Case electric street for the counter. Switchboard for vending machines and electric meters

Electric meters and circuit breakers are essential attributes of the power grid. These devices are mounted in special switchboards, which are already installed in the entrances of houses. This is not provided for in private houses, however, the modern market allows you to choose any shield for an electric meter and machines of a suitable size and design. The appearance of such a box is now important, as it is being installed more and more often inside the house. In this article, we will get acquainted with the feature of such boxes, what types they are, and what to look for when buying.

What is

The standard equipment of the electrical panel is as follows:

• Electric meter;
• Differential machines;
• Introductory machine;
• Automatic switches;
• 2 tyres.

Now let's get acquainted with the built-in elements, and what they are used for:

• DIN rail. It is a special device made of metal plates. It happens that the rail is too long, in which case it is cut with a hacksaw;
• Electric meter. Necessary to take into account the consumption of electricity;
• Automatic switches. This equipment protects electrical wiring. Before installing them, you need to know what is the power of the devices that will be connected to the network;
• Distribution bus. With its help, neutral wires are connected. There are closed and open;
• RCD. A residual current device that ensures safety against electric shock;
• Electrical wiring.

Where is the shield installed?

Before installing the box in the apartment, first of all, it is necessary to draw up a detailed plan, take into account how the rooms will be furnished, where there will be lamps and switches for them, various household appliances, and so on. Along with electrical wires, other engineering communications, heating pipes, pipelines, alarms, the Internet, and so on are laid. The project should be developed in such a way as to optimize the routes of the described systems.

Important information! An electrical panel is a place where a cable from an energy supply company is connected to a meter in order to further distribute electricity to consumers.

While doing the project, you should determine the most suitable place where the electrical panel will be installed. In the last century, it was mounted directly on the landings, but now the installation method is being popularized right in the apartment. This is not only convenient, but also ensures that unauthorized persons will not have access to the box.

As practice shows, the most suitable place is the corridor, near the front door and at face level, in order to more conveniently track the meter readings. Mounting the box in this way does not require a large length of the supply cable.

Those who live in a country house will need to take into account more subtleties: how to safely organize an input device into a building, how a branch from an overhead power line is designed. In addition, you will need to contact the power supply organization to find out the details regarding their device.

Features of choosing a shield

When choosing a box, you need to understand that they are divided according to the following parameters:

• What material are they made from?
• In what area are they used?
• Mounting method;
• The amount of equipment placed inside.

Note! When choosing a shield, you should pay attention to such a parameter as the IP protection class. For indoors, the class should be 30 or 40, for outdoors - 65 or 67.

The degree of protection IP is how well the devices are isolated from dust and moisture. The higher the number, the higher the protection. For instance:

• IP20 - installed in apartments. 0 - no moisture protection. 2 - provides protection against large dust particles;
• IP21-23 - installed in unheated enclosed spaces or under awnings;
• IP44 - installed outdoors, under visors or with additional protection;
• The most protected shields are those whose protection class is IP54 and IP66 - they are installed outdoors and are not afraid of exposure to rain or wind.

Note! It is convenient if the cabinets installed in the entrances or on the street have a viewing window that allows you to take readings. Working with such shields, you do not have to open the door every time.

A modern shield for an electric meter is made from a variety of materials, such as:

• Plastic. Such boxes are installed inside apartments and office premises. The products themselves may differ in internal configuration, colors and external design. A lock may be provided on the door. When choosing a shield made of plastic, you must be careful with the manufacturer's data. You should not choose products from little-known suppliers at low cost - such boxes are made of low-quality plastic, which yellows over time under sunlight. These products have both pros and cons. The main advantage is ease of installation. The shield is easily mounted into drywall or similar walls. For the manufacture of electrical panels, a dielectric material is used, so they do not require additional grounding. Plastic cases are characterized by durability and visual appeal, so they are in harmony in any interiors. The disadvantage of the material is that it is combustible and quite fragile. If the shield installed in the wall gets damaged, it will be difficult to replace it;
• Metal. Boxes with a metal case are installed in garages and in open spaces. They are strong, durable and resistant to external influences. In addition, they are not flammable and are not afraid of high temperatures. However, the disadvantage is significant: mandatory grounding is required, and the metal itself, being in an aggressive environment, corrodes. As a rule, metal boxes are installed at the entrances of apartment buildings or at enterprises.

