We've sorted out the introductory part, let's move on to the instructions that will help you assemble a switchboard in your house with your own hands.
Very interesting video instructions on this topic:
Main process
We immediately draw your attention to the fact that the article provides instructions for assembling a 220 V switchboard. If you want, read the separate instructions to which we have referred!
Step 1 – Create a circuit
To begin with, you must create a connection diagram for all machines, meters and distribution buses in order to quickly and correctly assemble the distribution panel in the apartment (or country house). On at this stage You must also choose the most suitable location for installing each product on the DIN rail. The more compact and logical the machines are arranged, the more you will save connecting wires and make the box convenient for maintenance.
For your attention, here is an example of how a diagram for assembling a switchboard in a 220V apartment should look like: 
In your version, everything may be completely different, and this will not indicate that the diagram was drawn up incorrectly. In each individual case, you can assemble a switchboard in your own way.
Step 2 – Prepare materials and tools
Among the tools you will definitely need:
- multimeter (after connecting all elements).
- a set of screwdrivers (tighten the screws on the terminals).
- or, as a last resort, an electrician’s assembly knife.
- screwdriver (attach the box to the wall)
As for the elements of the circuit, you must choose everything yourself, depending on the total load on the electrical wiring, the voltage in the network (1 or 3 phases) and the branching of the created circuit. We recommend that you read the following block of articles that are closely related to self-assembly distribution board:
After reading these articles, you can go to the store for suitable automation and materials, after which all that remains is to assemble the switchboard with your own hands.
Step 3 – Assembling the electrical panel
Now we come to the most important part of the article. Now that you already know what the “filling” of the box will consist of and how to select each of the products, you can proceed to assembly.
One very important thing to note right away is important nuance– You must agree with energy sales representatives who will install the electric meter. If you are allowed to install it yourself, you can draw up the appropriate document and go to work.
Step-by-step instructions for installing an electrical panel are as follows:
- Hang the case on the wall (or install it in a prepared niche).
- Place the input wires and those coming from each room into the distribution panel. powerful electrical appliances.
- Strip the wires for a good connection to the terminals.
- Using self-tapping screws, secure a DIN rail inside the housing, which will serve as a fastener for assembling the entire “filling”.
- Secure all circuit breakers, RCDs and even the meter (if its mountings are appropriate) to the installed strip. Everything is simple here, the design of the shield includes a special latch that quickly and effortlessly snaps the product onto the rail.
- Install the neutral and ground bus.
- Cut the connecting wires into suitable lengths.
- Connect all the elements together according to the diagram. Do not forget that the input phase and zero for circuit breakers and RCDs must be connected to the upper terminals. We talked about this in a separate article.
- Carefully check the quality of assembly of the distribution board, if necessary, re-tighten the screws on all terminals.
- Invite a representative of the energy sales company to carry it out.
- Check the correctness of the work performed by turning on the input machine.
If, after you turned on the power, the characteristic burning smell did not appear, sparking did not occur, and nothing happened, then everything electric installation work done correctly.
Visual video lesson of the entire basic process:
Correct assembly
The first thing I would like to advise is to inside cover the box, stick the diagram with symbols(what is where). If an emergency occurs and you are not there, anyone else can quickly turn off the power or, on the contrary, turn on the machine that knocked out. 
We also recommend labeling all groups of wires inside the shield with tags and additionally grouping them with plastic clamps, as shown in the photo. This will make maintenance and repair more convenient, so that a person does not rack his brains when searching for the right contact. We talked about how this can be done in a separate article. 
Don't forget about important feature and automatic switches - the input conductors must be inserted from the top, which even duplicates the manufacturer’s mark on the front panel of the product. 
After you have turned on the electrical panel for the first time after assembly, leave it open for a couple of hours, then go and check the temperature of the automation and wires. If the insulation starts to melt somewhere, immediately turn off the electricity and start looking for the problem, otherwise you will not be able to avoid it in the future. 
Once every six months it is necessary to tighten the screws on the automation terminals inside the box, especially if you use aluminum wires.
Don't buy a compact switchboard that will only have a lot of space. Firstly, perhaps in the future you will add new elements to the circuit. Secondly, cramped space will contribute to overheating of devices and their rapid failure. 
That's all I wanted to tell you about how to assemble a switchboard with your own hands. We hope that the information was useful and interesting for you. If you have any questions, ask our specialists in the comments or in the “ ” category!
How to properly assemble a shield with your own hands
Correct assembly
It is impossible to imagine the operation of equipment at home without electricity. The main component of any home energy network is a do-it-yourself distribution board, for example, created or purchased in any hardware store. It is necessary for the layout of all protective devices, as well as the metering device.
