Each protective device has a certain period of operation, the circuit breaker is also no exception. If this device breaks down, it must be replaced immediately. How to make a replacement correctly, as well as what causes of a malfunction, it is important to know not only an electrician, but also every homeowner so that he can fix the problem in an emergency. In this article, we will take a closer look at how to replace the machine in the dashboard and who should pay for this work in different cases.
Content:
- Reasons for replacing machines
- Replacement technology
- Removing the old circuit breaker
- Installing a new protection device
- At whose expense the work is done
Reasons for replacing machines
There are two main reasons:
- Frequent tripping of thermal protection.
- Constant work at the limit of possibilities.
It happens that even after the first actuation of the thermal protection system, the machine stops working. However, outwardly, this breakdown is impossible to notice. It is important to know that an electromagnetic and thermal release are not the same thing. Most often, breakdowns occur due to burning, and subsequently, and complete combustion of the contact clamps, as well as the cases of modular devices themselves. This happens mainly through unreliable and poor-quality contact. If the wiring is made with aluminum wire, then the core will be weakened over time at the joints. Aluminum is a softer metal and contact connections with an aluminum wire weaken over time, aluminum "floats". In order to avoid negative consequences, it is necessary to tighten the automatic terminals every 2-3 years.
Another reason is a factory defect, but this is extremely rare. To avoid marriage, you should not save money, and choose machines of well-known brands. O the best manufacturers of circuit breakers we talked about it in a separate publication. You should be careful, because during installation this marriage does not make itself felt in any way, however, under load, it will certainly manifest itself. Regardless of the reason why the device stopped working, you should immediately replace the machine, otherwise malfunctions may lead to fire of electrical wiring.
Also, the need to replace protective devices arises if there are old plugs, and not new circuit breakers. About, how to replace plugs with vending machines, we also talked in detail!
Replacement technology
Removing the old circuit breaker
These devices are not repaired or refurbished. The reason for this is a rather complex scheme, and at the same time, the purchase of new machines will be inexpensive. Basically, if this device breaks down, it is simply replaced with a new one with similar characteristics, that is, with the same rating, class, breaking capacity.
Before dismantling the machine, it is necessary to completely de-energize the line that supplies the replaced device from the network. Sometimes the replacement is carried out under voltage, but in such cases only a specialist should carry out the replacement. If work is being carried out without turning off the electricity, then you should be very careful and careful, especially if the case is in very poor condition, as in the photo below.
Usually the clamping plates are welded together, which makes it impossible to loosen the clamping screw. To carry out dismantling in such a difficult situation, it is necessary to have certain skills and experience. To simplify the task, you should initially leave a supply of wires in the shield.
If the wire connected to the machine is melted, the machine is burnt, then when installing a new machine, the burned, melted section of the wire must be completely removed and only a clean, newly stripped core should be connected to the new machine - this is the only way to be sure of reliability. That is, in any case, there must be a margin. If there was no stock and it was necessary to connect a burnt wire, especially an aluminum one as in the photo, then there is a high probability that the contact of the machine will burn again, since the core, which has been overheated, no longer has the same load capacity and may be more fragile than the whole the wire.
Most of the circuit breakers in the electrical panel are responsible only for some kind of separate line that powers, for example, sockets or the lighting of a residential building. Therefore, it is very easy to de-energize such an automatic machine - you need to turn off the introductory bag, which is usually located on the staircase at the entrance.
However, it may be necessary to replace the circuit breaker, which is located in front of the meter, it is also called an introductory circuit breaker. The input device, if it is in a Khrushchev or a multi-storey panel building, is also located on the stairs in the electrical panel. In private houses, such a device can be 380V, it is also called a three-pole machine. Replacement of such a circuit breaker is carried out by a specialist, since the opening machines in the dashboard are sealed, and for breaking the seal there is a considerable fine.
After disconnecting the mains power, you need to check with the indicator and make sure that the power is completely disconnected. Next, select the necessary screwdriver and loosen the clamping screw. After disconnecting, the wires should be moved apart.
In the new panels, the circuit breakers are mounted on DIN rail. If you do dismantling in such a shield, it is much easier. There is a hole at the bottom of the device where a screwdriver is inserted and pulled down. After removing the lower latch, tighten the bottom of the machine.
However, many homes still have old-style circuit breakers that are not rail mounted, but fixed with a long screw. It is very difficult to remove a device in which these screws are rusted or stuck.
Installing a new protection device
The first thing to do to replace the machine in the dashboard is to insert a new circuit breaker in place of the old one. The process is as follows: we put the latch of the upper part of the device on the rail and push the lower part until it stops and clicks. The next step is to work with wires. If necessary, clean them, then insert them into the clamping holes and tighten the screw. You should always pay attention to the condition of the connected wires and if there are traces of melting, burning of the core, strong deformation of the core, then this section must be removed and the wire must be re-stripped to connections.
The performance of the circuit breakers is checked by special equipment by loading them - checking the time-current characteristics. Without special equipment, it is simply impossible to determine that the thermal or electromagnetic release does not work or does not work in accordance with the declared characteristics. And it turns out that a malfunction of the machine can only be detected when it does not work, when necessary - that is, to learn about its malfunction will be possible only by the consequences of an overload or short circuit (the machine itself will be damaged, the wiring or socket). That is, you can buy a new machine with a marriage, put it on, it can stand for 10 years, and the person does not will suspect about its malfunction until there is an emergency in the wiring - overload or KZ.
Also, you should be aware that a machine from any manufacturer can be defective at the factory. At enterprises, when ordering several dozen machines for a new switchboard, always carry out their check (loading) before installation, since very often there will be product defects, even the best ones brands.
In everyday life, no checks are made, therefore, a redundant protective device must always be installed, installed at the input, which will de-energize the damaged section of the wiring in the event of a failure of one of the automatic switches. And it is better for reliability to have an additional introductory machine in the home dashboard, since the machine that stands with metering device at the entrance or on the support is located further and, accordingly, it is less sensitive to an increase current. Also, if the machine at the input in front of the meter is installed outside the room, then its time-current characteristic changes when the temperature changes. For example, the lower the ambient temperature, the greater the current and the trip time of the thermal release, then if one of the machines in the home dashboard fails, the wiring will be damaged before this machine is triggered.
Important! When replacing the machine with a more powerful one, you need to be sure that this change will not negatively affect the wiring diagram. Nevertheless, if such a replacement is necessary, then you should consult a specialist.
The video clearly shows how to replace the old circuit breakers in the electrical panel with new ones:
At whose expense the work is done
If the device malfunctions, the owners may have questions: who should change the machines in the dashboard, for free or for a fee. So, if we are talking about the input device, which is located in front of the counter, then it is a common house property, therefore, the company must acquire and replace it for the money that the owners pay each month.
However, it is also important to know at whose expense the rest of the protective equipment is being replaced. Everything behind the meter is the property of the owner of this housing, respectively, you must buy and replace yourself. Of course, you can replace the circuit breaker with your own hands, but it is better if a specialist does this.
That's all that I wanted to tell you about how to replace a machine gun in the dashboard with your own hands. We hope our step-by-step instructions were useful for you and helped you understand the whole essence of replacement!
We also recommend reading:
- How to replace the electrical wiring in the apartment
- What to do if the electricity meter burns out
- Who should pay for the replacement of the electricity meter