If it is intended to be installed outdoors, then it is better to pay attention to the anti-vandal design, for the manufacture of which sheet steel with a thickness of 1.2 mm or more is used. These boxes are equipped with two doors: one is blind, the second is a viewing window for the meter.

Advantages of installing a shield on the street:

• Quick access to the electric meter by the inspector;
• In some country residences, shields reach impressive sizes, therefore, in order to save free space, they are taken out into the street;
• If the shield does not fit into the interior of the interior, it is mounted on the street.

Cons of street accommodation:

• Based on the rules of the PUE, outdoor cabinets should provide for local heating, which provides the meter with a positive temperature. It is not always possible to comply with this condition, and induction devices at sub-zero temperatures simply “lie”;
• In order to take readings from the meter, it is necessary to go outside, where there may not always be good conditions;
• Necessity of constriction of group lines.

The type of shield mounting also differs, so they are:

• Overhead. They are installed on the surface of the walls. Allow to distribute open and hidden wiring;
• Embedded. Mounted in niches located in the walls. Used only for hidden wiring.

Depending on how much additional equipment will be installed, you should decide on the capacity of the shield. Electric boxes have a different configuration, depending on the number of places: 12, 24, 32, 64 and more. One place has a standard distance - from 17 to 18 mm. You need to be careful, since each device takes up a certain number of places. Experts recommend using boxes with a margin of space (especially for built-in shields), which may be required when upgrading the electrical circuit. The minimum size of such devices is 16-24 seats.

• Technical specifications;
• Manufacturer reliability.

To determine the technical parameters, simple calculations will be required, but making sure that the manufacturer is reliable is not so simple. In the modern market there are inexpensive counterfeit products. In addition, you can stumble upon an outright fake of a well-known brand. Therefore, when choosing equipment, you should check the availability of the appropriate certificate, especially when it comes to metering devices. No power supply company will connect non-certified equipment that has not been tested.

At the moment, many companies are engaged in the production of boxes. Based on practice, preference should be given to the following companies: ABB, IEK, Makel. If electrical work is required, these brands appear most often. Products from ABB are considered the highest quality, and the last 2, although inferior in quality, are popular due to their affordable cost. If the main preference is the visual component and at the same time reliability, you need to choose equipment from the Greek manufacturer FOTKA.

How to install the counter in the shield

Before installing the meter, you need to figure out in what order the device will be connected to the electrical line. In some cases, the controllers approve the independent connection of equipment. It is better to provide a protective shutdown device in front of the meter. As a rule, in the case of a single-phase network, a two-pole circuit breaker is installed. The functions of this device are as follows:

• Provides meter short circuit protection. Allows you to carry out preventive work;
• Capable of limiting the allowed power.

By setting the counter, other actions are performed:

• The meter is attached to the shield with a special latch;
• It is necessary to install outgoing single-pole circuit breakers.

Regulations state that the electricity meter must be installed at a height of 80 to 170 cm.

A person is constantly surrounded by various electrical appliances. Modern devices can conduct current, which happens most often due to damaged insulation. If the device is not grounded, it is very dangerous to touch it. To avoid accidents, an RCD is recommended for installation. The purpose of the device is to protect against electric shock (short circuit or damaged insulation).

Shield installation

It is necessary to decide where the box will be fixed. As a rule, this is a hallway, not far from the input of the power cable. It is installed at a height of 1.5 to 1.7 meters. Holes are made in the wall, and the box itself is fastened with dowels or self-tapping screws.

After the shield is installed on the wall, its assembly is as follows:

• In advance, all groups of wires must be brought to the shield. They must be marked, which will facilitate assembly according to the scheme;
• Using self-tapping screws, a DIN rail is attached to the shield, on which the devices will be installed;
• The upper part is equipped with a bus for neutral, the lower one for grounding;
• In the upper part, an automatic input is installed;
• The introductory machine can be located in a separate box, like the counter;
• As for the groups of machines, they are placed from top to bottom, as the power decreases. The jumper between them is a special bus, or a copper wire with a cross section of 4 mm is used;
• Cables and wires are introduced into the box through the provided hole. It is necessary to cut off the outer braid from them, and the gasket is carried out by color. It is necessary to leave a margin that may be needed for further repairs. Zero cores are connected to the top bus. Power is supplied to the upper terminals, the load is connected to the lower terminals;
• When connecting each group, it is recommended to check its performance by applying voltage through the temporary connection circuit.

