Home Systems Explained: Electrical Circuits, Refrigeration, and Data Networks

Residential Electrical Systems and Key Components

The Rush component is part of the installation that links the public distribution network with the home building or through General Protective Cases (CGP).

Essential Electrical Protection Devices

• Main Automatic Circuit Breaker: Automatically disconnects the entire home's electrical system when it detects a short circuit or increased voltage.
• Differential Breaker: Quickly disconnects the electrical installation where there is a current leakage (earth fault).
• Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB): Disconnects a circuit in the event of overheating due to excessive consumption or short circuit.

Electrification Levels and Required Circuits

Basic Degree (Grado Básico)

This level foresees a minimum output of 5750 W at 230 V, regardless of the power the user hires. This degree of electrification incorporates 5 separate circuits:

• C1: Lighting
• C2: General Outlets
• C3: Electric Cooker and Oven
• C4: Washing machine, electric water heater (thermo), and dishwasher (lavavajillas)
• C5: Separate auxiliary circuits for bathroom and kitchen

High Level of Electrification (Grado Elevado)

Required for housing larger than 160 m², mandating a minimum power of 9200 W. Additional circuits include:

• C6: More than 30 points of light
• C7: More than 20 general outlets
• C8: Electric heating
• C9: Air conditioning
• C10: Dryer
• C11: Home automation (Domotics)
• C12, C13...: Auxiliary circuits (e.g., for a cooling machine)

Understanding the Refrigeration Cycle

The operation of a cooling machine involves the following steps:

1. The fluid is compressed in the compressor, thereby increasing the pressure and reducing its volume, which significantly increases its temperature.
2. In the condenser, the compressed gas loses heat and becomes liquid. Waste heat is transferred externally.
3. The liquid refrigerant reaches the evaporator or cooling chamber where it turns back into gas by absorbing the warmth of the chamber.
4. Finally, the gas returns to the compressor, and the cycle starts again.

Residential Communication Systems: Analog and Digital Data

Traditional Telephone Wiring (POTS)

Uses twisted pair wiring. Voice and data are transmitted, but not simultaneously. The transmission is analog, and a modem is needed to process the signals.

ISDN Installation (Integrated Services Digital Network)

Features digital transmission. It requires an ISDN modem to receive voice or data. It provides 2 channels that can be used simultaneously for voice and data.

ADSL Installation (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)

Like ISDN, ADSL uses copper wire and the transmission is digital. It provides 3 channels of communication: one for voice and two for data (emission and reception).