Rating of the best switchboards for 2024

Safe and reliable operation of the power supply system in enterprises and in residential buildings is ensured through the use of switchboards, which contain switchgear and protective equipment. These devices must comply with the strictest safety rules and have increased mechanical strength. In order to correctly choose the shield necessary for normal life, it is necessary, first of all, to understand some basic concepts about this electrical equipment.

Switchboard functions

Today, any electricity consumption in offices, residential buildings, garages, manufacturing enterprises cannot do without installing a panel board for electricity distribution. It combines the functions of ensuring the safety of use, and also provides a person with the ability to control energy consumption. If earlier it was possible to do with one junction box, then at the current moment (with a huge number of electrical appliances used) a shield will be required. Now, even to replace a simple outlet in an apartment equipped with just a distribution box, you will have to de-energize the entire living space.

The switchboard allows you to restrict the access of electricity to each specific room. Among other things, its installation will drastically reduce the risk of burnout of electrical appliances, due to the fact that with the help of it the energy is evenly distributed over all the supporting channels, while not allowing one to be overloaded. Thus, such devices are required not only by large consumers of electricity (manufacturing enterprises), but are also important for the daily life of people, since they have residual current devices that prevent electric shock to a person.

Materials used in the manufacture

Switchboards are most often made of plastic or metal. The latter are distinguished by the fact that they are considered more resistant to mechanical damage, they have an increased service life, however, in comparison with plastic, they have undoubtedly greater weight. It is advisable to install metal models in public places or industrial premises. Plastic samples are easier to install, so they are perfect for installation in offices, apartments, offices.Moreover, they can be made in an artistic style, which will allow them to harmoniously blend into the environment and, moreover, they do not require grounding.

Varieties of electrical panels

They may be responsible for the safety of supplying electricity directly to an apartment, to the floor of a residential building, or to a large building. Depending on the area they serve, the shields are divided into the following types:

• Main switchboard (abbreviated as "main switchboard") - the place of its installation is transformer substations of residential buildings or substations of large industries. It is usually characterized by impressive dimensions and is responsible for supplying a large facility, while protecting the served facility from network overloads or short circuits. Such a shield, distributing energy evenly over the serviced premises, is capable of automatically switching from the main power supply to its reserve source;
• Introductory switchgear (abbreviated as "VRU") - it is placed at the entrance of the power cable to industrial premises, residential buildings (including multi-apartment buildings), business centers with offices, etc. The VRU is designed to distribute power lines for floor and apartment panels, it has the function of metering consumption electricity, it also provides a protective shutdown in the event of short circuits or network overloads;
• Emergency input of a reserve (abbreviated "ATS") - this device is not used everywhere, because its main purpose is to provide the facility with an uninterrupted supply of electricity. It comes into operation automatically when electricity stops flowing through the main channel. Such devices are installed at strategically and socially important facilities (military units on alert, hospitals, etc.), which require uninterrupted power supply. As an option for civilian use, ATS can be used in detached residential cottages;
• Floor board (abbreviated as "SHE") - it is installed in apartment buildings and it is intended for uniform supply of electricity to 2-6 apartments. This switchboard separately provides space for its own residual current devices or for the installation of electrical metering devices. It can also be used in administrative buildings with several offices / rooms on the floor;
• Apartment board (abbreviated as "SCHK") - these devices, as a rule, are installed at the points of entry of the electric cable into a residential area / office. The place of their installation is usually the hallway in the apartment or the reception room in the office. Less often, they are placed outside in the vestibule or near the front door. Such devices carry the function of distributing electricity, provide protection against overloads in the network, and also keep track of energy consumption.

There are other types of switchboards that have a specialized purpose and an ordinary power consumer can rarely meet them:

• For lighting (abbreviated as "SCHO") - necessary for occasional switching on / off of the automatic lighting system in large buildings, for example, shopping centers;
• For control (abbreviated as "SCHU") - are needed to control various equipment for ensuring production activities, for example. industrial fans. At the same time, they protect the given equipment from overload;
• To ensure automation (abbreviated as "SHA") - provide power supply to software controllers responsible in large buildings, for example, for heating, for public address lines (train stations, airports), etc.;
• For uninterrupted power supply - the most expensive and high-precision devices that provide protection and permanent power supply of specific equipment. This may include large computing data centers, medical equipment (for example, ventilators), etc.

Differences between switchboards by type of installation

Conventionally, according to this criterion, distribution boards can be divided into the following types:

• Outdoor (they are overhead) is a very widely used option, it is easy to install, however, it will stick out a little from the wall, so the place for its installation must be chosen based on aesthetic considerations. Basically, such shields are used when laying electrical wiring, both external and hidden, the shields themselves can be made of plastic / metal. Professional electricians are advised to install shields of this type in structures dominated by flammable structures (baths, wooden houses);
• Built-in - no doubt, they look much aesthetic than those described above, they are easier to hide, since they are mounted on the same plane with the wall and do not protrude. At the same time, their installation will be much more expensive and more difficult to make. The built-in models on the front panel will definitely have a special flange that will cover the technological joint. Energy experts advise using this option when the number of lines controlled by the switchboard is six or less. Otherwise, the issue of inconspicuous removal of a thick pile of wires from the shield through the walls may become a problem;
• Floor standing cabinets are full-fledged cabinets with all electrical distribution equipment inside. It is mounted separately on a horizontal surface. It is used more in production, rarely used in everyday life.

