How to assemble an electrical switchboard for an apartment

The process of assembling a switchboard requires special skills and knowledge. The service life of the devices and the reliability of the power supply system at home depend on the correctness of the chosen scheme, the distribution of consumers. If in old houses with a minimum number of electrical appliances two or three machines were enough, then in modern housing it is necessary to take care of the reliability of the network. Below are the main recommendations on how to assemble a switchboard for an apartment, what circuits and devices should be used, as well as recommendations for troubleshooting.

What is an electrical panel and why is it needed?

How to assemble an electrical switchboard for an apartment

An electrical panel is a structure consisting of complex modular devices designed to control the power supply network. Of the main purposes, it is worth highlighting:

reception of incoming voltage from the general power supply network of the house;
analysis of the parameters of incoming energy and shutdown of the internal network at critical values;
distribution of consumers into groups by zones, capacity, purpose;
direct connection of powerful consumers such as hobs, boiler, washing machines, air conditioners, etc.;
protection of wiring and household appliances from short circuits and other critical situations;
ensuring complete safety during the operation of the power supply network.

As a rule, they are mounted together with an electricity meter for greater convenience. In a new housing stock, where metering devices are located in the corridor, shields are installed at the front door.

Important! It is necessary to provide free access to the shield in order to turn off the machines if necessary.

Principles of distribution of electricity by groups

Switchboards, in which several automatic machines are used for the entire apartment, are a thing of the past. The need for a large number of modular devices is explained by convenience and increased safety. If an outlet breaks in one of the rooms, you can turn off one machine, and the rest of the network will continue to operate normally. The basic rules for the distribution of groups are described below.

Powerful Consumers. All devices with a power of more than 2 kW are connected separately or combined into small groups. For each of them, a separate line with an individual circuit breaker is carried out. As a rule, the cable cross-section and the rating of the machine are chosen with a small margin. For most cases, a VVGng or NYM copper cable with a cross section of 2.5 mm is suitable², as well as automatic 16A.
Heavy Duty Appliances require mandatory separate lines. Such devices may include instantaneous water heaters from 5.5 kW and hobs, the power of which starts from 6.5 to 9.5 kW. To connect them, use a cable with a cross section of 4 or 6 mm², as well as machines for 25A and 32A.
Socket groups united by rooms, also create several groups for one large room. The common line goes from the shield to the junction box, where the cable branches. Enough cable VVGng or NYM with a cross section of 2.5 mm² and a 16A machine.
Lighting distributed throughout the rooms. For example, different groups for the bathroom, bedroom, balcony. Lines with 1.5mm wire² protected by 10A circuit breakers.

Reference! The nominal value of the machine directly depends on the cable section, as well as the power of consumers.

Requirements for switchboards

Special requirements are put forward for electrical equipment, since it is responsible for the safe operation of household appliances. The following must be mandatory:

Availability of a technical passport with a description of consumers and rated current.
Developed connection diagram.
Marking of wires with the designation of line devices.
Grounding the shield and all connected devices.
If the shield is metal, the structure and doors must be grounded, and the housing coating must be dielectric.
The presence of free terminals on the tires of the neutral and ground wires.
The shield is made of non-flammable material.

Reference! All shields must comply with the rules of GOST 51778-2001 and PUE.

Charting

Modern power supply systems involve the use of a three-core cable, where one wire is a phase, and the rest are ground and zero. Given the growing power of devices, it is also necessary to divide into groups, which allows you to increase the life of the wiring. Guided by these principles, they proceed to draw up a diagram of the shield.

Advice! It is better to entrust the design of the shield and electrical wiring to an apartment to a professional so as not to miss important details. Otherwise, you will have to redo the repair.

It is mandatory to install a protection device on the input cable that will protect the internal network from overvoltage. Then a voltage relay is installed to control surges in the network, after which they proceed to the installation of groups and individual lines. It is worth noting that for powerful devices, in addition to switches, additional RCDs or diffusers are used. Such an organization of a home electrical network is not only safe, but also convenient. If necessary, you can turn off the machine and turn off the washing machine. You can also turn off RCD and de-energize all consumers included in the global group.

Electrical panel components

The switchboard consists of many devices. For reliable operation of the home electrical network and protection of household appliances, it is necessary to use circuit breakers, RCD and diffusers, voltage control relays, tires and much more.

Circuit breakers

Devices for automatic protection of the line that is connected to them. They break the purpose of the power supply in the event that the value of the current in the line is significantly higher than the nominal parameter. The cable is also protected against heating.

RCD and diffusers

Residual current device (RCD) disconnects the load if leakage currents appear. From them, in the first place, a person can suffer. Also, the leak negatively affects the wiring, as a result of which the wires can heat up and ignite.

Differential machine - protects against short circuits, overloads, and current leakage. It is often used instead of a combination of a pair of RCDs and a conventional machine. The main advantage is short circuit protection.

