At what height to set the socket

As new construction and capital repairs in the house or in an apartment involves a considerable amount of electrical work.This includes the organization of input total power line, creating a ground loop and potential equalization, installation of the switchboard with the device accounting consumed energy laying intra-house electrical networks and installation of junction boxes, and finally the installation of devices of illumination and custom electrical fittings - switches andoutlets.

By and large account , it is, of course, the problem for electricians . However, many of the works can be carried out completely independently, under the condition that the home worker are the basic concepts of physics, electrical , of domestic networks and skills of civil and electrical works.But still very important to know exactly where to place and how high to install sockets and switches.On this subject, conducted many disputes, but still there are certain formal rules and informal recommendations, which you need to understand in more detail.

main parameters of proper installation of sockets and switches

it should be noted at once, that find precise common standards for height installation of switches and sockets - it is difficult, for the simple reason, that they do not exist.Some references to the existing "European standards» - is only the desire to replicate an established fashion trend, "European-quality repair", the tradition installation of electrical appliances in Western Europe.

way, installation standards until some time there - that they were guided by the builders in the construction of multi-storey residential buildings of mass construction.Then all the sockets placed at a height of 900 ÷ 1000 mm from the surface floor ( on level lowered his hands), and switches - 1600 ÷ 1700 mm ( on level eyes).In most apartments in old houses the pin can see and still.Many owners of property used to it find it convenient and does not intend to alter.

What accounts for such parameters - Sach with a prove difficult.Perhaps it was due to safety reasons - all sockets with wires coming from them is always in sight of the residents, and children can not reach the switch.On the other hand, children are the most dangerous available points - sockets, and special safety considerations this is not felt, but the light is put out independently child years to 8 ÷ 10 can not.Another likely reason for this installation - wiring is always conducted in placed on top of the walls, and a placement of switches and sockets allows to save on the cable (on a scale of mass construction, ongoing in those years, the economy has been real hard).

Nevertheless , today more in the course taken by the European, rather, not standards, and the tradition of the installation of these elements electrical fittings.What are they?

Some reference books on construction give the following advice (with considering planning stage of building a house):

• Outlets - 400 ÷ 450 mmthe level of the sub-floor (floor slab).Thus, after the screed and floor covering installation finish height is about 300 mm.
• Switches - 1000 ÷ 1050mm from rough surfaces, respectively, of about 900 mm at the end of finishing work.

What is comfortable?Sockets and included power cable does not catch the eye and do not spoil the look of the room and turn on or turn off the lights can be freely lowered down by hand. There is an opportunity to teach children independence (of course, under the supervision of adults) - the switch is within reach for them.

It should make a reservation that these "standards" exist only for normal living rooms.In other places, such as in kitchens, the rules are quite different - this is it will below.

There are specific requirements for the installation of sockets and switches in institutions related to children - in schools, kindergartens and etc .There, in order to avoid uncontrolled by teachers or educators with kids activities electricity, these elements are established fixtures are equally high - at a height of not less than 1800 mm.

So, if we talk only about the height of the installation of sockets and switches in a residential area, then any owner of an apartment or house, there are three ways:

1 - for repairs - not to change the location of any outlets or switches, or the initial installationspending on habitual "Soviet standards" if so seems more comfortable and safer.

2 - To alter the location of reinforcement elements for the European traditions, which are mentioned above.

3 - Provide proper location , based on personal preferences and facilities - it does not contradict the existing rules.

Here on the other parameters set limits and recommendations much more - they are set out in the existing rules of operation of electrical (PUE), and be sure to take into account:

• minimum installation height of sockets in a residential area is not regulated, the maximum - no more than 1000 mm.It is even their location on the ground level - subject to the application of special plinths with cable channels of non-combustible materials and special types of outlets.

• In production areas, however, recommended to install the socket at an altitude of 800 to 1,000 mm, while the upper wiring network - you can pick them up, and up to 1500 mm.About children and schools already mentioned - not less than 1800 mm above the floor level.
• The apartment conditions, especially when staying in her children is strongly recommended (but not mandatory rule) use the socket with protective rods that automatically cover the holes when removing the plug.

• wiring and electrical appliances should not be placed closer than 500 mm from the riser gas, closer than 100 mm from the window or door openings , less than150 mm from the soffit.If you plan on mounting Raised ceilings (false or tension), and the wiring and junction box at the same time must be below its level.
• Install outlet is not recommended in the bathrooms.If you still can not do without it, then it should be installed no less than 600 mm from the door of the shower stall or bathtub.In this prerequisite is the use of special outlets for wet rooms (with increased tightness of the housing, and with spring-loaded safety covers), and with the obligatory its energized through automatic RCD with leakage current (differential current) is not more than 30 mA .

