Distribution cabinet - What size is reasonable and recommended?

Hello everyone,

we are about to start the electrical installation work and are wondering what size our distribution cabinet should be.

We have 180 sqm, 2 full floors, with an air-water heat pump, underfloor heating, and a photovoltaic system with battery storage. Therefore, we probably do not need a separate meter for heat pump electricity.

The electrician originally advised us to get a 4-slot cabinet, for the apartment & granny flat (which we don't have), photovoltaic system, and heat pump electricity (costs €1,100).

Our solar installer said we only need 2 slots, for the house and photovoltaic system (costs €520). But now I am reading more and more that the cabinet should be planned larger.

I will definitely consult our electrician, but I wanted to know what you think about this.

Many thanks!

Just as a tip: Distribution cabinets are measured in TE and not in 2er, 3er, 4er.

So the specifications are unfortunately worthless.

It is also unclear how many circuits are planned and many other little details...

Fields are probably meant.

I would not provide space for a second meter. The photovoltaic system runs via a bidirectional meter, and self-consumption can be determined with a small device mounted on a DIN rail. Generally, hardly anything from the photovoltaic system ends up in the cabinet. A bit of buffer doesn't hurt, but you don't have to overdo it, unless home automation is planned – in that case, I would take the largest cabinet ;-)

It is clear to me that fields are meant, but they also exist at very different heights.

Sorry, I do have the electrician's offer here, but I don't understand a thing. However, I do know that we are supposed to get a Striebel&J cabinet complete 3/3A 2Z1V7 KS222. It should then look like in the file attached. Does that help?

In the configuration, one would have 132 TE’s (division units). I would also consider that the absolute minimum.

24 TE’s are deducted for possible introductions and lightning protection, 12 for N and PE, and you are left with only 96.

Here and there an RCD and not just the usual 2 circuits per room but a bit more, and there is not much left. It still fits but it’s tight.

If it should remain expandable or possibly have some home automation added, I would take the next larger version.

Or a cabinet with the dimensions, but two EHZ’s instead of the outdated 3-point meter spaces, thus gaining another field with 84 TE’s (if the supplier cooperates), minus those that would be lost, then there would be 192 TE’s.