How to install electric sockets: installation height, socket connection in the module, connection of the circuit breaker, splicing of the wires, rules for stripping the cable, installing the sockets for concrete and gypsum board.

Installation of sockets and wiring in only in a new home or after repair is one of the main tasks, which, however, it is quite possible to solve on their own. At first glance, nothing particularly complicated in this. But in order to ensure that the socket - a device, in principle, simple, did not become a source of problems, and even injuries, especially in modern loaded electrical networks, the outlet itself and how and where to install the sockets, you need to know a lot.

A few important points

Installing the rosette yourself, you must follow a few simple rules. For example, any electrical work is carried out only in completely de-energized housing. First of all, the preparatory work is carried out: they beat the strobes, drill holes and holes into sockets, lay the wiring without connecting them. All cables are connected last.

Immediately before connection, each cable is separately checked by a phase indicator. One of the main rules of safety is: "When working on electrical installations, you must always remember that the voltage on de-energized parts can appear at any time."
  During installation of sockets and switches, do not touch exposed conductors.

How is the socket

A conventional household electrical outlet consists of a contact pad, a jar and a decorative cover. In turn, the shoe consists of:

• Mounting feet.
  • Phase, ground and zero contacts.
  • Terminal for connecting wires.

The holding tabs can be solid-cast fixed, or movable, with the screws. A shoe with moving screws is slightly harder to install, but you can fine-tune the position of the shoe relative to the wall. The terminals can be mounted to the contacts with screws, and can be sold already attached to the contacts. The latter option is much more reliable.

Types of electrical outlets

Sockets are single and combined into one common module with a common receptacle and lid. The rosette group is called several adjacent sockets. Switches, both installed separately and in the rosette module, are mounted in a conventional padding.
  The socket module can also include so-called signal sockets intended for connecting a telephone, Internet and television, as well as a timer and protection elements that automatically turn off the power when in contact with the phase.

overhead sockets

Very simple and, at the same time, very useful and convenient invention, which allows:

• Replace the outlet, even if the receptacle is in very poor condition, without disturbing the wall trim.
  • Replace the old outlet with "euro" without changing the socket.
  • Install the socket on the plasterboard on the crate.

• Mount the sockets in the walls of wood (using a special podrozetnik).

In the latter case, even if there is a short circuit and an arc arises, it, first of all, will close on a metal clip and will not spread over the wires.

rosettes retractable

By their characteristics are almost the exact opposite of the overhead outlets. Very popular in Europe because of its design. Professional electricians refer to the outlet rosettes negatively, because they, because of the module pulled out from the wall, create a high probability of injury or electric shock, especially in children. Many accidents related to the operation of retractable outlets have been recorded, but marketers are actively promoting this product on the market.

Rules and norms for the installation of sockets. At what height are the sockets installed

The norms that exist today are very loyal with respect to the height of the installation. So, the previous requirements: the height of the switch installation - 160 cm, the sockets - 80 cm, are no longer required, but only recommended. Very often the sockets are installed at a height of 30 cm from the floor, and less. The minimum height is assumed to be 25 cm. If you install the outlet below, there is a risk of damage and injury when cleaning the room. Installing outlets at such a small height of the PTB is not prohibited, especially if the room has a protective shutdown device.

As for the number of sockets in an apartment or a private house, it is not limited in any way. In children's rooms it is recommended to install socket outlets and switches at a height of not less than 150 cm from the floor. In this case, small children simply can not reach them, and more adults, by default, already know how to use electricity. It is desirable that in the nursery were installed sockets with ground for added security.

When installing the sockets, several important points must be observed. Thus, it is common for professional electricians to establish a phase contact closer to the window. In the event that the socket is not located to the window unambiguously, then, by default, the phase contact must be on the left. Short wires can not be immediately connected to the terminals, as the walls have a slight deformation property, and tightly stretched wires can simply break off, and without increasing the insertion of short ends into a new outlet it is very difficult.

Connect the wires to the installed outlet by passing them under the terminal block through the gaps specially designed for this purpose. If the wire for the outlets is too thick, remove the insulation layer and pass the wires, folding them in one row.

The size of the terminals makes it possible to have two wires in each. However, this is only done when you need to install a socket block and connect them to one group. It is strictly forbidden to connect lighting fixtures, other modules and other sources of energy through the sockets.

How to properly connect the sockets in the module

This raises a completely natural question: how much will this wiring cost, if it is necessary to keep a separate cable for each group from the meter? It will take only a separate branch in the module of sockets with built-in terminal block in each room, no more. Such modules of electricians are called "module with mini-shield". When wiring around the room from the mini-switch, the probability of an accident is extremely small, since the power is consumed almost at the connection point, and does not go far through the female terminal.

