. comb tires.

A powerful RCD will protect the wiring from fire due to a short circuit or damage to the insulation. To prevent electric shocks, devices with a lower rating are placed on individual circuits.

Stages of assembly and installation of the electrical panel

The assembly order is shown on the example of a typical apartment switchboard with an electric meter.

At the preparatory stage, you should:

• Check whether all the necessary equipment has been purchased.
• Install the housing on the provided place on the wall or in a niche.
• Prepare apartment wiring for connection: remove the top layer of insulation, for convenience, you can sign the cables so as not to get confused which one goes where.

Main connection step:

1. 1. If there is a switch, it is installed first.
   2. We mount the introductory machine.
   3. We fix zero, connect the wires, except for those that will pass through the residual current device. The length of the cord should be such that there is no tension, but a large margin is not needed either.
   4. If the counter is planned to be installed.
   5. The final link in the entrance group is the general fire protection.
   6. We fix the linear circuit breakers on the DIN rail, connecting with a comb or a jumper from the wire through the upper terminals.

1. We connect the residual current device to the category under heavy load or in wet rooms. It can be installed on a separate branch, for example, for a washing machine, or on several groups of one room.
2. We install PE, connect wires to it from the load cables.
3. After all the parts are interconnected, it is necessary to connect the cable from the shield located in the entrance. A single-phase network has three cores: phase, zero working, zero protective.
4. A three-phase network has five cores: three phase, zero, protective. Zero and phase are connected to a knife switch or introductory machine, the PE conductor is connected to a protective bus. The phase and zero of the second group stretch from the knife switch to the common RCD. N is connected to the zero bus, then it diverges to all devices.
5. After the power cable is connected, the contacts of the introductory machine and the terminal blocks of the meter must be sealed. This is done by a representative of the power supply organization.
6. Before applying voltage to the network, check the equipment, connections, insulation. If everything is in order, voltage is applied, including a test load, to check the operation of the circuit elements.

It is difficult to imagine a switchboard without modern modular protection devices, such as circuit breakers, residual current devices, differential circuit breakers and all kinds of protection relays. But not always these modular devices are connected correctly and reliably.

In view of the maintenance of electrical panels, I sometimes have to deal with connection errors of the circuit breakers that are installed in them. It would seem, how can you incorrectly connect a conventional single-pole machine? I stripped the cable to a certain length, inserted it into the terminals, tightened the screws securely.

But no matter how strange it may sound, most people have "clumsy" hands and the build quality of the shields leaves much to be desired. Although, in fact, we all make or have made mistakes in one industry or another, and as the well-known proverb says: "he who does nothing makes no mistakes."

Greetings to all friends on the Electrician in the House website. In this article, we will consider and analyze several options for the most common and gross errors.

Connection of machines in the shield - entrance from above or from below?

The first thing I would like to start with is the correct connection of the machine in principle. As you know, the circuit breaker has two contacts for connecting a movable and a fixed one. On which of the pins you need to connect power to the top or bottom? To date, there has been a lot of controversy about this. There are a lot of questions and opinions on this subject on any electrical forum.

Let's turn to the regulations for advice. What does the PUE say about this? In the 7th edition of the PUE, clause 3.1.6. says:

As you can see, the rules say that power wire when connecting machines in the shield should be connected, as a rule, to fixed contacts. This also applies to all ouzo, difavtomat and other protection devices. From all this clipping, the expression "as a rule" is not clear. That is, it seems, as it should, but in some cases there may be an exception.

To understand where the movable and fixed contact is located, you need to imagine the internal structure of the circuit breaker. Let's use the example of a single-pole machine to consider where the fixed contact is located.

Before us is an automatic machine of the BA47-29 series from iek. From the photo it is clear that his fixed contact is the upper terminal, and the movable contact is the lower terminal. If we consider the electrical designations on the switch itself, then here it is also clear that the fixed contact is on top.

