The abundance of protective automation in the Russian market can create difficulties for the buyer when choosing equipment for a home electrical network. It is quite difficult to understand which of the brands you can trust, and which are not worth paying attention to. However, you have to make a choice. And the safety of people living in an apartment or private house and the safety of property in case of an emergency depends on how correct it is. Today we will talk about one of the most famous manufacturers, a subsidiary of the Schneider Electric brand - DEKraft. Consumer reviews about this brand are pretty good, which means it’s worthwhile to analyze the brand’s products in detail.
A little bit about brand history
This manufacturer appeared in France relatively recently - in 2007, but has already managed to gain 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 “grandparent”. Initially, the brand was called DEKraft Schneider Electric (reviews of the parent company speak for themselves), which gave impetus to the start of sales. Over time, the company has its own fans, whose circle is expanding from year to year. Nowadays, few people recall that DEKraft is a subsidiary, considering it a separate independent brand.
Products presented on the Russian market under the brand DEKraft
This manufacturing company offers the buyer a full range of protective automation for the home electrical network, which includes:
- circuit breakers (AB);
- voltage monitoring relay (LV);
- automatic machines of differential current (AVDT);
- residual current device (RCD).
All equipment manufactured under this brand is made of high-quality refractory plastic and is characterized by high build quality. DEKraft also offers other electrical products, including various sockets and switches for indoor and outdoor installation. It makes sense to dwell on each of the listed items.
DEKraft circuit breakers: reviews and some technical specifications
The first thing worth noting is the cooling fins, which are located on the sides of the device. Such radiators help to improve ventilation and cooling of the AV during operation when placed on a DIN rail closely with other modular elements. Judging by the reviews, DEKraft machines owe them their longevity and quality performance of their work. The mechanical resistance guaranteed by the manufacturer provides for up to 20,000 inclusions. As for the electric, here DEKraft promises up to 10,000 trips without reducing the rated current load provided for the model.
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 monitoring relays: equipment features
Such protective devices are designed to limit the supply of voltage in the event of a decrease or a jump outside the specified range. Relay DEKraft successfully copes with the task.
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). The shutdown is performed with a sharp increase or decrease in voltage, phase imbalance or one of them breaking. Such protection will ensure the safety of not only household appliances, but also equipment with electric motors requiring 380 V.
A triggered device does not need to be turned on again. After some time set by the user (from 1.5 to 9 seconds), the relay will turn on independently. If the cause of the emergency is not resolved, a repeated cut-off will follow.
If you pay attention to the major online forums that are trustworthy, then 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.
DEKraft residual current circuit breakers
RCD - a device that determines the leakage of current when wet contacts or conductor, breakdown of insulation and short circuit of live parts on the metal housing of the household appliance. Prevents a person from being hit by an electric discharge when in contact with a live surface. High sensitivity to leaks, response speed and ease of installation - these are signs of an RCD DEKraft, reviews of which are exceptionally 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 the residual current circuit breaker, as well as RCDs will not be able to perform AB work. For this reason, similar electrical products are installed in pairs, insuring each other. However, in the manufacturer’s lineup there is equipment capable of performing the work of RCD and AB simultaneously. We are talking about DEKraft difavtomats, 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 of buying very cheap devices. And if the cost of equipment is much lower than the average market price, this is an occasion to think about whether the original product is purchased. Today, a lot of counterfeit has appeared on the Russian market. And the higher the brand rating among consumers, the more actively the products are faked.
How to distinguish original products from counterfeit
The main point that should alert the buyer is the low cost. However, judging by the reviews on DEKraft products, fraudsters already know that people began to pay attention to this parameter, and try not to lower 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 fake has a “lame" build quality - uneven joints, crevices or sloppy fastening rivets are clearly visible.
The original circuit breaker on the side has a round plug made of thick rubber. If removed, a bimetallic plate will be visible . The fake at first glance does not differ, however, 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 is able to work only like a regular switch. To protect the home network from power surges or short circuits, such a device is unable.
Connection of protective DEKraft automation
There are no big differences in switching the equipment of this brand with others. Consider the installation on the example of the most common DEKraft device - differential. automatic 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, you must pay attention to the labels - they should not be turned 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 outlets in the room, causeless triggering of the differential machine is possible. This will happen if there is a short circuit of the neutral conductor to the ground. Also, the cause may be the work of "craftsmen", many of whom are trying to protect themselves by installing jumpers in the outlet. It is worth cautioning novice home masters against such a mistake - such a connection of zero contact with grounding can not even be called wrong, but rather dangerous for those living in an apartment or private house.
How to choose DEKraft protective automation for the home
Before acquiring such equipment, it is necessary to calculate what current load will be present on each of the consumer groups. Make it easy. Having written the data on the current load (they are on the nameplate of household appliances or in 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 turn off spontaneously, considering the normal amount of power consumed as a network congestion.
A very large role is played in the acquisition of a particular model of DEKraft device reviews. However, do not believe the first who caught my eye. It is better to give preference to large Internet resources.
Comparison of DEKraft automation with equipment of other brands
If you draw parallels, then this manufacturer is one of the best. He yields only to his "progenitor" - the company Schneider Electric, and even then only slightly. In order for this statement not to be unfounded, the attention of the esteemed reader is invited to review short-circuit checks of circuit breakers of various brands. Three main manufacturers (IEK, Schneider Electric and DEKraft) were selected for the experience, reviews of which are better than other brands.
Caution! Do not repeat such experiments at home, especially if the home master is not sure about the originality of the product. This can lead to very sad consequences.
As you can see, DEKraft takes 2nd and 3rd place, passing only Schneider Electric ahead. IEK in this case is far behind - the internal contacts are almost completely burnt out.
The average cost of DEKraft equipment on the shelves of Russian stores
Devices manufactured under this brand are considered an economical option. The average price is indicated in rubles at the end of 2018:
- Circuit breakers - from 100 to 400, depending on the number of poles.
- Residual current devices - 800-1300.
- Voltage monitoring relays - 600-1300.
- Differential current machine - 500-1500.
It turns out that it is possible to provide protection for the 220 V home power network, which is divided into 3 separate groups, at a very reasonable price, in the range of 2500-3000 rubles.
Approximate equipment of the apartment switchboard with automation
For comprehensive protection of the home power network, it should be decided what exactly will be mounted - a bunch of AV / RCD or AVDT. The second option is more compact, which is why it will be considered. For example, take the power network, divided into 3 groups - lighting, sockets of the kitchen and hallway, electrical points of the living room, bedrooms and bathroom (if any).
The location will be as follows (starting from input):
- the main machine with a maximum current load slightly exceeding the total;
- electric meter;
- difavtomat, food 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 an installation an unnecessary waste of financial resources. In fact, if there is no AB in the circuit, then when a short circuit or overload occurs, the RCD simply burns out, while the voltage supply does not stop. Taking this into account, you can consider that it will be more expensive - immediately purchase a circuit breaker or later spend money on a residual current device.
Summarizing the information provided
Protective automation is a necessary element in a 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 risks acquiring a conventional one instead of a circuit breaker. Such an acquisition not only does not protect against overloads, but can also be dangerous, because the owner will hope that short circuits are not afraid of him.
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 property, and possibly life.