Today, there are different methods for creating wiring in a house or apartment. When performing major repairs, electrical communications are most often carried out in a hidden way. You can do this procedure yourself. Before this, you need to familiarize yourself with existing norms and requirements that are put forward to this process.
The master must have basic skills in working with an electrician. In this case, the work can be done independently. How to install hidden wiring will be discussed later.
general characteristics
Concealed wiring is one of the best solutions when performing major repairs in an apartment or house. In this case, the wires will pass under the surface of the walls. Also, this option is chosen if the construction of the house has not yet been completed. When the walls are kicked out, the floors are created, you can begin to create a hidden type of wiring.
In this case, it is necessary to develop a project on which all elements of the system should be applied, indicating the actual sizes. There are several ways to install hidden wiring. At the same time, home owners choose the option that is most suitable for the building.
The presented type of installation has many advantages. However, the creation of this type of system puts forward special requirements. It is very important to comply with all provisions of the standards. Otherwise, using such a system would be unsafe. As a result, a fire may result. This leads to damage to property, and is also a threat to the life and health of people.
Benefits
Hidden wiring in the house has many advantages. First of all, it should be noted that interior decoration will be more aesthetic. On the surface of the walls there will be no unseemly wires, cable channels , etc. This allows you to implement various design decisions and create a fashionable interior style.
Wires will be reliably protected from mechanical damage. This can significantly extend their life. Also, the hidden type of wiring is characterized by high fire safety, if the installation is carried out in a house made of brick or concrete blocks.
In this case, the cable runs in a sealed channel. In case of violation of insulation and the appearance of a fire, it will quickly go out. Insufficient oxygen contributes to rapid attenuation. This is another important advantage of the hidden method of conducting electrical communications. However, the methodology presented also has a number of disadvantages. You need to know about them before starting installation.
disadvantages
Hidden wiring in the house has some disadvantages. This method is characterized by high costs of effort, time and money. In the process of creating the channels, a lot of building dust can be generated. It is for this reason that hidden wiring is not created if there is a high-quality wall finish.
It should also be said that the presented method is not absolutely fireproof for wooden structures. In this case, it is better to give preference to an open installation method. It should also be said that the creation of dimensional cable channels in the thickness of concrete walls is unacceptable. This may harm the structure of the building.
Closed wiring is hidden from the eyes. If a short circuit occurs, a violation of the insulation of the wire, the home owners can not see such deviations. This may cause a fire. To find a damaged place, it will take more effort.
Mounting options
There are different types of hidden wiring. The choice of methodology depends on the characteristics of the walls in which it is planned to create communications. It is possible to lay electrical wires in a layer of plaster. To get them, if necessary, from the thickness of the wall will be problematic.
The second option involves the arrangement of a special cable channel. This can be a corrugated or special electrical pipe. In it, the wires pass, as in a mine. This allows, if necessary, to easily get them out of the channel and replace them with new communications. However, the method is not suitable for concrete walls. Drilling large channels in them is prohibited.
If you choose the method of mounting the wires in the plaster, you should evaluate whether the wall is even. The type of installation depends on this. If the wall is even, the wires can be mounted under a 5 mm plaster layer. However, this is not always advisable. If the wall is very uneven, in order to reduce the consumption of plaster, you will first need to grind the channels and lay communications in them.
Norms and Rules
There are certain rules that must be followed when creating hidden transactions. It should be said that all communications must take place strictly along vertical or horizontal lines. It is strictly forbidden to shorten the cable path in order to save material and lay it diagonally.
Such a rule exists to improve safety during operation of the electrical system. The user in this case clearly knows that a wire is leaving the hidden wiring outlet on a vertical or horizontal plane. In the event of a breakdown, or even just need to drive a nail into the wall, it will be easier to determine where the line goes. Otherwise, there is a high probability of electric shock.
It should also be said that the line of electrical communications should pass from the ceiling at a distance of 15 cm or more. This is a relatively new rule. Future homeowners may want to create a suspended or suspended ceiling. In this case, wiring that is close to the ceiling will greatly complicate installation.
Charting
Before starting the installation, a hidden wiring diagram is necessarily created. It is important to take into account a number of nuances. In addition to the above norms and rules, you will need to pay attention to the correct location of all elements of the system.
In the calculations, the estimated load on the line is necessarily calculated. A separate wire must be drawn for each room or group of electrical appliances. Sockets, switches are usually located at different levels. At the same time take into account the requirements that are put forward to the comfort of use. For example, in the hall, it is best to create an outlet behind a TV, and in the kitchen near the countertop.