Important! Initially, the shield is assembled without switching, which allows you to mark the installation locations of the devices. If necessary, the power must be quickly turned off, both from the outside and from the inside, which must be provided for.

In the closed state of the shield, it is important that it is possible to check the voltage with an indicator screwdriver.

When choosing a shield, it is necessary to build on the size of the electric meter and the number of packages installed. In any case, you will have to resort to the help of an electrician: to connect the common circuit and to seal the meter. Picking up a box is not difficult, but first you need to correctly draw up a project so as not to make a mistake.

Video

Hello dear friends and colleagues! We present you assembled and ready for shipment outdoor electricity metering board with degree of protection IP54 for installation on a pole or support.

Purpose of control room

Outdoor electricity metering board is designed for electricity metering and protection of electrical equipment against overloads and short circuits on the outgoing line in networks with a dead-earthed neutral at a voltage of ~ 380/220 V AC with a frequency of 50 Hz.

Further, "Street metering board" ...

Street metering board designed to be mounted on a pole or support, also, it can be mounted on the outer wall of the building. The electrical panel has a degree of protection IP54 - thereby protecting the electrical equipment installed inside the electrical panel from dust and moisture.

Design features of the switchboard

Electrical panel housing made of sheet metal and has a mounting plate for mounting a single or three-phase meter, as well as circuit breakers to protect electrical equipment from overloads and short circuits.

• On the back wall The case has four independent fasteners for mounting the electrical panel on the wall - thus: the degree of protection IP54 is not violated!
• The metering board has a protective panel from accidental contact with current-carrying parts of the outgoing line.
• On the door The electric power metering board has a viewing window for taking readings from the electric meter.

Appearance

Conditional elements on the diagram

Designation	Name of installation equipment	Quantity
QF1	Automatic switch 3P. 50A	1 PC.
PI1	Electrical energy meter Mercury 231 AT-01 two-tariff 3-phase 5(60)A 50Hz	1 PC.
SF1	Automatic switch 3P. 32A	1 PC.
SF2	Automatic switch 3P. 20A	1 PC.
SF3	Automatic switch 3P. 10A	1 PC.
XS1	220 V DIN rail socket with earth	1 PC.

In fact, the metering cabinet was made to order according to an individual electrical diagram. If you need a slightly different configuration and complete set of the electrical panel - call us! or send us an application with an attached electrical diagram, through the application form on our website.

We don't want to offend anyone!

These examples are only here so that you can compare our build quality with the quality of other switchboard assemblers!

How do you like the quality? liked? want a little cheaper? like third-party manufacturers in the last photos, alas ... We do not know how to assemble!

The standard network parameters in such cases for connecting a private house are:

- 3 phase

- Voltage: 380V

- Dedicated power: 15 kW

- Input cable: SIP 4-core (3 phase conductors and PEN)

I note that one of the main tasks of technical specifications is not only to ensure the safety of the electrical installation, but also to prevent the possibility of theft of electricity by consumers.

That is why all protection or switching devices in the electrical panel, located before the electric meter, must be protected from the possibility of illegal connection. Usually they are hidden in separate boxes, which are sealed when connected.

Besides, technical conditions prescribe to place the metering board in a place accessible for verification- at the border of the site, on a lighting pole or fence.

Most often, such external shields are used exclusively for accounting, without additional features, they carry only basic functions. The main switchboard (PSB), at the same time, is placed inside the houses, where all consumers are divided into groups, the load is distributed, the corresponding protective automation is installed, etc.

All the schemes below will be calculated for the two most popular grounding systems in private homes TT And TN-C-S. Under each connection option, there will be links to step-by-step assembly instructions, with detailed comments.

If you have not decided which of the grounding systems to choose, the following information will help you:

TT is a relatively more secure system. The main disadvantages include only high costs both for the installation of protective equipment and the installation of a ground loop, and for regular maintenance. Which, for safe operation, must always be maintained by you in working order.

You will learn more about the difference in the design of grounding systems in one of the following articles. Subscribe to our Vkontakte group, stay tuned for new materials.