To end the issue with the bathroom, you can add that to install the socket close to the floor - do not."Design" in such circumstances is not critical, and use a hair dryer, curling iron or an electric razor will be more comfortable from the wall outlet, located at an altitude of , or even one and a half meters.When absolutely excluded placement outlet above the sink basin.

• switches are mounted, usually on the wall at the entrance, by the door handles.Installation height - from 800 to 1700 mm.If necessary, they can be installed above, providing , for example the inclusion by a cord.Very often in small spaces (in hallways, kitchens, bathrooms with a small area) have to combine units sockets and switches - then the optimal location of the unit is considered to be the height of about 900 mm from the floor - "golden mean."

Anyway , at whatever may be the method of electrical fittings location, it will be necessary to change the old to the new outlet, so-called "European format» .They have a diameter of holes - 0.8 mm wider than the old domestic, and some distance between the contact pins of the corresponding plug.Such outlet withstand much greater load - usually calculated currents of 10 A or 16 , respectively, on to load of 2.2 kW or 3.5 kW, respectively.( For comparison, the old socket kept 6 And, that is only 1.3 kW, which is in the modern human life saturation appliances - is not enough).

In addition, if the old location of the outlets did not wound circuit ground - have to do it back to back - most modern appliances imee reflux rehkontaktnye plug grounding for ensure safety of users (for some powerful appliancesconnection contour ground is simply a prerequisite).Several more about ground system - in a special publication of our portal.

Video: where to place the wall outlet and switches

Some nuances of installation cable part

just do general repair, you should conduct an audit of the cable portion - if the aluminum wiring, it is recommended it replaced by copper, with a section of not less than 1.5 mm².This section should be sufficient for relatively high currents.However, if you plan to install high-power household appliances, you will need to build more powerful line.

cross section strands of copper wire, mm ²	maximum current during prolonged load, A	maximum power load kW	rated current response breaker, A	current limit trip breaker, A	sphere application under house (apartment)
1.5	19	4.1	10	16	lighting devices, signaling
2.7	27	5.9	16	25	outlet units, floor heating systems
4	38	8.3	25	32	climatic equipments, water heaters, washing machines and dishwashers
6	46	10.1	32	40	electric stoves and electric oven
10	70	15.4	50	63	input power line

Probably, it makes sense to some stopand on the proper placement of wiring.

• Each outlet (group outlets) or to the switch should come from individual eyeliner mounting box.Making long hidden concurrent connections from a single outlet to to other - unwise, and in some cases may even be dangerous - it can easily lead to the restart of the line with all the consequences.

• From mounting boxes with outlets or circuit breakers should go strictly vertical wiring.It is easy to explain - always possible to visually determine the course of the power cables in the thickness of the wall.If the line is laid in a random manner - at an angle (. As shown № key 3) or even vertically, but with an offset (. 2 pos №) of location socket (switch), it may be subject to latent danger.

After some time, and it's happening fast enough, the location of a custom wiring forgotten even its masters.Moreover, it will be a "surprise" for new owners apartments.If you attempt to, for example, harmless hang a mirror or a shelf, it is likely to get a drill on on flying the voltage supply line with all the sad consequences - short circuit scale and the need to repair the wiring.

• But on the ceiling surface of the plate, if the assumed installation of attachments or stretch ceiling, the wiring can be placed at random, as a rule - the shortest distance.If you are using NYM cable type, it does not even require additional protective insulation - it can be mounted directly on the plastic plug-clamps .Cables of another type ( VVGng or VVG ) in a corrugated plastic pipe of the desired diameter.

• On the floor, under its decorative coating, power cables can also be arranged randomly, the shortest distance.However, there is also a specific clause.So, if the floor is laid on wooden joists, the wiring, regardless of the type of cable, allowed only in metal pipes, ordinary or corrugated.

If the wiring will be poured concrete screed, then it , usually placed in a corrugated plastic pipe.

• next question - how often should be installed sockets, whether there are any rules in this regard?

The specific answer is no.You can find recommendations - set them on 1 piece of 6 ÷ 10 square meters.However, most likely, these "standards" somewhat outdated, as equipment housing appliances is constantly growing .Therefore, it may be useful to think in advance placement of the main instruments and devices, set certain reserve, to prevent further use of all sorts of extension cords or multiple plugs.Best of all, if you plan in advance will be drawn diagram of a fully thought-out placement of household items and location of electrical outlets.

• And still one very important point, and more precise - good advice.When carrying out repairs and electrical work must be not too lazy to take pictures of all the lines of wiring, placement of junction boxes and other elements of home wiring, to the moment when they are not hidden or plaster surfacing materials.It is advisable to do pictures so to be able to bind the hidden objects to fixed elements.For example, with putting the size of the window or door opening , corner of the room, heating riser and etc .