Installation height of sockets and switches: where and how to place it correctly?

Installation

Installation of sockets in the bathroom from scratch should be carried out based on the recommendations:

• before installation, the line is equipped with a separate machine for emergency shutdown;
• each socket has a separate connection with a separate wire;
• the socket is completed with a grounding cable and equipped with a cover;
• the device should be located no closer than 60 cm from water sources;
• installation is carried out without repair, so the socket must be equipped with a separate cable, which is connected to the switchboard through the machine.

You will need the following tools for installation:

• indicator for measuring voltage;
• Phillips screwdriver;
• a knife or a special tool for removing insulation;
• level;
• drill;
• pliers.

Then the installation process begins. Conventionally, it is divided into 4 main stages:

1. Drilling holes into which dowels are installed. They are needed to secure the device.
2. Then prepare the wiring. The tips are cleaned of the insulating layer with a knife or a special cleaning tool.
3. After that, the bolts are installed in the prepared holes. Then they are connected to the outlet and attached to the wall in a box with dowels. Moisture-resistant devices are equipped with ready-made holes, which are equipped with rubber plugs. They are connected to the wiring before connecting to the mains.
4. The final step is to install the case in the allotted place and supply electricity.

If a built-in socket is to be installed, then at the first stage you need to make a hole in the wall according to the diameter of the box. After that, it must be installed on a plasterboard wall with special screws and wires connected.

Installation of an additional outlet is carried out according to a similar algorithm, but with a slight difference. There are 2 ways of cable entry:

• laying a new line of electrical cable from the shield, installing a separate circuit breaker;
• installation of a transformer, in this case, grounding is carried out from the nearest electrical point.

The rest of the steps are the same as for the initial installation. When installing additional equipment, it is necessary to make additional holes in the facing coating; for this, specially designed drills and crowns are used.

When installing, follow the safety instructions:

• installation is carried out in a de-energized apartment;
• check the wires with an indicator before connecting;
• do not allow contact with bare wires.

By following the simple installation rules, you can independently connect the outlet in the bathroom without much effort.

Sockets in bathrooms can and should be installed.

To comply with safety requirements, electrical sockets are installed only in the third zone of the room at a certain height and distance from water sources, with a degree of protection of IPx4 and higher, they must be equipped with grounding, an automatic device or RCD is installed to turn off the electricity in case of a current leakage

The choice of outlet is made taking into account the devices connected to it and their total power. For small household appliances: a curling iron, a razor, you can use 8 A sockets. For powerful devices, such as a washing machine and water heaters, you will need 16 A sockets. By observing the above installation and installation requirements, anyone without special knowledge and skills can independently connect the device.

What is a proper electrician?

The technical and safety issues of an electrical system in a house or an electrician in an apartment are usually cited by professional electricians as the most important criterion for evaluating this system. This is certainly true, but the comfort, practicality and versatility of arranging the electrical system are also of great importance.

To meet both the requirements of functionality and safety, the designer must carefully design the entire system based on the requirements of codes and regulations, while at the same time taking into account the wishes of the customer. This is a very important step in the planning mechanisms for a major renovation or construction of an apartment or house.Before designing, you should initially know how this or that space in your house will be equipped (rooms, bathroom, kitchen, and so on).

Height of sockets in the kitchen

In this room, up to half, and sometimes more, of the total number of home appliances is concentrated. At the same time, part of the equipment is built-in or stationary, with part they work exclusively on the table. Therefore, the issue of the location of outlets in the kitchen - the layout and height of placement - should be considered separately.

The diagram above shows one of the options for the location of the power supply elements of a linear type kitchen. It should be noted that with the angular placement of furniture and appliances, the general principle of placement is preserved.

But for an island-type kitchen, the power supply device is a little more complicated - you will need to draw a conclusion through the floor, under the floor covering, or bring cables from the ceiling in order to provide electrical appliances located away from the walls with electricity. For permanently installed appliances - stoves, dishwashers, hoods - sockets are also made stationary, hidden (usually they are hidden on tables and cabinets). For small, periodically connected equipment, it is convenient to make a semi-hidden socket, which in the usual position is located under the table top, and, if necessary, turns up and down with sockets for plugs.