Today there are many different types of panels, the use of which is typical for enterprises and private homes.
Why are shields installed?
In no apartment or even the simplest office, no electrical installation work is carried out without the mandatory installation of some kind of distribution board. Some time ago, everyone had only distribution boxes, but now they are no longer enough. The reason lies in safety and comfort.
If, as before, there is only a distribution box at home, then when replacing sockets, nothing will be done without de-energizing the entire apartment. For example, to connect electrical appliances with high power It will be necessary to additionally equip them with special protective devices, which will clearly affect the free space in the room - it will decrease.
After installing a plastic switchboard or made from any other material, you yourself reduce the risk of combustion of any of the electrical appliances. It is thanks to the operation of the shield that electrical energy can be distributed truly evenly across each of the channels, and excess current flow through any one channel of them can be avoided.
It is especially important today to use such indispensable devices for various rooms With large area, which are characterized by enormous loads.
This situation is common today even for some residential buildings, taking into account the fact that how many electrical appliances are used by people in each apartment.
Which shield to choose?
The main distribution board, which can be purchased at the store, is a high-quality power unit with high voltage. It is essentially a simple mechanical/electronic system used primarily to provide electrical power to all available space.
An input-distribution device is a whole complex of many different components used for metering, as well as rapid reception of electricity. It is almost always made in a metal case, and its panels can easily replace each other.
Models of metal distribution boards are devices that are also used in factories and in homes for the correct distribution of electricity. Thanks to their work, you can protect yourself not only from overcurrents, but also from short circuits dangerous to life and health.
Automatic transfer of reserve - all devices of this type work flawlessly when it is necessary to transfer to a certain additional power source from the main one in cases where the voltage in the house drops or any emergency situation arises. Also, the premises are always safe from possible overloads.
Classification
After looking at a few photos of the switchboard, it is easy to understand that this is not a high-tech device and it should be used for the most convenient installation process, as well as the subsequent use of the equipment. There are no special requirements regarding characteristics, and all that is necessary is that it has the required number of devices and that it itself be of a suitable size.
When choosing a size, you should rely solely on the number of circuit breakers/switches, and not make a purchase based on the principle that the larger the shield, the better.
Mounted or built-in shield?
If you are interested in instructions for assembling a switchboard, then it is best to first choose a built-in type switchboard, since during repairs the hinged switchboard can very easily be caught.
Built-in shields simply do not have this drawback, but their assembly process is much easier. It is for this reason that, when possible, it is advisable to choose to place the shield in some niche.
Select material: plastic, metal
It is impossible to answer unequivocally the question of which material is best to choose, since during use, metal distribution boards last as long as cheaper plastic ones.
However, it is worth noting that if you choose metal, you can easily repair the case in the future if necessary, or attach a small flashlight directly to it for convenience.
Indoor or outdoor shield?
Very often today, the installation of a switchboard is carried out on the street and for this reason the appropriate switchboard is selected, since otherwise it will not be possible to simply supply electricity in the future.
As a rule, the shield device of this type requires the presence of not only a good counter, but also an input machine. It is best to choose outdoor panels for your home only made of metal and always with a bottom cable entry. This will minimize the risk of water getting inside the system in an emergency.
Among other things, it is very important to ensure that the meter readings are always Free access without having to open the lid. In this way, it will be possible to significantly increase the service life of any shield.
Switchboard Manufacturers
Speaking about the size of distribution boards, it is worth noting first of all the fact that if you purchase a defective panel, it will definitely not be able to perform at full power their functions. It is for this reason that you should pay attention to trusted manufacturers in the store, like Makel or EIK. These are representatives of the mid-price segment, but nevertheless they have proven themselves to be more than just successful.
If you want the shield to not only perform many functions, but also have an interesting appearance, you should pay attention to the FOTKA brand. But it’s better not to buy products from unknown Turkish or Chinese manufacturers, since if you decide to save money, you’ll most likely end up just having to pay twice.
Photos of distribution boards
Once it reaches the consumer, it goes through many stages. Among them are such stages as generation and transportation of electrical network lines. Before reaching the consumer, electricity comes to electrical panels, in which electricity is distributed, and a protection system is installed in emergency situations associated with overloads and short circuits.
Such boards are used to organize the infrastructure of industrial buildings, residential buildings, and public premises. An electrical panel of a certain type is installed depending on the purpose. Available for sale wide choose options and models of such devices, which have their own differences in content and form.
Purpose
In a simple design, electrical panels serve to create a network that powers lighting devices, household appliances, sockets, etc. The range of electricity consumers is constantly expanding, so a more complex model may be needed that allows you to create a division of energy into groups. These are already devices with great opportunities energy switching. They work with different categories of stationary electrical appliances.
