Every year, thousands of cases of electrocution are recorded. Most are caused by outdated electrical installations. So it's important to make sure your electrical installations comply with the relevant standards, to ensure the safety of you and your family. That's where an electrical panel comes in. Find out everything you need to know about this system in this article!
What is an electrical panel?
The electrical panel is a vitally important part of any electrical connection system. It is responsible for regulating the correct operation of the electrical circuits. As well as controlling all the electrical circuits, it can protect all the electrical appliances in a home and prevent certain malfunctions.
What is the electrical panel made of?
An electrical panel is made up of several components, each playing a specific role in its smooth operation. The most important of all is the main circuit breaker. Its role is to prevent your systems from overheating. It can easily be switched off in the event of overheated cables, a short-circuit, etc.
Necessary for the correct operation of the circuits in an installation, the differential switch is capable of locating potential current leaks. Thanks to this device, it is possible to cut off the power supply to limit the damage.
The main earth terminal allows current to escape from your home to earth. This reduces the risk of energy loss or electrocution.
The lightning arrester is an essential component of a system in regions with a high susceptibility to lightning strikes.
What is the standard for electrical panels?
Each switchboard must comply with the NFC 15-100 standard, both for new installations and for renovation work. According to the electrical convention, electrical cabinets must be located inside a building.
However, if the flat is new or has been renovated, the switchboard must be installed in the flat's service duct. Dimensions of 600 mm wide and 250 mm deep must be respected.
Another compulsory rule in the standard concerns the 20 % of free space that must be left for all practical purposes. It is also essential not to leave any empty rows inside the switchboard.
How do I make the connection?
Once the electrical installation has been completed, the next step is to connect the cables to the switchboards. The first step is to turn off the power, then identify, distinguish and assemble the lines. Next comes the phase of fixing the support at the intersection of the lines. Once this has been done, the earth conductors and lines previously grouped together should be placed at the bottom of the panel.
The earth wires should then be stripped and attached to the bottom of the jumper bar. The jumper bar should then be placed above the circuit-breaker. The next step is to tighten all the phase screws and connect all the other protective devices, such as transformers and contactors.
After these steps, the circuit-breaker wires must be tuned and the gaps sealed using blanking plugs.
Don't forget to stick on the stickers to identify the circuits, which are very useful in the event of a problem.
Setting up your modular panel
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