Naturally, such devices need high-quality protection against getting wet. This can be done independently by arranging a sealing gasket around the perimeter of the panel to be lifted. But it is better to purchase a ready-made factory-made device with a lifting mechanism and a protective panel.

Convenient is also the option with a lifting block of sockets, usually hidden under the countertop, and it is suitable for both island kitchens and ordinary, wall-mounted ones.

In this case, of course, the lower socket is located at a distance from the tabletop that is not too convenient for connection, but this is compensated by the fact that there are no additional electrical “decorations” on the walls.

If you do not use the connection points hidden in the worktop, sockets in cabinets can be used for appliances with a permanent location. This option is most often used for medium-sized appliances - bread makers, slow cookers, food processors, coffee machines, and so on.

The device can be connected permanently or only as needed. You can protect equipment from dust, dirt and moisture by lifting, swinging, sliding or lifting-turning doors, as shown in the photo above.

If the equipment is “hidden” in the lower cabinets, that is, below the level of the table top, you can arrange pull-out shelves with holders for the cable of the electrical appliance, which does not allow the wire to get between the working elements of the furniture and at the same time keeps it in the right position. The socket in this case is placed on the kitchen wall (or the back wall of the cabinet).

Similarly, you can make sliding shelves for equipment placed above the level of the tabletop.

If the flush-mounted option is not suitable, the height of the sockets in the kitchen above the countertop is selected according to three criteria:

• Ease of use. A very small distance to the countertop makes it difficult to turn on the device, interferes with cleaning the surface;
• power grid safety.Sockets located almost close to the working surface fall into the risk zone - splashes, accidental wetting while cleaning the countertop, small debris can greatly complicate the operation of the device and even lead to a short circuit;
• instrument wire length. Most small, relatively stationary equipment has a short cable length, so you should not raise the sockets too high.

The optimal distance is considered to be 15 ... 30 cm from the level of the table, and for the convenience of laying cables, it is highly recommended to place all points on the same horizontal line.

There can be three such lines: the lower one for large stationary equipment, the middle one for sockets above the countertop, the upper one for connecting the hood and lighting cabinets.

Important: removing the outlet (or a group of them) from the sink by at least 50 ... 60 cm will help reduce the risk of short circuit.

The height of the outlet for the hood is selected either above the level of its placement, or lower (under the cabinet in which it is built-in, or under the bottom panel of the hood itself. In this case, the top location is more successful - particles of fat and soot do not accumulate on the plastic outer elements of the outlet, which occur during the cooking process.

It is quite convenient to arrange a group of electrical appliances on the same level with the rails.

In this case, the distance from the countertop is 35 ... 50 cm.

An interesting point: in order not to ditch or drill the wall for each electrical appliance separately, you can use a special mounting plate. Sockets for connecting equipment and switches are mounted on it in the most convenient manner, and the wires pass through the channels of the bar.

Location of sockets and switches according to the rules

Old standard and new fashion trends.Equipping a new house, or changing the wiring in an old apartment, the owners ask themselves the question: “At what height should sockets and switches be?” Representatives of the older generation, perhaps, will prefer the location of the switches in the old fashioned way, at shoulder level, and the height of the sockets is not lower than the level of the belt.

Young people, who are subject to the trends of fashionable concepts, will be guided by the European standard when solving this issue. It is worth mentioning right away that the so-called "European standard" does not exist in the official rules governing the connection and location of these electrical devices indoors, there are only a few restrictions on their placement, regarding fire and electrical safety.

Features of installing switches and sockets in the kitchen

When it comes to installing a socket and a switch in the kitchen, then in this situation, special attention should be paid to the issue. In the kitchen, as a rule, there is a very large number of different household appliances.

In addition, it is in this room that there is a huge number of zones that can be dangerous: open fire, stoves that heat up, a large amount of water. It is necessary to pay special attention to safety in this situation.

Do not use extension cords or adapters in the kitchen, extra wires, which very often cause a short circuit and a very strong fire that is difficult to eliminate.

How to place sockets and switches in the kitchen: video designer tips

In the kitchen room, the height of sockets and switches should be based on what features the room has, what electrical and other appliances are there, and also depending on many other nuances.

