How to assemble a switchboard for electrical wiring in an apartment and a private house

Electrical wiring in any room is wired from one public or private switchboard. The assembly of switchboard equipment is carried out by professional craftsmen. If there is no opportunity to contact the appropriate service, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the general safety requirements and with particular moments. The life of equipment, wiring, as well as the safety of life, health and property of the owners of the premises depend on the correctness of the actions. In a private house or apartment, the work is somewhat easier, but the general rules remain.

The concept, purpose, types of electrical panels

Switchboard in a private house

Installation of the electrical panel is necessary for cabling in the final premises (industrial, residential, other). The choice of the type of devices depends on the total load, the number of devices.

An electric panel is a complex of separate technical elements that allow you to distribute electricity to outlets, switches, appliances. Necessary components:

  • DIN rail - serves for fastening circuit breakers to clamps, is a metal plate with mounts. If required, it can be cut to the required length and size.
  • The bus - one allows you to disperse the wires with zero voltage, the second is designed for grounding contacts. They are installed in open and closed versions, the latter are isolated from touches.

    Category C machines
  • Automata - devices designed to automatically turn off an electrical circuit in case of overloads (power surges, power surges). The number of devices and power are selected as necessary.
  • Wires, cables for connecting contacts.
  • Device for metering consumed electricity (meter), as needed.

If the number of devices increases, you can expand the apartment electrical panel by adding the required number of elements.

Classification of electrical panels

Built-in apartment electrical panel

Devices are divided according to several parameters - methods, installation location, level of protection of the case. According to the installation technique, they distinguish:

  • waybills;
  • recessed;
  • outdoor.

The first are installed on a vertical surface, directly to the walls, supports and other similar structures. The main nuance is that the entire complex of equipment with a housing is located outside.

The assembly of electrical panels of the second type involves the preparation of a special recess in the wall (other surface). The case fits completely, only the protective cover remains on the outside. Floor electric guards are fixed on a horizontal plane (floor, stand).

Degree of protection table

The installation site of the electrical panel is selected depending on the needs of the building and premises. Distinguish between devices of internal and external location. The latter can be installed on the street, attached to the outer parts of the blocks. However, an additional housing is required, a cabinet to protect against weather conditions and possible technical damage.

The degree of protection is indicated on the case in Latin letters IP and numbers. The most common varieties:

  • IP20 and 30 - installation in closed, dry rooms is allowed, there is no protection against moisture, only against penetration of foreign elements;
  • IP44 and 54 - higher mechanical protection, installation of a distribution board in buildings and rooms with high humidity, on the street, excluding direct water ingress, is possible;
  • IP55 and 65 - a high level of protection against moisture and dust, tolerate aggressive indoor and outdoor conditions, isolated from any contact.

There are other categories of protection, but are less common. Outside, install flaps of floor and laid on types.

Body material

Plastic apartment electrical panel

The base of the device is made of two types of materials: metal, plastic. Another name for the buildings is blocks. Plastic is often used to assemble small electrical panels for apartments, small rooms. The outer cover is usually made of transparent material for ease of use - it is easy to see the display of the electric meter behind it.

Metal can be supplemented with elements of glass or transparent plastic. The assembly of shields of such a plan implies high voltage, so it is important to reduce the likelihood of contact with internal parts. Glass and plastic covers allow you to take readings without opening the switchboard electrical cabinet completely.

DIN rails are made only of metal, regardless of the case material.

Assembly requirements

Recognition of phase and zero in the wire

Work carried out with electrical devices and wiring are classified as especially dangerous. Therefore, the assembly of the electrical panel implies the observance of certain requirements:

  • filling elements with the recommendations that are given in technical documents, it is forbidden to exceed the number of devices;
  • the presence of the sign of electrical protection is mandatory, the permissible voltage of the device is indicated here;
  • the materials from which the electric switchboard and its parts are assembled must not conduct current and ignite;
  • marking is obligatory on cables; special tags are used that mark separate groups of elements;
  • the terminals are connected to the wires one at a time, the buses are distinguished by color (black - phase, blue - zero);
  • if several circuit breakers are used, the connection between them is made out using a special bus conductor;
  • grounding is mandatory for the housing and cover;
  • if a private house is built of wood, it is impossible to lay internal wiring, therefore, special pipes, ducts are used.

The technical documentation of the electrical panel contains the necessary information: type of device, class, order of protection against moisture and dust, recommendations for installation and safety precautions. Follow the established requirements should be strictly. Otherwise, short circuits, burnout, complete failure of the equipment are possible.

Entering cables into the shield

Entering cables into the shield

Putting the main cables into an electrical panel requires time and attention. The subsequent wiring in the shield and the final assembly depend on the correctness of the procedure.

Standard factory equipment is made to make cables convenient. Above and below, holes are provided to screw in the wire, just press on the perforation with your finger. The classic diameter is designed for pipes of 1.6 and 2 cm in cross section.

It’s easy to get cables into the hinged electrical enclosure. It is important to fix the casing well and hold the pipes one at a time. If the switchboard is built-in, follow the step-by-step instructions (the procedure depends on the type of device). The base is attached to the alabaster and leveled.

