Guide to Distribution Switchboards

The point where the incoming power supply divides into several circuits controlled by the fuses of a switchboard is called a distribution switchboard. As the name suggests, this is a board with several ports for attaching a number of functional units each designed to fulfill a certain given function. As such, it is a critical element in the dependability of electrical installations, therefore, it needs to comply with the existing standards for governing, designing and constructing certain switch gear assemblies. In this direction, it is worth mentioning that a well-protected distribution switchboard should comply with applicable standards and working processes. For that purpose, you will need switchboard enclosures.

Switchboard enclosures are boxes designed to protect a distribution board. Sometimes, this distribution switchboard is exposed to various influences which eventually can result in causing damage to both the surrounding environment and people. Three main technologies are used in these switchboards:

• fixed functional units, which cannot be isolated from the supply of electricity, so for any modification or maintenance you would need to shut down the entire distribution switchboard;
• disconnectable functional units, which can be disconnected from the ongoing circuit;
• withdrawable functional units, which serve for complete function and are mounted on a horizontal chassis which can be withdrawn.

There are various types of switchboard enclosures and the ones that are considered the best offer dual protection:

• protection against mechanical impacts, vibrations and other external influences that could damage the switch gear, relays, fuse gear and similar elements;
• protection of people getting in touch with those elements from eventual direct or indirect electrical shocks.

Except their main purpose – housing different electrical elements and protecting you and your house, office or building from potential electric disaster, switchboard enclosures offer many other advantages:

• integration of various functions in a single distribution switchboard along with suitable protection, maintenance, operations and upgrades;
• fast design as a result of easy installation and adding of new modules;
• fast mount of pre-fabricated pieces;
• tested switchboards for ensuring the much needed high degree of dependability;
• flexible;
• easily adaptable;
• save you time in all stages: design, installation,operation and upgrading.

All these are general characteristics of switchboard enclosures, and depending on the type you choose you can get various combinations. Generally, these enclosures can be divided in two main groups:

• traditional distribution switchboards in which switch gear is fixed to a chassis on the enclosure;
• functional switchboards which are used for some specific applications depending on the type of design.