Which machine to put on the air conditioner in the apartment: selection, installation and connection of a protective device

Selection of the rating of the circuit breaker according to the wire section

Having determined the rating of the machine, based on the power of the “suspended” load, it is necessary to make sure that the electrical wiring can withstand the corresponding current. As a guide, you can use the table below, compiled for a copper wire and a single-phase circuit (table 3):

cross section conductors, sq. mm	Permissible current, A	Max. power load, kW	Current automatic, a	Possible consumers
1,5	19	4,2	16	Lighting, signaling
2,5	27	6,0	25	Socket group, underfloor heating
4	38	8,4	32	Air conditioning, water heater
6	46	10,1	40	Electric stove, oven

As you can see, all three indicators (power, current strength and wire cross-section) are interconnected, so the nominal value of the machine can, in principle, be chosen according to any of them. At the same time, it is necessary to make sure that all parameters fit together and, if necessary, make the appropriate adjustment.

In any scenario, remember the following:

1. Installing an excessively powerful machine can lead to the fact that before it operates, electrical equipment that is not protected by its own fuse will fail.
2. An automatic machine with a low number of amperes can become a source of nervous stress, de-energizing a house or separate rooms when you turn on an electric kettle, iron or vacuum cleaner.

Choosing a breaking capacity

The selection of a packet box for the maximum allowable load current is described above. But the circuit breaker should also turn off when a short circuit (short circuit) occurs from the network. This characteristic is called the breaking capacity. It is displayed in thousands of amperes - this order can be reached by currents during a short circuit. The choice of a machine for breaking capacity is not very difficult.

This characteristic shows at what maximum value of the short circuit current the machine remains operational, that is, it can not only turn off, but will also work after being turned on again. This characteristic depends on many factors and for accurate selection it is necessary to determine the short-circuit currents. But for wiring in a house or apartment, such calculations are made very rarely, but are guided by the distance from the transformer substation.

Breaking capacity of automatic protective switches

If the substation is located near the entrance to your house / apartment, they take an automatic circuit breaker with a breaking capacity of 10,000 A, for all other city apartments, 6,000 A is enough. and a breaking capacity of 4,500 A. The networks here are usually old and short-circuit currents are not large. And since the price increases significantly with increasing breaking capacity, the principle of reasonable economy can be applied.

Is it possible to install bags with a lower breaking capacity in city apartments. In principle, it is possible, but no one guarantees that after the first short circuit you will not have to change it. He may have time to turn off the network, but will be inoperable at the same time. In the worst case, the contacts will melt and the machine will not have time to turn off. Then the wiring will melt and a fire may occur.

Power supply for air conditioner | Daikin

One of the issues that apartment owners should be concerned about before installing an air conditioner is the provision of power for the air conditioner and the choice of an automatic machine.

Of course, for installers, the easiest option is to simply plug the cord into the nearest outlet to show that the air conditioner is working and get a signed work certificate.

But we should not forget that the correct connection of the air conditioner is one of the safety aspects in your apartment. The most correct is to carry out the installation of communications for the air conditioner at the repair stage.

Connection during repair and wire cross-section

The stage of installation of the air conditioner during the repair is divided into two stages.At the first stage, the installers hang the outdoor unit and connect the freon and drainage lines to it, as well as the power and control wire of the outdoor unit.

These lines are led out in the strobe to the place where the indoor unit will hang. After carrying out all the repair and finishing work, the indoor unit is hung up and the system is charged with freon.

The owner will need to supply power to the air conditioner. In order to choose the right wire for the air conditioner, you need to see what the maximum power the air conditioner consumes and, in accordance with this, choose the cable.

Table of the ratio of power and wire cross-section

Most household air conditioners fit into the 3.5 kW power consumption range, which means that a 1.5 mm wire for an air conditioner is perfect for us.

The option for the house refers to the closed type of wiring, the type of power supply is 220V.