A simple diagram for connecting the electrical panel of a private house 15 kW

The simplest budget option for assembling a metering board is presented below. Only the most necessary elements are used here:

1. Shield hinged metal,.

2. Plastic box 3 modules, with lugs for seals

3. Three-pole Safety circuit breaker, characteristic C25 (for a dedicated power of 15kW, this rating is needed)

4. Electric energy meter (meter) 3-phase 380V

5. Distribution switching block, the ability to connect wires with a cross section of up to 16mm.kv.

Scheme of a simple metering switchboard for a private house 15kW, Grounding system TN-C-S:

Simple metering board, TT grounding system

This option is more often used as a temporary one, for example, to connect a change house during construction, as it has few means of protection.

For your home, in which you plan to live permanently, even for a country house, I advise you to use the following assembly:

The optimal scheme of the electricity metering board 380V in a private house 15 kW

It differs from the previous one by the presence of a selective ( number 6), it works immediately for all consumers at home, it is also called fire fighting. The installation of an RCD at the entrance to the house is recommended by the Rules for the Installation of Electrical Installations - PUE.

Recommended metering board scheme for a private house 380V using a selective RCD, grounding TN-C-S

This is the most balanced scheme that can be implemented for a remote electric metering board at home, simple and reliable. It is suitable for everyone, and this is what I recommend to collect.

To improve it, in order to strengthen the protection of the electrical network and electrical appliances at home, you can add a surge protection device (SPD).

A variant of the electrical panel of a private house with an SPD

It is up to you to install an SPD or not. It depends on many factors that need to be taken into account. If you decide, these schemes will help you.

Often, in an overhead street electrical panel, in addition to the above equipment, it is required to install some other modular devices, for example, switching devices. In particular, it is very useful, especially at the construction stage, the usual socket mechanism.

You can connect a power tool, a spotlight or any other electrical appliance that you need to use on the street to it. There are often no other ways to connect to the power grid.

Electrical panel for electricity metering 380V of a private house with a 220V socket

In this scheme of the electrical panel, there is an additional 220V modular socket ( number 7) with an individual protection device - difavtomat ( number 8), which combines the Circuit Breaker and the Residual Current Device. The RCD rating must be higher than that of the circuit breaker, for example 40A, leakage current 100 or 300 mA.

Electric metering board 380V, with modular socket and difavtomat, TT grounding

Following this example, where the outlet is protected by a residual current circuit breaker, you can install any other modular equipment, contactors, transformers, etc. to the electricity metering board, if necessary.

Once again, I note that under each scheme there are links, by clicking on which you can read the details, find out the equipment used, and ask questions.

If you know of any other useful options for assembling a 380V private house metering board, write in the comments, this may be interesting and useful to many.

Otherwise, here are the main options that are used when connecting private houses and garden houses to the power grid. And most importantly, such electrical panels are successfully accepted by regulatory authorities and put into operation.

An important part of the power supply system is the electrical panel for the meter and machines. It is with the determination of its location that the planning or modernization of electrical networks begins. The device is a distribution box used to control and manage all electrical wiring lines. Therefore, it is so important to choose and install it correctly.

The electrical panel is a switch box, designed to accommodate input devices, protection elements and an electricity meter in it. Such boxing is used both at production facilities and in private houses and apartments. In the technical documentation, you can also find another name for it - a distribution point.

In fact, the device is a box with seats for mounting electrical accessories. Its design includes a door designed not only to protect the equipment in the cabinet, but also to prevent electric shock. Depending on the purpose, the shields produced by the industry can be:

Thus, electricity is supplied to the socket or lighting groups from the shield. All electrical equipment necessary for this is installed in the floor or apartment device, for example, batch circuit breakers, RCDs, voltage relays, an input differential machine, zero and ground voltage blocks. In addition, an electricity meter can also be mounted in it.

The requirements for different types of shields are the same. They are designated in the rules for the operation of electrical installations (PUE) and GOST 51321. The main content of these documents is as follows:

Shield types

The division of shields by purpose is conditional and is intended to be indicated on building plans or in other documentation understandable to specialists. For consumers, electrical cabinets are divided according to other criteria. First of all, this includes installation, which can be built-in or mounted.

The built-in (internal) design looks more attractive, as it forms almost one whole with the wall on which it is placed. The second type is hung using fasteners, which allows it to be used even on thin partitions. It should be noted that there is also a floor-type shield, made in the form of a cabinet and used only in production.