To determine the tasks that electrical panels perform, it is necessary to take a closer look at the organization of energy supply. One panel can supply electricity both to an individual apartment and to the building as a whole. In this case, the switchboard controls the electricity that goes to different distribution devices covering other local service areas.
Types of electrical panels
There are different classes of electrical panels. They divide their designs, first of all, according to their intended purpose. This type of equipment, such as electrical panels, can provide electricity to one apartment or several different energy consumers.
Shields are also divided according to installation method and material of construction. According to the first factor, the most popular are conventional hanging and wall structures. Electrical panels that are built into a wall niche are very convenient to use. But the installation of such a shield is not always suitable for the location conditions.
If we consider the materials from which electrical panels are made, then most often manufacturers combine several materials, for example, metal with plastic. Metal shields have proven themselves to be reliable, time-tested structures. However, new materials and composites that have appeared in Lately, no worse than metal in terms of durability and strength, and in some ways even surpass it. There is no significant difference between electrical panels from different materials not available.
To better understand the purpose of electrical panels in the network, consider their hierarchy by type, type and subtype.
Main switchboard
This board (main switchboard) is used to enter lines power supply, distribution of electricity to various facilities, as well as electricity metering. IN emergency cases it protects against overloads, short circuits V electrical networks. In the hierarchy tree, the main switchboard is located at the very top. The main switchboard is usually located at the transformer substation site, either in production or in the boiler room.
Input switchgear
This device (ASU) is used to receive network power from the power cable, and further distribute electricity along the power lines of electrical panels lower level, as well as for accounting for energy consumption, protection against short circuits, overloads during accidents. It includes a system of structures and electrical automation. The incoming electrical panel is usually located in production workshops, at the entrance to buildings public organizations, residential buildings.
Emergency transfer of reserve
Backup input panel (AVR) equipped with special automatic devices that switch power in case of an emergency from the main source to backup source electricity. After eliminating the causes of the emergency mode, the ATS reconnects the main power source to the line. It is used in many places: communal buildings, cottages, and production.
Floor electrical panel
Electrical panels on the floors of buildings (SB) serve to distribute the supply of electricity to apartments on the same floor.
The shield is usually divided into 3 compartments:
- Distribution compartment (for consumer groups).
- Accounting compartment ().
- Subscriber compartment (radio, television, telephone).
Apartment board
Most often, such an apartment panel (ASB) is located in an apartment near the entrance, usually in the hallway. Its main purpose is energy metering electric current, distribution of electricity along apartment lines for power supply in different rooms and for different household devices. Automatic device modules located in the apartment panel protect the network from short circuits and overloads.
Apartment switchboards are divided by type of installation:
- Internal.
- Invoices.
According to the material of manufacture:
- Plastic.
- Metal.
Kinds apartment electrical panels by purpose:
- Accounting (Shchku).
- Distribution (SchKR).
Lighting board
The lighting board is located in almost all existing buildings equipped with lighting devices for rare switching of lighting equipment using the board's automation. The lighting board protects outgoing lines from short circuits and current overloads.
Electrical lighting panels are divided into:
- Lighting panel with switch (OSCHV).
- Built-in (recessed) lighting panel with switch (УОШЧВ).
Switchboard
This type of control panel (control panel) is designed to control automatic devices responsible for driving mechanisms: heating, alarms, ventilation, etc. Property values are adjusted manually.
Automation shield
This type of panel contains software controllers that monitor the functioning of drives of various mechanisms and systems.
Uninterruptible supply board
This shield (SBBP) provides electrical power to instruments and devices of control systems, computer equipment, medical equipment, and other systems that must be provided with a constant supply of electricity, and belonging to the 1st category of power supply.
We have considered only some electrical panels used in electrical networks, but there are many more types.
Shield assembly
Installation work for the installation of electrical panels usually begins with the assembly operation of the main structure. There are switchboard devices in the form of assembled cases with mounting panels included. However, complete panels are more often used, and for them a design and assembly diagram are already developed.
First, prepare the housing for assembly, then remove the plugs from the housing walls. Electrical panels have different number sections of cable lines depending on their design. Therefore, you need to calculate in advance the location and number of holes for cables and wires, taking into account the possibility of making additional holes.
Next, installation rails, grounding bars, and mounting brackets are mounted. The components of the shield may be different. It depends on the type of distribution board. But the main thing in the assembly is preparation for final installation.
Installation
The installation method also depends on the type of shield design. The main difficulty is the design of the built-in electrical panel, since it requires hollowing out the space necessary for its installation in the wall.