Converting power into current is quite simple I = (P / U) * 1000, P - in kilowatts, U - y for a 220V household series.

wire type

Please note that the best wire for use in fixed wiring is VVG. Unscrupulous craftsmen often perform installation using PVA and ball screw screws, since they are more flexible and easy to install. These wires are intended for extension cords and are not designed by the manufacturer for fixed wiring, their service life according to the data of the factory passport is 5 years

The service life of VVG is 30 years, there is practically no difference in price between these types of wires. To provide power to the air conditioner, you will need a three-wire wire.Please note that if you do not lead the wire directly, but connect it to a communication box, then if you have copper wiring in your apartment, soldering will be the best option, connecting copper wires to aluminum wires is only allowed through a screw connection

These wires are intended for extension cords and are not designed by the manufacturer for fixed wiring, their service life according to the data of the factory passport is 5 years. The service life of VVG is 30 years, there is practically no difference in price between these types of wires. To provide power to the air conditioner, you will need a three-wire cable

Please note that if you do not lead the wire directly, but connect it to a communication box, then if you have copper wiring in your apartment, soldering will be the best option, connecting copper wires to aluminum wires is only allowed through a screw connection

AC outlet

It is customary to install the outlet so that it is not conspicuous. There is also the option of connecting the air conditioner directly to the supply wire, this option is the most aesthetically attractive, since there will be no outlet or hanging wire. If the power consumption of the air conditioner exceeds 3.5 kW, then the connection is only direct or it is necessary to use a socket designed for a high power air conditioner, an ordinary household socket is not suitable.

Choice of protection

We naturally connect the second end of our line to a circuit breaker, pay attention to an important nuance - you should choose the rating of the machine for the air conditioner lower than the bandwidth of the wire, but higher than the maximum power that the air conditioner consumes. For most household models, a 10 amp machine is suitable. For air conditioners, circuit breakers with characteristic C should be used.

For air conditioners, circuit breakers with characteristic C should be used.

It will not be superfluous to protect the air conditioner and other household appliances in the house with the help of a voltage relay, which will turn off the voltage when it deviates from the values ​​​​set in the relay, thereby preventing your household appliances from burning out.

Read on - find out more!

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Reply 5 years ago

Anna

5 years ago Quote

Until that time, I suffered from the heat for a long time, because our air conditioner had deteriorated, and besides me, no one lives here, I didn’t want to call the master, I thought myself. After reading your article, I could easily understand what the problem was, thanks to you and your wonderful section.

Olga Soyka

5 years ago Quote

Nowadays, there is the necessary and high-tech equipment, like air conditioning. We recently purchased an air conditioner and decided to create a cozy microclimate at home. Immediately started, but failed to connect. After reading the information and guided by the instructions, following the sequence, connected.

Sergey

5 years ago Quote

Before you connect the air conditioner at home yourself, remember the proverb. Miser pays twice. Decided to install air conditioning - invite a specialist to install it. And the lady will be comfortable with you and save your nerves!

Rinat

5 years ago Quote

I want to pay special attention. Depending on the brand of air conditioner, an indoor unit or, in some cases, an outdoor unit is connected to the network.

This must be taken into account when calculating the length of the supply cable. In general, the article is informative. Emphasized a few things.

Machine device

Most often, the machine is a design of the following elements:

1. Platoon grip. It allows you to turn on the device or turn it off if necessary.
2. Switching mechanism.
3. Contacts. Connect and break the common chain.
4. Clamps. Used to connect to a protective device.
5. Conditional mechanisms. This includes the bimetallic platinum of the thermal release. In some designs, there is an adjustment screw with which you can adjust the current strength.
6. Arc chamber. It is located in any pole of the device.

Depending on the purpose, the machines are equipped with additional elements.

How the shutdown mechanism works

The machine has a special mechanism that helps to break the chain when the current increases.

There are various principles for the operation of such devices:

1. Electromagnetic. A distinctive feature is the rapid operation in the presence of a short circuit. With a sharp increase in current strength, a coil is activated, the core of which opens the circuit.
2. Thermal. Here, the main element is a bimetallic plate, which changes shape as the temperature rises, bends in the opposite direction, due to which it opens the chain.

Electromagnetic devices

Electric kettles operate on a similar principle, which is why they turn off when water boils.Semiconductor devices are also used to break the circuit, but they are rarely used in networks.

Markings on machines

All models of machines have different designations by which they can be identified. Usually, most manufacturers prefer to produce such designs that can be used in various conditions and industries.