In addition, electric boxes differ in size and material from which they are made. Metal or plastic is used as a basis for them. There is no fundamental difference between the use of one or another material, but for a built-in or outdoor version, a plastic box is recommended, although the metal box is vandal-proof and has a lock.

All shields have their own marking, consisting of letters and numbers. So, ShKU means an apartment accounting shield, ShchKR - distribution, ShchRV - internal, and ShchRN - hinged. The number after the abbreviation indicates the number of modules that can fit in the fixture. For example, the marking ShchRN-10 means that the electrical cabinet is designed for wall mounting and is designed for the installation of ten modules.

There are also models with a mounting plate. They are designated ShMP. Due to their small dimensions and good appearance, they can be used both in storey niches and in apartments. The difference between street fixtures (SCHRNM) is the ability to remove the mounting panel, which allows you to increase the usable volume of the box.

Characteristics of distribution blocks

The technical parameters of junction boxes for electric machines are related to ergonomics and the number of modules installed at the same time. So, the quality of the fixture depends on the accuracy of fitting the elements, the type of materials used in the manufacture and the coating of metal parts. The following structural characteristics are distinguished:

1. Dimensions. Specified in millimeters. Most often, the electrical panel is made in a rectangular shape.
2. Number of modules. Indicates the number of seats for electric machines. It should be noted that some devices, such as differential automata, may occupy more than two places. The unit of measure is pieces. Additionally, a place can be provided for installing an electricity consumption meter.
3. Material. Guards are made of metal or nonflammable plastic.
4. Place of use. There are options for outdoor and indoor execution.
5. Door type. If a door is provided in the electrical panel, then it can be transparent or deaf. It is made of sheet metal or plastic and can be supplemented with a fireproof seal, as well as have a latch or a full-fledged lock.
6. Type of instalation. It can be of three types: mounted, built-in, floor.
7. Protection level. This value corresponds to the standard international classification. It is characterized by the IP protection system, which determines the degree of resistance to impact of solid objects and water, and IK, which indicates resistance to impact (the more the better).
8. Color. Available in various colors, may have the texture of wood or other decorative material.

Nuances of choice

In retail outlets, electrical panels are presented in a large assortment. They are produced by almost all leading manufacturers of electrical accessories. Most often, electricians choose shields from such brands as Schneider Electric, Hager, ABB, Legrand, Viko, IEK, Makel (the last 3 are the most budget options).

Before you purchase a device, you will need to decide where the box will be located and what electrical accessories you plan to install in it.

Wall cabinets allow for safe electrical installation, they are mainly designed for installation in wooden houses or on walls where it is problematic to make a niche. Built-in boxes fit perfectly into the interior and are used in emergency exit corridors.

If you plan to buy an apartment built-in electrical panel, then you should find out the issue of installing an electricity meter. Since the consumer does not have the right to turn off and switch the meter, an electrician will need to be called before transferring it to the box. To avoid this, you can purchase a small box for your home. On average, a box designed for 12 modules is enough for a three-room apartment, taking into account the fact that the introductory machine occupies two seats.

In the event of a planned replacement or transfer of the meter, you can buy a combined cabinet. The location of all distribution elements in one place will look more harmonious. At the same time, it will be more convenient to switch between them. It is desirable that there is a slot in the closing door through which it is convenient to take readings from the metering device. It is even better if the electrical panel is equipped with a transparent door. It will allow you not to open the box every time to evaluate the position of the circuit breakers.

For domestic and administrative buildings, the protection class of the shield must be at least IP31, for industrial buildings - IP54. A street shield located in an open area must have a protection class of IP55 or higher. The dimensions of the electrical panel depend on the types of modules installed in it and their number. Most often, fixtures with a depth of 120 mm are selected for the home.

Mounting and assembly

The assembly of the external or internal structure does not fundamentally differ from each other. But in the second case, it is first necessary to make a niche to which the slotted channels for laying the electrical wire will fit. . Any electrical cabinet consists of several parts, which include:

• shield base;
• a place for laying an electric cable with its holders;
• racks for mounting terminal blocks;
• din rail.

Depending on the model, a door, a protective overlay or a lock can be added.

