The abundance of protective automation in the Russian market can create difficulties for the buyer when choosing equipment for the home electrical network. It is quite difficult to understand which brands you can trust and which you should not pay attention to. However, a choice will have to be made. And the safety of people living in an apartment or a private house and the safety of property in the event of an emergency depends on how correct it is. Today we will talk about one of the most famous manufacturing companies, a subsidiary of the Schneider Electric brand - DEKraft. Consumer reviews of this brand are quite good, which means that it is worth disassembling the brand's products in detail.
A little about the history of the brand
This manufacturer appeared in France relatively recently - in 2007, but has already gained popularity thanks to the manufacture of high-quality and inexpensive protective devices and other electrical products for the home. Another reason to trust the brand is its "progenitor". Initially, the brand was called DEKraft Schneider Electric (reviews about the parent company speak for themselves), which gavepush to start selling. Over time, the company has its own admirers, whose circle is expanding from year to year. Now few people remember that DEKraft is a subsidiary, considering it a separate independent brand.
Products presented on the Russian market under the DEKraft brand
This manufacturer offers the buyer the entire range of protective automation for the home electrical network, which includes:
- circuit breakers (AB);
- voltage control relay (PH);
- residual current circuit breakers (RCBO);
- residual current devices (RCDs).
All equipment produced under this brand is made of high-quality fire-resistant plastic and is of high quality assembly. DEKraft also offers other electrical products, including various sockets and switches for indoor and outdoor installation. It makes sense to elaborate on each of the listed points.
DEKraft circuit breakers: reviews and some specifications
The first thing to note is the cooling fins that are on the sides of the device. Such radiators help to improve ventilation and cooling of the AB during operation when placed on a DIN rail close to other modular elements. Judging by the reviews, DEKraft machines owe it to them for their durability and high-quality performance of their work. Mechanical durability guaranteed by the manufacturer provides up to 20,000inclusions. On the electrical side, DEKraft promises up to 10,000 operations without derating the model's current rating.
The contact terminals of such equipment deserve special attention. Judging by the reviews of DEKraft circuit breakers, they are designed in such a way that it is impossible to miss the contact, even if the device is located in a hard-to-reach place. There is simply no free space behind the terminals.
Voltage control relay: equipment features
Such protective devices are designed to limit the supply of voltage in the event of a decrease or surge that goes beyond the established range. The DEKraft relay does the job well.
Such devices are available both for a single-phase network and for connecting a voltage of 380 V. The user can set the minimum and maximum threshold (the range depends on the model). Shutdown is carried out with a sharp increase or decrease in voltage, phase imbalance or a break in one of them. Such protection will ensure the safety of not only household appliances, but also equipment with electric motors that require a power supply of 380 V.
A triggered device does not require restarting. After some time set by the user (from 1.5 to 9 sec.), the relay will turn on by itself. If the cause of the emergency is not eliminated, a second cutoff will follow.
If you pay attentionon large-internet forums that are trustworthy, judging by the reviews, DEKraft is one of the best manufacturers of voltage monitoring relays. Brand products serve without complaints for quite a long time.
Residual current devices manufactured by DEKraft
RCD - a device that detects current leakage when contacts or conductors get wet, breakdown of insulation and short circuit of current-carrying parts on the metal case of a household appliance. Prevents a person from being struck by an electric discharge when in contact with a surface that is energized. High sensitivity to leakage, response speed and ease of installation - these are the signs of the DEKraft RCD, the reviews of which are extremely positive.
Residual current circuit breakers
Every electrician knows that no matter how good the reviews are, DEKraft machines (like any others) are not able to replace a residual current device, just like an RCD will not be able to do the job of an AB. It is for this reason that such electrical products are installed in pairs, insuring each other. However, the manufacturer's lineup includes equipment capable of performing the work of an RCD and an AV at the same time. We are talking about DEKraft automatic machines, the reviews of which are mostly positive.
Of course, there are exceptions, but in fairness it should be noted that negative opinions of users are found only in the case ofbuying very cheap devices. And if the cost of equipment is significantly lower than the average market, this is a reason to think about whether the original product is being purchased. Today, a lot of counterfeit products have appeared on the Russian market. And the higher the rating of the brand among consumers, the more actively the products are counterfeited.
How to distinguish original products from fakes
The main point that should alert the buyer is the low cost. However, judging by the reviews of DEKraft products, scammers already know that people have begun to pay attention to this parameter, and they are trying not to underestimate the price too much, so you need to pay attention to the case. Signs of a fake are fuzzy or blurry inscriptions on the front panel. Also, the build quality of the fake is “lame” - uneven joints, cracks or inaccurately made fixing rivets are clearly visible.