In order to eliminate errors during connection, you should deal with the markings on the body part:

1. Logo. Most often, at the top of the machine, you can find the logo of the manufacturer's digging. In addition, all brands produce products of a certain color range. This means that it will not be difficult for an ordinary user to find the right option.
2. Indicator window. Determines the status of the contacts at the moment. If the switch breaks down in this window, you can see the voltage in the network or its absence.
3. Device type. In standard networks, automata of types C and B are usually used. They differ from each other in the sensitivity coefficient.
4. Rated current. The maximum current value is shown here. Often two values ​​\u200b\u200bare indicated - for a single-phase and three-phase network.
5. Maximum allowable turn-off current. Indicates the voltage limit at closing, due to which the machine turns off, but at the same time remains serviceable.
6. Scheme. Sometimes on the machine you can even find a drawing for connecting contacts, which is located on the side.

Marking location

Combination methods

Comb

To properly connect the machines, it is good to use a bus or comb, which is selected depending on the number of phases:

• for a single-phase circuit, a two-pole, as well as a single-pole model is suitable;
• three-phase - four and three-pole.

Installation is easy. Under the required number of automata, a certain comb model with the required number of poles is selected.

When choosing a comb with the maximum number of contacts, the excess should be removed using a hacksaw. Finishing the installation, the bar is inserted simultaneously into each clamp, and then the screws are tightened. The outputs are set according to the schemes.

Jumpers

The connection of machines by means of jumpers is used when there are a small number of switches and at the same time there is enough space in the shield for unhindered access to all contacts. This method can be used not only for a single-phase type of circuit, but also for a three-phase version.

For work carried out in the shield, it is worth preparing all the jumpers of the required length, as well as the corresponding section. For the conductors used, the so-called single-core, a cross section is selected to match the wires of the machines with a pre-calculated power. One suitable way to create jumpers is the non-detachable method.

At the end of such preparation, it is preferable to remove the existing insulation from the ends by about a centimeter, then expose the wire by removing the film with a knife.

Then you should install the ends into the entry holes, while tightening the screws. Then the load sources are connected to the output, as in the photo, which shows the connection of the automatic switches clearly.

Do not forget that it is important to press the zero, as well as phase wires, not tightly because of their possibility of heating during the operation of the electrical network, as well as the likelihood of unwanted alignment of zero with the phase due to softening of the insulation under the influence of heating.

To combine the switches with a loop, you can use a stranded wire with the required cross section

However, in this case it is important to clean it a few centimeters.

A special tip should be put on the end, corresponding in size to the cross section of the wire used, while crimping it with tongs. You can combine the switches in a sequential order.

Adhering to the instructions for combining the switches equipped in the shield, but in the absence of the required tool, as well as tips, you can tin an uninsulated wire with a soldering iron.

In the absence of a special soldering iron, installation can be carried out using conductors without insulation. Such an installation is not practical and, under excessive loads, can cause overheating of the conductors in the alignment zone and, of course, a high degree of risk of unwanted ignition. This type of association does not have an attractive appearance.

Remember that the correct interconnection of automata using a stranded conductor should be carried out by adhering to a previously developed scheme. In this case, you can use machines from different manufacturers. Their diameters can be completely different, since installation with a flexible type wire makes it possible to do this.

When determining which wire it is preferable to combine the machines, check the correctness of this connection.As a rule, this is common for a three-phase circuit. Even a tiny mistake can cause a short circuit and, accordingly, damage to the electrical device you use.

The principle of operation of the machine

In the standard version, the device has a housing made of plastic material, a transformer, a relay, a release, a self-test mechanism. New devices are equipped with electromagnetic cut-offs as an addition.

A similar situation is possible with power surges, moisture on bare wires. When the protection is triggered, there is no need to change it. The main difference between an RCD for a washing machine is that it is intended for repeated use.

The simplest single-phase machine is an analogue of a fuse. This is the most understandable description of his work. The device is triggered when the rated currents are exceeded, allowing you to control the power and connect a limited number of consumers to a certain section of the network. This ensures that there are no emergency modes associated with wiring overload.

Installing the machine allows you to protect sections of the general network from emergency conditions. If the machine goes into short circuit mode, the safety shutdown will keep the other devices in the apartment working. Thus, the main characteristic of the machine is the reliable control of currents on the line of the machine and the blocking of emergency modes.