Safety requirements

Any power distribution device must be installed in a location where the following requirements are met:

• Adequate distance from combustible structures and flammable substances;
• The room where the switchboard is based must have sufficient natural ventilation;
• Access to the electrical panel should be provided as quickly as possible for competent persons (electricians, firefighters, housing and communal services employees), that is, it is forbidden to break into the locking devices of the shields, litter the passage to the shield, etc .;
• The electrical panel should be located in a place with sufficient lighting.

The degree of moisture and dust protection is no less important. According to the "international enclosure protection codes", the devices installed:

• Indoors - must comply with IP-32, IP-31, IP-21;
• Outdoors - they must comply with the IP-54 standard, and also have seals on the locking casing and their cables must be in a sealed sheath.

Existing designs

By design, they can be subdivided as follows:

• Modular - all equipment in them is installed in separate blocks, they themselves consist of platforms and rails where the buses are mounted, and outside all modules are protected by a metal / plastic panel;
• Accounting - the old Soviet version, as a rule, has a special site for installing metering devices, which is fixed by means of rails or screws. This design also provides modular automatic residual current devices;
• Accounting and distribution - they may differ from the previous one by the presence of additional rails for mounting RCDs on outgoing lines. They also provide a separate place for the switching device, which is closed by its own cover, which can be sealed.

Number of installed modules

All switchboards differ in the number of modules installed in them. In some samples, this number may not exceed ten units, and in some of them it may be twelve, and sixteen, and even eighteen. In order to correctly choose the required model, you must first decide on the wiring diagram in the room to be serviced. To do this, it is enough to set the number of points of electricity consumption (sockets, devices connected to them that work constantly and periodically, lighting sources, etc.), that is, everything that is powered from the electrical network. After that, it is worth deciding on the groups of devices - for lighting wiring you will need machines for 10 Amperes, and for a socket outlet - for 16 Amperes.To safely turn off the power, you must equip the shield with either a pair of circuit breakers or a residual current device. In principle, both of them can be freely replaced by a differential automaton. As a result, a standard three-room apartment with a Russian layout is unlikely to require more than 12-15 modules, but a large country cottage will hardly cost 16-24 modules.

Rating of the best switchboards for 2024

IMPORTANT! It is worth mentioning that no trading platform (be it a retail or an online store) ever offers a ready-made and assembled shield - everything is selected individually, based on the parameters that the buyer declares. Thus, at first, the body is selected, then, depending on the number of sockets, lighting sources and electrical appliances to be serviced, the number and power of the modules installed in the shield body are selected. Accordingly, fully assembled electrical panels can only be found on the secondary market. There it is also possible to roughly navigate the prices by analyzing the technical "content" of the shield.

Main switchboards

"N-Automation" 3 x 630 A

A massive shield from a Russian manufacturer. Designed to control the distribution of energy in industrial premises or on the territory of country cottages. The design is distinguished by its special massiveness, for convenience and protection from moisture and dust, it is advisable to place this main switchboard in a separate trailer.

• Powerful model from a Russian manufacturer;
• ATS for three inputs;
• Full set.

• Massive construction.

EvrazAvtomatika UZ.1

This device is a low-voltage main switchboard intended for use in networks with a voltage of 220-380 V, the frequency is 50 Hz. Scope of application - non-production and industrial facilities. In addition to standard functions, it has the ability to take measurements not only in emergency situations, but also on an ongoing basis to signal the slightest excess. The design itself assumes a modular type of equipment.

• Construction reliability;
• Extended operational life;
• Ease of maintenance.

• Designed for large objects only.

Apartment boards

"NEVA" MT 324

A distribution board designed to serve a small living space / office. It is made in a metal lockable case and has a surface-mounted design for indoor installation. The kit includes a re-grounding device and it also includes mounting accessories.

• Sufficiently complete set;
• Availability of a 2-tariff meter;
• Possibility of fixing on the street.

• Surface mounted type of installation.

Group shields

"Tyazhpromelectro" SCHOGT-1-131-54-UHL4

 This group board is designed for receiving / distributing electricity with a voltage of 220-380 V at a frequency of 50 Hz. The main area of ​​application is the closure of group lines of local and remote switching for powering electrical appliances in public, administrative and industrial buildings. The equipment has a safety certificate for low-voltage devices.

• Installation variability (invoice and built-in);
• Additional safety certificate;
• Ease of installation.

• One-way service.

Floor boards

"RIL" ShchE-31.5

The panel is intended for installation in a special niche in an apartment building. Provides line entry without cutting along the backbone. The front door can be locked with either a key or an ordinary latch. This panel supports the placement of modules for servicing from 2 to 6 apartments.

• The operational panel is accessible only to authorized persons;
• The number of subscribers served may vary;
• Access to the current-carrying part of the board is closed.

• Installation is possible only in a special niche.

Instead of an epilogue

As you know, any device that operates with electricity is recognized by Russian law as a source of increased danger. Therefore, when buying a switchboard, first of all, you should be guided by the principles of human safety. Low price, cheap materials of manufacture, unknown brand - all this should scare off a potential buyer. After all, such a shield simply will not be able to evenly distribute energy along the lines, which can lead to irreparable consequences. As the analysis of Russian consumer preferences in this market shows, Chinese and Turkish models are extremely low in popularity. The leader in sales is almost any domestic product (the easiest way to get it). Among foreign brands, the Greek company "FOTKA" is in the lead, followed by the European "Makel" and "IEK", and the list is closed by an ultra-expensive and very high-quality product from the American "ABB". Finally, it is worth mentioning that it is better to purchase switchboards with a transparent front door - this will make it easier to control the modules and machines.