Circuit breakers from other manufacturers have similar designations on the case. Take, for example, a machine from Schneider Electric Easy9, it also has a fixed contact on top. For Schneider Electric RCDs, everything is similarly fixed contacts on top and movable contacts on the bottom.

Another example is Hager safety devices. On the case of circuit breakers and RCD hager you can also see the designations, from which it is clear that fixed contacts are on top.

Let's see if it matters from the technical side, how to connect the machine from above or below.

The circuit breaker protects the line from overloads and short circuits. When overcurrents appear, the thermal and electromagnetic releases located inside the housing react. From which side the power will be connected from above or below for the tripping of the releases, there is absolutely no difference. That is, we can say with confidence that the operation of the machine is not affected by which contact the power will be supplied to.

In truth, I must say that manufacturers of modern "brand" modular devices, such as ABB, Hager and others, allow power to be connected to the lower terminals. For this, the machines have special clamps designed for comb tires.

Why, in the PUE, is it advised to connect to fixed contacts (upper)? This rule is approved for general purposes. Any educated electrician knows that when performing work, it is necessary to remove voltage from the equipment on which he will work. "Climbing" into the shield, a person intuitively assumes the presence of a phase on top of the machines. By turning off the AB in the shield, he knows that there is no voltage at the lower terminals and everything that comes from them.

Now let's imagine that the electrician Uncle Vasya performed for you, who connected the phase to the lower AB contacts. Some time has passed (a week, a month, a year) and you need to replace one of the machines (or add a new one). The electrician Uncle Petya comes, turns off the necessary machines and confidently climbs with his bare hands under voltage.

In the recent Soviet past, all machine guns had a fixed contact at the top (for example, AP-50). Now, according to the design of modular ABs, you cannot tell where is the movable and where is the fixed contact. In the ABs that we considered above, the fixed contact was located on top. And where are the guarantees that the Chinese automatic machines will have a fixed contact located on top.

For those who do not agree with me, the question of backfilling is why, on electrical circuits, the power to the machines is connected precisely to the fixed contacts.

If we take, for example, a conventional RB type switch, which is installed at every industrial facility, then it will never be connected upside down. The connection of power to switching devices of this kind assumes only the upper contacts. Turned off the breaker and you know that the lower contacts are without voltage.

We connect the wires to the machine - a cable with a monolithic core

How do most users connect machines in the shield? What mistakes can be made? Let's look at the errors that are most common here.

Error - 1. Insulation getting under the contact.

Everyone knows that before you need to remove the insulation from the connected wires. It would seem that there is nothing complicated here, I stripped the core to the desired length, then insert it into the clamping terminal of the machine and tighten it with a screw, thereby ensuring reliable contact.

But there are cases when people are at a loss as to why the machine burns out when everything is connected correctly. Or why the power in the apartment periodically disappears when the wiring and filling in the shield are completely new.

One of the reasons for the above wire insulation hit under the contact clamp of the circuit breaker. Such a danger in the form of poor contact carries the threat of melting the insulation, not only the wire, but also the machine itself, which can lead to a fire.

To exclude this, you need to monitor and check how the wire is tightened in the socket. The correct connection of the machines in the switchboard should exclude such errors.

Error - 2. You can not connect several wires of different sections to one AB terminal.

If the need arose connect multiple machines standing in the same row from one source (wire) for this purpose, the comb bus is the best fit. But such tires are not always at hand. How to combine several group automata in this case? Any electrician, answering this question, will say to make homemade jumpers from cable cores.

To make such a jumper, use pieces of wire of the same cross section, or better not to break it at all along its entire length. How to do it? Without removing the insulation from the wire, form a jumper of the desired shape and size (according to the number of branches). Then we strip the insulation from the wire at the bend to the desired length, and we get an inextricable jumper from a single piece of wire.

