In recent years, the load on the electricity network has grown significantly. A large number of household appliances, digital and lighting devices creates other needs. Completely replacing the wiring is not easy - it is not always possible to re-gate the walls, as well as replace existing power plants. Instead of classic power points, three-phase sockets and plugs are installed.
General Information on Three Phase Outlets
Modern production offers a choice of two main types of connectors with contacts. One has four active microcontacts that connect to a network that has a triangle shape. The most common option is a three-phase socket with grounding, which combines three conductors and a grounding element.
The other is a five-pin power outlet. Connection is made according to the "star" scheme. In these devices, three microcontacts are used to connect to the mains, the other two are working zero and ground.
The design of devices may be different - the location of the connectors does not affect the performance of outlets. If you plan to include several different devices, choose standard models. The main thing is to correctly connect the phase, zero and ground. Use three-wire wires or twisted single-core.
The main feature is the connection with zero. The contact looks the same as the rest. There is a mark on the case showing the location of the desired microcontact.
Particular attention should be paid to the method of connecting the contacts. Bolts quickly fail, separation may occur. It is important to check 3-phase outlets more often.
Why is overvoltage applied?
Any technological and domestic processes depend on the quality of the voltage. Poor quality food means power outages, surges, complete or partial power outages. Several factors can affect:
- weather conditions: lightning overvoltage, lightning strike, other;
- failure or breakdown of equipment at power plants - such distributors were built more than 30-40 years ago, wear and low throughput lead to undesirable consequences;
- improper distribution of cables, power points;
- incorrectly selected devices: power sockets for 220v and more, switches, distribution boxes, etc.
The increasing load on the power supply network every day leads to the need to improve and replace equipment. Without this, the following problems may occur:
- instability of voltage supply;
- inability to control growth or other change in load;
- Failure and increase in power resonance.
The construction of new power lines is associated with significant costs and is often simply not possible for environmental reasons. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the power of energy transmitted through existing lines, mainly due to an increase in current strength. This is achievable only under the following conditions:
- lack of restrictions on thermal load;
- the presence of a stable distribution of currents between the cable lines that feed a particular building.
A 3-phase socket allows you to increase the voltage flow to a specific power point.However, in most cases, new electrical wiring is not required. You can check the need for new wiring yourself or with the help of an electrician.
Wiring diagram
A feature of multi-contact mechanisms is the need for the correct connection of phase, zero and ground. If the contacts mix, there will be a short circuit, fire, burnout of the power supply as a whole. A single-phase outlet is connected through one channel (L1), a three-phase outlet - through three, respectively (L1, L2, L3) and an additional neutral one. The voltage is evenly distributed over one phase, a separate group is created for three-pin ones.
At the input, an automatic machine is fixed at three poles, the electric current strength is about 40A. The next step is to sum up the appropriate number of wires. The standard color designation is black, brown, red. An additional cable - blue - conducts zero voltage. Zero is fixed to the meter, distributed from the output to the phase groups.
Three-phase chains are fixed in separate independent lines. The simplest scheme is to connect to a machine, to divorce into sockets. A three-phase plug distributes the load to the appropriate power points. The power depends on the household equipment to be used. Usually installed with a "margin", counting on future devices.
Three-phase outlet device
Devices can differ significantly in appearance - design, location of inlets, other points. The minimum number of contacts for amplified outlets is four. Three are phases, one is grounding. Connectors with a plug form detachable contacts.
To understand how many microcontacts are required in a particular case, it is necessary to determine several points:
- for the triangular phase, four-pin devices are used;
- “star” type circuit - at least five contacts;
- seven holes - required when maximum protection against voltage surges is needed: three phases, three zeros, one PE ground are connected.
A four-pin connector is used in the “triangle” load connection schemes. Five contacts are used both in the case of the "triangle" and the "star". Power supply only connects to certain terminals. After that, through the outlet, you can connect all kinds of electrical devices.
Wires connected to a three-phase or two-phase outlet must have a diameter of at least 2.5 square millimeters. In the case of high loads, the need for diameter can increase to 6 square millimeters.
Product Types
The types of reinforced sockets differ in power and other aspects. Selected in accordance with the safety requirements in a particular case. Each option has a certain set of disadvantages and advantages.
Power connectors RSh-VSh
The plug type model refers to three-phase power connectors. Used to connect both household and industrial equipment. Plug connections are intended for networks with voltage up to 380 V and rated current up to 30 A. Screw cable clamps are used, thanks to which the contacts become especially reliable. RSh-VSh are made in the carbolite case.
Connecting elements - flat, cylindrical, combined. Spring clips can improve the quality of the supplied current and ensure a stable voltage.
It is necessary to use special protection from children - covers or plastic linings of appropriate sizes that will cover the nest.
Sockets for 3-phase outlets are purchased in pairs. The connecting elements must fit together. At the cost of the RSh-VSh belong to the middle options, the usual price is about 100 rubles.A minor minus is the color - they usually use black, which does not always correspond to the interior design.
Power sockets SSI-125
The abbreviation stands for power connector. Suitable for stationary high-voltage sockets with five pole contacts. The protective class is 44IP, which allows the use of SSI-125 in rooms with high humidity. Sockets of a similar plan are fixed with dowels. For three-phase sockets with a socket and a 380V plug, most electrical devices are suitable for connecting, including high-power ones - boiler rooms, electric motors, heat guns and the like.
Connecting a three-phase outlet
In addition to the standard connection of household appliances, there is an option to connect directly to the device terminals. A certain procedure is required:
- open the outlet, pull out the wire;
- internal conductors are connected to phase, ground and zero (oriented according to the colors of cables and contacts);
- fix the internal elements;
- tighten the screws.
In the case of stationary electrical equipment, inextricable grounding is used. You will need a stranded copper wire. The conductor cross-section must be the same or exceed the cross-section of the conductors of the power cable.
Step-by-step installation instructions for a 4-pin socket
Correct installation will avoid unforeseen interruptions in the supply of electricity, connecting wires to each other. Instruction:
- Disconnect the line - the main thing when working with electricity. It is important to check for current immediately before installation with a special indicator (ohmmeter or the like).
- Unlike phases can be connected to contacts L1, L2, L3 - you can in any order.
- For a ground contact, a mark on the panel is used - here the ground wire is fixed.
- Terminal marked N - zero cable.
It is important to carefully examine the symbols, designations. It is unacceptable to connect phase wires to zero or ground.
Tips from experienced electricians
Three-phase sockets must be carefully selected and installed. It is necessary to be guided by several main points. The first is the current strength. There are three types - at 16, 32 and 64 A, respectively. The right one is selected based on the planned load.
The protection class shows the degree of resistance of the outlet to moisture, dust, dirt. Marking IP and numbers - the greater the value, the better, especially if there is moisture in the rooms: bathrooms, baths, the like.
An additional point is the installation method. The socket can be mounted on the wall (overhead) or ditch a separate socket (hidden). Moreover, the type of device differ significantly.
The number of connecting contacts - four, five, seven - depends on the wiring diagram used and the desired level of network reliability. Particular attention is paid to the method of attachment - screwless ones may turn out to be of poor quality, disposable.
You can install and connect a three-phase amplified outlet yourself if you familiarize yourself with the basic requirements and comply with safety rules when working with electricity. To facilitate the replacement of the power point, it is better to choose a classic model, otherwise you will have to change each in the room or purchase additional ones in advance. The design and layout of incoming groups individually, do not affect performance.
