When engaged in construction or repair, many homeowners are wondering how to install switches or sockets correctly and at what height from the floor. Indeed, not only the convenience of their use, but also the safety of operation, largely depends on this.
In order to deal with this issue, we consider the rules for their placement, which existed in the recent past, and the new European standards that came from civilized Europe.
Standards for the installation of electrical components
To date, there are no strict regulations or rules governing the location and number of outlets and switches. Eurostandard is just a convention, because here only ease of use plus safety precautions are of primary importance. The only documents that address this issue are: a summary of the rules for the design of public and residential premises (SP 31-110-2003) and the rules for the installation of electrical installations (PUE), so the installation of electrical wiring should be based on these recommendations. The following installation rules follow from the first:
- It is desirable that the installation height of the switch from the floor be up to 1 m, and it should be located on the side of the door handle.
- Sockets can be placed in any place and at the same distance from the floor.
Extract from PUE
The PUE discusses some safety rules that must be followed during placement.
- It is recommended that the switches be located on the side of the door handle. The height of the switch from the floor is 1 m.
- It is allowed to place them under the ceiling, with the control turning on the light of the cord, which repents at the recommended level.
- The distance from the switch and the socket to gas pipes and heating, as well as the battery, is at least 0.5 m.
- In the kitchen, each power point must be at least 0.5 m from the gas pipeline, at least 0.8 m from the gas sink, and high enough from the floor.
- Electrical units in bathrooms can be installed from plumbing equipment and the floor at a distance of 0.6 m.
Installation of electrical components in a living room
There are 2 ways to arrange switches and sockets in apartments and houses. These are old, many familiar Soviet standards, and the so-called European standards. We will consider each of them in detail.
Old traditions
In Soviet times, it was customary in residential premises to install switches at the level of a person’s shoulder or under the ceiling. Outlets in the wall were installed based on convenience and safety. As a rule, they were mounted at a distance from the floor of about 90-100 cm.
Ceiling switches worked as follows. To control the light, a cord was attached to the spring loaded mechanical lever hidden inside the case. When it was first pulled, the light came on, and when it was pulled, it went out.
The height of the switch from the floor was 160-180 cm. This distance at that time was considered the most suitable and optimal for controlling light. And today, especially for the elderly, this is the most convenient option. The switch will not block low furniture, such as cabinets, and it will be located at eye level. In addition, small children will not reach him. Many are accustomed to this arrangement of switching devices and consider it the norm.
The indicated height of sockets and switches from the floor has its advantages and disadvantages:
- Plus - the outlet is convenient to use, since you do not need to bend to it, and the switch does not interfere with the placement of furniture and is at eye level;
- Less - the power cords from the devices hang, and to turn on the light, you need to raise your hand.
Eurostandard
The height of the switch from the floor according to the European standard is 90 cm, sockets - 30 cm. However, standardization as such never really existed, and this concept came into our life together with the concept of European-quality repair, replacing the "Soviet standard". Of course, he has his own advantages and disadvantages:
- Plus - the sockets do not "catch the eye" 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, it will be necessary to tilt, and the switch should not be obstructed by anything.
Recommendations for the location of switches and sockets
The height of sockets and switches according to "Soviet" standards, in terms of convenience, is recognized by many as very doubtful. The notorious European standard today began to give much more preference. And there are many reasons for this. For example, an outlet block is not so striking than a lot of outlets with cords and “tees”. The height of the switch from the floor of 90 cm (at the level of the lowered human hand) is also very convenient, since it can be quickly found even in the dark.
Sockets and switches that do not have protection against current leakage "to the ground" (difavtomaty, UZO), it is extremely not recommended to install in bathrooms and toilets. The same applies to the outlet for the washing machine.
How to install?
Before proceeding with the direct installation of a switch or socket, it is necessary to circle their outline on the wall. A hole is made in concrete with a perforator with a diamond crown. The undergrowth can be square or round. Special mounting boxes are inserted into the prepared holes. To fix them, use building gypsum, plaster or gypsum glue. The box is attached using sliding tabs or screws, then a plastic case is put on it.
Installation in a wall from drywall is somewhat different, and the tools are different. All holes in the drywall sheets where the cable will be held are made in advance. To fix the switches and sockets use special paws. They will keep them on the sheet.
Open wiring is extremely rare and, as a rule, is fixed temporarily (for example, during repairs), because the wires spoil the interior. Agree, look at the wall, where everything is aesthetically pleasing and neat, much more pleasant.
Some installation recommendations
When conducting wiring on your own and connecting the outlet and switch without a specialist, you must adhere to the recommendations listed above and certain rules that will allow all work to be performed without any problems and, most importantly, safely.
- First of all, you need to decide on the placement of electrical appliances and furniture in the room. To do this, it is recommended to draw up a diagram, and it is desirable on such a scale that it is possible to note all the equipment that requires connection to electricity, as well as furniture.
- Then indicate the location of the switches and sockets, calculate the required number for each room.
- Sockets for equipment (computer, refrigerator, etc.) are best placed so that they are always freely accessible, but at the same time they are hidden behind these electrical appliances.
- Sockets above bedside tables, a desk, a chest of drawers, etc. are best placed at a height of 15-20 cm from the furniture.
- Switches or sockets must not be installed above or below the sink.
- the wiring diagram should be selected in such a way as to exclude network congestion.
Summarize
So, there are no clear standards regarding the height of sockets and switches from the floor (Euro or Soviet standards). But there are many recommendations that must be followed, especially for security purposes.