An example of connecting circuit breakers with jumpers from different cable sections. The “phase” comes to the first machine with a 4 mm2 wire, and the other machines already have jumpers with a 2.5 mm2 wire. The photo shows that jumper from wires of different sections. As a result, poor contact, temperature increase, insulation melting not only on the wires, but also on the machine itself.

For example, let's try to tighten two wires with a cross section of 2.5 mm2 and 1.5 mm2 in the circuit breaker terminal. No matter how hard I tried to ensure reliable contact in this case, nothing worked out for me. A wire with a cross section of 1.5 mm2 dangled freely.

Another example in the photo is a difavtomat, into the terminal of which they stuck two wires of different sections and tried to tighten the whole thing securely. As a result, a wire with a smaller cross section dangles and sparks.

Error - 3. Formation of the ends of wires and cables.

This paragraph most likely does not refer to an error, but to a recommendation. To connect the cores of outgoing wires and cables to the machines, we remove the insulation from them by about 1 cm, insert the bare part into contact and tighten it with a screw. According to statistics, 80% of electricians connect in this way.

Contact at the junction is reliable, but it can be further improved without wasting time and money. When connected to machines monolithic core cables make a U-shaped fold at the ends.

This shaping of the ends will increase the area of ​​contact of the wire with the surface of the clamp, which means that the contact will be better. P.S. The inner walls of the contact pads AB have special notches. When the screw is tightened, these notches cut into the core, thereby increasing the reliability of the contact.

Connection to the machine stranded wires

For wiring shields, electricians often prefer a flexible wire with a multi-wire core of the PV-3 or PuGV type. It is easier and easier to work with it than with a monolithic core. But there is one peculiarity here.

The main mistake that beginners make in this regard is connecting stranded wire to the machine without termination. If you compress a bare stranded wire as it is, then when tightening, the veins are squeezed and broken off, and this leads to a loss of cross section and poor contact.

Experienced "specialists" know that it is impossible to tighten a bare stranded wire in a terminal. And for terminating stranded wires, you need to use special tips NShV or NShVI.

In addition, if there is a need to connect two stranded wires to one terminal of the machine for this you need to use the double tip NShVI-2. Using NShVI-2, it is very convenient to form jumpers for connecting several group machines.

Soldering wires under the clamp of the machine - ERROR (error)

Separately, I would like to dwell on such a method of terminating the wires in the shield as soldering. This is how human nature works, that people try to save on everything and do not always want to spend money on all kinds of tips, tools and all modern small things for installation.

For example, consider the case when an electrician from the ZhEK, Uncle Petya, wires an electrical panel with a stranded wire (or connects outgoing lines to an apartment). He does not have NShVI tips. But there is always a good old soldering iron at hand. And the electrician Uncle Petya finds no other way out than to irradiate the stranded core, stuffs the whole thing into the terminal of the machine and tightens it with a screw from the heart. How dangerous is this?

When assembling switchboards, DO NOT solder and to serve a stranded core. The fact is that the tinned compound begins to “float” over time. And in order for such a contact to be reliable, it constantly needs to be checked and tightened. And as practice shows, this is always forgotten. The soldering begins to overheat, the solder melts, the junction weakens even more and the contact begins to “burn out”. In general, such a connection may result in a FIRE.

Therefore, if a stranded wire is used during installation, then NShVI lugs must be used to terminate it.

The comfortable living of all its inhabitants and the smooth operation of household appliances depend on the correct connection of the electrical wiring in the house. Do you agree? To protect the equipment in the house from the effects of overvoltage or short circuit, and the inhabitants from the dangers associated with electric current, protective devices must be included in the circuit.

In this case, it is necessary to fulfill the main requirement - the connection of the RCD and automatic devices in the shield must be done correctly. It is equally important not to make a mistake with the choice of these devices. But don't worry, we'll tell you how to do it right.

In this article, we will talk about the parameters by which RCDs are chosen. In addition, here you will find features, rules for connecting machines and RCDs, as well as many useful connection diagrams. And the videos given in the material will help to put everything into practice, even without the involvement of specialists, if you are at least a little versed in electrics.

