Switch box

In this section we will deal with the composition of the switch box.

Your apartment is supplied electrically via two wires. One wire is called phase and another - zero. Neutral conductor grounded. However, mistakenly assume that he does not pose a danger.

Touching as to the phase and to the neutral wire is dangerous for life!

Currently, there are buildings with three-wire network: phase wire, the neutral wire, the ground wire. The grounding wire for the grounding of metal housings of electrical appliances (for more on this, see chap. "Electrical" ). If the ground wire is missing, then these devices are included without grounding.

The components of the switch box

The structure of the electrical panel includes electric meter, the fuses (or circuit) breaker unit.

Electricity meter designed for measuring the consumed electricity which must be paid on time. It connects directly to the input and can be installed in the apartment or on the landing at the collective panel metering. If the meter is installed in the apartment, the owner must ensure its preservation in good condition: protected against knocks and bumps, not to clutter the approach to it, allow easy replacement and readings. Do not carry the counter without coordination with the power company.

If you notice signs of a fault counter (eg counter disc does not rotate under load or spinning when its absence), you must immediately call the representative of the power company.

Do not attempt to disrupt the correct accounting for the purpose of theft of electricity!

Theft of electricity is not less shameful than any theft. All "means" theft Energonadzor well known, so the thief will inevitably be unmasked and prosecuted. Furthermore. Not all of these "ways" are safe enough. Numerous cases of electro-related theft attempts.

To determine the power consumption for a certain period of time is required from the meter reading taken at the end of the period, subtract readings taken at the beginning of the period. Tenths of a kilowatt-hour (in the red box after the decimal point) are discarded.

Example 1. The final meter reading - 5124. The initial meter reading - 4975. Electricity consumption is: 5124 - 4975 = 149 kilowatt hours.

Example 2. The final meter reading - 0047. The initial meter reading - 9950

Electricity consumption will be: 10047 - 9950 = 97 kilowatt-hours.

On the panel meter is applied to its gear ratio. This - the number of revolutions of the disk corresponding to one kilowatt-hour. It allows you to determine the total load capacity. Count the number of revolutions of the disk for some time. Multiply it by 3600 and divide by the number of transmission and at the time

Example 3. The gear ratio of the counter: 1 kWh - 450 revolutions of the disk. Counter made 10 revolutions in 60 seconds. Then its load capacity is: kW.

Dividing the wattage voltage, load current, we obtain:

1330/230 = 5.8. A

Fuse - electric apparatus performs automatic disconnection of the electric circuit in case of overload or short circuit. The mirror consists of a replaceable fuse fuse - the thin wire in a sealed tube. Box is placed in a housing with a contact device - plug, which is screwed into the socket.

The fuses are installed and in-phase and in the neutral wire. With overload and short-circuit fuse is heated to the melting point of the metal, and molten, it breaks the electrical circuit (burns). After disconnecting a fuse should be replaced with a new one.

Plugs disposable, in which the insert is soldered, should be removed from circulation.

Machines perform the same function as the fuse, but compared to them, provide multiple activities, more precisely aligned to a certain breaking current and convenience of manual switching on and off.

The machine is switched off by the spring, which in switching position held by a latch. Remedies in these vending machines is an electromagnetic or bimetallic element, which will be triggered in case of overload and short circuits, freeing the latch.

Widespread bungy machines. To install them suitable cartridge fuse the mirror. The machine has two buttons to turn on or to turn off. To turn the machine after turning it off automatically, you must first click on the button breaking (dootklyuchit). A similar operation is performed in other types of machines (for example, "tongue" translation in the down position).

Machines and fuses are characterized by nominal current. This - the maximum load current, ensuring their long-term operation. Rated current machine or fuse should be selected in accordance with the maximum possible load current in your apartment. When overvalued nominal current protection can not be ensured. With understated - it is triggered unnecessarily, causing tripping.

Method for determining the load current with the help of the counter is shown above.

It is necessary to include only those devices that operate in the real time. Defined in this way the load current is rounded up to the nearest standard rating.

Recommended current - 10 A.

Do not replace the blown fuse-link "bug" (wire)!

Do not bridged clamps machine!

Make sure that you turn out a stopper (the disconnected machines), the voltage in the apartment is not!

Residual current device (RCD) is used to automatically switch off the residential network when a person gets energized, and when a fault occurs in the network and appliances. This device is highly recommended to complement existing safety devices. Installation of the RCD has to perform a qualified electrician.