How to make new wiring in an apartment. Installation of electrical wiring in the apartment

Electrical wiring in residential premises must comply with the standards in force in the Russian Federation. What types, diagrams, differences in wiring depending on the number of rooms, tips and other important points, all this will be discussed below.

Rules for electrical wiring in an apartment

Installation of electrical wiring in apartments is a large-scale undertaking. This procedure requires complete confidence. If it is not there, it is recommended to contact specialists or invite assistants. Only a well-chosen scheme will protect against problems in the future and ensure smooth operation.

Distinctive features of modern electrical wiring

At the end of the 20th century there was a breakthrough in modern household technologies. In addition to televisions, other devices began to be used inside homes:

1. Wireless connection.
2. Powerful household appliances.
3. Video surveillance and security systems.
4. Computers.

Therefore, work with the installation of electrical networks has become more complicated. The principles of operation and arrangement remain the same.

Even the first stage - design - causes difficulties. It is necessary to know the locations of household appliances and the power they absorb. The lighting system for each room is thought out at the same stage.

Now they use not only power, but also low-current systems. These are wires for TVs, telephones, and computers. This also includes acoustic and security equipment. Power and low-current systems are not separated. The power source for the devices is a classic 220 V network.

The number of devices and devices with simultaneous operation is changing upward. Previously, one chandelier was enough, now a local or system is added to the overhead light spotlights. The total power consumed by the devices also increases.

Electrical wiring diagram in an apartment by dimensions

Let's look at the diagrams of several options. Their use in practice is not associated with problems

1 room

Under such conditions, devices are in minimal quantities. There will also be fewer connection lines. But it is better to continue to follow the general principles; you should not create separate lines for rooms like the bathroom and toilet.

Doing the following helps when drawing up diagrams for standard one-room spaces:

1. Selecting the parameters with which the electrical network will work.
2. Load calculation, cable selection and suitable model RCD.
3. Selecting a connection scheme, with 1 or several networks.

Electrical network and its parameters

It is difficult to calculate in advance which devices inside the apartment the guests will choose. But to calculate the total power, it is important to know at least what the approximate amount will be. Do not forget about the placement of equipment. Extension cords and additional filters spoil the surrounding interior and create operational problems.

The method of laying cables is selected separately. There are closed and open options. When open, the wiring is laid on top of decorative materials. Then part of it is covered with plastic boxes, and the other part is left in plain sight.

These are the advantages:

1. Seamless connection of additional lines if necessary.
2. Fast installation.
3. Installation at any time during repairs.

If the wiring is hidden, then there is a need to groove the walls. Then the wires are disguised under the finishing trim. The version of suspended structures is the simplest - in this case, plasterboard boxes and tension structures become the cover.

Hidden wiring also has certain advantages:

1. Maintaining the integrity of the interior design.
2. Increasing tolerances to nominally allowed currents.
3. Reduced performance requirements that are adhered to during installation.

Hidden wiring is a traditional option for recently purchased apartments. The open option becomes, rather, an exception.

How to calculate the load in the electrical network?

To make the final calculation, the following factors are taken into account:

1. Mains voltage.
2. Rated current.
3. Power of electrical receivers.

It is better to use ready-made tables, although there are many calculation methods.

The best option is to seek help from an engineer, or use specialized computer programs. They are more likely to get an accurate result.

When networks are divided into groups, it is impossible to do without connecting a 25 A machine for each individual line. The rated current is taken into account in the total under all circumstances. 16 A is enough for lighting networks.

Which scheme should you choose?

Power source – one line or several. The first option is unacceptable for modern conditions - after all, a separate line is now required even for one device. Each of them has sufficient power.

Other schemes have more connection points and more lines.

Two-room

The principles when creating an electrical wiring diagram do not change depending on the number of rooms. There are some features that need to be taken into account:

1. It is recommended to separate the wires into two groups if the bathroom is separate.
2. Three lines are the minimum required for a kitchen.
3. Lighting is also divided into individual rooms.
4. The network with sockets is divided according to the number of rooms.

Security equipment is also included in the wiring diagrams, because housing with two or more rooms is considered elite.

Three-room apartment

Here the same rules are followed as in the previous case.

Apartments

The same requirements and rules apply to them as described above.

Is it possible to draw up a wiring plan yourself, and how much will it cost?

This option is acceptable if the master is confident in his abilities. As for the prices for work and implementation of schemes, they are set individually for each client. And they depend on the characteristics that the network will have:

1. A type of building or room.
2. Scope of work.
3. Quantity of material.
4. Type of installation.
5. Used sockets.

These factors also influence what the scheme will be like and whether it is difficult to implement. It is better to conduct a consultation in advance so that there are no questions.