To connect the RCD in the shield, two conductors are needed. According to the first of them, the current flows to the load, and according to the second, it leaves the consumer along the external circuit.

As soon as current leakage occurs, a difference appears between its values ​​at the input and output. When the result exceeds the set value, it works in emergency mode, thereby protecting the entire apartment line.

Residual current devices are negatively affected by short circuit (short circuit) and voltage drops, so they themselves need to be covered. The problem is solved by including automata in the circuit.

The current that feeds electrical appliances flows through one of the core windings in one direction. It has a different direction in the second winding after passing through them.

Self-execution of work on the installation of protection devices involves the use of schemes. Both modular RCDs and automatic devices for them are installed in the shield.

Before starting installation, you need to solve the following questions:

• how many RCDs should be installed;
• where they should be in the diagram;
• how to connect so that the RCD works correctly.

The wiring rule states that all connections must enter the connected devices from top to bottom.

Professional electricians explain this by the fact that if you start them from below, then the efficiency of the vast majority of machines will decrease by a quarter. In addition, the master working in the switchboard will not have to further understand the circuit.

RCDs designed for installation on separate lines and having small ratings cannot be mounted on a common network. If this rule is not observed, both the likelihood of leaks and short circuits will increase.

The choice of RCD according to the main parameters

All the technical nuances associated with the choice of RCDs are known only to professional installers. For this reason, specialists must make the selection of devices during the development of the project.

Criterion #1. The nuances of choosing a device

When choosing a device, the main criterion is the rated current passing through it in long-term operating modes.

Based on a stable parameter - current leakage, there are two main classes of RCDs: "A" and "AC". Devices of the last category are more reliable

The value of In is in the range of 6-125 A. The differential current IΔn is the second most important characteristic. This is a fixed value, upon reaching which the RCD is triggered. When it is selected from the range: 10, 30, 100, 300, 500 mA, 1 A, safety requirements have priority.

Influences the choice and purpose of the installation. To ensure the safe operation of one device, they are guided by the value of the rated current with a small margin. If protection is needed for the house as a whole or for an apartment, all loads are summed up.

Criterion #2. Existing types of RCD

It is necessary to distinguish between RCDs and types. There are only two of them - electromechanical and electronic. The main working unit of the first is a magnetic circuit with a winding. Its action is to compare the values ​​\u200b\u200bof the current leaving the network and returning back.

There is such a function in the device of the second type, only the electronic board performs it. It only works when voltage is present. Because of this, the electromechanical device protects better.

The electromechanical type device has a differential transformer + relay, while the electronic type RCD has an electronic board. This is the difference between them

In a situation where the consumer accidentally touches the phase wire, and the board turns out to be de-energized, if an electronic RCD is installed, the person will be energized. In this case, the protective device will not work, and the electromechanical device will remain operational under such conditions.

The subtleties of choosing an RCD are described in.

Installation of RCDs and machines in the shield

The electrical panel, in which the metering and load distribution devices are located, is usually the place for the installation of the RCD. Regardless of the chosen scheme, there are rules that are required when connecting.

Main connection rules

Along with an automatic shutdown device, and are installed on the shield. All you need for this is a minimum of tools and a competent scheme.

The standard set should include:

• from a package of screwdrivers;
• pliers;
• side cutters;
• tester;
• end keys;
• cambric.

Also, for installation, you will need a VVG cable of different colors, selected according to the cross section in accordance with the currents. The PVC insulating tube is used to mark the conductors.

When there is space on the DIN block available on the shield, a residual current device is mounted on it. Otherwise, install an additional one.

The key principle of installation is as follows: the contact of the neutral conductor after the RCD with either the input zero or the ground is unacceptable, therefore it is isolated by analogy with other conductors.

A circuit breaker must be connected in series with the RCD. This is also one of the most important rules.

