Different Views of Electrical Wiring | 從不同角度看家電网
– Musings of Dr. Jamie C. Hsu, 2.9.2021
To prepare for a potential power outage in our house, I had an electrician install a battery backup system. The primary purpose is to have an emergency power supply to charge our mobile communication devices, to run the sump pump to get rid of basement water, and to operate the refrigerator and microwave oven for a few days. In order to link the battery pack with the right electrical wiring for these devices, the electrician and I had to find the right circuit breakers in the service panel box. It required some trial and error to finally get the backup system to work properly.
The interesting Aha! moment for me was to learn that the wiring bundles and the electricity distribution system are quite different from my expectations. From a homeowner and user’s perspective, I expected the controls and wires to be grouped by the rooms we live in. But in reality, the wires are grouped by another critical criteria — to balance the electrical load and voltage required for various appliances. That is why the washer and dryer are on two different circuits, even though they are physically located next to each other.
Another wiring criteria is used by the construction workers. From their perspective, they try to group wires based on their proximity within the partition walls. That is why I found the outdoor porch lights and the bathroom lights on the same circuit breaker; those wires go through the same exterior wall. Interesting? Or confusing?
My purpose here is not to explain the electrical wiring system, but to point out that our perspective can change how we do things. A homeowner, designer, and construction worker have different objectives and constraints for the layout of a wiring system.
The lesson for me is to appreciate the importance of different perspectives and views of other people so I won’t prematurely judge their actions. Having an open mind and learning attitude will allow me to better understand and appreciate the people and the systems around me.
從不同角度看家電网
-作者 許俊宸博士
-中譯 薛乃綺
為了應付家中偶然會發生的斷電，我讓電工安裝了備用電池系統。主要的目的是為了能有足以應急的電源，為我們的手机电脑充電；並且能使用汙水泵來清除地下室的水、以及用來操作冰箱和微波爐。為了能讓電池跟這些設備上對的線路接得起來，電工跟我不得不在維修的面板上，找到正確的斷電器線路。為了使備份系統能正常，我們嘗試了好幾次。
對我而言，那個”啊-哈”恍然大悟的時刻，是我了解到線束及配電系統跟我預期的完全不同。從住戶和使用者的角度來看，我希望控制按鈕以及佈線，能按照我們住的房間，一組一組分配。但事實上，佈線是根據別的重要條件來進行分組的；就是用來平衡各種電器所需要的電力負載和電壓。這就是為什麼洗衣機和烘衣機虽然靠在一起，却是在彼此不同的兩個電路。
建築工人使用另一種接線標準。從他們的角度來看，他們會試著根據隔斷牆內接近的程度，來幫佈線做分組。這就是為什麼我會發現室外門廊的燈、和浴室的燈在同一個斷電器上，因為這些電線都穿過同一個外牆。覺得有趣嗎？還是已經聽得一頭霧水了？
我的目的並不是要解釋電器佈線的原理，而是要指出，我們看事情的觀點，是可以改變我們的工作方式。房屋居民、設計師和建築工人都會有不同的目標、以及相對應的限制，來進行這些系統的布置。
對我來說，這堂課是認知到其他人跟自己會有不同觀點的重要性，因此我不會過早去判斷他人。擁有開放的胸懷和學習態度，將使我能夠理解與欣賞更多的人，他们做事的方法，和了解周圍不同的系統。
