What Is A Distribution Board?
A distribution board (also known as panelboard, breaker panel, electric panel, DB board or DB box) is a component of an electricity supply system that divides an electrical power feed into subsidiary circuits while providing a protective fuse or circuit breaker for each circuit in a common enclosure. Normally, a main switch, and in recent boards, one or more residual-current devices (RCDs) or residual current breakers with overcurrent protection (RCBOs) are also incorporated.In the United Kingdom, a distribution board designed for domestic installations is known as a consumer unit.
Breaker Arrangements In A DB Board
Breakers are usually arranged in two columns. In a U.S.-style board, breaker positions are numbered left-to-right, along each row from top to bottom. This numbering system is universal with numerous competitive manufacturers of breaker panels.Each row is fed from a different phase (A, B, and C below), to allow 2- or 3-pole common-trip breakers to have one pole on each phase. In North America, it is common to wire large permanently installed equipment line-to-line. This takes two slots in the panel (two-pole) and gives a voltage of 240 V for split-phase electric power, or 208 V for three-phase power.
Fuse Boxes On A DB Board
A common design of fuse box that was featured in homes built from 1940 through 1965 was the 60-amp fuse box that included four plug fuses (i.e. Edison base) for branch circuits and one or more fuse blocks containing cartridge fuses for purposes such as major appliance circuits.After 1965, the more substantial 100 A panel with three-wire (230 V) service became common; a fuse box could have fuse blocks for the main shut-off and an electric range circuit plus a number of plug fuses (Edison base or Type S) for individual circuits.
How To Wire A DB Board In South Africa
Distribution Board or DB is an electricity supply system or a common enclosure that distributes the electrical power feed into subcircuits. It includes isolator, RCCB (Residual current circuit breaker) or RCD (Residual-current device) devices, protective fuses or MCB’s (Miniature Circuit Breaker) for each subcircuit, etc.The Phase and Neutral supply lines (230V AC 50Hz/60Hz) are fed to the DB through the service drop running from the utility pole. It is then connected to the energy meter through a fuse.
The phase and neutral lines from the energy meter are connected to the main isolator. The isolator is used to OPEN and CLOSE the lines manually, which is the main switch of the electrical system.The phase and neutral lines from the isolator are then connected to the RCCB. The RCCB is a device used to protect from current leakage. It isolates the circuit during fault conditions due to current leakage as well as during earthing, electric shock; when somebody comes to contact with phase and earth.
From RCCB the Neutral lines are connected to the neutral link. And the phase lines are connected parallel to MCB’s. The MCB is used to protect from overcurrent resulted due to overload or short circuit. It isolates the phase line if the current exceeds its maximum limit. Both MCB and RCCB can be turned off manually to isolate the line.
Through the MCB phase lines are distributed to electrical wiring for lighting, fixed devices, and power distribution points. This type of arrangement is the commonly used method of distribution board for house wiring.The cable or wire size, the rating of breakers, fuse, etc depends on the type of wiring, purpose, and rating of loads. It should be properly selected as per the recommended standards and safety requirements.
The neutral and earth lines are distributed to the subcircuits through the neutral link and earth link respectively. The earth line running from the earth link is connected to the earth pit with an earth rod. Earthing is very essential for the protection of the electrical system, so it should be ensured that the earthing is proper.