When the protection of the entire housing is performed using one RCD, a scheme is used that includes several machines.

To exclude the presence of additional wires on the shield, which does not look very aesthetically pleasing, a comb (distribution) bus is used to connect the bundle of cores

The project includes, in addition to additional AB, another component - a zero bus insulator. Mount it on the shield case or on a din rail.

This addition is introduced due to the fact that with a large number of neutral conductors connected to the output terminal of the disconnecting device, they simply do not fit in one clamp. An isolated zero bus is the best way out of this situation.

Sometimes electricians, in order to place the entire bundle of neutral wires in the socket, decide to file the strands of a single-core cable. In the case when the cable is stranded, several cores are removed.

It is better not to use this option, because due to a decrease in the cross section of the conductors, the resistance will increase, therefore, the heating will increase.

Both the number of mounting holes and their diameter can be different. The ground bar is attached directly to the body.

Zero wires in one twist - an additional inconvenience when detecting damage on the line, as well as when you need to dismantle one of the cables. Here you can not do without unscrewing the clamp, unwinding the tourniquet, which will certainly provoke the appearance of cracks in the veins.

It is impossible to mount synchronously and two wires in one socket. The inputs of the circuit breakers are connected by jumpers. As the latter, during professional installation, special docking tires called "comb" are used.

Features of connection schemes

The choice of scheme involves taking into account the characteristics of a particular electrical network. Among the many options, there are only two schemes used to connect automata and RCDs to, which are considered the main ones.

The simplest scheme for mounting circuit breakers and a protective device. It can be used to connect from one to several loads connected in parallel.

In the first and simplest way, when one RCD protects the entire electrical network, there are disadvantages. The main one is the difficulty in identifying a specific site of damage.

The second - when some kind of failure occurs in the functioning of the RCD, the entire system will be taken out of operation. The protective shutdown device is assigned a place immediately after the counter.

The next method provides for the presence of such devices on each individual line. If one of them fails, all the others will be in working condition. To implement this scheme, a larger shield and high financial costs are required.

Details of a simple scheme

Consider connecting an RCD with automatic machines to a simple apartment shield. At the entrance there is a two-pole automatic switch. A two-pole RCD is connected to it, to which there are two single-pole machines.

On the case of the RCD there is a "Test" button. It is designed to test his work. Manufacturers advise to use this key at least once a month and check the operation of the device itself.

The phase connected to the switching machine enters the RCD input with output to the machines. The zero output from the machine goes to the zero bus, and from it to the input to the device.

From its output, the neutral conductor is already directed to the second zero bus. The presence of this second bus is a special nuance, without knowing which it is impossible to achieve the normal functioning of the circuit.

The RCD in the process of operation controls both the incoming and outgoing voltage - how much has entered at the input, so much should be at the output.

If the equilibrium is disturbed and at the output it is greater than the setting value to which the RCD is configured, it trips and automatically turns off the power. The zero bus is responsible for this process.

In electrical circuits where the installation of a residual current device is not provided, there is only one common zero.

In circuits with RCDs, the picture is different - there are already several such zeros here. When using one device, there are two of them - a common one and one with respect to which the protective device operates.

If two RCDs are connected, there are three zero tires. They are designated by indices: N1, N2, N3, etc. In general, zeros are always one more than residual current devices. One of them is the main one, and all the others are tied directly to the RCD.

Color designation of electrical wires in accordance with the rules established by the PUE. This marking must be studied before proceeding with the installation of protective devices.

If not all equipment is supposed to be connected through the RCD, then zero is supplied from a common bus. The residual current device in this case is excluded from the circuit.

When adding a single-pole machine operating from an RCD, from the output of the latter, the phase is fed to the input of the circuit breaker. From the switch output, the conductor is connected to one load contact. Zero on it is brought to the second conclusion. It comes from the zero bus created by the RCD.

There is one more element on the shield - a protective earth bus. Correct operation of the RCD without it is impossible.