The original circuit breaker has a round plug made of thick rubber on the side. If it is removed, a bimetallic plate will be visible. A fake at first glance does not differ, but it will not be possible to open the cork here - it is simply printed. This suggests that there is no bimetallic plate inside, the device can only work as a normal switch. Such a device is unable to protect the home network from power surges or short circuits.
Connection of DEKraft protective automation
Big differences in switching equipment of this brand withothers do not. Consider the installation on the example of the most common DEKraft device - dif. machine. As in any other case, when making a connection, the first thing to do is to remove the voltage from the line, in order to avoid electric shock. When installing the device on a DIN rail, it is necessary to pay attention to the inscriptions - they should not be upside down. In this case, the input contacts will be at the top, and the outgoing contacts will be at the bottom.
Installation is carried out in accordance with the markings - the contacts for the phase and neutral wires on such devices are marked. However, you need to understand that if you violate the rules for connecting and wiring in junction boxes or sockets in the room, unreasonable operation of the differential machine is possible. This will happen if there is a short circuit between the neutral conductor and the ground conductor. Also, the reason may be the work of "craftsmen", many of whom are trying to protect themselves by installing a jumper in the outlet. It is worth warning novice home craftsmen against such a mistake - such a connection of the zero contact to the ground can not even be called wrong, but rather dangerous for those living in an apartment or a private house.
How to choose DEKraft protective automation for your home
Before purchasing such equipment, you should calculate what current load will be present on each of the consumer groups. It's easy to do. Having written out the data on the current load (they are on the nameplate of household electrical appliances orin the technical documentation), it is necessary to add up the indicators. Do not hope that all the equipment will not turn on at the same time. It is better in this sense to have a small margin. Otherwise, the machine will automatically turn off, considering the normal amount of power consumed as a network overload.
Reviews play a very important role in the purchase of a particular model of DEKraft devices. However, do not believe the first ones that caught your eye. It is better to give preference to large Internet resources.
Comparison of DEKraft automation with equipment from other brands
If we draw parallels, then this manufacturer is one of the best. It yields only to its "progenitor" - the company Schneider Electric, and even then only slightly. In order for this statement not to be unfounded, an overview of short circuit checks for circuit breakers of various brands is offered to the attention of a respected reader. Three main manufacturers (IEK, Schneider Electric and DEKraft) were selected for the experience, the reviews of which are better than other brands.
Caution! You should not repeat such experiments at home, especially if the home master is not sure of the originality of the product. This can lead to very sad consequences.
As you can see, DEKraft takes 2nd and 3rd place, leaving behind only Schneider Electric. IEK in this case is far behind - the internal contacts are almost completely burned out.
Average cost of DEKraft equipment on the shelves of Russian stores
Devices produced under this brand are consideredeconomy option. The average price is indicated in rubles as of the end of 2018:
- Circuit breakers - from 100 to 400, depending on the number of poles.
- Residual current devices – 800-1300.
- Voltage control relay – 600-1300.
- Automatic differential current - 500-1500.
It turns out that it is possible to provide protection for a 220 V home power network, which is divided into 3 separate groups, at a very reasonable price, within 2500-3000 rubles.
Approximate equipment of an apartment switchboard with automation
For comprehensive protection of the home power network, you should decide what exactly will be mounted - a bunch of AV / RCD or AVDT. The second option is more compact, so it will be considered. For example, let's take the power network, divided into 3 groups - lighting, sockets in the kitchen and hallway, electrical outlets in the living room, bedrooms and bathroom (if available).
The location will be as follows (starting from input):
- main machine with a maximum current load slightly higher than the total;
- electric meter;
- difavtomat, power from which is divided into 3 lines;
- 3 AB with current load based on groups.
If you plan to use a bunch of RCD / AV, then the machine is placed in front of the residual current device. Many do not understand why this is necessary, and consider the need for such installation to be an unnecessary waste of financial resources. In fact, if AB in the circuitis absent, then in the event of a short circuit or overload, the RCD simply burns out, while the voltage supply does not stop. With this in mind, you can calculate what will be more expensive - immediately purchase a circuit breaker or later invest in a residual current device.
Summing up the information provided
Protective automation is a necessary element in the home electrical network. And the safety of not only the property of the owner, but also his life depends on how well it will function. This means that the choice of such devices should be approached with all responsibility and attention. Otherwise, the home master runs the risk of acquiring a regular one instead of a circuit breaker. Such an acquisition will not only not protect against overloads, but can also be dangerous, because the owner will hope that he is not afraid of short circuits.
The conclusions will be as follows: saving on the purchase of high-quality protective automation today, tomorrow, as a result of a fire, you can lose all your property, and possibly life.