How to connect a switch

Switches, as a rule, are installed in the same podrozetniki, and in the same way as the sockets. But do not forget that when installing a single-pole switch, a break is made only on the phase conductor - it is strictly forbidden to include a "zero" in the gap. The position in the phase and zero switches should be the same as in the socket, that is, the phase is on the left. It is not possible to save cable, save random wires to the circuit breaker, as well as modern requirements of safety regulations, it is forbidden to leave the divided phase of the cable in the junction box.

Tools and materials for mounting outlets

For work you need these materials and tools:

• Phase indicator.
  • Straight and Phillips screwdriver (4-6 mm).
  • Combination pliers.
  • Cutters.
  • Sharp knife.
  • Insulating tape.
  • Cold solder.
  • Sealant.
  • Electric drill.
  • Insulation stripper (preferably for beginners).

How to properly remove the insulation from the cable

Professional electricians remove the insulation from the wires in the following way: the cutter-side cutters bring the back side to the cable, bite the insulation, without touching the copper wires, and pull it off.
  It is unlikely for a beginner to clean a cable without snacks in this way. In places of snacks, corrosion occurs, they are heated at high loads and subsequently lead to faulty wiring. Therefore, it is best for beginners to use a special insulation stripper, with which you can remove the insulation from the cable, without cutting it with a knife and without bending.

Today on sale there are a lot of insulation pullers, both manual and automatic. For manual work, it is preferable to use pullers and pliers. The forceps must be adjusted to the wire diameter before starting work, which slows down the workflow somewhat, but this tool is most preferable for beginners.

How to Splice a Wire

Sometimes, when carrying out the outlets, you have to deal with such a problem as splicing the wires. And although, according to modern standards, splicing the cable is strongly not recommended - do not tear off the same, after all, recently pasted wallpaper and do not start making strokes in the wall for the installation of one outlet!

The wiring is spliced ​​as follows:
  At both ends of the wires, the insulation is carefully peeled off approximately 5 cm. The ends are placed parallel to each other, they are taken with pliers, not strongly squeezed, and scrolled clockwise. Then twist once again slightly compress pliers. Next, a layer of cold solder is applied to the twist. While the solder is not frozen, an insulating cap is put on top. After the paste has completely solidified, a small amount of silicone should be squeezed into the socket of the cap.

Working with the electric fittings

If there is a need to replace a burnt out socket, then the best option is to install an overhead outlet in an old jar. The transfer of the sockets to a new place in the process of finishing works consists in splicing the wires to the required length and laying them in the crate.
  The process of splicing the cables is discussed above. The cable is laid parallel to the floor at the height of the outlet. Through the entire length of the cable is attached to the wall using clamps.

A new outlet is installed either directly on the casing or on the main wall. At the new place of attachment of the outlet, you need to leave a small "tail" of the cable, about 15-20 cm long, this will greatly simplify the work. If the walls are already finished, and the old outlet needs to be "pulled out" for example, because of the furniture, in this case it is best to install a modular corner unit. It is best to mount it on standard mounts somewhere in the corner under the windowsill, or any other suitable place.

The unit simply plugs into an old outlet forever. Of course, that before that, the old outlet must be completely cleaned, carefully cleaned all contacts, and assembled, processed with cold solder. If you comply with all these simple recommendations, then hidden somewhere in the closet socket will never "remind" of its existence.

How to install a socket on concrete

Before you start to install the outlet on a concrete base, you need to know exactly the thickness of the future finish, for example, if you install sockets in the kitchen, and the walls will be tiled. The edge of the podrozetnik in this case should be on a par with the finish, a difference of a few millimeters is permissible. The standard height of the podrozetnik is from 40 to 44 mm.

If the finish is too thick, you need to install a "cushion" of plywood. To the concrete, it is best to fasten the scoop with a screwdriver in the dowel. If there are no mounting holes in the junction box, they will have to be drilled independently on the same line with the contacts.

In the case where the wall is finished, the socket for the cheetah is selected with a drill bit, leaving a margin in depth and width. Immediately before installing the receptacle, the well is filled with a solution of gypsum or alabaster, after which the insert is quickly inserted and leveled until the solution has grasped.

Installation of an outlet in plasterboard

In the gypsum cardboard outlet is installed using special podrozetniki, equipped with sliding or pivot stop. The installation technology is very simple. Using a drill bit, a hole is drilled into which the cable is routed.

The cable extends into the jar. The chimney is put in place.

If it is equipped with sliding stops, the tape is simply pulled to the stop, the extra cut off. In the turning stops, the self-tapping screw is turned off.

The pre-stripped wires are inserted into the terminals, the shoe is installed in the jar, the bolts of the pads are tightened. After that, the socket cover is installed. If it becomes necessary to adjust the cover, the screws of the pad loosen and adjust the tightness of the cover to the wall.

As can be seen from all of the above, while observing some not very difficult recommendations, it is quite possible to install in the house power outlets and switches. It's worth to show elementary accuracy and attentiveness - and everything will work for years, and you will never be disturbed by extraneous sounds from the sockets and the smell of burnt plastic.