There are a few general rules that everyone should be familiar with:

1. The surface where you cook, as well as the sink, are the most dangerous areas, you can’t mount them near them, because this can result in serious problems.
2. The installation of an outlet that ensures the normal and full operation of household appliances in the kitchen must be carried out next to this technique or above its surface.
3. Very often, people can make the same mistake - they have outlets behind appliances, where it is very difficult, and sometimes not at all realistic to get.
4. When choosing a place for an outlet, it is imperative to take into account the height of the countertop. This is necessary in order to provide maximum access to the outlet, during which there will be no inconvenience.

Inconvenient location of sockets and video switches

What is the height of the location of switches and sockets in the apartment - this is a very important issue that needs to be studied in detail. If you break some rules and standards, then this can turn into not only discomfort in the future, but also a serious problem. Incorrect location of the outlet can lead to a short circuit, and then to a fire. In addition, this can provoke a lot of inconvenience, so you need to follow the rules and treat this issue very carefully. If you cannot independently design the location of devices in a particular room, then use the services of specialists who will help resolve this rather important and delicate issue.

Height of sockets and switches: standards or common sense?

Almost any, even a small cosmetic repair of the premises includes, if not a complete replacement of the existing electrical wiring, then at least its partial modernization. Such modernization usually consists in restoring inoperable sections of wiring, as well as transferring existing and adding new points. And if the laying of wires directly, “tying” junction boxes, assembling electrical panels and so on are tasks for specialists, then the choice of places for placing sockets and switches is the prerogative of the owners of the premises.

When it comes to planning the location of electrical installation products, the owners have a question: are there any mandatory standards for such a case?

As such, there are no rigid and mandatory standards for the height of sockets and switches - neither in Russia nor in Europe. Therefore, they can be installed at any distance from the floor. However, four conditions must be met:

1. There should be a physical possibility not only to install a "point" in the chosen place, but also to connect wires to it.
2. The safety of operation of the socket or switch must be ensured - common sense suggests that it is better not to install these products near sources of water, strong heat, and, moreover, open fire.
3. The mounted socket (well, or the switch) should be convenient to operate - the switch under the sofa is just as inappropriate as the socket on the ceiling.
4. It is highly desirable to be able to quickly access the "point". First of all, this applies to electrical outlets, often "hiding" behind furniture or household appliances.

If you do not take into account "specialized" premises (such as a kitchen, bathroom or bathroom), then usually the condition that determines the choice of location and installation height of the "point" is compliance with paragraph No. 3. Simply put, where it is convenient - we put it there. This is how the notorious “European standard” appeared, which is not such at all - it is, in fact, just the most frequently chosen installation height:

• For sockets - 20-40 cm from the floor level;
• For switches - optimally 80-100 cm from the floor level.

Height of sockets and switches

These figures are dictated by the following considerations: if the location of the electrical point is too low, there are great chances to fill it with water during wet cleaning of the floors. And often it is not very convenient to use it - you have to bend down very low. If the outlet is mounted much higher than 40 cm from the floor, the power cords of electrical appliances included in it become too noticeable, which is rather unaesthetic, and from the point of view of most designers, it is generally criminal.

For switches, the installation height is chosen so that the power key falls "under the arm" - for the average person, this is just a little less than a meter from the floor.

An exception is children's rooms, in which it is generally recommended that all electrical installation products powered by a 220 V mains be located at a height of at least 1.6 m from the floor level; however, this rule is not mandatory for the private residential sector.

Official Location Rules

The socket and switch can be installed anywhere, with the exception of dangerous places - baths, kitchens and other rooms where there is gas and water.Several documents have been issued to regulate the location of these points in hazardous areas:

• GOST R 50571.11-96;
• SP 31-110-2003;
• Rules for the Device of Electrical Installations.

Be sure to read these documents if you are doing repairs yourself. Housing services can check your apartment for compliance with standards if you have an accident, a short circuit. And if it turns out that you have violated the established rules, they may impose a fine or refuse to pay the sum insured.

Eurostandard: myths and reality

In many thematic articles or on forums, you can find the term "European standard". This is not a completely correct concept, since different European countries have their own regulatory framework regarding the placement of sockets and switches.

