While food, water and shelter are no more just the basic needs of a man. A steady electricity supply is necessary to keep these primary needs in order. We all know the inconvenience we face when there’s a power cut for hours together. A power distribution board is a crucial component of electricity supply in every household, office or other organization. Also called an electrical distribution board, it serves as the main supply source of power to every appliance. Installation of a power distribution board is thus one of the most crucial tasks in any home, office, commercial establishment or shop.
A power distribution board consists of transport bars, fuse board, circuit panels, wires and cables for electricity distribution. All this hardware installation must be done with extreme precision and safety to avoid accidents that can even prove fatal. When installing a power distribution board, it has some necessary safety requirements to be followed. This article will look at length into different types of power distribution boards and safety measures.
Safety Requirements for Installation of Power Distribution Board
Choosing a Correct Type: Electrical distribution boards are available in different types and make depending on the usage. Every power board has two functions – ensuring the flow of electricity, and serving electrical protection during circuit overload and power cuts. Now, there are different types of power distribution boards, and you can choose one per your needs and design preferences. Here’s a brief breakdown to help you understand different types and applications:
– Main Breaker Panel: This one is commonly used for a whole residential unit. They help to install a stabilizer for homes. They are very effective in protecting the secondary circuits.
– Main Lug Panel: In this panel, the electrical lines running through a lug are connected through a circuit breaker. In case of emergencies like fire or flooding, it is possible to disconnect the meter. This distribution board indicates if the main power line has upstream current flowing.
– Sub Panel: This is a safer type of power distribution board. They are smaller in size and ideal for a single household. This subpanel is connected to the main breaker panel, and the electricity supply is split into smaller circuits to reach an area of the house.
There are other distribution boards such as single-door distribution boards that come with different configurations. For heavy-duty operations in commercial establishments or industries, double-door distribution boards are used. Transfer switches are used if you have a power generator and want a system to switch the load between two electricity sources.
So depending on your application, your choice of power distribution board is important for safety.
Location: Where you place the power distribution box also matters for its smooth operation. Do not keep it on the ground, where it can directly come in contact with water. Also, install it in a way that is not accessible to children. Try and keep it away from the kitchen, cooking gas or other appliances that can result in fire hazard accidents. Keep it at a regular height so that during an emergency, you can quickly stop the power supply.
If you are installing a power distribution board for a building, make it easier to access for maintenance and not left in some dingy corner.
Material: When choosing a power distribution board, double-check the materials used in the making. The power panels, bus bar, accessories, and wires should be non-corrosive and of high-quality coatings to ensure the safety and long life of every element.
At the same time, the outdoor box which houses the power unit must be robust and durable. Always ensure all your components follow the industry standards and norms of safety.
Design: The design factor of a power distribution board matters more in households, where you pay extra attention to décor and aesthetics. You will find a lot of options in colour and designs of a power distribution box, but don’t choose something only because it looks fancy. Understand the purpose of the appliance and where it is fit to use for your home.
User-Friendliness: A power distribution box must be spacious enough to allow multiple wiring and accommodate all circuits. The tangled wires within will only be a task during maintenance and pose a risk of errors during installation. A user-friendly distribution board ensures smoother operations and the installation process very easy.
Why Choose Schneider Electric for Power Distribution Boards?
For a reliable and quality-grade power distribution board, check out Schneider Electric Shop. They have a Galaxy series board, a top choice for homes because of its easy handling. These have a 3-phase power distribution solution to evenly supply power through the home. Their other range of NetShelter Metered Rack PDU is efficient for circuit overload detection. This power distribution board provides a user with real-time tracking and is equipped with multiple input and output connections. Check out Shop Schneider Electric to know more about their features.
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