Electrical distributor
An electrical distributor , circuit distributor or sub- distributor , also known colloquially as a distribution box or fuse box, is now a mostly lockable box in which fuse and switching elements for distributing electrical energy in the area of the low-voltage network are housed. It is also known as a distribution in technical jargon and is located in practically every electrified building. The size and number of distributions also vary with the size and electrical equipment of the building. A distinction is made between main distribution , sub-distribution and group distribution . There are so-called building site power distributors for construction sites and the CEE power distributor for portable applications .
construction
Distribution boxes are standardized in Germany according to DIN 43880 . The standard specifies a division unit (TE, also called module ) of 18 mm. The height of the devices is based on the maximum current and is divided into three groups. A distributor offers one or usually several installation rows ( top hat rails ). The vertical distance between the installation rows is 150 mm. If necessary, if, for example, large cable cross-sections are to be installed, the distance can be increased by a multiple of 25 mm. The capacity of a small distribution board is the number of modules, so the specification 4 × 12 TE describes a four-row distribution cabinet with 48 spaces.
From distributors, electrical cables lead either directly to the points of consumption, for example to an electric cooker junction box, to a water heater , to a socket, to a lighting fixture or to the next subordinate distributor.
The installation of the electrical system and thus the distribution is intended for households and most businesses mainly to the DIN VDE standards Part 1 : Guidelines for the construction of power installations with nominal voltages up to 1000 V . In this context, the DIN VDE 0100-520: Installation of electrical equipment - cables, lines and busbars and -530: Installation of electrical equipment - switching and control devices are of interest for distribution (status: 05/2008).
Street distribution in the public power supply ( NH fuse distributor )
Meter box with sub-distribution; this combination is generally only permitted by network operators in single-family homes
Main distribution with colored busbars in the electrical system of a transformer station
retractable distributor for squares (e.g. market stalls)
Elevated distribution box to protect against flooding
Distributor installations
Various electrical components can be installed in a distribution, such as:
- Terminal blocks
- Miniature circuit breaker (LS switch)
- Residual current circuit breaker (FI circuit breaker)
- Arc fault protection device (AFDD fire protection switch)
- Lighting transformers
- Bell transformer
- Indicator lights
- Transducer
- relay
- counter
- Fuses
- Sagittarius
- Earthing contact sockets
- Selective circuit breaker
- Programmable logic controllers and other automation components
- Impulse switch
- Automatic staircase light
- Overvoltage protection
- Timer
These components are usually attached to mounting rails.
Other components are:
Typical space requirements for built-in devices in TE (17.5–18 mm) in single / multi-family houses
| Built-in device for top hat / mounting rail | specification | Division units |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit breaker | 1-pole 6 A to 63 A (6 kVA & 10 kA) | 1 |
| 2-pole 6 A to 63 A (6 kVA & 10 kA) | 2 | |
| 3-pole 6 A to 63 A (6 kVA & 10 kA) | 3 | |
| 1-pole 80 A to 125 A (15 kA) | 1.5 | |
| 2-pole 80 A to 125 A (15 kA) | 3 | |
| 3-pole 80 A to 125 A (15 kA) | 4.5 | |
| SLS switch (selective circuit breaker) | 1-pole 16 A to 63 A (25 kA) | 1.5 |
| 3-pole 16 A to 63 A (25 kA) | 4.5 | |
| Fuse base for screw fuses | D01 (NEOZED) 1-pole 16 A | 1.5 |
| D01 (NEOZED) 3-pole 16 A | 4.5 | |
| D02 (NEOZED) 1-pole 63 A | 1.5 | |
| D02 (NEOZED) 3-pole 63 A | 4.5 | |
| D03 (NEOZED) 3-pole 100 A | 7.5 | |
| DII (DIAZED) 1-pole 25 A | 2.33 | |
| DIII (DIAZED) 1-pole 63 A | 2.7 | |
| FI circuit breaker (residual current circuit breaker) | 2-pole 25 A to 63 A (30 mA) | 2 |
| 4-pole 25 A to 63 A (30 mA) | 4th | |
| Button / switch auxiliary switch | 1-pole 6 A | 0.5 |
| 1-pole 10 A - 16 A | 1 | |
| Button / switch with signal | 1- to 2-pole NC / NO contact | 1 |
| Signal light | 1- to 3-way (LED) | 1 |
| Signal transmitter | Buzzer / bell | 1 |
| Built-in plug socket | 2.5 | |
| Electronic power controller for push button switch (remote dimmer) | 240 V / 300 W for high-voltage lamps | 1 |
| 240 V / 500 W for high-voltage lamps | 2 | |
| 240 V / 1000 W for high-voltage lamps | 5 | |
| 12 V to 5 A for halogen | 3 | |
| 12 V to 5 A for LED | 3 | |
| Impulse switch | 1- & 2-pole | 1 |
| Relay / time control staircase timer (electronic) | 1 pole | 1 |
| multipole | 2-4 | |
| Power contactor | 3 pole | 3 |
| Bell transformer | 230 V to 6/8/12 V. | 4 (2) |
| Overvoltage protection | 2-, 3- or 4-pole | 2-4 |
Main distribution
The main distribution, also known as the low-voltage main distribution (LVHV) , is the first distribution after the transformer of the transformer station, seen in the direction of energy flow, in a residential area or industrial plant. The main distribution is always in the immediate vicinity of the transformer station or even in it. The main distribution supplies several sub-distributions, e.g. B. residential buildings or commercial establishments. In industrial companies, several parts of the building or workshops are often supplied by the NSHV.
