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Electrical Panel Components

Introduction

In this article, you will learn about all the components that are generally installed in any electrical panel.

What is an Electrical Panel and why is it required?

  • An electrical panel is made up of a metal enclosure which is typically made of stainless steel or aluminum and it contains several compartments as per the requirement. It can be designed in software such as AutoCAD, EPLAN, etc.
  • Electrical Panel is required for all industries as per IEC standards. It is the place from where power-related operations are done.

What are the basic types of Electrical Panel?

  • Power Distribution Panel (PDB)
  • Power Control Center Panel (PCC)
  • Motor Control Center Panel (MCC)
  • PLC Panel
  • VFD Panel
  • Lightning Control Panel
  • Automatic Power Factor Control Panel (APFC)
  • Junction Box (JB)

Electrical Panels

Common Components Used in Electrical Panel

1. Mounting DIN Rail

A DIN Rail provides mechanical support to all the small electrical components and holds them together. Components such as Terminal blocks, MCB, Relays, etc. can be mounted on it.


Mounting DIN Rail

2. Circuit Breakers

This part helps for the protection of all the components in a panel from electrical faults, surges, etc.


Circuit Breakers

3. Fuse

Fuses are used for over-current protection.


Fuse

4. Terminal Blocks

It is used for distributing the wiring connections inside and outside of the panel.


Terminal Blocks

5. Contactor

It is used for power controlling of field devices.


Contactor

6. Switched-mode power supply (SMPS)

SMPS is an electronic component that converts AC to DC. This DC power is used for different operations inside the panel.



7. Relays

Relays are electrically operated switches, used for controlling devices. It can also be used for protection.

Relays

8. Thermostat

Thermostats are used for regulating the desired temperature, whenever a required temperature is achieved it will cut the heating or cooling devices.


Thermostat

9. Heating and Cooling Unit

It is required to maintain the temperature of all the electrical panel components for the proper desired operation.

Hence, heating units are required in cold places and cooling units are required in warm places.


Heating and Cooling Unit

10. Buttons and Switches

For the operation of any function, the operator can use pushbuttons. For example, Starting/ Stopping any motor pushbuttons are used.

Buttons and Switches

11. Indication Lamp

Lamps are used for indication of any faults, proper working of instruments, and also for power indication.

12. Gland

Glands are used at the end of the electrical panel for securing the cable from damage for a long time. It also provides strain relief to cables.


Gland

13. Gasket

Gaskets can be used for tight sealing of electrical panels so that they can be protected from dust, moisture, rain, etc.


Gasket


14. Bus Bar

Bus bar can be used for several operations such as High voltage distribution, common grounding, etc.



15. Energy Meter

it will display the voltage, current, power factor, frequency, and Power consumption of the panel.


Energy Meter


16. Buzzer, Beacon

Buzzers are used for alarms and faults so that operators can know that some fault has occurred and will look for fast resolution.


Buzzer, Beacon

17. Variable frequency drives (VFD)

VFD is used for controlling the speed of any field devices at a particular RPM or Torque.


Variable frequency drives (VFD)

18. Lifting Eye

It is used to lift the panel for logistics and installation on the field.


Lifting Eye

19. Lugs

Lugs are used at both ends of a copper wire. It provides strength to termination and won’t loosen up for a long time. It comes in different sizes as per wire gauge size.

Lugs

20. Ferrules

Imagine tracing a single cable from a bunch of wires. Here comes the use of ferrules for tagging the wires at both ends.

It becomes very easy to find which wire is connected with the help of ferrules. They are printed by a special ferrule printer machine.



EndNote: –

EndNote

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