Hey, we did the switchboard for that building!
every emf team member ever..
Yep, one of the team here actually said that.
It's fair to say that the emf team is more passionate about switchboards than is probably rational.
Switchboards and enclosures are what we do - all day, every day.
We get that most people aren't wired that way, and that some of the terms, specifications, and products we deal with on a daily basis, are foreign to a lot of you.
For this month's Electric Post, we have answered the most common questions we get asked for you normal people who don't eat, sleep, and breathe electrical switchboards.
Even though you should.
Switchboards are the lynchpin of industry after all.
The Newbie: Multiclip, what do they do and how do they work?
The Schneider Multiclip distribution system is a terminal block that allows the mounting of MCBs and RCBOs on the same dinrail. As more installations are requiring a mix of RCBOs and MCBs this system saves space and is more versatile than the traditional PAN Assemblies.
The Custom Guy: I need something odd... What can you do?
With our CNC routers, laser engravers and plotter label printers, we can provide quick turnaround on a wide range of shields, engraved labels, and panels. Our equipment allows us to make all kinds of shapes and sizes including guitar pickguards and motorbike cylinder gasket extensions!
The Ag Sparkie: What would you recommend for a basic outdoor distribution board?
If you don’t want your board to fall to bits, your best bet is polycarbonate – it is lightweight and easy to work with, but still more than capable of handling anything the weather and UV can throw at it. emf’s Cubo P range comes with tinted transparent DB doors to further protect the MCB fronts from UV exposure. The last thing you want is a board full of MCBs that the ratings have faded off!
The you-probably-don't-but...Do you have options for waterproof plug boards?
Short Answer - Yep!
emf ADAPT manufactures a range of IP65-69 plugboards for a range of applications. We also have simple templates for PDL 56 series single and double units, and Cee-Type outlets if you want to mount and wire your own.
The Mistaken: Don’t all plastic boxes break down in the sun?
Well, not all plastic enclosures are recommended to be mounted outdoors in the NZ sun, but high-quality polycarbonate is more than capable of withstanding the harsh NZ sun. The cheaper mainstream enclosure materials like ABS, Fibreglass, Styrene, etc. start breaking down within 2 years of exposure to the elements.
Got other questions?
Please get in touch!
There’s no such thing as a dumb one, and our team are very happy to discuss all things switchboards.
(Sometimes too happy - apparently, no one at a wedding really wants to know about power factor correction!)