One of the main elements of electrics in an apartment or house is a socket. Without it, it is difficult to connect a household appliance to the network. Each owner must know how to make a socket, and also be able to install it, since the process is quite simple and anyone can master it without special skills. There is enough skill in using simple tools. In addition, it is necessary to have basic ideas about electrical safety.
Training
Before you make outlets in the apartment, you need to draw up a diagram where it should be indicated:
- place of installation;
- load power and number of connections;
- supply wiring;
- connection method.
The places where the sockets will be installed depend on the location of the consumers of electricity: TV, computer, refrigerator, washing machine, electric stove, etc. Where many pieces of equipment are concentrated, it is advisable to install socket blocks (up to 5 pcs.). It is necessary to ensure the convenience of connecting temporary devices: power tools, vacuum cleaners, chargers for gadgets. At high humidity, sockets with a degree of protection IP44 are used, with connection via an RCD from the control panel. An indicator that the sockets in the rooms are installed correctly is the absence of extension cords and tees.
Outlet device
In order to reduce connection problems, one standard should be adhered to for outlets. Earlier in the apartments, domestic products of the C5 type were installed, where there was no grounding, and the diameter of the pins was 4 mm. Now it is completely replaced by a C6 euro socket with a 4.8 mm connector (German standard). Its power can reach several kilowatts. The basis of the outlet is a contact block, which includes the following elements:
- Same phase and zero contacts.
- Grounding contact located separately.
- Plastic or ceramic base (block).
- Fixing pads.
- Terminals for connecting wires to contacts.
Sockets are indoor and outdoor. The first is installed in the socket, and the second through the substrate to the wall surface.
Protection of sockets from external influences
Protection of outlets from environmental influences is classified according to European standards. Its degree is indicated through IP with two digits. The first means resistance to dust and solid objects. If it is 0, then the model is not protected in any way. The maximum level is expressed by the number 6. This means that dust and solid particles can not get inside. The second digit (0 to 8) indicates the degree of protection against liquid ingress. Here, complete moisture insulation is provided at a value of 8. Maximum protection should not always be sought. Already at the figure 5, complete waterproofing is achieved in domestic conditions.
Installation Rules
It is recommended to install sockets at a height of 80 cm. It is possible even lower, but not less than 30 cm. If there is protection against moisture and RCDs are used, the installation height may be reduced. Now even the baseboard is made with a socket if wiring is done through it. So, it’s convenient to connect outdoor appliances. There is no need for wall chipping. In the children's outlet, along with the switches are installed at a height of 150-170 cm, so that the kids could not reach. It is customary for electricians to place a phase contact in a socket on the side of the window. If the wall is without it, the phase is on the left, if you stand facing the outlet.
During installation, a small supply of wire is left in case of its temperature deformations. The cable is passed under the terminal block. With a large thickness, the outer shell is removed. If you wire the wires around the block, the phase is carried out separately. Two wires can be inserted into the terminal when creating a group or module. Connection by wires through the socket of other stationary consumers is not allowed. For this, a socket module with an integrated terminal block is used.
Tools and materials for working with electrical fittings
For work you will need the following tools:
- Voltage indicator.
- Straight and Phillips screwdrivers.
- Insulated pliers on handles.
- Side cutters.
- Knife for mounting.
- Cotton tape and vinyl.
- Type C Isolation Caps
- Cold solder.
- Silicone sealant.
- Electric drill with nozzles for drilling drywall or concrete.
- Hammer drill.
- Dowels.
Basic techniques
If you are considering how to make a power outlet, any little things will be important to you. One of them is removal of insulation, which should be done by biting it with side cutters, without touching copper. Here it is important to develop a skill so as not to leave a snack on the metal, where corrosion and local heating from the load subsequently occur. For a beginner, a puller-nippers with regulation for the diameter of the wire is well suited.
Outlets often have to be moved to another location. To do this, you have to splice the wires. Despite the fact that modern installation methods do not recommend this, there is a reliable way to create such a connection. It is necessary to remove the insulation from the ends of the wires and twist them together with pliers. Then, cold solder should be applied to the twist and immediately put on the insulating cap. After the paste hardens, the sealant is squeezed into the bell. The task - how to make the sockets correctly - is first solved depending on whether it is installed in a wall or in a drywall partition.
