Sealing a circuit breaker: technical requirements and legislation

In accordance with the PEU, connecting protection devices are installed on the electrical input part. It doesn’t matter what is chosen as the connecting device to the house.

This could be a switch with a fuse, a load switch or a circuit breaker, but all these devices must have mandatory protection.

It follows from this that one of the above devices is installed in front of the metering device. In order not to get confused with the definition of a device, let's consider a circuit breaker.

Although it is necessary to remember about the mandatory sealing of the device, regardless of which device was chosen.

In this article we will look at how to seal the input circuit breaker in the panel. Regardless of the simplicity of filling methods, their order is relative. Each method has its own disadvantages and advantages.

Sealing the input machine in the control panel

At the entrance of power supply lines to various objects, buildings, structures, residential or industrial, introductory automatic machines are installed in distribution boards. After which, electricity is distributed among sockets, lighting groups, to individual high-power devices and others. In the same distribution boards, an electricity consumption metering unit is installed. In most cases, such distribution boards are the point of balance between the consumer and the electricity supply organization.

How to seal an introductory machine: methods

No rule provides for mandatory sealing of input machines. But despite this, this type of protection is currently being used more and more often.

Ways to seal input machines:

• The seal is placed directly on the shield;
• A sealable box (box or box) is used;
• Sealable terminal cover;
• Stickers.

The simplest way is to seal the input panel in which: automatic machines, RCDs, meters and other equipment are installed. But this type of sealing is not the best option, since at any time you may need access directly to the installed equipment. This could be replacing devices or making additions to the circuit.

But unlike conventional switchboards, which are not intended for sealing, there are specialized switchboards in which the input circuit breaker is installed and sealed separately.

Nowadays, a sealing box is often used, through which the machine is sealed separately from the rest of the chain elements. There are two main types of boxes: for mounting on a flat surface and for mounting on a DIN rail. For sealing, there are special ears on the box body.

All presented types of seals for circuit breakers meet the requirements of service organizations.

Also, to seal the machines, plugs are produced that are installed on the terminals of the automatic device and block access to the clamping terminal of the machine. These plugs are sold separately from the machines. There are machines with sealable covers, and input circuit breakers with plugs included. It all depends on the manufacturer.

Inspectors of service companies often began to use stickers as seals. They are glued to the clamping mechanisms of the machine, thereby sealing them.

Why do you need sealing of the input switch?

An input switching device is installed before the meter; it can even be a simple switch with a fuse box. But in most cases, modern networks install a difavtomat or a protective circuit breaker. The input machine and the meter are on the balance sheet of the energy supply organization and are sealed by their representative.

An example of installing a distribution cabinet on the wall of a building and placing a metering unit with a water circuit breaker in it.

To prevent unauthorized connection to the meter for the purpose of stealing electricity, the terminals with the contacts of the meter and the input machine are securely closed and sealed. The seals are placed by a representative of the organization that supplies electricity, and a balance sheet demarcation act is drawn up. The electricity consumer is responsible for all elements of the electrical network after the meter. The designs of meters and input machines can be different, so when sealing, these features must be taken into account.

Video description

Schneider Electric sealing plugs
The established practice of interaction between energy supply organizations and consumers provides for three scenarios:

• The circuit breaker is installed after the electricity meter. This scenario is widespread both when installing “smart” meters on electric poles and when reconstructing the power supply system in already built private houses (including apartments). In this case, the circuit breaker is not sealed, since the maximum power consumption is controlled by the built-in means of the meter.

Appearance of a smart meter on a pole Source Frencheese.ru

• When constructing new buildings, in the vast majority of cases, the energy supply organization issues technical specifications requiring the installation of an electrical energy metering panel at the boundary of the site, the single-line diagram of which provides for the installation of a circuit breaker in front of the meter, regardless of the voltage class: 220V or 380V. At the same time, the document contains a requirement that the switch be sealed in order to avoid theft and unaccounted consumption of electrical energy.

External view of the introductory electrical energy metering panel on the pipe stand Source spb-elektromontazh.ru
As of 2022, the legislation does not provide for such consumer responsibilities. The sealing of the input circuit breaker is carried out on the basis of mutual consent of the parties, expressed in the form of compliance with the requirements of the technical specifications provided by the energy supply organization.

• If the technical conditions of the energy supplying organization do not contain requirements for sealing the circuit breaker, then the consumer may refuse to carry out such actions at any time during the documentation of connecting the electrical network of the house/facility.

All other things being equal, the consumer has the right to refuse to seal the input circuit breaker by providing a reasoned refusal to the technical conditions, up to and including organizing a trial.