The task of the residual current device is primarily to neutralize dangerous factors for humans. The RCD controls the currents in the two wires of the power line. If the insulation is damaged or the operation of the washer units is disrupted, the leakage characteristic changes.When a certain current value is exceeded, the RCD turns off the power to the installation.

Leakage currents are of great danger to humans. It should be understood that the washing machine operates in conditions of humidity, and there is often water on the floor. In this case, the probability of electric shock to a person is quite high. Installation of an RCD for a washing machine is mandatory.

Difamat

A difavtomat for a washing machine is a complex device. It has the functionality of an RCD and a residual current circuit breaker. Connecting such a compact and convenient node is quite simple. But there are pitfalls in the difficulty of identifying the problem.

As a result of this response mechanics, the differential node forces all factors to be checked at once. Starting with a short circuit, ending with the integrity of the wiring of the entire network. This is at least inconvenient. Therefore, in practice, instead of a difavtomat, it is recommended to connect in series individual nodes of the RCD and AO.

The approach of using two separate nodes of the protection system has another advantage - cost savings. Difamat is quite expensive. In the event of a complex emergency, the device fails and is completely replaced. When dividing protection into two separate units, RCD and AO, you will need to buy only one product to restore the system to working capacity.

Tools and equipment

To perform the work you will need a set of tools. Depending on the connection method, it will include a drill, a set of screwdrivers, pliers and other tools. Of the consumables, dowels, screws, a plastic cable box and the same clamps and other materials may be required. The exact listing depends on:

• connection option;
• device models;
• manufacturer's requirements.

Particular attention should be paid to the choice of equipment, on which the stable operation of the device depends. To power the air conditioner from the mains, you will need:

• the wire;
• socket;
• circuit breaker.

Performance

How quickly the switch turns on and closes its contacts largely depends on its service life. However, is it possible to determine at home how your device meets this parameter without disassembling the case itself and without resorting to specialized laboratory tests?

Yes, you certainly may. Everything is done very simply. Take a regular battery-operated indicator screwdriver. It's with the battery.

It is usually used for continuity and determining the integrity of the circuit. Although knowledgeable people use this useful device in many more ways. Which ones, read in a separate article.

With the tip of a screwdriver, touch the upper contact, pressing the metal patch on the handle from above, and with the finger of the other hand, touch the lower contact of the switch.

After that, slowly start to turn on the machine, cocking the tongue.

The contact should appear (the LED in the screwdriver will light up) only at the very last moment, when the device has already clicked.

If the same manipulation is done with another switch, then the light comes on when the middle of the switch lever stroke is reached.

It turns out that the device has not yet been cocked, and the contacts are already closed. This is what this sometimes leads to under heavy load (view of the contacts from inside the machine):

This ultimately affects the rapid wear and burnout of contacts. While the quick start mechanism increases the life of the product by almost 30%.

Circuit breaker

This protective device must be installed in the electrical panel to which the cable from the air conditioner will be connected.

The circuit breaker protects the equipment from short circuit and overcurrent, and for the owner of the apartment it becomes protection against:

• fires;
• electric shocks;
• wiring faults.

Unlike its predecessor - the fuse, which had to be changed every time it was triggered, the "automatic" can simply be turned on and used repeatedly.

Automatic switches are issued on various nominal values ​​of operating current: 6 A, 10 A, 25 A and more. In order to determine which machine to put on the air conditioner, you need to find the value of current consumption in the data sheet for this model or calculate it yourself by dividing the power of the device by the mains voltage (220 V). The resulting value must be multiplied by 1.5, since the starting current of the compressor is higher than the rated current.

The circuit breaker is connected in the electrical panel. As a rule, either a single-pole switch is installed on the line of the air conditioner in the break of the phase wire, or a two-pole one, which is able to turn off the phase and neutral wires at the same time. The latter option is considered safer.

Criteria for choosing a device for the home

First of all, it is necessary to calculate the power of the required device, i.e., the rated current. How many amperes to put the machine in the house is calculated by summing up the power of the entire planned load, which can be included simultaneously in the circuit.For example, a house has a 2200 watt heating boiler, a 600 watt washing machine, a 250 watt vacuum cleaner, a 350 watt computer, a 100 watt television, a 400 watt iron, 800 watt energy consumption lighting, and all this can be turned on at the same time.

