Electrical Installation Components and Specifications

Posted on Feb 6, 2025 in Technology

Weatherhead

The weatherhead is the part of the installation that connects the network link between the public distribution grid (PGD) and the building. There are three types:

  • Aerial Assault: Conductors are suspended from a galvanized steel cable guarantor.
  • Tensile Aerial Assaults with Neutral Carrier: The neutral conductor acts as the network’s guarantor. The minimum height above the road is 6 meters.
  • Underground Onslaught: The connection runs underground to the Distribution General Panel (DGP).
  • Aerial-Underground Onslaught: A combination of aerial and underground connections.

Comprehensive Protection System

These are the boxes that house the protection elements for the general power supply lines. Location:

  • Installed on exterior walls in easily accessible locations.
  • Kept away from other installations.
  • Single or three-phase connections derived from the low-voltage (BT) network: 0.5% voltage drop to the DGP.
  • Three-phase feeds directly into a transformation center: 5% voltage drop to the DGP.
  • No more than one protection system per niche.

General Power Line

This line connects the general protection system with the meter centralization. A single general power line can supply multiple meter centralizations. Installation:

  • The power line’s path should be as short and straight as possible.
  • Pipes of other types must allow for a 100% increase in the conductor section.
  • Pipe joints must be threaded or rigidly embedded to prevent separation.
  • Conductors for three-phase and neutral systems must be copper or aluminum, unipolar, insulated, and have an insulation level of 0.6/1 kV.

Maximum Allowed Voltage Drop:

  • Buildings with multiple centralized meters: 1% to the centralization.
  • Buildings with a single meter centralization: 0.5% to the centralization.

Meter Centralization

The set of measuring equipment located in one place and fed from the same general power line. Types of Centralization:

  • Centralized Meters in Common Area: Used when there are fewer than 16 meters.
  • Centralized Meters Concentrated at One Point: Used for 17 to 48 meters, with a dedicated room for the meters.
  • Meter Centralization per Plant: Used for buildings with more than 12 floors; centralization is done on the ground floor and intermediate floors.
  • Centralization of Meters on Each Floor: Used for buildings with more than 16 homes per floor; centralization is done on each floor.

Individual Referral

The electrical conduit linking each individual conductor to its private protection and command device. Installation:

  • Protective tubes and channels must have a nominal section that allows for a 100% expansion of the initially installed conductors.
  • The minimum height of the top record (0.30 m) must be equal to the width of the groove.
  • The number of conductors is determined by the number of steps required for the installation and the power of the corresponding derivation.
  • Conductors must be unipolar insulated copper.
  • The neutral conductor’s section must be at least equal to that of the phase conductors.

Maximum Allowed Voltage Drop:

  • Buildings with multiple meter centralizations: 0.5% to the Individual Control Panel (ICPM).
  • Buildings with a single meter centralization: 1% to the ICPM.

Command and Protection Overview

The panel consists of a set of devices designed to protect people and the installation’s recipients. It consists of the following elements:

  • ICPM (Individual Control Panel): Limits the contracted power.
  • IGA (Main Switch): Protects the individual referral.
  • ID (Residual Current Device): Detects earth leakage currents.
  • PIA (Small Automatic Switches): Protect against overloads and short circuits.