Also in the diagram you need to specify all sizes, objects and communications located nearby. From the batteries, ventilation ducts or sewer and water pipes, the electrical route must pass at a distance of at least 50 cm. Indication of the exact dimensions will allow you to purchase the optimal amount of materials for installation.
Materials
To create a cost estimate for the creation of hidden wiring, you need to calculate the number of all elements of the system, the length of the wire. You should also calculate the total load on the power supply path. The index of the cross section of the wire depends on this. It should be said that for the installation of hidden wiring, a wire with a core of aluminum is not suitable. In this case, you need to purchase a copper cable. At the same time, its insulating material must be characterized by a high degree of resistance to fire. VVG brand wire is best suited.
Next, using the prepared scheme, you need to calculate the length of the wire, the number of sockets, socket boxes, switches, junction boxes for hidden wiring and other elements. You will also need to consider the number of terminals, connections, the length of the corrugated pipe, the amount of solution.
Instruments
A number of tools should be prepared that are necessary for the installation of hidden wiring. You will need a puncher or grinder, a chisel, a hammer, indicator screwdrivers, a trowel, a building level. You should also purchase a multimeter and a device for stripping the wire.
Markup
To make hidden wiring with your own hands, you will need to consider the detailed technology of the entire process. First you need to do the markup correctly. You can start this procedure only after creating the circuit. Places for switches, sockets and junction boxes are marked on the surface of the base.
There are various ways to correctly mark a track. It does not require accuracy to the millimeter. However, the lines must be straight and exactly horizontal or vertical. Most often, non-professional builders use the construction level for this.
One of the most popular and accurate methods is the use of kapron threads. It is rubbed with colored chalk. Next, the thread is pulled between two points between which the route will pass. The cord is pulled tight and released sharply. A color and smooth line appears on the wall. This method is suitable for creating both horizontal and vertical tracks.
Create a stroba
Studying how to hide the wiring, you should consider the technology of creating a strob. To do this, you need a grinder. Using this tool with a nozzle in the form of a circle with a diamond coating, cuts are made in the wall along the outlined lines. This procedure produces a lot of dust. Therefore, work must be carried out with glasses and overalls.
Then, using a punch, a groove is made between two parallel lines. If there is no such tool at hand, you can perform this procedure with a hammer and a chisel. However, this option will require more time and effort.
Professional craftsmen use special equipment for these purposes. To make recesses in the wall allows shtroborez. It is recommended to use it in combination with a construction vacuum cleaner. In this case, the work is carried out very quickly and efficiently. However, it is not advisable to purchase such a product for non-professional use. This technique is quite expensive.
Some recommendations
Wiring should be carried out in accordance with the rules of the PUE. In this case, take into account the characteristics of the wall material. The width of the strobes can be different. It depends on the number of wires that will pass under the base of the wall. There should be a small distance between each cable, literally a few millimeters. However, when 3 wires pass through the strobe, its width will be greater than when a line of 1-2 lines is drawn.
In some cases, building codes and rules for installing electrical equipment stipulate the need for communications in the corrugated pipe. In this case, the depth and width of the channel increases even more. It can reach 40 mm or more. It depends on the size of the pipe.
You will also need to create the appropriate holes for the subsequent installation of sockets and switches. For this, a special crown is used, which is put on a drill. Its diameter should correspond to the parameters of the undergrowth.
Wire fixing
For the installation of hidden wiring in concrete or brick substrates, special fasteners are used. These can be UW type wall plugs. Most often, for self-installation, products with a marking of 5/10 are used. The choice depends on the type of cable. To create holes for the clamps, you need a drill with a diameter of 6 mm.
When the necessary recesses are created, it will be necessary to clasp the wire with a clamp and install it in the seat. This type of fastener is easily inserted into the hole. However, getting it out of there will be extremely difficult. The fact is that this latch has a special antennae. They will hold the dowel securely in the base.
If a corrugated pipe with a diameter of up to 40 mm is installed in the channel, it must first be fixed with a gypsum mixture. If the pipe size is larger, it is recommended to use the appropriate dowel clamps. Gypsum mortar is also used for additional fixation of the socket and junction boxes in the seat.
Line wiring
After carrying out all the preparatory work, you can lay the wires. To do this, you need to cut the wire in accordance with a pre-prepared scheme into pieces of suitable size. It is necessary to make a reserve for the subsequent connection of all network elements.
It should be noted that the turns of the wire can not be done abruptly. They should be fairly smooth. Next, you need to fix the wire in the prepared channel using fasteners or gypsum mixture. Next, let the solution dry. Finishing is not worth it yet. Only after a thorough check of the serviceability of the system do the finishing work.
Having considered how to complete the installation of hidden wiring, you can do the whole procedure yourself.