After hollowing out a niche in the wall, the shield is installed in place and secured with special brackets. In advance, before choosing the location of the switchboard, the possibility of access to the electrical wiring is calculated. After final installation, connect to power and consuming load.
An input cable with additional wires. The wires are aligned in one layer, taking into account the placement of circuit breakers and their configuration. When the electrical wiring is connected to all devices of the panel, then the load of consumers and electrical installations are connected. Next, all lines are turned on one by one to check the functionality of the network.
Access limitation
When operating electrical panels, electrical safety rules must be observed. They must also be performed when installing the shield. When installed in a public area, fencing and insulation of live parts are provided. Access to the switchboard elements is protected by locked fences.
Distribution electrical energy at all times was one of the responsible operations. The efficiency of energy consumption and the stability of the power supply to consumers depend on it. Therefore, manufacturers are interested in producing reliable and functional devices such as electrical panels.
The range of household devices is constantly growing, so distribution boards must also be modernized and expand their functional tasks. The popularity of models that are designed to arrange devices inside a switchboard for individual use is increasing.
Thus, using threaded connections, the installation panel of the switchboard can be equipped with almost any devices and modules.
Home equipment cannot be imagined without electricity. The main component of the power network at home is considered to be a panel designed for the layout of protection devices and the metering device itself. Exist certain types distribution boards. Their use is typical in the house and apartment.
In our article today we will look at various options, which are purchased for installation in living conditions. Let's look at the details and purpose of each type of electrical panel.
Important! All panels are divided into built-in and mounted. They must be used based on the type of power system in the room.
Important! It is necessary to take into account the number of modules when choosing an electrical panel.
Choosing a shield for living conditions
In the house, when choosing an electrical panel, not only safety requirements must be met, but also aesthetics:
Attention! Any of the devices for comprehensive protection home energy system, you can install it yourself. See instructions here.
General technical characteristics
By technical specifications, each type of electrical panel must meet certain general parameters.
Firstly, the design must meet all electrical safety rules. That is, to have additional insulation to withstand high currents for a certain time, and also not to succumb to burning and melting. Secondly, all panel panels have a specific weight for each condition.
The size of the distribution board depends strictly on how many groups your network is divided into, and how many circuit breakers and other protective devices will be installed. All panels must have strips for fastening devices; the presence of a grounding strip cannot be ruled out.
To ensure reliable and safe operation of the power supply system, residential buildings and enterprises use switchboards that contain protective and distribution equipment. Such devices must meet the most stringent safety requirements and have high mechanical strength, so it is better to buy them from a trusted place. The specialized online store “Electrics Cheap” offers big choice quality distribution boards from the best manufacturers world, which you can purchase at the best prices. The assortment is presented here: https://elektrikadeshevo.ru/catalog/shchity-raspredelitelnye/. Our material will help you navigate the wide variety of such equipment and choose the right switchboard.
No. 1. Why do you need a distribution board?
Apartments, offices, garages and factories cannot do without installing a distribution board. Why is it needed, because previously many were content with distribution boxes alone? It's all about convenience and safety. If you continue to use only distribution boxes, then, for example, when replacing, you will have to de-energize the entire apartment, and when connecting some powerful electrical appliances, you will have to equip them with their own protective devices, and they also need space.
Installing distribution boards prevents the risk of electrical appliances burning out. Thanks to the shield, electricity is distributed evenly across all channels, eliminating excessive current flow through one of them. This device is especially important for large premises where enormous loads occur, and for residential buildings, distribution boards are also necessary, given how many electrical appliances people use at home today.
Switchboard not only triggers when excessive voltage occurs, but also saves a person from electric shock.
No. 2. Main types of distribution boards
A distribution board can be responsible for the safe supply of electricity to an apartment, a floor, or a large building. Depending on the scale of the service area, electrical panels are divided into the following types:
- Main switchboard(MSB) is at the head of the hierarchy, installed at transformer substations and in large industries. As a rule, it is distinguished by its impressive size, is responsible for the power supply of the entire facility, and protects against network overloads and short circuits. The main switchboard, which evenly distributes electricity throughout all rooms, can automatically switch from the main power input to the backup one;
- input switchgear(ASU) are installed at the entrance of the power cable to apartment buildings residential buildings, office centers, industrial premises. The ASU distributes power lines for apartment and floor panels, keeps records of consumed electricity, and triggers in case of overloads and short circuits;
- emergency commissioning of reserve(AVR) is not used everywhere and is designed to switch consumers from the main power source to a backup one in the event of an emergency. AVR is necessary for hospitals and other institutions where continuous power supply is important. Sometimes such devices are used in;
- floor shield(SHE) is installed mainly in residential buildings to distribute power to 2-6 apartments. In such a panel, space is allocated for modular automation and electricity metering devices. Can be used in administrative buildings;
- apartment panel(SchK) is located on the input electric cable in an apartment, it is usually installed in the hallway, vestibule, less often - around front door. Apartment panels are familiar to almost everyone; they are used for protection against short circuits and overloads, distribution of group power lines and electricity metering. The choice of distribution boards of this type will be discussed.
