Carrying out sockets and switches is relatively straightforward. However, it requires the master of certain knowledge and skills. Otherwise, the operation of the electrical network will be unsafe. Knowing all the nuances of this work, you can do it yourself. This will help to understand the advice of experienced electricians.
Should I contact a professional?
Today, many organizations offer their electrical work services. Professionals are ready to perform installation of varying complexity. The quality of such actions is often quite high. Each such company provides a guarantee for the installation of electrical equipment.
However, every homeowner knows that master services can be quite expensive. So, the transfer of sockets and switches in Omsk can cost from 1200 rubles. In Moscow, the price of such a fairly simple procedure can reach 2000 rubles. for one point of feeding. For this reason, many owners of private real estate decide to carry out a similar procedure with their own hands.
In this case, it is extremely important to comply with all safety requirements and PUE. Otherwise, an unprofessional craftsman risks serious injury. In this case, the operation of the electrical system will be unsafe. Defective sockets and switches can cause fires, property damage and pose a threat to human life and health.
Why carry sockets?
Some homeowners do not understand why moving sockets and switches to another location. After all, you can purchase an extension cord or tee. In this case, you can increase the number of supply points. However, not all so simple.
The fact is that in the houses of the old type a certain number of sockets and switches was provided. They were designed for a specific load (maximum 3.5 kVA, and more often not more than 2 kVA). Over time, the number of household appliances in the home increased. The provided sockets became lacking.
However, by plugging in an extension cord or tee, the hosts can increase the load on the outlet. In this case, the extension cord begins to melt or sparkle. This can lead to fire, equipment malfunction and other troubles. Therefore, before including such elements in the network, it is necessary to calculate the total load on the network. The best way is to transfer or add additional outlets according to the installed PUE technology.
Varieties of carry
Proper transfer of sockets and switches with your own hands can only be performed when the wizard familiarizes himself with the norms and requirements of the rules for installing electrical equipment. Sockets and switches can be raised or lowered horizontally or moved vertically. It is much more difficult to carry out the transfer both in the horizontal and in the vertical plane at the same time.
Before implementing such a procedure, you need to carefully think through everything. Not always a new outlet or switch becomes convenient during operation. It is necessary to consider what objects are nearby, who will use similar points of the electrical system.
Switches are most often transferred to a level of 120-190 cm from the floor. Sockets, on the contrary, today it is customary to omit below. They can be located at a distance of 20-30 cm from the floor. However, if there are small children in the house, proper protection must be provided for such electrical objects. These may be stubs that the child cannot independently get from the outlet.
Concealed and open installation
Do-it-yourself transfer of sockets and switches can be done in one of two ways. The first is called the open installation method. In this case, the wires pass along the surface of the wall. Sockets and switches also have a special configuration. These are overhead structures that differ in sufficiently large dimensions.
A hidden installation method involves creating a recess inside the wall. Wires are laid along the gate. Then they are covered with putty. This method of transferring sockets is aesthetically pleasing. Sockets and switches are also recessed into recesses, which are drilled in the base with the help of special equipment. Such products look more compact.
It should be noted that each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages. Open wiring is easier to install. However, her appearance leaves much to be desired. Hidden wiring does not spoil the look of the interior. However, this option is only possible during major repairs. It is more complicated and more expensive.
Safety precautions
There is a specific instruction for transferring sockets and switches. First of all, you should familiarize yourself with the safety rules. Work must be carried out with a de-energized power supply line. This requirement cannot be neglected.
Special tools and equipment should also be used. Clothing should be appropriate. Rubberized shoes are an important element when working with electricians.
When performing the presented work, it is forbidden to twist the wires and wrap them with electrical tape. Today, there is a large selection of special connectors that improve the quality of connections. Please note that according to the rules, you can not block access to places of contacts. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to leave such compounds in the thickness of the plaster, to cover them with asbestos.
Materials
The correct transfer of sockets and switches in an apartment or house requires the selection of suitable materials. First of all, you should pay attention to the wire. It must be copper. Aluminum varieties must not be used for the internal installation of sockets and switches.
The wire cross section must correspond to the maximum rated load on the line. In this case, you need to calculate what powerful equipment the hosts can connect to the outlet or switch. Based on the calculations, you need to purchase the appropriate wire. A wire of the VVG type is best suited for these purposes.