A three-wire network is only in new homes. It necessarily has a zero phase and grounding. In houses built a long time ago, there is only a phase and zero. Under such conditions, the RCD will also function, but a little differently than in a three-phase network.

As a way out, grounding is brought out by a third conductor to sockets, and then to the ceiling to the place where the chandeliers are connected. The switches are not connected to ground.

Option to connect machines without RCD

There are times when one of the machines needs to be connected, bypassing the residual current device. Power is connected not from the output of the RCD, but from the input to it, i.e. directly from the machine. The phase is fed to the input, and from the output it is connected to the left output of the load.

Zero is taken from a common zero bus (N). If damage occurs in the area controlled by the RCD, it will be taken out of the circuit, and the second load will not be de-energized.

RCD in a three-phase network

A network of this type includes either a special three-phase RCD with eight contacts, or three single-phase ones.

The principle of connection is completely identical. Mount it according to the diagram. Phases A, B and C supply power to loads rated at 380 V. Considered separately, in tandem with the N (0) cable, it provides a series of single-phase 220 V consumers.

Manufacturers produce three-phase tripping devices adapted to high leakage currents. They protect electrical wiring only from fire.

There are two diagrams in the photo: a trip protection device in a single-phase and three-phase network of the TN-C-S system. This means that the zero cable is divided into working and protective

In order to protect people from the effects of electric current, single-phase two-pole RCDs are mounted on the outgoing branches, tuned to a leakage current in the range of 10-30 mA. For cover, a machine gun is inserted in front of each. In the circuit after the RCD, it is impossible to connect the working zero and ground.

RCD and automata on a three-phase shield

Let us analyze in detail a not quite standard circuit assembled on a three-phase switchboard.

On it are:

• three-phase introductory circuit breakers - 3 pcs.;
• three-phase protective shutdown device - 1 pc.;
• single-phase RCDs - 2 pcs.;
• single-pole single-phase automata - 4 pcs.

From the first introductory machine, the voltage is supplied to the second three-phase machine through the upper terminals. From here, one phase goes to the first single-phase RCD, and the second - to the next.

The voltage from the second input machine is supplied to a three-phase RCD, to the lower terminals of which a three-phase load is connected. This protective device protects against leakage currents, and the second introductory machine - from short circuit

Single-phase RCDs installed on the shield are two-pole, and the machines are single-pole. For the correct functioning of the protective device, it is necessary that the working zeros after it are not connected anywhere else. Therefore, after each RCD, a zero bus is installed here.

When the machines are not one-pole, but two-pole, then a separate zero bus will not have to be installed. If two zero buses are combined, a false alarm will occur.

Each of the single-pole RCDs is designed for two machines (1-3, 2-4). The load is connected to the lower terminals of the machines.

The common ground bus is installed separately. Three phases enter the introductory machine: L1, L2, L3 and a working neutral wire.

RCD installation details:

RCDs and automatic devices are technically complex equipment. It is advisable to install it in places where electric current can pose a threat to both the safety of people and home appliances.

Its installation involves taking into account many parameters, therefore, both the calculation and installation are best performed by qualified specialists.

If you have experience with self-installation of RCDs, please share it with our readers. Tell us what points you should pay special attention to. Leave your comments, ask questions in the block under the article.

In old houses, an electric meter with a plug as a fuse was installed at the entrance. Relatively recently, this satisfied consumers: there were few household appliances and low power. Today, when almost every home has a lot of powerful electrical equipment, a different device for introducing electricity into the house is required.

Electrical panel - what is needed in the house

The installation of an electrical panel solves many problems associated with the safety of using electricity, its quality. New buildings, as a rule, are equipped with them immediately, and in old buildings, it is advisable to install them instead of primitive old ones. The shield will distribute electricity among consumer groups, protect against short circuits and loads exceeding the nominal value.