Among other types we note lighting boards(SCHO), which are necessary for rare switching off and turning on of automation, such devices protect against overloads, and are used in public and commercial buildings. Switchboard(control room) are also installed in administrative buildings for management, heating equipment And . Automation shield(SHA) is necessary to control software controllers for ventilation, heating systems, etc. Is there some more uninterruptible power supply panels(ShBP), which are installed when connecting computing and medical equipment that requires a constant supply of electricity and is sensitive to voltage changes.
No. 3. Types of electrical panels according to installation method
According to the installation method, distribution boards can be divided into the following types:
For an electrical panel it is important to choose right place, because our safety is at stake. The following requirements are put forward for the installation site:
- sufficient distance from fire and explosive substances;
- good natural ventilation;
- easy accessibility. If something happens, the electrician must make a minimum of effort to get to the panel;
- desirable enough level natural light.
No. 4. Material of manufacture
The distribution board can be made of metal or plastic. Metal shield more resistant to mechanical damage, is characterized by high durability and reliability, and at the same time decent weight. Appearance Such products are not the worst, but still not ideal, so metal panels are more suitable for installation in garages and industrial premises. 
For an apartment it is better to choose a neat one plastic shield. These are lightweight and aesthetic devices, and responsible manufacturers produce quite durable products that are not inferior in durability to metal ones and do not require mandatory grounding. Cheap plastic shields from little-known Chinese companies tend to turn yellow over time.
Shields made from a combination of plastic and metal are also available on sale. 
No. 5. Protection of the shield from dust and moisture
The degree of moisture and dust protection is selected depending on the operating conditions of the equipment:
No. 6. Types of distribution boards by design
By type of design and purpose electrical panels are divided into the following types:
No. 7. Number of modules in the distribution panel
The fundamental difference between all panels is the number of modules. Some people mistakenly believe that their number should be a multiple of 12, but this is not always the case: panels designed for 16 and 18 modules are used, there are even compact models in which the number of modules does not exceed 10.
To decide how many modules are needed in your case, it is best to first draw up an electrical wiring diagram indicating all points of consumption, this includes sockets, lighting, separately highlight electrical appliances that consume a lot of energy (, washing machine, ). Next, the groups are defined. For lighting wiring, circuit breakers with a current of 10 A are used, for socket wiring - 16 A. As switching and protective devices, you can use not only circuit breakers, but also RCDs, or replace these two devices with differential machine. The number of RCDs, automatic devices and automatic devices must be known to correctly select the number of modules. It is also worth considering the presence of a counter and its size. 
The width of one module is 18 mm, it is equal to the width of a single-pole switch. To connect a two-pole machine you will need 2 modules, three-phase circuit breaker– 3, single-phase RCD – 3, three-phase RCD – 5, electric meter – from 6 to 8 depending on its size (the width of the device can simply be divided by 18 mm).
For an apartment, in some cases, a shield for 12-16 modules is enough. If the meter is located in the panel, you will have to take a device with 16-24 modules. A large private house may require a shield for more than 24 modules. In large cottages, two panels are sometimes installed, since due to the large length of the wiring, in the event of an accident, one may not always work promptly, or may not work at all. 
In addition, the panel may contain surge protection devices, photo relays or automatic light switches. If you are not sure what you can do right choice switchboard, it is better to trust the specialists. Help will most likely be needed when assembling, installing the switchboard and connecting all groups of electrical appliances to it - it’s better not to joke with electricity.
No. 8. Manufacturers of distribution panels
Defective shields will not be able to perform their functions fully, being unable to uniform distribution electric current throughout all rooms. Also, such shields, if necessary, most likely will not turn off the damaged group of circuits automatically, so it is better to trust your safety to trusted manufacturers. Leader in terms of quality – companyABB, but its products are expensive. Shields Makel andIEK They are a little cheaper, but the quality is very good. In terms of design, shields stand out FOTKA made in Greece. It is better to avoid nameless products made in China and Turkey - this is not a case where you can save money. 
Finally, we note that, with other equal conditions It is better to give preference to shields with a transparent door, which provide easier control over the state of the machines.