How to connect a three-phase outlet with your own hands - connector designs

In recent years, the load on the electricity grid has grown significantly. A large number of household appliances, digital and lighting products create different needs. It can be difficult to completely replace the electrical wiring - it is not always possible to rewire the walls, as well as replace the existing power plants. Instead of classic power outlets, three-phase sockets and plugs are installed.

General information about three-phase sockets

Modern production offers a choice of two main types of connectors with contacts. One has four active microcontacts that are connected to a triangle-shaped network. The most common option is a three-phase grounded outlet that combines three conductors and a grounding element.

The other is a five-pin power outlet. The connection is carried out according to the "star" scheme. In these devices, three microcontacts are used to connect to the mains, the other two are working zero and ground.

The design of the devices can be different - the location of the connectors does not affect the performance of the sockets. If you plan to include several different devices, choose standard models. The main thing is to correctly connect the phase, zero and ground. Use three-core wires or twisted single-core wires.

The main feature is the connection with zero. The contact looks the same as the others. There is a mark on the case showing the location of the desired microcontact.

Particular attention should be paid to the way the contacts are connected. Bolts fail quickly and disconnection may occur. It is important to check the 3-phase outlets more often.

What is the high voltage power supply used for?

Any technological and household processes depend on the quality of electrical voltage. Poor quality power means power outages, surges, or total or partial power outages. Several factors can affect:

• weather conditions: thunderstorm overvoltage, lightning strike, other;
• failure or breakdown of equipment at power plants - such distributors were built more than 30-40 years ago, wear and tear and low throughput lead to undesirable consequences;
• improper distribution of cables, power points;
• incorrectly selected devices: power outlets for 220v and more, switches, junction boxes, etc.

The increasing load on the power supply networks every day leads to the need to improve and replace equipment. Without this, the following problems may arise:

• instability of voltage supply;
• inability to control growth or other change in load;
• failure and increase in power resonance.

The construction of new transmission lines is expensive and often impossible for environmental reasons. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the power of the energy transmitted through the existing lines, mainly by increasing the current strength. This is achievable only under the following conditions:

• no restrictions on heat load;
• the presence of a stable distribution of currents between the cable lines supplying a particular building.

A 3-phase socket allows you to increase the voltage flow to a specific power point. Moreover, in most cases, new wiring is not required. You can check the need for new wiring yourself or with the help of an electrician.

Connection diagram

A feature of multi-contact mechanisms is the need to correctly connect the phase, zero and ground. If the contacts mix, there will be a short circuit, fire, burnout of the power supply network as a whole. A single-phase socket is connected through one channel (L1), a three-phase socket - three, respectively (L1, L2, L3) and an additional neutral. The voltage is evenly distributed over one phase, a separate group is created for three-pin.

An automatic machine for three poles is fixed at the entrance, the electric current is about 40A. The next step is to install the appropriate number of wires. Standard color coding is black, brown, red. Additional cable - blue - conducts zero voltage. Zero is fixed to the electric meter, from the output it is distributed to the phase groups.

Three-phase chains are fixed in separate independent lines. The simplest scheme is to connect to a vending machine, plug into sockets. The three-phase plug distributes the load to the appropriate power points. The power depends on the household equipment that will be used. Usually installed with a "margin", counting on future devices.

Three-phase socket device

Devices can differ significantly in appearance - design, location of inlets, and other points. The minimum number of contacts for reinforced sockets is four. Three are phases, one is ground. Male connectors form plug-in contacts.

To understand how many microcontacts are required in a particular case, it is necessary to define several points:

• for the triangular phase, four-pin devices are used;
• star circuit - at least five contacts;
• seven holes - required when maximum protection against voltage surges is needed: connect three phases, three zeros, one PE ground.

The four-pin connector is used in delta load connections. Five contacts are used both in the case of the "delta" and the "star". The power supply is only connected to certain terminals. After that, all kinds of electrical devices can be connected through the outlet.

Wires connected to a three-phase or two-phase outlet must be at least 2.5 square millimeters in diameter. In the case of high loads, the diameter requirement can rise to 6 square millimeters.

Types of products

By type, reinforced sockets differ in power and other aspects. They are selected in accordance with the safety requirements in a particular case. Each option has a specific set of disadvantages and advantages.

Power connectors RSh-VSh

Plug-in model, refers to power three-phase connectors. It is used to connect both household and industrial equipment. The plug connections are designed for networks with voltages up to 380 V and rated currents up to 30 A. Screw cable clamps are used, thanks to which the contacts become especially reliable. RSh-VSh are manufactured in a carbolite casing.

Connecting elements - flat, cylindrical, combined. Spring-loaded terminals improve the quality of the supplied current and ensure a stable voltage.

It is necessary to use special protection from children - covers or plastic pads of the appropriate size that will cover the nest.

Sockets for 3-phase sockets are purchased in pairs. The connecting elements must fit together.In terms of cost, RSH-HS are classified as medium options, the usual price is about 100 rubles. A minor drawback is the color - usually black is used, which does not always correspond to the interior design.

Power sockets SSI-125

The abbreviation stands for Power Connector. Suitable for fixed high-voltage power outlets with five poles. The protective class is 44IP, which allows the use of SSI-125 in rooms with high humidity. Sockets of a similar plan are fixed with dowels. Most electrical devices, including high-power ones - boilers, electric motors, heat guns, and the like are suitable for three-phase sockets with a connector and a plug for 380V.

Connecting a three-phase socket

In addition to the standard connection of household appliances, there is an option of connecting directly to the device terminals. It is required to follow a certain order of actions:

1. open the outlet, pull out the wire;
2. internal conductors are connected to phase, ground and zero (they are guided by the colors of cables and contacts);
3. fix the internal elements;
4. tighten the screws.

In the case of stationary electrical equipment, continuous grounding is used. You will need a stranded copper wire. The cross-section of the conductor must be the same or larger than the cross-section of the conductors of the power cable.

Step-by-step instructions for installing a 4-pin socket

Correct installation will avoid unexpected interruptions in the supply of electricity, connecting wires to each other. Instructions:

1. De-energizing the line is the main thing when working with electricity. It is important to check the presence of current immediately before installation with a special indicator (ohmmeter or similar).
2. Opposite phases can be connected to contacts L1, L2, L3 - you can in any order.
3. For a microcontact to ground, a mark on the panel is used - this is where the ground wire is fixed.
4. Terminal marked N - neutral cable.

It is important to carefully examine the symbols, designations. It is inadmissible to connect phase conductors to zero or "ground".

Tips from experienced electricians

Three-phase outlets must be carefully selected and installed. There are a few basic points to be guided by. The first is the current strength. There are three types - 16, 32 and 64 A, respectively. The right one is selected based on the planned load.

The protection class shows the degree of resistance of the socket to moisture, dust, dirt. IP marking and numbers - the higher the value, the better, especially in the presence of moisture in rooms: bathrooms, baths, the like.

An additional point is the installation method. The socket can be mounted on the wall (overhead) or a separate socket (hidden) can be channeled. In this case, the type of device differs significantly.

The number of connecting contacts - four, five, seven - depends on the wiring diagram used and the required level of network reliability. Particular attention is paid to the method of fastening - screwless ones may turn out to be of poor quality, disposable.

You can install and connect a three-phase reinforced outlet yourself if you familiarize yourself with the basic requirements and follow the safety rules when working with electricity. To facilitate the replacement of the power point, it is better to choose the classic model, otherwise you will have to change each in the room or purchase additional ones in advance. The design and location of the incoming groups are individual, they do not affect performance.