Introduction
A ready board is a standalone, compact, and versatile distribution board ideal for small-scale applications such as small homes, sheds, or outbuildings. This guide will help you understand, connect, and set up a ready board to ensure a reliable and efficient power supply.
Make sure you consult a specialist when working with electricity. There is a danger when working with electricity. Consult an electrician.
About the Ready Board
Overview
The ready board includes built-in plugs, circuit breakers, and earth leakage protection. It can be used as the main distribution board in various scenarios.
Key Components
- Earth Leakage Protection: Protects human safety by disconnecting power in case of current imbalance.
- Circuit Breakers: Protect circuits from overcurrent.
- Mixed Circuits: Combination of plug and lighting circuits within the board.
Unboxing and Initial Setup
When you unbox the ready board, you will find the distribution board packed with protective materials. The board itself is compact despite the large box. The ready board comes with plug sockets and circuit breakers already installed, making it essentially ready to use.
Understanding the Components
The Ready Board features a plug socket, circuit breakers, and an earth leakage device. The earth leakage device is a crucial safety feature that protects against electric shock. It monitors the current flowing into and out of the board, ensuring that any discrepancies are addressed promptly.
For instance, if a heater connected to the board has faulty insulation, the earth leakage device will detect the current leaking to the ground and cut off the supply, preventing electric shocks.
Preparing for Installation
- Safety First: Always ensure the main power supply is turned off before starting any electrical work.
- Required Tools and Materials: Screwdrivers, pliers, wire strippers, appropriate cables, and glands.
Choosing the Right Cable Size
The size of the cable you use is critical and should be determined by the load. For instance, if you’re using a 2.5mm cable, ensure it’s compatible with your circuit breaker’s capacity:
- For a 63 Amp supply, you’ll need a significantly thicker cable than 1.5mm, which typically handles only 16 Amps.
Step-by-Step Connection
- Opening the Ready Board: Remove the front cover to access the internal terminals and circuit breakers.
- Cable Selection: Choose cables based on load requirements and circuit breaker ratings.
- Feeding the Main Supply:
- Select a supply cable sized to handle the maximum current.
- Install the supply cable through an appropriate gland into the ready board.
- Earth, Live, and Neutral Connections:
- Connect the earth wire to the earth busbar.
- Strip and connect the live and neutral wires to their respective terminals on the circuit breakers.
- Testing the Earth Leakage: Press the test button to verify that the earth leakage protection functions correctly.
- Installing the Light Bulb: The ready board comes with a light bulb socket where you can install an energy-saving or LED bulb with a maximum capacity of 60 watts, though the socket can handle up to 100 watts.
Expanding the Ready Board
If you wish to expand the capabilities of the Ready Board, you can add additional circuit breakers. The board allows for the installation of multiple breakers, enabling you to manage various circuits effectively.
When adding new circuits, ensure that the cables used can handle the respective loads of the new circuit breakers. For example, a 16A breaker requires cables rated for at least 16A.
Finalizing the Installation
- Securing the Wires: Ensure all connections are tight and secure.
- Closing the Board: Replace the front cover, sealing all openings with blanks or fittings.
- Mounting the Ready Board: Secure the board to a wall or enclosure, ensuring it is protected from the elements if installed outdoors.
Testing the Ready Board
Once everything is connected, it’s important to test the system. The earth leakage device should be tested monthly to ensure it functions correctly. This is done by pressing the test button, which should trip the device, cutting off the supply.
Perform continuity tests with a multimeter to check for proper connections and ensure there are no short circuits in the system.
Principles Explained
- Earth Leakage Protection: An earth leakage protection device (ELD) monitors the difference between the current entering and leaving the circuit. If there is an imbalance, it indicates that some current is leaking through an unintended path, such as through a person or to the ground. This leakage can cause a shock hazard, leading to severe injury or death. The ELD cuts off the power supply to prevent this.
- Cable Selection: Selecting the correct cable size is crucial. The cable must handle the maximum current that the circuit breaker will allow before it trips. For instance, a 2.5 mm² cable is typically used for circuits up to 16 amps. For higher currents, such as 30 amps, a thicker 6 mm² cable would be necessary.
- Connection Process: When making connections, ensure that the bare wires are properly inserted into the terminals without any damage to the copper strands. Tighten the screws securely to avoid arcing or loose connections that can cause overheating and potential fire hazards.
- Expanding Circuits: When adding new circuits, use copper bus connectors to distribute the load evenly and safely. Avoid making multiple jumper connections (daisy chaining), which can lead to an unsafe load distribution and overloading of individual cables.
Conclusion
- Recap of the Process: Summarize the key steps in connecting the ready board.
- Safety and Maintenance Tips: Emphasize the importance of regular checks and compliance with electrical codes.
- Final Thoughts: Highlight the convenience and reliability of the ready board for various applications.
Reference
Ready Board: Complete Guide to Installation, Components, and African Market Overview