Installing a hidden outlet in concrete
Before installing the outlet, first of all, conduct electrical wiring. When replacing an old outlet, you can use the wires already supplied. Most often, for new wiring in the wall, you need to recess the groove. A wire is laid in it and sealed with alabaster or cement.
How to make a wall socket in concrete or brick? A crown is selected for the socket under the socket. To install it along the plane of the wall, drilling is done with a margin of depth. The hole is filled with a solution of gypsum or alabaster. The sheath is inserted and leveled into it. While the solution is liquid, a pair of "fleas" is screwed into it. It is important not to forget to pull the cable through the socket.
How to make a socket outlet if you install a block of several pieces? Drilling with a crown is also performed here, but precise marking should be done first. The wall under the block can be ditched in the same way as under the wiring.
How to make a home outlet in a drywall partition?
Drywall sockets have a distinctive feature: they have sliding or swivel stops. Installation technology is simpler than concrete:
- First of all, drywall should be drilled. The task (how to make a hole for a socket in a gypsum cylinder with a diameter of 67 mm) is solved very simply, since the material is easily processed. A pen drill or a saw with fine teeth is suitable here .
- A cable is drawn through the hole and pulled through a socket, which is installed in place and fixed.
- The wires are stripped and inserted into the terminals.
- The block is placed in the socket and fastened with paws.
- A cover is installed and it is checked how it fits to the wall. If necessary, the foot screws are loosened and tightened again after adjusting the position of the shoe.
Location of sockets in the apartment
The question of how to make a socket is important for any room in the house. Each room has its own specifics. And this must be taken into account when installing electrical accessories. Before you make outlets in the kitchen, make a sketch in advance taking into account the placement of furniture and electrical appliances. The main rule for determining the number of outlets is that they must be at least 20-25% more than stationary and constantly connected consumers. Thus, for 10 devices there are approximately 12-13 outlets. In this case, additional tees and extension cords will not be needed.
For places where moisture and steam can get, a degree of protection of at least IP 44 is required. The same applies to the bathroom. In models to which electrical appliances are not constantly connected, plastic blinds for contacts are needed. Note! The total power of devices connected to the same outlet should not exceed the rating. If it is designed for 2.5 kW, then it is impossible to include a 1 kW microwave and 2 kW electric kettle at the same time. In places of connecting office equipment in an office or a group of appliances in the kitchen, blocks are used. The sockets of the module are connected by a loop - parallel to each other and with a common power supply. To do this, you can use special combs or a continuous wire, stripped at the contacts with the terminals. Grounding is supplied separately to each outlet. Otherwise, all leakage currents will collect on the first of them.
Socket from the switch
Power lines to lighting and sockets are usually separated. If you need to install an additional connector and do not conduct wiring from the shield, you need to know how to make a socket from the switch. Connection is made in one junction box. The socket is connected to zero and the power phase. Zero is supplied directly to the lamp. The phase is connected via a switch to its other terminal. Thus, voltage is constantly supplied to the outlet, and the switch operates independently of it.
Connecting a left outlet
Sometimes it becomes necessary to connect the welding machine to the network in the country. To do this, you need to know how to bypass a low-power meter, and how to make a left outlet, in which you can connect a powerful load. To do this, in an inconspicuous place, they are connected to the supply inlet in front of the monitoring device. Here, an additional circuit breaker should be installed for the load. Otherwise, a fire may occur if a short circuit occurs or if the current exceeds the rated current.
If the load is small, the craftsmen install a left outlet after the meter and connect a phase with a “collective” zero to it. For example, from a metal water pipe. Then, when electricity is supplied, the meter will not rotate. But when the load is connected, a voltage appears on a makeshift zero, which poses a danger to life. In addition, electricians easily find such tricks, and this threatens a considerable fine.
Conclusion
If you follow all the installation rules, the outlet of the house can be installed independently. As you can see, this is not so difficult. In this case, you should know how to make a socket, as well as pre-select all the necessary tools and materials. Solving the complex tasks of installing electrical accessories should be trusted to professionals.