Everything you need to know about the electrical switchgear

Added: Friday, 9/29/2023


Electrical switchboards are key components in the field of electricity. They help control, protect and distribute electricity in a variety of environments, from homes to industrial plants. What should you remember before selecting an electrical switchgear? When to choose surface-mounted switchboards and when to choose flush-mounted models?

Installer with a screwdriver at the electrical switchboard

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Where is the best place to place the electrical switchboard?

The location of the electrical switchboard is important both from the point of view of safety, ease of operation of the installation and the efficiency of energy supply to power individual devices.

When choosing an electrical switchboard, several factors should be taken into account. The first is, of course, safety. The switchgear should be located in a dry place, away from sources of moisture. This helps avoid the risk of damage to electrical equipment and protects users from accidental electric shock. It is also necessary to maintain an appropriate distance from gas pipes.

Another important aspect is ease of access to the switchgear. It is important in the event of a breakdown, fire or other emergency situations, and significantly improves inspection work. Therefore, the electrical switchboard should be located in a place that is easily accessible to personnel responsible for repairs and maintenance. It is recommended to place it at a height of 1.1 m to 1.85 m above the floor. This provides convenient access while avoiding the need to use ladders or platforms.

The location of the electrical switchboard is regulated by standards. They define the minimum distances from other objects and the communication space around it. According to the regulations, a communication route with a width of at least 1.2 m must be left in front of the switchboard. It is not recommended to place it above the stairs. The distance between the floor and the upper edge of the electrical switchgear housing cannot exceed 2 m. A distance of 30-40 cm should be maintained between the switchboard wall and the wall. This will allow you to easily open the door and access the switches inside. Additionally, the electrical switchboard should not be placed in the corner of the room - a minimum of 30 cm of free space should be left around it.

Which one is better to choose: Flush-mounted or surface-mounted switchgear?

Another important aspect that should be taken into account when choosing the type of electrical switchgear is the way it is constructed. The use of a flush-mounted or surface-mounted switchgear should depend on the specificity of the electrical installation in the building, the installation site, the level of development of the installation and the preferences of the users. Both types of switchboards have their unique features and advantages, while the safety and operational efficiency are the same. However, each of them is used in slightly different cases. Which one to choose?

Outdoor switchgear Sabaj Street Box RACK 18U RAL 7035 IP65 The plastic flush-mounted switchgear is an ideal solution when the aesthetics of the interior are of great importance and the design requires the least visible equipment elements. They are mounted inside the wall, making them almost invisible and saving space. It is worth noting, however, that the installation of a flush-mounted switchgear may be more time-consuming and requires careful preparation of the wall, which may affect the installation costs.

The most important advantage of surface-mounted switchboards is the ease with which they can be installed. They have the form of a box and are installed outside the wall, which eliminates the need to adapt it. Their design means that installation does not require complicated preparatory work. An important advantage is the fact that their content is easily accessible. This facilitates maintenance and possible repairs.

Which switchboard should be chosen depends mainly on individual needs and preferences. Flush-mounted switchboards are a perfect solution if we care about the aesthetics of the interior and the investment implementation time is not limited. In turn, the surface-mounted plastic switchgear is a solution whose choice is exceptionally easy to install.

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How to connect an electrical switchboard?

Proper installation of the switchgear is very important for the proper functioning of the electrical installation. To avoid problems at the assembly stage, you should assess the number of devices installed and therefore the number of modules. Switchboards are available in various configurations, so you can easily select a model tailored to the specifics of a specific installation.

Surface-mounted switchboard Karwasz UNI SYSTEM 750-1450-250 L Installing a surface-mounted metal switchgear is a relatively simple process. Just make sure that the switchgear is mounted stably and securely and that all cables are connected correctly. In the case of a flush-mounted switchgear, the assembly process may be more complicated. The switchgear is mounted in the wall, which requires appropriate preparation of the opening underneath it.

Power inputs in switchboards can take many forms. In most models currently available on the market, these are bushings. To pass the wires through them, you need to break the caps. Individual devices are installed on a DIN TS35 rail. Thanks to this, their mounting is trouble-free - just place the upper edge of the device housing on the rail and then press the lower one.

What is worth installing in the switchgear?

Electrical switchboards are advanced elements, adapted to the needs of modern installations. It is worth taking into account the variety of devices for which they are intended to be installed. These may include:

  • circuit breakers : these are the basic elements of protection against overloads and short circuits in the electrical installation. Depending on the needs of the designer and users, they can be used at various levels, from individual circuits to main switches for the entire installation;
  • Surge protectors : their purpose is to protect against overvoltages. They protect devices from damage due to sudden voltage changes;
  • residual current circuit breakers : provide protection against electric shock and detect improper operation of the electrical installation;
  • voltage converters : used to adjust the voltage according to the needs of a specific installation;
  • automation modules : allow remote control of various electrical devices in buildings. Let us remember that in the future their number in homes and commercial facilities will constantly increase;
  • fuse sockets for fuse links;
  • measurement components : energy consumption meters, ammeters and voltmeters that allow you to monitor and control installation parameters.

Electrical switchboards in the Onninen wholesaler

The selection of the appropriate switchgear significantly affects the convenience of operation of the electrical installation, its efficiency and safety. Therefore, you should only choose high-quality products. You can find such switchboards at the Onninen electrical wholesaler . Using our offer you can buy, among others: cabinet Sabaj Street Box RACK 18U RAL 7035 IP65 outdoor switchgear . Thanks to insulation with an insulating mat and a high IP 65 rating, it can be safely used outdoors, and its large dimensions (600x600x940 mm) and load capacity of up to 800 kg allow it to accommodate a large number of devices.

Legrand XL3 S 160 6X36 metal flush-mounted switchgear The Karwasz UNI SYSTEM 750-1450-250 L surface-mounted switchgear is equipped with 2 TH-35 Eurorails and can accommodate up to 72 S-type protection devices. The full door closed with a patent lock guarantees excellent protection against unauthorized access, and the IP 30 protection level ensures sufficient tightness. for internal use.

The Legrand XL3 S 160 6X36 metal flush-mounted switchgear offers space for 216 modules in five rows. It also allows for expansion, which is important in electrical installations that require more protection and expansion with additional functions. The IP30 protection class guarantees a sufficient level of safety.

Installing an electrical switchboard is an important stage in the process of building or modernizing the electrical installation in a building. The selection of the appropriate location, type of switchgear and devices installed in it is important to ensure the safety and efficiency of energy supply. Therefore, you should not use models of unverified quality or unsuitable for a given application.

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