The generally accepted height of sockets according to the European standard reaches 30-40 cm from the floor line. The switches are placed at a height of 0.8-1 m. If you think about it, then in this arrangement you can find its advantages - there are no cords and cables hanging on the walls, the wiring is less noticeable. And the low placement of the switches allows you not to raise your hands to turn the light on and off.

Keep in mind that the size of the euro socket and the distance between the holes for the pins is greater than that of domestic counterparts. Imported products are designed for current up to 16 A, and ours - up to 10 A. Therefore, more powerful electrical appliances can be used in conjunction with euro sockets.

Optimal location

In each room, residents often or constantly use various electrical appliances.So that all interior items are in place and the sockets are not hidden behind a closet or sofa, you should draw a plan for each room with the indicated dimensions and determine where the furniture, appliances, and lighting will fit. It is also necessary to take into account building codes and regulations in order to ensure fire safety and the accurate operation of electrical wiring.

Hallway and corridor

Lighting in the hallway is best connected using separate switches. Most often in this room they use dryers for shoes or a vacuum cleaner. Therefore, two sockets will be sufficient, located in the corner at a height of 30 cm from the floor and 10 see from door or furniture. If it is necessary to install additional electrical devices in the hallway, the circuit becomes more complicated.

Bathroom

In the bathroom, a washing machine, a shower cabin and a water heater can be permanently plugged into sockets. Often you need to use a hair dryer or a razor. For large equipment, separate energy sources will be required, which, according to the rules, should be located no closer than 60 cm from the water source and from the floor. You should buy special moisture-proof sockets with a cover and marking IP44 - they have a special plastic flange on the inside to drain water when it hits.

A forced exhaust fan is usually connected to a light switch - if a person enters the bathroom, the hood starts to work.

Kitchen

The kitchen leads in the number of constantly working electrical appliances. The main list of equipment constantly included in the network:

• fridge;
• Dishwasher;
• electric stove;
• microwave;
• television;
• hood;
• electric kettle;
• washing machine.

Therefore, you need at least eight sockets for constant work and at least five for small household appliances, such as a mixer, coffee grinder or meat grinder.

The main difficulty is the correct location of sockets for built-in appliances - they cannot be placed behind electrical appliances, so it is better to move the energy sources beyond the adjacent kitchen cabinets. Separate power supplies must be installed for the hob and oven - a double socket will not withstand the load.

Living room

This room is used for recreation and entertainment of the household, it has a TV, audio center, Wi-Fi router, split system, local lighting points. These devices are connected permanently, sockets for them, according to safety rules, are mounted at a height of 30 cm from the floor and at least 10 cm from door and window openings.

For a split system, the socket should be placed at the top, near the installation site of the indoor unit - this will avoid ugly wires on the walls.

Bedroom

Bedside tables usually have phones or tablets that require additional recharging. Therefore, the best solution would be to place a couple of sockets by the bed, at a distance of 15-20 cm from the countertop.

It is convenient to watch your favorite movies and programs while lying in bed, so the TV is usually hung on the wall opposite the head of the bed. You can hide the socket behind the screen panel.

Children's

A small child needs a socket for a night light, but it is worth considering that in a couple of years you will need energy sources for game consoles and charging your phone, tablet, TV and computer. And if there are several children, then the load on the power grid increases.

For children's rooms, it is advisable to buy safe sockets with covers or plugs and arrange them so that the baby does not reach hanging wires.

Office or desktop

The desktop usually has a computer, a monitor, peripheral equipment, a telephone, and a table lamp. For comfortable work, you will need at least 6 sockets with a surge protector, and in order to hide an ugly mess of wires, you should mount electrical accessories at a height of 25-30 cm above the floor and remove the wires under the cable channel.

Sockets and switches in bathrooms

Relatively recently, sockets in the bathrooms were not installed at all. Firstly, there was no equipment that required a separate connection. Old-style washing machines could be connected via an extension cord from anywhere in the apartment. And secondly, there were no high-quality sockets protected from moisture.

At present, a modern bathroom cannot be imagined without sockets. In addition, often their installation is not limited to one unit. Only a washing machine requires a separate point connected to a separate line, protected by its own RCD. Powerful units simply will not be able to work for a long time through a conventional extension cord. As a rule, the height of the sockets in this case is within 1 meter, which allows, if necessary, to very quickly disconnect the washing machine from the mains.