Voltage control relay

The device is used to measure the input voltage and maintain the specified value. In the event of sudden surges in the network, the device turns off the electricity supply. The electrical circuit closes only after the restoration of the indicator and time delay. The main purpose is to protect electrical appliances from power surges.

Grounding and neutral busbars

Tires for grounding and zero are used for ease of installation, as well as compliance of the shield with all the rules of GOST and PUE. The number of DIN rails depends on the number of machines and other modules, so it is necessary to draw up a mounting scheme in advance.

comb tire

It is used instead of cable jumpers, which were previously made independently by electricians. The comb looks like a solid plate with protruding teeth and is designed to connect machines that are in the same row.

Other equipment

As additional equipment in the switchboard, modular contactors, load switches, sockets on a DIN rail, timers and much more are used. Other devices increase the convenience of managing the power supply network.

How to calculate the number of places in the electrical panel?

All equipment for the switchboard is standardized and mounted on a special DIN rail. The unit of measure for the place is considered to be a "module" with a width of 17.5 mm. All shields are sold depending on the amount of space: for 8, 12, 24, 36 modules.

Reference! To calculate the number of seats, it is necessary to take into account all devices, including RCDs, automatic devices, voltage relays, differential automatic devices.

Circuit breakers have a standard width of 17.5 mm. Other devices have the following characteristics:

bipolar machine - 2 modules and 35 mm;
three-pole machine - 3 modules, 52.5 mm;
single-phase RCD - 2 modules and 35 mm;
three-phase RCD - 4 modules and 70 mm;
diffuser - 2 modules and 35 mm;
voltage relay - 3 modules, 52.5 mm;
DIN-rail socket - 3 modules, 52.5 mm;
DIN rail terminals - 1 module 17.5 mm.

Electrical panel assembly

When the shield circuit is created, and the electrical wires are laid around the apartment, they proceed to the assembly of the shield. If desired, you can order a prepared shield, which will only need to be installed and connected to the input cable.

Advice! Indoor repair is a messy process, so it is recommended to assemble the shield in another place, and then mount the finished equipment in place.

Marking and installation of DIN rails

First, markup is made, where the modules will stand, what lengths are needed reiki. In the process of fitting, they also take into account the distance between the rows, if there are several, as well as the remoteness of the zero and ground bus. When the markup is ready, the rails are installed in the required places.

Reference! Most shields are standardized, so the location of the rails is limited by manufacturers.

Mounting and switching of modular devices

At the stage of installation of modular devices, automatic machines and additional devices are installed on a DIN rail. They are also connected to each other. First of all, they install an introductory machine, then a voltage relay, RCD and differential automata, which are in front of ordinary switches.

Advice! Install modules closer to the center, leaving space on the sides for neat cable management.

Organization of cable entry into the electrical panel

At the stage of cable entry, it is necessary to make holes in the shield. As a rule, all places for input are provided by the manufacturer, so it is enough to squeeze out the plastic. On the one hand, the cable of the general network is started, which is connected to the input machine, and on the other hand, the wires of the internal network.

Selecting an installation site

In most apartments, the shield is installed closer to the front door. This is not a mandatory requirement, the main thing is to follow a number of recommendations:

quick access to turn the voltage on or off;
remoteness from combustible and flammable materials;
natural lighting of the room where the shield is installed is an advantage during repair work.

Cable termination

To cut the cable, use a special tool designed to strip the insulation. As a rule, professional electricians use pincers or a knife with a heel. The equipment increases the speed of working with the cable.When cutting, the outer sheath is removed, and then the required amount of insulation is removed from each of the cores.

Recommendation! It is better not to use a regular or construction knife so as not to damage the cable insulation.

Connecting consumer groups

During installation, the modules are grouped depending on various factors. For example, by appointment or location. Automatic devices for lighting the apartment are installed one by one, after which they mount protective devices for the kitchen, bathroom and other rooms.

Advice! The grouping of consumers facilitates the operation of the shield.

The main mistakes during installation

Flexible multi-core cable without sleeves at the ends - a weak point in electricity. Over time, the quality of the contact weakens, the connection begins to heat up and cause problems.
The cable insulation falls into the terminal, and at times of high loads heats up and melts.
Cores of different sections on one machine - this inevitably leads to poor contact, overheating of the wire and even a fire.
Soldering ends - an old and not sufficiently reliable way to connect wires. Only suitable ferrules are used for connection.

Be sure to crimp the stranded wire or use a rigid solid cable.

Electrical panel operation

The operation of a properly assembled shield will not be difficult. It should be understood that you will have to periodically service the device, checking the operability of the machines and tightening the terminals.

If there are small children in the house, it is necessary to think over the lock and close the door with a key.

For greater convenience, you should create markings and signatures for each of the machines. It is also recommended to use the same colors for the same group to make it easier to find the right switch. This simplifies the operation of the shield.All residents of the apartment should understand how the shield works without any questions.