In cheap guards, holes are often missing. It is necessary to cut through yourself. It is important not to damage the internal elements.

It is not recommended to leave a long “tail” inside the shield. The wires must be cut to the desired size, this will facilitate the subsequent installation of RCDs and other devices.

Cable separation inside the shield

Assembling an electrical panel for an apartment and a private house implies the correct separation of wires inside the case. First, the outer insulating layer (rubberized, colored) is removed from the cables.It is important not to damage the wire strands, after which you should leave a check mark so as not to get confused with the following actions. An ordinary paper tape is suitable, it is placed on the type of "light / children's room", "light / bedroom". It is possible in another way, the main thing is that not only the master can distinguish the components of the group and their purpose. The arrangement with modular elements is carried out in accordance with the purpose of the cable (phase, zero, grounding).

In order for the cable to be enough, it is important to measure the correct length. Usually the wire is left the size of two heights of an electric shield, the excess is cut off.

Modern modular protection devices

Circuit breaker - a device that opens an electrical circuit in case of overload or short circuit

The demand for electricity is growing steadily. Moreover, most of the distribution equipment has been in operation for more than a dozen years. Therefore, the quality of the received current often leaves much to be desired. There are other causes of energy drops - natural, technical.

To protect electrical equipment and the shield, they install modular protection devices - automatic machines. Modern devices quickly respond to the appearance of overcurrents and open the electrical network

The same rule for connecting machines as in other devices works in the guards - power is supplied only from the top of the device.

The bare cable conductors are fixed on the module terminals with special latches, for example, screws. It is necessary to prevent ingress of pieces of insulation, moisture and dust on the contacts - if it does not appear immediately, then electricity may disappear in part of the room or in its entirety (depending on the group of connected terminals), fire may occur.

It is forbidden to connect cables of different sections to one terminal AB. Tolstoy will get good contact, and thin one will get bad and during operation it will begin to melt.

If the cable core is solid, it is recommended to bend it in U shape for better connection, then twist it. This provides a larger contact area and better conductivity. For multi-core, special fasteners NShVI-2 and NShV should be used.

Assembly of modular elements of the shield

Three-phase residual current device (RCD)

If the connection is made for the first time, it is important to follow the step-by-step instructions in order to properly assemble the electrical panel and the modules of the machines. It is important to remove unnecessary elements, to provide sufficient lighting. First, prepare the required blocks:

  • circuit breakers;
  • relay for voltage control (protection of household appliances from power surges);
  • RCD
  • machines of differential type;
  • cross modules.

If you have some skills in working with electricity and wiring, it is not difficult to assemble a single-phase meter. The three-phase shield assembly is carried out according to the same scheme, the difference is only in the number of cores and closed contacts. Elements are fixed to the rail with clamps in the indicated order. After checking the correct connection, only then proceed to the terminal contacts. Loosen the screws, distribute the wires with combs.

The phase of the RCD, modular machines and other components is distributed from the input switch. Zero is taken from the clamp of the machine at the input of the RCD. The free end of the zero cable is connected to zero on the main bus (switching is carried out by a single blue wire). If unused contacts remain, they should be secured with a screwdriver.

After this, a final check is carried out according to a pre-prepared circuit board. Then voltage is applied in test mode. The amount of electricity at the terminals is measured with a multimeter or other device.

Final assembly

Tire zero on a din rail

A switchboard for wiring in an apartment or a private house is assembled after fixing and checking the operability of modular elements. The power is turned off again.The parts mounted on the rail are placed in the case, the screws are screwed (usually on the sides, in the center).

The main and ground zero bus are fixed. When laying the wires are collected in bundles (it is important not to allow twisting, weaving). Protective mounted to the PE bus. The sequence of inclusion should correspond to the circuit of the electrical panel. Each bus is marked (zero, phase, ground).

A control comparison of the resulting design with the original circuit of the electrical panel is carried out.

The final check is possible only after installing sockets, switches, which are provided for by the wiring plan.

Assembling an electrical panel for 220V in a private house

Diagram of the switchboard of a private house

To properly assemble the electrical panel in your own home, you need to familiarize yourself with the nuances of such a structure:

  • level of power allocated to the project - the choice of electric meter, automatic machines depends;
  • mounting location of the shield - affects the type of housing;
  • number of branches - for each, a separate protective module is required;
  • reliability of the power grid - takes into account the quality of power lines, the proximity of large facilities and the like.

The electrical panel in the house is installed for a long period of time. It is recommended to carefully approach the choice of elements, calculate and take into account a possible increase in load: the appearance of additional rooms, appliances. In rural areas, the air lines are in average or poor condition, it is better to install more protective blocks.

The electrical panel is the first element of the electrical wiring of a private house, apartment, or other premises. It is not recommended to save on design details, you should choose reliable manufacturers and trusted stores. However, paramount attention is paid to the common-house level of voltage, power consumption. It is important to install a sufficient number of protective modules, embed a voltage relay. Carefulness and compliance with the instructions will help make the electrical panel safe, and the service life is long.

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