Electrical wiring in groups: what is the best way to do it?

When divided into several lines, control of wires and components is simplified. If a malfunction occurs, one group is switched off. The remaining parts function as usual.

Stationary household appliances

Powerful appliances are located in the kitchen and bathroom area.

When renovations are carried out, the kitchen area requires a separate connection. If one device in this room breaks down, it is replaced. Then one protective device is turned off, the whole room is not deprived of energy.

Difficulties arise due to the fact that the network connection points for electrical appliances are often in places with difficult access. The source of faults is not only devices, but also wiring. In this case, it is simply easier to move one lever on the protection device.

Dedicated line for the kitchen

The line for this room traditionally operates with the heaviest load. Even if the units are not in use, there is a constant connection to the network. This:

1. Toasters.
2. Microwaves.
3. Hoods.
4. Dishwashers.
5. Cooking plates.
6. Ovens.
7. Refrigerators.

Many people buy multicookers and electric stoves and other similar devices.

You can turn on several devices at the same time if you use one cable with increased power.

Water heaters and lighting devices are connected separately. Otherwise, the load on the network will be too great, and at some point everything will shut down.

One or more lighting groups

Devices can be combined into one group if the following conditions are met:

1. Using a six-arm chandelier for the hall.
2. Low power overhead lighting for the bedroom.
3. Additionally, two night lamps-sconces are used.

A separate group is organized for each room if there are several lighting sources.

Room with high humidity

For electrical devices and cables under such circumstances, strict requirements apply. Additional risks arise due to the close proximity to water. When drawing up electrical wiring diagrams, taking into account the following rules helps to achieve a suitable result:

1. Distribution boxes are required.
2. Sockets for electrical appliances are also installed with the utmost care.
3. The installation location of the switch is selected taking into account the requirements and conditions.
4. The installation method is selected in a hidden version.

The degree of protection for each outlet is at least IP44. It is recommended to purchase special devices complete with a cover that protects against splashes.

The wiring will have to be replaced with a three-wire one if there is no grounding due to the outdated original circuit.

Multi-room multi-storey apartments

Options:

1. Directly on the surface, in corrugated pipes. The solution is suitable for rough walls, which are then covered with plaster or other types of materials.
2. Creating grooves in the wall for later laying wires.
3. Along the floor, the shortest route.

The choice is determined by the material of the floors and the properties of the main walls.

How to properly distribute wiring in apartments with access to the attic or attic?

The first step is to determine the number of outlets needed for the room. The plan is drawn up depending on the current needs of the residents. Separate connection on separate wires is recommended for the following devices:

1. Boilers.
2. Heaters.
3. Electric stoves.

One appliance requires one main socket and at least two spare sockets. Six sockets and ten points for lighting fixtures – standard scheme when arranging attics.

The cable route should be located at a distance of 10 to 30 cm from the floor. The main thing is that the cable can be disguised.

How to properly install wiring in a new building?

The main thing is to take into account the wiring in the apartment, including the following elements:

1. Fire alarm network.
2. Radio broadcast network.
3. Telephone lines.

The situation is only permissible with the power cable at the apartment entrance. It is designed to ensure that consumers receive the necessary power. The owner of a residential building independently installs meters, sockets, switches, and installs wiring. This option is appropriate if the apartment is transferred without finishing.

Is it worth completely changing the wiring in an old apartment or house?

In the case of aluminum, replacement is recommended in full. If copper is used, the final decision depends on the condition and age of the elements. Oxidation, burning and other similar effects are a sign that replacement is necessary. Situations are acceptable when only a part changes and is reported.

Here are some principles of work that help achieve results:

The bathroom switches go to the corridor.

1. A separate project is being prepared for low-current systems. Complete protection against interference is provided by separate wiring of low-current and power lines.
2. The more outlets, the better. In this case, you can do without extension cords.
3. 0.8-1 meter from the floor is the height where installing switches will give optimal results.
4. Sockets - at a height of 0.3-1 meter from the floor.
5. The circuit is not complete without power points and installation sites for high-strength devices.
6. Division into groups.

When repairs are being made, the diagram will become the main guideline, so they keep it with them.

One of the significant points is connecting the wires to each other. For this purpose, installation or distribution boxes are used. A direct version, with terminals and twisting, is also acceptable.

Using wallpaper and plaster to hide wires is a risky move. Otherwise, during repairs you will have to remove the cladding completely. Some electricians choose the option of installing mounting boxes for switches and sockets. Then the connections remain freely available. But cable consumption increases.

