Features of apartment electrical panels - assembly and connection diagram

The increase in household appliances in modern apartments provides for the systematization of the line load, the division of the circuit into group circuits. These actions prevent network failures and emergencies when multiple high-power devices are turned on at the same time. The electrical panel in the apartment allows you to streamline power circuits, meters, circuit breakers. With knowledge of electrical processes and the ability to work with tools, you can assemble the box with your own hands.

Normative documents and rules

The panel is a switchgear operating under voltage up to 1 kW. Its features are discussed in Ch. 4.1. 7th edition of the PUE. The requirements for the ASU in a residential multi-storey building are spelled out in GOST 51732-2001, and for switchboards - in GOST R 51628-2000. Since the apartment electrical panel belongs to the low-voltage switchgear and control device, it is required to refer to GOST 51321.1-2007.

Basic requirements and installation rules

The GOST and PUE indicate the correct way to connect the shield.

The regulations point to several points:

• the presence of a complete circuit with the rating of the circuit breaker, the type and cross-section of the cable, the installed and one-time power, the parameters of the protection of the housing shell;
• installation of modules equipped with a rating plate inside or outside is allowed;
• mandatory application of the sign "Caution Voltage" in the form regulated by GOST R 12.4.026;
• selection of the cable cross-section for laying inside according to the rating of the circuit breakers;
• selection of wire insulation capable of withstanding an alternating current voltage of at least 660 V;
• protection of bolted connections from vibrations and short circuits by disc springs, controllers, spring washers, tips;
• assembly of neutral conductors on N and RE buses;
• connection of the REN-wire to the RE of the shield;
• the use of terminals to protect the input and output wires;
• performing work with screwdrivers with slotted screws, tools with insulated handles;
• cable marking with colored PVC tubes - blue / blue (working zero), yellow-green (zero protection), red / brown (phase);
• marking of the contacts of the N and RE buses according to the serial numbers of the circuit breakers;
• one conductor connection per bus terminal N or RE;
• designation of outgoing cables with round (line voltage from 1000 V), square (voltage up to 1000 V), triangular (control) tags.

N and RE buses, which are separated in the power cable, must not be combined.

Which case is more reliable - metal or plastic

The flap is available in a metal and plastic housing. The choice of material depends on the project, design specifications and financial capabilities of the user.

The metal electrical panel has a number of features:

• secure landing on a protective zero;
• high anti-vandal characteristics;
• good indicators of fire resistance;
• installed on the street or in the entrance;
• moisture resistance class IP31 - IP54.

The downside of the metal case is the need for grounding. The third wire will need to be removed from the main power board of the apartment.

The plastic housing has the following characteristics:

• suitable for interior design;
• can be built into a special niche;
• resistance to humid environment;
• beautiful transparent or tinted door;
• excellent dust resistance.

With poor insulation, there are risks of plastic fire and fire. In this case, it is better to purchase a PCB box.

Regardless of the material of the case, you can choose a shield for installation in an apartment for 12-72 modules.

Electrical panel elements

The apartment board consists of the following units:

• Circuit breaker. A two-row device is placed at the input and can de-energize the neutral and phase wires.
• RCD. It is a differential type relay. It is necessary to quickly de-energize the line when a voltage leak occurs.
• Additional automatic switches that control a circuit with powerful devices - an electric stove, a washing machine, a water heater, an air conditioner.
• Zero and ground buses. Copper strips with dielectric base ensure the safety of the grounding contact and the working neutral.
• Housing. It contains all the nodes. It can be metal, plastic. According to the method of installation, there are wall-mounted and built-in models.
• DIN rail. A metal plate fixed to the body. Automatic machines are mounted to it with special fasteners.
• Connection cables with a cross-section appropriate for the power rating of the equipment.

The outer box should not pass current, so it is better to buy models made of heat-resistant plastic or polymer-coated metal.

What should be in the switchboard

There are several options for the layout of a switchboard in an apartment or a private house. The main difference is the presence of a counter and a machine at the input. In private houses, counters are placed on a pole, and automatic machines are placed on the wall. The meter can also be located inside the house, and then a shield is required.

In multi-apartment buildings, electric boxes are installed on the staircase. In this case, the cabinet is required for RCDs and machines. Installation inside the apartment is also allowed, but this requires a compact and spacious product.

The nuances of choosing modular equipment for an electrical panel

Before you put the electrical panel in the apartment, you will need to make its diagram and agree with the power supply company. The drawing indicates each module and its purpose. In the process of selecting devices, the following points should be taken into account:

• Application of modules from one manufacturer and one series. Depending on the manufacturer, the width of the modules varies by several millimeters. The difference leads to inconsistency of parts.
• The cross-section of the PUGV mounting wire is selected according to the cross-section of the input cable. Optimally - from 4 to 6 mm2.
• To mark zero, ground and phase, you will need a thermotube of white, black, red (phase) and black (working zero) colors.
• Busbar combs with one to three strips will provide the connection of modular devices. The dies will also need end caps.
• For each group RCD, you will need a separate zero bus or cross-modules with good isolation.
• The DIN rail limiter will prevent a number of modules from spreading to the sides.
• Plugs are used to close the formed cavities in the shield.

To fasten the wires inside the shield, you should buy plastic clamps.

A variant of the simplified scheme of the apartment panel

You can independently assemble a small electrical panel and install it in the apartment. In order not to get confused, it is worth choosing the simplest possible scheme. It must meet the requirements of GOST 32395-2013.

