Low voltage electrical equipment

What is Low Voltage Electrical Equipment?

Low Voltage Electrical Equipment refers to devices or appliances designed for use with relatively low levels of electrical voltage, commonly found in residential homes, office buildings, and industrial settings.

According to international standards (IEC 60038), the term "low voltage" covers the following ranges:

• Alternating Current (AC): up to 1,000 volts (V)
• Direct Current (DC): up to 1,500 volts (V)

Types of Low Voltage Electrical Equipment

These devices are typically installed in control panels or main distribution boards and can be broadly categorized as follows:

Protective Devices

Function to cut off circuits during abnormal events such as electric shocks or overcurrent.

• ACB (Air Circuit Breaker): Large circuit breakers for high currents (often the main breaker in a factory)
• MCCB (Molded Case Circuit Breaker): Medium-sized circuit breakers for machinery control or zones
• MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker): Small circuit breakers for homes or sub-circuits
• RCD/RCBO: Residual Current Devices (RCD) / Residual Current Circuit Breakers with Overcurrent protection

Control and Command Devices

Used to control the operation of motors or electrical systems.

• Magnetic Contactor: Magnetic switch for motor circuits
• Relay: Control circuit switching device
• Push Button / Pilot Lamp: Push buttons and status indicator lights
• Inverter (VSD): Variable Speed Drive for motor speed control

Metering Instruments

• Volt Meter / Amp Meter: Voltage and current meters
• Energy Meter: Kilowatt-hour meter for electricity consumption measurement