A separate outlet will be required for an electric water heater, since in many homes it is with the help of a boiler that the problem of hot water is solved.A separate line with an RCD is also allocated for it, and the outlet itself is located directly next to the device itself. Socket blocks can be installed above the countertop. They supply power to an electric shaver, hair dryer and other small household appliances.

A serious limitation in their installation is the obligatory distance of 60 cm from water sources. As an additional safety measure, installation involves the installation and connection of grounding, as well as the use of a moisture barrier.

Unlike sockets, switches are never mounted inside bathrooms. They are installed in front of the entrance to the room at a height of 80 cm and above. Cable laying is carried out directly from the electrical panel in the form of a separate line in a hidden way. This avoids accidental damage and contact with water. Before installation, a plan is preliminarily drawn up in which all distances are measured and applied with maximum accuracy.

Eurostandard

The height of the switch from the floor according to the European standard is 90 cm, the sockets are 30 cm. However, standardization as such has never actually existed, and this concept came into our lives along with the concept of European-quality repair, replacing the “Soviet standard”. Of course, it has its advantages and disadvantages:

• Plus - the sockets are not "striking" and do not interfere with anything, and the switches are located at the level of the lowered hand - they can be turned on without any effort, and without even looking. The height of the switch from the floor is 90 cm.
• Minus - in order to insert the plug into the socket, you will need to bend over, and the switch should not be blocked by anything.

Mounting Recommendations

If you want to do some wiring and connect sockets with a switch independently without the involvement of outside help, then you should follow the above tips and a number of rules that will allow you to complete all the work without problems and, most importantly, safely:

• the first step will be the preparation of a plan diagram, which will reflect the future layout of the room, while it must be drawn up as accurately as possible so that you can then buy the required amount of cable. It is not very pleasant when, at the very peak of work, there is suddenly not enough cable, or vice versa - there will be a lot of unused;
• it is also necessary to mark on the walls all the sockets that will be needed. In this case, the height of the location of various devices should be taken into account;
• devices for stationary devices (like a computer or a refrigerator) should be mounted so that they are both accessible and hidden behind appliances;
• no matter what you install, a socket or a switch, the order of connecting the contacts must not be confused! This is especially critical when connecting a three-pin socket that has grounding contacts;
• sockets are installed based on a current of 6A, that is, one piece for every 10 m2 of room area. In the kitchen of any area, two sockets are installed;
• sockets or switches cannot be installed under or above the sink;
• the wiring diagram must be selected in such a way as to completely eliminate network overloads;
• frequently used sockets should be placed at a height of 30 cm, while taking into account that they can easily reach the cord of the vacuum cleaner from anywhere in the room.

What you need to remember when installing electricians according to the European standard?

1. Sockets must be installed based on a simple formula: one socket per 10 square meters.
2. A socket in the bathroom is allowed, but it must be more than 60 centimeters away from the bath or shower. All outlets must be waterproof and connected to uninterruptible systems.
3. Grounding is a must.
4. In no case should sockets be installed under or above sinks.
5. The wiring system should contain as few contact points as possible. All contact points must be located in the switchboard and closed on phase and neutral buses.

According to the European standard, the diameter of the socket for a household plug must be 0.8 mm larger than in traditional sockets. This ensures a tighter contact and reduces the heat level in cases of overload.

Conclusions and valuable recommendations

Where and how to locate switches and sockets must be determined only on the basis of safety and, of course, comfort. To date, there are no prescribed standards that would indicate the location for the placement of electrical outlets and switches. Especially their number in a separate room.

Planning is the stage of calculating the number of mechanisms that a person will use on an ongoing basis, regardless of the premises. Plus 1-2 more sockets on top for additional devices. The most stringent requirements are imposed only on the masters who install electrical appliances in the apartment. Such people should be specialists with good experience.

But if it was decided to carry out all the work on their own, then you need to familiarize yourself with all types of electrical equipment. Since the product range is very wide, it means that there is equipment for every need.This can be an audio outlet that allows you to connect acoustics, a music center or a connector for a landline phone, as well as for an Ethernet cable.

The height of the installation determines the comfortable conditions for living in the house, its safety, landscaping and beauty.