It is advisable to use the diagram of an electrical panel for an apartment below for a one- or two-room apartment with a total cable length of 300-400 m. The work is carried out as follows:

1. An introductory voltage switch with a current rating of 40 A is installed, if the apartment has a single-phase load type and there is an electric stove.
2. The wires are wired into groups, the brand and type of cable section are indicated. For lighting, a 1.5 mm2 cable and a 10 A machine will be optimal, a 2.5 mm2 wire and a 16 A device are suitable for sockets.
3. A bathroom can be connected to a difavtomat with a current leakage of 10 mA, combining consumers and lighting in one group.
4. The hob and oven are powered as two different consumers.
5. To protect against voltage fluctuations and equipment malfunctions, you can choose a voltage relay with the simplest connection system (phase + zero at the input and output).

The advantage of the scheme is the inexpensive cost of the nodes, the possibility of using it in a small apartment. The minus of the disconnection is the absence of protection operation in case of current leakage in all groups, with the exception of the bathroom.

Diagram of a shield with an RCD for individual groups

The RCD device operates at a load of 1 A to 80 mA, which prevents electric shock and death in cases of leakage. The device is suitable for residential premises where wiring has a total length of 400 m.

You can turn off the apartment as follows:

1. Installation of the device at the input. An RCD with a trip limit of up to 30 mA is suitable for an apartment with a single-phase load of 11 kW.
2. Protection against current leakage is also installed on the socket lines and the split system group.
3. One device is located on an integrated system, where a circuit breaker is installed for each group.
4. Installation of a standard circuit breaker with metal housings for lighting fixtures.

Each RCD must be installed on a separate bus.

Assembly and connection algorithm

Regardless of which dashboard scheme is chosen, assembly activities are carried out sequentially. They are only produced in a clean and dry room.

Installing the enclosure

Mounted models are put on special fasteners, and built-in ones - in a niche. Boxes can be assembled in a well-lit room near the exit. The humidity of the room should be 15%, the distance to the nearest ledge should be 15 cm, to the gas pipeline - from 1 to 1.5 m, from the floor - not lower than 1.4 m and not higher than 1.8 m.

Further instructions for building a built-in model include the following steps:

1. Marking using the level of the site where the electrical panel will stand. A line is drawn, along the edge of which the body is applied and outlined.
2. Making cuts with a grinder according to the picture. The disc should sink 1/2 into the wall.
3. Making niches with a chisel or perforator along the thickness of the box.
4. Checking the correspondence of the dimensions of the body to the depth of the niche.
5. Installation of a standard mount on the body, marking the points of screwing in screws.
6. Drilling holes for fasteners with a puncher.
7. DIN rail mounting with modules.
8. Filling of cavities with polyurethane foam.

If fasteners are not included with the mounted model, it can be nailed to the wall with dowels. To strengthen the fastening, the box sits on alabaster.

Correct cable management

The organization of the cable is done as follows:

1. Removing the flap cover and making holes in it for a corrugated pipe with a diameter of 16 to 20 mm.
2. Trimming the corrugated pipe before output.
3. Removing the plug and supplying the lead-in wire to the corresponding machine.
4. Installing the cable on a strip with lugs, fixing it with a plastic clamp. The screed is cut to the desired length with pliers.
5. Wire marking with felt-tip pens.
6. Laying the wire in a heat-shrinkable tube, lettering.
7. Making notches on the plug for tight fixation in the holes.
8. Placing the plug in the installation place and fixing it with screws.

Alabaster should be used to fix the input cable in the strobe.

Wire stripping sequence

A special knife with a heel is used to remove the insulation. Each core is marked after removal of the insulating layer. Next steps:

1. Separates the wire from left to right at the top and right from the left corner at the bottom.
2. Stripping the insulation from the end of the lead-in cable.
3. Wrap the wires 10 cm to the tip with masking tape.
4. Cable marking.

It is necessary to leave a reserve of the length of the conductor 2 times more than the segment from the fastening of the box to the entrance.

Methods for protecting the inner filling of the shield

Internal parts are the most expensive part of the system. To prevent dust and debris from getting into it, you can cover the ends of the wires with caps from pens, felt-tip pens or electrical tape. Moving elements can be removed from the case, and cables are located inside without sharp bends. The stacking pattern is realized in the direction or counterclockwise, from left to right. Kinks are unacceptable.

At the end of the work, you will need to close the box with a cardboard cover or a complete lid and glue the gaps between the joints with paper tape.

Primary assembly of the electrical panel on the frame

To assemble the shield, you will need a set of dielectric screwdrivers, among which there is a tool with a straight slot, a stripper, pliers, nippers and a hacksaw, a screwdriver and a tester. The modules are assembled in two ways:

• linear - first, difavtomats and RCDs are installed, then automatic switches;
• group - immediately there is an RCD or a difavtomat, then - automatic machines, then the details are repeated.

Step-by-step assembly process on the frame:

1. Modular assemblies are mounted.
2. Devices with the selected rating are installed.
3. Combs are placed to connect the machines.
4. Phase wires are thrown.
5. Neutralization is performed with a separate conductor.
6. The ground is connected to a special bus.
7. Devices with test buttons are installed.

After assembly, the shield is mounted on the wall. Before disconnecting the box, you should check the quality of access to it.

Self-assembly of the electrical panel with knowledge of the circuit is not difficult. After finishing the work, the box must be checked by turning off the machines and connecting the meter. Phase, zero and single line are tested.