Direct installation consists in mounting the box in the place intended for it. But before that, depending on the side of the cable factory, a plug breaks out in the shield. Electrical wires are inserted into the hole formed. The outdoor box is hung on a pre-installed bracket. There are also models that are fastened with screws, for this they are screwed through the back panel into the installed dowels.

The inner box for electric machines is inserted into a niche and fixed using gypsum-based mortars. Before fixing it, pass all the wires through the prepared holes. As soon as the cabinet is fixed, the installation of electrical appliances begins.

First, screw the DIN rail and the electric meter, if its installation is provided. Then grounding and zeroing tires are installed. Circuit breakers, residual current devices (RCDs), differential circuit breakers and other protective equipment are put on the rail. Installing them is easy thanks to a specially spring-loaded latch that firmly presses the electrical fittings to the DIN rail. As long as the fixing screw is not tightened, the device to be installed can be easily moved in a horizontal direction.

Once all the necessary devices have been placed, proceed to connecting the wires. To perform these steps without errors, it is convenient to use a pre-compiled wiring plan. When switching, it is recommended to observe the color of the wires. So, a blue wire is connected to the neutral bus, grounding is done in green, and brown is used as a phase wire.

Switchboard models are not tied to manufacturers of modular elements, for example, a Hager electric machine can be installed in an ABB case without any problems. Therefore, their functionality is determined by the ease of mounting and protection class. Among the many manufactured products, some models are especially popular for installation in apartments. But if in industrial buildings the main criterion is reliability, then in apartments it is aesthetics.

For hidden installation, it is recommended to purchase the Hager Cosmos VR118TD shield. Its door is made of transparent plastic, if desired, it can be easily removed from the hinges. Opening direction - up. The box is completed with grounding and zero busbars made of brass. The degree of protection corresponds to IP 31. The number of installed modules is eighteen. This shield has a beautiful appearance, ease of installation and low price.

If you need an external shield, you can purchase the VIKO LOTUS model. This inexpensive model will be especially relevant for residents of Khrushchev. It allows you to place twelve modules. The kit contains tires, all necessary fasteners and a DIN rail. The white color of the product and its darkened door are suitable for any interior.

Building a power supply system without the use of electrical panels is almost impossible. Their installation not only makes it convenient to turn on and off the power supply on certain lines, but also increases the safety of using the power grid as a whole. At the same time, boxes for placing meters and electrical modules are of different placement and can be chosen for any interior.

At the entrance of the internal network of an apartment, house or cottage, an apartment switchboard (KShch) is almost always installed, which houses an electric meter and circuit breakers (AB) and other equipment. Let's look at the functional purpose of this device, its design features, installation and connection rules.

Functional purpose

Any switching device must have appropriate protection to prevent contact with current-carrying elements and prevent foreign objects from falling on them that can cause a short circuit. In addition, electric devices are installed in the switchgear that perform the following functions:

• electricity consumption accounting;
• protection of the internal network from overload and short circuit;
• manual disconnection of any of the internal lines, for example, for repair work.

Design and performance features

KShch is a plastic or metal box equipped with a door, inside which there are special seats for a meter, AB and other equipment.

Designation:

• A - housing made of non-combustible plastic or metal;
• B - lockable door;
• C - viewing window, for taking readings of the electric meter by employees of the controlling service;
• D - mortise lock;
• E - mount for the meter;
• F - Din-rails, which are a standard profile on which equipment is installed (AB, RCD, zero bus, etc.);
• G - panels that block access to live parts of installed electrical appliances.

There are two types of housing - for external and internal installation.

The size of the box depends on the estimated number of installed modules.

Another factor influencing the design of the electrical panel is the protection class. Below is a table deciphering the accepted designation in accordance with certain operating conditions.

For example, we have a switchgear with an IP65 protection class, according to the table above, this parameter indicates that with this design, dust and water splashes are guaranteed not to penetrate into the structure (provided that the door is closed).

What to look for when choosing?

When choosing a SC, one should be guided by the following factors:

1. Housing attachment method. If you plan to install a panel house on a concrete wall, then you should give preference to a box designed for hanging mounting. Otherwise, there is a high probability of violating the integrity of the bearing wall. In addition, the installation process itself will be significantly complicated.

Accordingly, when installing in a hollow wall, for example, a plasterboard partition, an embedded structure is selected.