Sub-distribution
The sub-distribution, also called low-voltage sub-distribution (NSUV or NUV), is the first distribution point in the building after the house connection box or a meter connection column and is usually located in the basement or in the house connection room . Electricity meters and, if necessary, ripple control receivers are built into the sub-distribution. The size of the sub-distributions (meter space) are regulated in accordance with DIN 18012, DIN 18013 (house connection niches) and VDE-AR-N 4101 (version); the number of meters is important in residential buildings. According to DIN 18015-2, at least 4-row sub-distributors must be provided for apartment sub-distributors; 3-row sub-distributors are also permitted for one-room apartments. For new installations, power supply systems must be designed as radiation networks in accordance with TAB 2007 and DIN 18015-1. The cross-sectional area of the apartment supply line is based on appendix A of DIN 18015-1 as well as on the material, voltage drop and current carrying capacity (minimum current carrying capacity 63A), which corresponds to a minimum cross-section of 16 mm² in residential buildings with a concealed installation. The application guideline 4101 VDE-AR-N 4101 must also be observed , in which, among other things, the spatial arrangement of the distributor is specified. In small buildings (single-family houses), the sub-distribution is often the only distribution, whereby if there are several floors / levels (e.g. basement, ground floor, upper floor), the establishment of sub-distribution per floor is prescribed (DIN 18015-2). Sub-distributions can feed in further NSUV. In larger buildings and industrial plants there are usually additional sub-distributions and group distributions.
Group distribution
Group distributions, also known as low-voltage group distribution (NSGV) , are primarily used for the decentralized distribution of the power circuits, for example in apartment buildings in each apartment a group distribution with the fuses for this apartment. To do this, they are connected to the sub-distribution with a line (usually three-phase alternating current with a minimum current rating of 63A, which corresponds to a cross-sectional area of 16 mm²). Other names for group distributions are power circuit distributors , apartment distributors and small installation distributors . In a group distribution there are mainly the fuses or the circuit breakers that protect the end lines from overload and short circuits. Group distributions do not feed any further fixed electrical distributors.
execution
Distributors are available in different designs. Depending on the purpose and location, distributor housings made of painted sheet steel, aluminum, stainless steel or insulated housing, surface-mounted or flush-mounted, with and without windows and with a certain degree of protection can be used or required.
literature
- Alfred Hösl, Roland Ayx, Hans Werner Busch: The electrical installation in accordance with regulations, residential construction, commercial industry. 19th edition, Hüthig Verlag, Heidelberg, 2009, ISBN 3-7785-4049-1
- Hans-Günter Boy, Uwe Dunkhase: Electrical installation technology The master's examination . 12th edition, Vogel Buchverlag, Oldenburg and Würzburg, 2007, ISBN 978-3-8343-3079-6
- Winfrid Hauke, Rolf Thaele, Günter Reck: RWE Energie Bau-Handbuch. 12th edition, Energie-Verlag GmbH, Heidelberg, 1998, ISBN 3-87200-700-9
- Harry Dittrich, Günther Krumm: Elektro-Werkkunde Volume 5 / Professional experience for telecommunications fitters and telecommunications mechanics. 4th edition, Winklers Verlag, Darmstadt, 1971
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ DIN 43880: 1988-12 built-in installation devices; Envelope dimensions and associated installation dimensions
- ↑ Manufacturer website Hager
- ↑ Manufacturer website ABB