High-quality electrical installation is an important component of comfort and safety in an apartment for many years. Who should be engaged in the design, how to correctly calculate the number of electrical accessories, which sockets and switches to choose, says Alexey Dubchak, Project Manager "Engineering Systems" "Leroy Merlin".
1. First the design project - then the wiring
You can dissolve electricity in an apartment in a closed and open way. Although open boxes look original in modern interiors, they usually choose classic hidden wiring. Slitting walls and laying wires is the most responsible, dusty and noisy part of the job.
If you don't think about the location of sockets and switches in advance, you can get into an unpleasant situation when:
● there are not enough sockets (adapters and extension cords are used), and the switches are located in inconvenient places;
● a lot of unnecessary outlets that spoil the appearance and make no sense.
It is worthwhile to design electrical wiring only after the preparation of the design project. It is important to immediately understand how the furniture, appliances, lamps will be arranged so that the socket does not accidentally end up behind the sofa, and the switch behind the cabinet. Consider which way the doors will open.
You also need to provide for individual moments. Perhaps you brush your teeth with an electric brush, or enjoy sitting on a wide windowsill with your laptop. Maybe you need a separate fire outlet or speaker box.
The placement of the switches should follow logic and common sense so that it is intuitively clear how to turn on the light in the room. It is believed that auxiliary outlets should be located no higher than 15 cm from the floor. But this is not always the right decision, subtleties are possible. For example, older people or people with reduced movement tend to find it difficult to bend over.
Consider vacuum outlets in every room. Do not forget about installing a Christmas tree with garlands and rosettes in the window slopes for festive illumination. Homes today are filled with a lot of gadgets that need to be charged. It is worth providing for USB, Internet sockets and blocks.
When the interior of the house is fully worked out, you can safely order an electrical wiring project.
2. Difficult and crucial stage
Today the Internet is replete with videos that begin with the words: “I am not an electrician, but I designed the wiring in the house myself. Watch how …”Don't look or repeat. Because it's not only about aesthetics and convenience, but also about the safety of your home. The design and installation of electrical wiring must in no case be carried out without appropriate qualifications.
A serious project should contain not only a wiring diagram, but also all explanatory technical documentation, which will subsequently help to carry out minor repairs or quickly close any electrical issue. In addition, qualified specialists will offer a smart and modern solution.
To develop a project, you can search for specialized specialists using the Internet, special applications or friends, or you can use this service in hypermarkets for household goods - this is convenient, since in one place you can get the help of specialists and purchase the necessary goods.
Electrical installation consists of two stages: rough wiring and finishing. Rough work includes chipping the walls, cutting out holes for the socket boxes, installing an in-house dashboard with all exits and automatic devices. It is important to pay special attention to the laying of wires in the wall so as not to violate safety rules. The grooves should be laid parallel or strictly perpendicular to the floor and ceiling. Power and low-current cables cannot be combined in one strobe
The work of electricians should be checked at least twice:
● check the applied markings with the project at the beginning of work;
● upon acceptance, receive executive schemes with information about which points are connected to which groups and machines.
3. Choice of fittings
After chipping the walls, you can purchase electrical accessories. It is not worth buying switches and sockets at the beginning of the repair. If stored for a long time, they can be damaged, scratched or lost. In addition, the project may change during the renovation. You will find yourself in a situation when you need to buy something in addition, and the required collection has already been discontinued. From here comes another tip: buy sockets and switches with a small margin.
Manufacturers today offer a huge selection. These can be vintage models in openwork frames or high-tech minimalist devices. Focus on interior style and designer advice. Modern collections resemble a designer, so you can choose a frame and keys of a different color separately.
You will need simple, pass-through and cross-over switches, electrical, USB and Internet sockets. By the way, it is better to buy sockets with grounding, especially since the difference in price with the usual ones is small. Choose from trusted brands from the mid to premium segment. Such products are reliable, safe and suitable for any interior.
In-apartment shields most often come in a transparent plastic case, which is then hidden in cabinets and other interior structures. Pay attention to the flap in the metal box - the decor will turn it into a separate element of the hallway interior.
So, the main points to keep in mind:
1. creation of a design project with the arrangement of furniture and lighting fixtures;
2. design of electrical wiring;
3. purchase of high-quality accessories;
4. Obtaining as-built documentation from the electrical installation team.
Happy renovation!