Electrical appliances are installed in a plastic or metal box. An electricity meter and a main switch are required. The meter is mounted independently or by employees of the power company. The main switch turns off the electricity consumption in the apartment if necessary, or it works automatically in an emergency. The counter and the input machine, if it is installed in front of the counter, must be sealed.

But this is part of the electrical panel devices. Additional conveniences and safety in a private house are created by circuit breakers. Their role is to protect the circuits of the home network - wiring and household appliances. Each machine serves one group of consumers, and for powerful devices, separate machines are installed. Each circuit breaker is designed for automatic opening or forced opening.

The residual current device contains a differential transformer that compares the balance of the incoming and outgoing current. If it is violated, which happens with an uncontrolled current leakage or when a person gets under voltage, the protection is triggered. The network with the RCD is turned off, and the person does not even have time to feel the electric shock. The protective shutdown is designed for a current that is safe for humans.

In addition to the listed devices, the shield is supplied with tires. The connection of the machines is carried out on the distribution bus in the form of a copper strip - the input contacts are connected on it. A block with terminals for supplying neutral wires is called a zero bus. Grounding is connected to another bus - grounding.

Consumer groups - how to distribute according to the rules

The electricity supplied to the house is correctly distributed among consumers. There are rules, subject to which you can assemble an electrical panel with your own hands:

1. 1. All consumers with a power of 2 kW and above are divided into separate groups. For each we put an automatic machine designed for a certain load.
2. 2. For a washing machine, dishwasher, air conditioner, and other devices with low power, 16 A circuit breakers are needed. We connect with a cable with a cross section of 2.5 mm2.
3. 3. We connect more powerful devices through a 20 A or 32 A automatic machine. We take a larger cable: 4 mm2 or 6 mm2.
4. 4. We make lines to sockets separately for each room, using 2.5 mm2. In the junction box we make branches to the sockets.
5. 5. For lighting lines we use a cable of 1.5 mm2, we protect each with a 10 A automatic machine. We run a separate cable.

Cables to powerful electrical appliances should not have branches, but should be laid in a single piece to each consumer separately.

At first glance, the approach to installation with connection of separate cables may seem redundant. In fact, it is the only true one, provides high security, ease of management. In any emergency situation, a group of consumers is automatically turned off, and not the entire network. Finding and fixing a problem with this wiring diagram is much easier.

Electrical panel installation

Schemes of the electrical panel - we make it ourselves

To assemble the electrical panel, a diagram is needed. To compile it, we take into account all the factors and features of the consumption of electrical energy at home:

• how many kilowatts in total is the electricity consumption calculated;
• how much power each group consumes;
• how many separate consumer groups in total;
• where the meter will be installed.

We draw up the scheme in an understandable and convenient form. We indicate the ratings of the devices, the cable cross-section, the wiring to consumers. Below is an example of the internal filling of the shield and the wiring for a single-phase network.

For a three-phase mains voltage, there are no big differences in the circuit. A different principle of distribution of consumers is applied: separate groups are connected to separate phases. It is important to balance the load between phases.

Accessories - which shield and modules to choose

The switchboard housing is made of metal or plastic, fixed to the wall or recessed into it. With hidden wiring, a distribution panel hidden in a wall niche is more suitable. The external shield can be installed indoors or outdoors. The question of choice is important: a very cheap plastic case quickly becomes unusable. It is better to buy a box that has removable walls, in which DIN rails can be easily removed or pushed back. In terms of size, it is better to have some margin of internal space.

The initial element of any scheme is an introductory machine that turns off the flow of electricity to the house. Its ratings depend on the total power consumed by the house. By the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation, it is determined that grid organizations carry out a standard connection of 380 V power supply at 15 kW. If you need more, connect for an additional fee.

• rated current;
• the current at which the machines operate;
• their speed of operation.

Automatic machines are installed in each circuit separately. It is important to calculate their parameters: with insufficient power, false alarms will constantly occur. At low power, they will not be able to fulfill their purpose - to protect against overload. The machines are equipped with a device for the time of operation. Downstream should be set with a shorter trip time so that it occurs on the output line.