There is a wide variety of types of filling systems on the market Source avatars.mds.yandex.net

Types of fillings

A seal is considered a disposable element that allows you to verify the fact of unauthorized entry into a protected object. They increase the effectiveness of a number of organizational and practical activities:

• Eliminate or minimize energy losses;
• Make a more efficient system for accounting for electricity consumption;
• At production facilities they have a positive effect on work culture and discipline.

The main task of the filling is not to be able to remove it without external factors of damage, which will be immediately noticeable. All types of fillings can be divided according to the following characteristics:

• Material of manufacture;
• Constructions;
• Operating principle.

A cable seal can be used as a lock; the strength, flexibility and length of the cable allow it to be threaded through misaligned holes in cabinet doors or hinges. The cable is pulled through a plastic destructible housing with an individual number.

The UNISIL plastic seal has a tightening design with a reliable lock, which has a metal insert with four petals, and has a pressed individual number on the plastic surface.

KRABSIL – a metal seal in the form of a clip, fixed with a spiral wire, an individual number is pressed onto the surface of the clip;

EDSIL-N is a plastic seal, actually an analogue of the UNISIL brand

Lead and polyethylene seals - have a diameter of 10 or 16 mm2, a cylindrical shape through the holes of which a wire is passed, after which the entire structure is pressed with a seal with an imprint of a number or other individual sign.

Sealing stickers have a special chemical composition of the adhesive layer; when the sheet is removed from the surface, it makes no sense to stick it in its original place, the inscription “Opened” or “Opened, Draw up a report!” appears.

Several types of reverse-type numbered plastic seals

Numbered plastic seals – have a cylindrical transparent body with an individual number. The seal is attached to a wire loop, secured with a plastic latch or a rotating mechanism, after which the rotary flag is broken off.

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To seal elements of electrical installations, plastic or lead seals are most often used.

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Sealing of the control panel

The easiest way to limit unauthorized access to the contacts of the input circuit breaker is to seal the switchboard door.

One of the options for sealing the distribution cabinet

But this method is not always convenient for the consumer of electricity if the distribution cabinet contains circuit breakers for individual network groups and other elements. Every time you need to service equipment or during operation, if you need to turn off certain groups or elements of equipment, you will have to call a representative of the energy supply organization. Therefore, other methods are more often used that less restrict the freedom of action of electricity consumers.

The purpose of the introductory machine and where it is installed

In order to protect the electrical networks of a home or industrial facility, well-known and reliable electrical devices are used - circuit breakers. The principle of their operation is simple: in the event of a short circuit or too much power flowing through the conductors of the electrical network (not provided for by their cross-section), it will automatically break the electrical circuit, preventing various damages:

• damage to expensive equipment;
• fire occurrence;
• harm to the health of a person exposed to electric current.

Sealing of input switches in plastic boxes

The circuit breaker is mounted in a plastic box inside of which there is a special DIN-rail type fastening on the bottom.

Installation sequence:

• The lower component part is attached with self-tapping screws or bolts to the rear wall of the switchboard or is generally moved outside the switchboard body.

Circuit breaker in plastic box

• A circuit breaker is installed on the mount;

• The wires are started and connected;
• The top cover with a loop for the seal is applied and fixed, where the through holes in the lower part of the substrate and the top cover of the case are aligned.
• A wire or fishing line is passed through the holes, connecting the seals with a loop to both parts, after which the remaining sealing operations are carried out depending on the model of the seal. A sealer is used, the plastic flag is turned and broken off, or the loop is simply tightened through a one-sided lock.

An example of installing an input switch in a plastic box near the meter inside the switchboard.
Thus, only the switch lever remains accessible, the terminals are securely closed with a plastic box, unauthorized access without breaking the seal is excluded.

Do they have the right to seal a machine?

The process of completing an input distribution device, which includes an input circuit breaker, can be regulated by various regulations depending on the category of consumer:

• private household;
• industrial enterprise;
• public utility service;
• other types of consumers.

In the case of a private household, the law does not provide for the need for an electricity supply project, which allows the owner of the house/facility some liberties.

Thus, according to clause 7.1.64 of the Electrical Installation Rules (hereinafter referred to as PUE): “For the safe replacement of a meter directly connected to the network, a switching device must be provided in front of each meter to relieve voltage from all phases connected to the meter.”

Electric energy metering panel with installed seals and stickers on the circuit breaker and electricity meter Source uk-parkovaya.ru

Panels with a compartment for placing an input circuit breaker

Considering the need for sealing, many manufacturers of RShch, RSh, RU make a compartment inside for installing an input machine, which is closed by a front panel with elements for installing seals. The remaining devices have free access for maintenance personnel.

Option of an accounting distribution board with placement of compartments for various purposes

A very convenient distribution board, on the left side there is a metering unit, below there is a compartment for input machines, all elements are sealed by representatives of the energy supply organization. The right side belongs to the electricity consumer; if necessary, it can also be sealed by the official responsible for electrical facilities.