Heat shrinking is an option when connecting wires of one outlet line. Terminals with spring mechanisms help to mount lighting networks. There are other options:

1. Traditional soldering.
2. Crimping.
3. Terminal blocks.

When the wires are connected and masked, the electrical installation work will be considered complete. A complete electrical panel has been created. You can change chandeliers or sockets or other similar details at any time. If the work is carried out correctly, then there should be no problems with access. Lighting fixtures and decorative elements are often installed after other stages have been completed.

The main thing is to remember safety rules when working with electricity. Then everything will be in order, and the system will have a long service life.

Useful video

For any repairs in an apartment, private house or country house, as well as breakdown of any electrical wiring element, you need to know exactly where the wires go. Otherwise, this may lead to additional problems associated with finding electrical cables hidden in the wall or, even worse, getting the tool into a live wire. In this case, it is advisable to have a wiring diagram. But as often happens, it is not at hand, since when buying their own home no one is interested in this documentation. Therefore, it is advisable to understand the various power supply options, since they are standard in multi-apartment buildings.

Wire connection options

A person who understands what awaits him in the process of independently drawing up an electrical wiring diagram or who directly carries out the work of installing sockets, switches and light sources in his own apartment with his own hands must know the basic ways in which electrical circuits are connected.

If the homeowner is completely unaware of the installation of electrical circuits, then it is better to entrust all installation work in the apartment to professional electricians, who will quickly draw up a clear plan that includes even the smallest details, which will save on the purchase of consumables.

Video: cable laying diagram in the house

How to install electrical wiring

The choice of scheme must be made with full awareness of the matter. First of all, this is due to the safety rules for using electrical circuits. Today there are three main wiring options.

1. The most popular way of wiring is to connect all the components of the network using distribution boxes. This scheme involves installing the panel on the landing in a specially equipped niche, and not in a living room. The panel contains a device for monitoring consumed electricity and several packets. Electricity is supplied to the apartment via a cable, which is distributed to rooms using distribution boxes.
2. The “Star” wiring diagram implies that each element is connected with a separate line, connected directly to the panel through an automatic toggle switch. With such wiring, the consumption of wires, physical work and the cost of the project as a whole increases significantly. But having assessed all the advantages and disadvantages, it becomes clear that all costs are justified, since the system provides the opportunity to fully control each consumer separately.
3. The “Loop” diagram is similar to the previous version of the electrical wiring. This option has only one distinctive feature, which is the connection of several consumers to one cable. This reduces the volume installation work and consumables, which leads to a reduction in project costs.

In most cases, the wiring diagram involves a combination of several cable routing methods at the same time. At the same time, it is very important to think through everything to the smallest detail in order to ultimately achieve maximum efficiency and safety of the electrical circuit.

Standard scheme

Before starting installation work, it is advisable to implement all ideas for arranging electrical circuits in a detailed diagram laid out on a sheet of paper. In this case, it is important to take into account the layout of each individual room, which will allow you to calculate the number of distribution groups and elements of the electrical network. For convenience, each group can be performed in a separate diagram.

From practice it has been revealed that maximum wiring efficiency is achieved by combining consumption sources into several groups, each of which is connected to a separate automatic batcher. Thanks to this technical solution, further repairs and maintenance of the electrical network are facilitated without the need to de-energize the entire apartment. In addition, connecting all consumers to one line is only possible if there is a cable with a large cross-section that can withstand the increased load that occurs when all electrical appliances in the apartment are turned on simultaneously.

When the panel is placed directly in the living room, it becomes possible to connect electrical appliances to individual circuit breakers. This significantly increases the efficiency and safety of using the electrical network. But, in this case, why has not such a scheme found widespread use? Everything is quite simple - this option of connecting devices to the AC network significantly increases the cost of implementing the project. Therefore, consumers are divided into the following groups:

• lighting group of residential premises and corridor;
• supply of electricity to the rooms;
• electricity supply in the kitchen and hallway;
• supply of light and electricity to the bathroom and bathroom. Moreover, this group implies increased danger due to constantly high humidity;
• If the kitchen is equipped with an electric stove, then its connection must also be made separately.

To ensure maximum safety of electrical installations, each group must be equipped with an RCD - a special protective device, which is nothing more than a differential circuit breaker at maximum current values. It is also necessary to equip the wiring in the bathroom and kitchen with such protective devices.

After the final formation of the main groups, it is necessary to determine in what places the consumers will be placed, such as an electric stove, a water heater, an air conditioner, etc. At the next stage, marking the installation of switches, distribution boxes, lamps and sockets is carried out. In this case, all elements must be included in the electrical wiring diagram, based on which the number of wires can be calculated.