With a rated current higher than the total current of the automatic devices subordinate to it. Then the machines will turn off earlier, protecting the RCD from damage.

Internal filling - layout of modular devices

The equipment mounted in the shield is manufactured according to standard unified dimensions. For fastening, a DIN rail is used - a metal profile. One place occupied by a single-pole circuit breaker is called a module. To calculate how much space is needed in the shield, you should know that a two-pole AB is 2 modules, a three-pole is three. A single-phase RCD occupies 2 modules, a three-phase one - 4. One terminal block - one module, a meter, depending on the modification, - 6-8 modules.

It is carried out on the table, which is much more convenient than on the wall. But you must first install the mount for the shield when it is not yet filled with modules. The implementation of the circuit diagram can be carried out in several ways: linear or group. Regardless of the method, the introductory machine is always the first. According to the linear principle, all RCDs are located further, followed by automata. The accommodation is simple, but the fault is hard to find. According to the second method, the devices are placed in groups: first the RCD, then the automata of its group.

Installation rules must be observed:

• connections inside the shield are made with a wire that is the same in cross section as the input;
• the entrance is at the top, the exit is at the bottom;
• it is forbidden to clamp a stranded wire without lugs NShVI;
• to clamp different conductors in one terminal, use lugs for two wires.

Let's start assembling. We arrange the modules according to the selected scheme on the DIN rail, fix them with clamps. To make it easier to work, in addition to the scheme, we draw up a plan for the location of devices. Then we connect them together with wires. We clean the ends, if the wires are stranded, we insert them into the NVSHI lugs of a suitable section. We crimp the tips with KBT press tongs, which are not very expensive in cost. It is this tool that will securely fix the conductors in the lugs.

The use of special tires (combs) will greatly facilitate the disconnection of the electrical panel. They are equipped with flat contacts (pins), which are inserted into the contacts of the automation, providing a reliable connection. Manufacturers of automatic devices produce combs that are suitable in size for these modules, they may not be suitable for others due to differences in pitch.

You should buy all circuit breakers, differential automata, RCDs, tires from the same manufacturer, which will greatly facilitate installation, the shield will look beautiful and compact.

Cable connection - entry and termination inside the shield

Proper cable entry greatly simplifies installation and enables optimal organization of the interior space. You should buy shields that have technological holes for input, otherwise you will have to cut or drill. In good shields there are plugs that we remove and start the cable. We connect to the introductory machine, fix it with a plastic clamp. We mark all cables immediately.

Surface insulation at the input is not needed, therefore, carefully, so as not to damage the insulation of the conductors, remove it. It is more convenient to work with individual wires than with a rigid cable. We distribute all the wiring in the shield in bundles: separately phase (L), zero workers (N) and protective zero (PE). We want them to overlap as little as possible. We pre-mark the ends, tighten with clamps.

Leading the cable inside the shield, leave it a length that is twice the height. This is done as follows: they stretched the cable to the connection point, stretched it again to the inlet and cut it off. This is not superfluous at all: the wiring follows its own path, and not the shortest path. When you have to stretch them to reach your destination or build up, this is bad. So saving a dozen centimeters is not worth it.

Commissioning and operation of the electrical panel

After installation is completed, turn off all devices in the shield. We load all sockets. We apply voltage, check the presence at the input, the correct phase and zero. One by one with the "Test" button, we check the RCD and difavtomat. We check the voltage at the input of the machines, turn on one at a time and check the output voltage. We turn on powerful devices, monitor the condition of the shield: there should be no sparking, smoking, heating. Check sockets and lighting.

The electrical panel should be inspected periodically. Be sure to open it in a month and tighten all the contacts. In the future, monthly check the operation of the RCD. If the installation is carried out in compliance with the recommendations of experts, thoughtfully and without haste, the equipment will serve for a long time and reliably.