1. Estimated number of units. Their number is determined by the characteristic features of the wiring. As a rule, each line is connected to a separate protective device. It is recommended to leave a margin of 20-30%, in case of a possible upgrade of the internal network in order to connect any electrical appliances, such as an air conditioner or a boiler. Replacing the switchgear requires more effort than installing another AB module.
2. Choice of protection class. It is determined depending on the operating conditions. If you plan to place it indoors, you can limit yourself to categories IP30-40. The external electrical panel requires a higher protection class (IP44-65).
3. The choice of material. Here you should also be guided by the location. If the shield is supposed to be installed inside a residential building, then, from an aesthetic point of view, a plastic case is preferable. Metal boxes are more suitable for a garage, workshop or other utility room.

The correct choice of the switchgear is very important, since after its installation and connection it is not possible to quickly replace the switchboard.

Since the shield refers to electrical equipment, it must be accompanied by a technical passport, which reflects the following information:

• model name;
• manufacturer information;
• technical parameters (permissible voltage, current and frequency) and specification code;
• assigned protection class;
• date of manufacture.

The absence of a passport indicates that the product is most likely counterfeit, and its technical characteristics may not meet the standards. For example, non-refractory plastic was used in the production.

Selecting an installation site

In a residential area, it is advisable to allocate a single zone for placing devices in it that provide connection to external telecommunications networks and a power source. The centralized location greatly simplifies the maintenance of these systems. As a rule, a place is allocated for such a zone inside the apartment next to the entrance. In panel houses, special niches are provided in the tambour room.

If external installation is carried out, then a base made of non-combustible material must be placed under the switchgear box.

The lower edge of the box must be at least 100 cm from the floor level, while the upper part of the case is limited to a height of 180 cm. This range can be reduced to 50 cm and 130 cm (respectively) if disabled or elderly citizens live in the apartment.

• in the danger zone belonging to category "0", "I" and "II" (showers, bathrooms, etc.);
• in interior items and furniture (for example, a closet or wardrobe);
• above heating installations;
• next to plumbing fixtures;
• over a gas or electric stove;
• outside the territory of the house (the restriction does not apply to metering boards);
• on loggias and balconies, including glazed ones;
• in the bathroom;
• on a flight of stairs;
• in any damp room;
• in the ventilation shaft.

Example of internal wiring

Let us give as an example the wiring diagram of the KShch of a one-room apartment.

Designations:

1. Bipolar AB. Through it, a connection is made to an external single-phase source (220 volts).
2. Metering device.
3. Residual current device (in this case, it is common to all three lines).
4. Zero distribution bus.
5. AB for lighting.
6. AB to sockets.
7. AB to a separate electric stove power line.
8. Ground bus.

The diagram shows the ratings of AB and RCD, as well as the cross section of the wire. Information on how to choose these elements correctly can be found on our website.

Selection of equipment for switchgear

When choosing electrical appliances and cable, you must be guided by two criteria:

1. Technical specifications.
2. Manufacturer reliability.

If to determine the technical parameters it is enough to carry out a few simple calculations, then in choosing a manufacturer, not everything is so simple. There are many inexpensive counterfeit products on the market. In addition, there are often outright fakes of famous brands. Therefore, we recommend checking that the electric devices have the appropriate certificates. This is especially true for metering devices. Any electricity supplier company will refuse to connect an uncertified meter, as well as a device that has not been verified.

For all internal switching of the switchgear, it is recommended to use a solid wire PuV. It is allowed to use a stranded analogue - PuGV, provided that the twisted wires at the ends are crimped with special lugs. The wire insulation of these brands is made of non-combustible material, and retains its properties in the temperature range from -40°C to 75°C. The service life of such wires is at least 15-20 years.

To bring the phase to the input of the automata, you can use a special element "comb", it is used as a distribution bus.

Concluding the topic, we will offer some tips that will help you assemble a shield for an electric meter and machines without gross errors:

• it is not allowed to pass a wire or cable under the fastening profile AB;
• when tightening the clamps, the value of the applied moment of force should be in the range of 2.5-3.5 Nm;
• if the box is made of metal, it must be grounded;
• the length of the supply of connected cables should be one and a half to two times the height of the switchgear, but at the same time not exceed 400 mm;
• all internal switching lines must be marked, this requirement also applies to installed electrical appliances. Below them, or on the door, there should be a table indicating the purpose of each element.