What will it be like to remove the seal from the input machine?

According to general sections of the legislation, unauthorized violation of the integrity of the seal of the accounting system entails the collection of funds for unaccounted consumption of energy resources. The amounts collected can reach significant amounts. However, breaking the seal on the input circuit breaker may not entail liability in some common cases:

• In the event of a reasoned refusal to comply with technical conditions containing a requirement that the circuit breaker be sealed. In this case, the reasoned refusal must be satisfied by the energy supply organization voluntarily, with the issuance of new technical conditions, or the right to challenge them must be approved in court.
• In the event of an unauthorized violation of the integrity of the seal when fulfilling the technical conditions containing the requirement to seal the circuit breaker, the claim for debt collection for electricity consumed without accounting must be rejected in court. If such a decision comes into force, violation of the integrity of the seal becomes completely legal.
• If the technical conditions of the energy supplying organization did not contain any requirements for sealing the circuit breaker, and the consumer did not sign the corresponding act.

Sealing the input circuit breaker with plastic plugs

Some consumers, knowing the customer requirements, immediately produce circuit breakers with plastic plugs for the contact terminals. This greatly simplifies the filling process; there is no need for a separate compartment or plastic box.

An example of sealing a machine with plastic plugs

The installation process is obviously simple:

• installed an automatic machine,
• connected the wires;
• I covered the terminal holes with plugs and sealed them.

Each machine manufacturer makes appropriate plastic plugs for the design of their models.

Included with the BA47-29 machine from IEK, the plugs are attached to a plastic tire like leaves on a branch

If installation is necessary, they can be easily broken off and installed in the corresponding slots above the holes in the switch terminals.

An example of installing a plastic plug for a BA47-29 circuit breaker from IEK

After installing the plug, the hole for the clamping bolt of the terminals is securely closed; it is impossible to unscrew the screw for connecting the wires without removing the plug.

A typical mistake when sealing using this method is when they think that a plastic plug is enough to prevent unauthorized connection. When removed, a damaged plug can be replaced with another; these models do not have a license plate.

For reliability, the installed plugs in the modular block of machines are connected with a loop of fishing line or wire and sealed with any seal of a suitable design of this type.

Methods for sealing an introductory machine

Electricity supply organizations that service metering devices use various methods of sealing machines. The choice of sealing method is made by the inspector depending on the specific conditions and location of the circuit breaker.

Sticker seal

The simplest way to seal a circuit breaker is to use a sticker seal. It is glued to a box with a machine gun or an electrical panel.

The sticker consists of two layers - adhesive and the seal itself. It is glued to the body of the shield in such a way as to prevent it from opening. When you try to open the box, the message “ OPENED ” appears.

This method is used quite rarely due to the danger of spontaneous peeling of the seal, especially on the street, and the possibility of accidental damage.

Boxing for machine gun

The most common method of sealing is to install a seal on the box for the input circuit breaker. This is a box with a door or lid and a metal or plastic DIN rail on the back wall. The device body consists of two halves, one of which is mounted on the wall, and the second is removable.

The box for the machine can be installed next to the metering device, in the entrance or on the outer wall of a private house. According to the PUE clause 1.5.36, the distance to the metering device should be no more than 10 m.

Before sealing the input machine , it is installed in the box and the wires are connected to it. On the body of the shield there are two pairs of “ears” located diagonally on both parts of the box. When sealing, a nylon thread or steel wire is passed through them, which is fixed with a lead or plastic seal.

Plastic plugs for terminals

The most convenient way to seal an input machine is to install plastic plugs on the terminals of the device. These elements eliminate the possibility of unauthorized disconnection and connection of wires. Like the circuit breaker housing, they are made of non-flammable plastic.

The use of plastic plugs allows you to seal one or more machines out of many installed in a common panel. This makes it possible to subsequently modernize the electrical wiring diagram.

The plastic seal consists of two parts - a plug and a tongue. The installation sequence for this device is as follows:

• 1. The plug is inserted into a slot specially designed for this purpose in the modular machine. It covers the head of the clamping screw.
• 2. The tongue is inserted inside the plug. He fixes it in the terminal and does not allow the seal to be removed from the machine. The sequence of actions is repeated for all terminals of the circuit breaker.
• 3. When installed correctly, the holes in the seal halves align. A filling thread or wire is passed through them.

Sealing switches with stickers

This is probably the simplest and most effective way.

This figure shows the entire complex of effective protection elements of sealing stickers

The right part of the sticker is torn off and pasted into a magazine with an account, the rest of the sticker seals the holes above the terminals and the seams connecting parts of dismountable housings.

When you try to remove such a sticker and install it back, the inscription “Opened” appears; there are many options for stickers in this case for imported ones, so the inscription “ OPEN VOID ”.

An example of sealing the input switch terminals with stickers in the control panel