In order for a new renovation in a house or apartment to last for a long time and not require adjustments, take care in advance of replacing and installing high-quality hidden communications: heating pipes, ventilation system and electrical wiring. The installation of sockets and switches is a question that should be approached with responsibility, since the convenience and practicality of their operation, and therefore safety, depends on this.
Installing sockets in the house
Before proceeding with the marking of the walls for laying the wiring, you need to draw up a detailed plan of exits and points, take into account the expected situation of the rooms and think over the options for placing household appliances in accordance with the Electrical Installation Rules (PUE).
Both in our country and abroad, there are no clear rules and standards for the installation of electrical outlets and switches at a certain level. According to Soviet standards, the sockets were placed at a height of 0.8-1.0 meters from the floor, depending on the room. For switches, the optimal height was considered to be at the height of the shoulder of an adult - from 160 to 180 cm. Usually, switches are installed near the doorway from the handle side at a distance of 10 cm.
Distance measurement for installation of sockets and switches
With the advent of the "European standard" concept, the views on the norms of the correct placement of sockets and switches have changed. Now electricians strive to hide constantly used sockets as much as possible, and to make free ones less noticeable in the interior of the room. As for the switches, they are placed at the height of the lowered hand near the door so that the search for the key does not cause any effort. So, the optimal indicators are considered to be 30 cm from the floor for sockets, and 0.9 meters for switches. Individual adjustment of distances at the request of the owner of the home is allowed.
Optimal layout of sockets and switches
The circuit of switches and sockets in the bathroom deserves special attention. According to the standards provided by the PUE, electrical outlets in the bathroom are installed at a level of 1 meter from the floor. The distance from the door of the shower stall or any other water supply point should be at least 60 cm. It is advisable to use euro sockets with grounding here.
In the kitchen, experts advise installing sockets at the level of a meter from the floor, if the arrangement of furniture has not yet been planned. If the issue with the layout is resolved, it is definitely better to install electrical points at the locations of electrical appliances.
Wiring diagram
The wiring diagram is the first thing that is done after the walls are completely cleaned from the old putty and communications. To develop it, you will have to turn to the help of an electrician, who will be able to objectively assess the condition of the building, the power of the switchboard and fuses, and repair the elements that are out of order. Also, the repairman will tell you where it is better to install new points. The only thing that the electrician does not know is the alleged arrangement of furniture and household appliances. Therefore, this part of the scheme is drawn up together.
Installation of an outlet depending on the location of the furniture
For this purpose, in an apartment or a private house, separate sockets are installed for each electrical appliance that works constantly. This avoids the use of tees and extensions. Separately, spare sockets are made for other purposes, for example, for a vacuum cleaner, so that there is no need to turn off the refrigerator or computer every time you clean.
Outlets in the bedroom and living room
The principle of placing points in bedrooms and living rooms is similar. Since rooms should not only be functional, but also look aesthetically pleasing, free sockets are placed at a height of 30 centimeters from the floor. They are distributed throughout the room in such a way that furniture does not block free access to them. In a large living room, it is advisable to make an outlet on different sides of the room or at the entrance and on the opposite wall, at a height of 20-30 cm.This is done for the convenience of short-term use of devices, for example, a vacuum cleaner, charger or hair clipper. By the same principle, you need to equip sockets in a long corridor: one at the beginning of the corridor and the second at the end.
Pay attention to the following details:
- For a plasma TV that is not mounted on a wall, you need a separate socket, located in a place where the screen will completely cover it. This will most likely be at a height of approximately 150 cm. The placement of the low voltage input for the antenna is also recommended here;
- If an ordinary TV is on a curbstone or table, an outlet should also be made near it behind the furniture, preferably in such a way that it is completely hidden from view and does not interfere with the rest of the interior. Therefore, the height of such an outlet will depend on the dimensions of the cabinet. This approach is justified not only by aesthetics, but also by safety. For a family with children, access to sockets in the apartment is thought out with special care;
- A cordless telephone requires both a 220V socket and a low current telephone output. They can be placed in one frame, which looks prettier and smaller than two bulky outlet covers. An excellent solution would be to install such a structure near a window, since the telephone wire is usually taken out. The height here is determined by the height of the window sill;
- For a stationary computer, several sockets are provided at once, at least four, and an Internet connection. Since all devices (processor, monitor, modem, scanner, printer, audio system, etc.) are powered by electricity, do not overload one point with an extension cord or pilot. A pile of wires under a computer desk often creates problems when cleaning, operating the system itself, and looks untidy. The sockets can be beautifully combined into one vertical or horizontal frame at the request of the owner.
Horizontal frame of sockets in the interior
Lighting
It is also worth providing separate sockets for the sconces above the bed at a height of 10-15 cm above the bedside table. This will allow you to use a lamp, recharge your phone, or turn on a small night light.
It is very convenient to place switches near the sofa in a living room with a stretch ceiling and spotlights so as not to get up. The same can be done in the bedroom by placing the switch near the bed at arm's length. In this case, the height of such a point depends on the dimensions of the furniture and the ease of use.
Sockets in the kitchen
The recommended height for sockets is 1 meter, but these dimensions are taken from the standard height of the built-in furniture worktop. A free outlet is placed where it is convenient above the table top, but no closer than 50 cm from the gas pipe. Separate sockets are installed for the refrigerator, stove with electric ignition, microwave oven and hood for obvious reasons. Installation of the switch is no different from installation in other rooms.
Outlets in the bathroom
It is recommended to use grounded outlets here to avoid sparking from moisture. The instruction manual for most washing machines requires that the socket be located behind the back of the appliance at the level of the upper function panel. The mirror illumination can be connected to the current without installing a separate outlet, and for a hair dryer and an electric shaver, you can make a separate point with a lid out of the reach of water, for example, under a washbasin.
Installation of the socket. Video
In this video, we will talk about how to properly install the sockets around the perimeter of the room.