The total power is calculated, P = 2200+600+250+350+100+400+800 = 4700 watts. Let the network be used single-phase, with a voltage value of 220 volts. The maximum current will be equal to Imax = 4500/220 = 21 amperes. Thus, you need an automaton with a rated current of 25 A. When a three-phase introductory automaton is selected for a private house, how many amperes will be needed when using a 380 volt network is calculated in the same way. For the example above, Imax = 4500/380 = 11 amps. The machine is selected for 13 A.

The introductory automaton is selected more than the value obtained, since if you select c with a smaller value, then when the additional device is turned on, the switch will break the electrical circuit. It should be borne in mind that equipment that uses motors in its operation consumes peak power at the moment of switching on.

When choosing an automatic machine, it is necessary to take into account not only the planned total power of the connected devices, but also the quality, and first of all the cross section, of the electrical wiring laid. The cross section of the wire used characterizes the amount of current that the conductor can pass through itself without deteriorating its electrical properties. For example, a copper wire with a cross section of 2.5 mm / 2 can withstand a continuous current load of 27 amperes. Therefore, it is impossible to use a 32 A machine with such a cross section.

If a differential machine is used as an input switch, then you will also need to select the value of the rated leakage current. It is selected in the range of 100-300 mA.If you select less, false positives are possible.

The next step is to select the number of poles and current characteristics. With the number of poles, everything is simple: if the line is two-wire at 220 volts, it is set to two-pole, and when the electric line has two phase wires and its value is 380 volts, then three-pole. The current characteristic is affected by the length of the line, i.e. the distance from the switch to the most distant outlet or lighting fixture. The calculation itself is complicated, but given that in apartments and private houses the line length does not exceed 300 meters, the input device is always selected with characteristic C.

The most popular manufacturers that have proven themselves around the world and produce high-quality devices are ABB, Legrand, Schneider Electric, Siemens, Moeller.

Selection of the machine according to the cable section

Consider the problem selection of circuit breakers for home electrical wiring in more detail, taking into account fire safety requirements. The necessary requirements are set out in chapter 3.1 "Protection of electrical networks up to 1 kV.", Since the network voltage in private houses, apartments, cottages is 220 or 380V.

Calculation of the cross section of cable and wire cores

According to the requirements of the above chapter, the internal networks of residential and public buildings must be protected from short-circuit currents and overload. To fulfill these requirements, protection devices called automatic switches (automatic devices) were invented.

VVGng cables with copper veins

The value of the long-term permissible current for conductors of different sections and materials is presented below. The table is a combined and simplified version applicable for household power supply networks, tables No. 1.3.6 and 1.3.7 of the PUE.

cross section current- conductive cores, mm	long-term allowable current, A, for wires and cables with copper conductors.	long-term allowable current, A, for wires and cables with aluminum conductors.
1,5	19	—
2,5	25	19
4	35	27
6	42	32
10	55	42
16	75	60
25	95	75
35	120	90
50	145	110

When can the air conditioner not be plugged in?

Climate equipment can be connected to a household network both in an apartment and in a country house, but certain conditions must be met for this. Otherwise, there is a risk of an emergency.

So, it is forbidden to connect air conditioners to the outlet if:

• no good grounding;
• the electrical wiring is in poor condition (for example, there is only old-style aluminum wiring in the room, which cannot withstand the load from the air conditioner);
• there are no devices that equalize voltage drops (this is especially dangerous in houses with wooden floors);
• the cable has insufficient section for connection, etc.

Climate equipment requires good electrical wiring. It is sensitive to voltage drops and can become unusable in case of any problems on the power line.

Before installing and connecting a household air conditioner to the network, you need to check the operation of the electrical outlet using a special tester

You can check the performance of the outlet at home. To do this, you just need to buy a tester and read its instructions.

What does the energy company think about this?

Let's say you organized exemplary electrical wiring in the house, calculated each consumer to the nearest ampere, and want to get a certain current load at the input. And when you contacted the power engineers, you were refused. You should know that the power supply company is not interested in which input machine you choose.They have limits on the supply line, or the nearest transformer substation. And no one has the right to exceed these standards: otherwise it will not be possible to connect the next comers, or the entire line will operate in the mode of constant overloads.

Therefore, before planning the energy supply scheme for your home, visit the organization that will supply you with electricity.