Connections are made using special connectors. When choosing them, you should also pay attention to the total network load. You can also use the soldering method. In this case, the wires are exposed and twisted. Then they are soldered with tin solder. Acid fluxes should not be used in this case. Rosin is best used. If the old line is made of aluminum wire, you can not connect it to a copper core directly. There are special connectors for this.
Using a loop
Some masters perform the transfer of sockets and switches in an apartment or house by creating an additional loop. In this case, a new wire will go from the old outlet to the new outlet. This is a fairly unsafe method, which is characterized by a large number of disadvantages.
Wires that were previously connected to an old outlet or switch remain in the current circuit. They will also transmit electricity. However, one more point of supply will depart from one outlet. In this case, the old wire will be connected to the new one. This principle resembles the use of the same extension cord.
It should be noted that the presented method will save on the number of materials. Wires will need much less. However, this savings significantly reduces the installation quality and functionality of the outlet or switch. It will not be possible to connect powerful equipment to it. Otherwise, line overload may occur. This is a temporary scheme that should later be redone. It should be used only as a last resort.
Disadvantages of using a loop
The correct transfer of sockets and switches in the house does not accept the use of a loop. This method has many disadvantages. Therefore, deciding on such an action, you should learn about several of its weaknesses.
The application of the presented approach is not recommended by the PUE. This is a temporary way to connect a power point. In this case, the wire can not be held in the thickness of the wall. It is allowed to install the socket in an open way. Otherwise, a number of difficulties arise.
It should be noted that the transfer of the outlet using a cable hidden in the wall horizontally or in a different direction (except for the vertical) is unsafe. Over time, you can forget that the wiring passes on this section of the wall. Driving a nail into a wall can cause an electric shock.
Also, the presented method is not durable. It will need to be repaired soon. Do not use such a socket or switch for powerful equipment.
Wire extension
The transfer of sockets and switches in the house can be done by lengthening the wire. This method is not ideal, but it is much safer than the previous approach. In this case, the old outlet or switch is removed. A new wire is connected to the line.
This procedure can be performed if the element of the electrical system must be lowered or raised vertically. In this case, the master must completely de-energize the power line. Next, with the help of a puncher and grinder, a new strobe is cut. They lay wires in it.
Also, for an outlet or switch, a hole is drilled at the desired distance from the floor using a crown. A spacer box is installed in it. An extended wire is laid along the line. This method will be safe if you do not load the line more than the set value. For lengthening, a wire with exactly the same cross-section and core material is used as the supply lines. It is strictly forbidden to cover the connection of wires with alabaster.
What to do with the old junction box?
Do-it-yourself transfer of sockets and switches should be performed according to the established procedure. The master can make a gross mistake in this case. An inexperienced electrician can twist the wires of the old wire and the new line, and then cover the old junction box and the channel with gypsum mixture. In this case, the connection point will be inaccessible for viewing.
If the junction of the wires is in a prominent place, you need to do otherwise. First remove the old junction box. This is especially important for products made of metal. In its place, a plastic spacer box is installed. Next, the junction of the wires is left in this box. A circle is cut from a drywall sheet. They close the box. Attach the cover with glue. Putty should not be coated. The lid can be painted in the color of the walls or glued with appropriate wallpaper.
The right way to carry
The most correct transfer of sockets and switches can only be done by drawing a new line from the distribution panel. To do this, turn off the power supply. Next, the old wire is disconnected on both sides. The junction box is completely dismantled. The surface is cleaned of debris. Using putty, the installation location of the old outlet is smeared. The wire remains walled up in the thickness of the wall.
Create a new line
The transfer of sockets and switches must be carried out from the distribution panel. In this case, you can transfer the switch or outlet to any suitable place in the room. In this case, you can add the number of outlets. This method will require more cash costs. However, the electrician will be as safe as possible.
It will be necessary to create a new gate. This procedure must be done with a grinder and a punch. The width of the recess depends on the number of wires that pass through it. Next, a cable is laid in the prepared strob and is attached to the surface with the help of dowel clamps. The system is coated with putty.
Having considered how the transfer of sockets and switches is carried out, you can do the work yourself.