It is very important that the electrical wiring diagram be drawn up in several copies, one of which must be saved for the future. Once all the details have been taken into account, you can draw up a detailed finishing drawing in accordance with the exact plan of each room.

All installation points of electrical elements are marked on the diagram in accordance with the generally accepted notation system and are connected by lines indicating wires. To improve the readability of the diagram, it is advisable to designate different groups of wires in different colors.

The diagram must necessarily include all dimensions of the premises, distances from the electrical panel to sockets, switches and lighting sources, etc. Such a detailed plan will allow you to carry out high-quality installation work and calculate all the necessary consumables in the shortest possible time, which will make it possible to plan expenses.

Video: electrical wiring diagram in an apartment

In order to correctly make an apartment wiring diagram, you should know some important requirements for laying wires in residential buildings.

1. The bathroom is not supplied with sockets, except for one connected via a transformer for switching on low voltage appliances such as an electric razor.
2. It is unacceptable to connect the grounding of the socket to the neutral terminal. It is also strictly forbidden to ground wiring elements to a battery or water supply. This is unsafe for apartment residents.
3. If the kitchen has a stove connected to the AC network or other powerful consumers, then the main machine must be of a large rating so that false alarms do not occur.
4. Wiring should only be done in a vertical or horizontal direction.
5. Changing the direction of wiring may result in the risk of hitting a live wire with a nail or drill during repairs. Crossing cables is also prohibited.
6. It is important that electrical wires pass at a distance of 15 cm from the surface of the floor or ceiling, as well as window and door frames and external corners of the room.
7. The distance from the heating pipes or water supply should not be less than 3 cm. The wiring to the socket should be approached from the bottom, while to the switch from the top.

It is advisable that all sockets and switches installed by yourself be located on the same level. So, for sockets, the acceptable height from the floor is 30 cm, while for switches the height is from 80 cm to 1 m. Naturally, if necessary, these parameters can be changed to suit the needs of the apartment residents.

How to do your own wiring

To lay electrical wires in an apartment, you must strictly follow the prepared diagram. At the same time, there is a certain sequence for carrying out such work with your own hands.

To correctly connect the wires, it uses three different methods - using terminals, soldering or twisting, which can be viewed in the video. The first two are considered the most effective to use, since they are considered the most reliable and have a high degree of security, although they are more difficult to do with your own hands.

Video: installation of electrical wiring

Which wires to choose

To properly install electrical wiring in an apartment, you need to buy suitable wires. Wherein copper cable is considered the best for wiring for the simple reason that it has maximum flexibility, is less brittle and has high current conductivity. It is also more convenient to install, unlike its aluminum counterpart.

In apartments, in most cases, wires with two or three cores are laid with a cross-section of 2.5–3 square mm for sockets and 1.5 for switches and lamps. For more powerful consumers, a separate line with wires larger than 3 mm square is laid, which will allow them not to overheat.

The wiring diagram can easily be drawn up and implemented independently. But responsibility for the quality of its work and the safety of residents will rest with the person who carried out the installation work. Therefore, at least minimal knowledge in this area is welcome.

Video: how to choose the right cable cross-section

Do-it-yourself electrical wiring in the apartment

It is believed that the average modern apartment consumes about 8 kilowatts of power. This means you should use a 40 amp circuit breaker. This is enough to protect against overloads and short circuit current. Devices protective shutdown(the so-called RCD) are needed to protect people from electrical injuries, as well as during power surges. Most often, 2 RCDs are installed, one with a leakage current of 10 milliamps (for the bathroom) and the second with 30 milliamps (for the socket group). You can find out more about proper installation in the article about RCDs.

The wire itself is selected based on the fact that the load on it should not be higher than 8 A/mm2. For a socket group, a single-core copper wire of 1.27 mm in diameter is sufficient.

You should carefully consider the layout of the wiring routes in order to safely install electrical wiring in the apartment, and the video tips below will help with this. It must be taken into account that the wall gating should be minimal, and the routes should not intersect. Electrical wiring is laid only in horizontal and vertical straight lines. Usually done in apartments hidden wiring, located in the groove - 1.5 - 2 centimeter recess. The walls are chipped using a disc grinder. A diamond cutting wheel is used for this. Sockets for installation and distribution boxes are punched with a hammer drill. The wiring is secured with alabaster mortar every 25 cm - 30 cm. Mounting sockets are also secured with alabaster. You cannot skimp on the length of the wire - it must be enough to freely make all the necessary connections. It is better to insulate the joints with heat shrink tubing or PVC tape. It is prohibited to directly connect wires of different metals - only through terminal blocks. It is also not recommended to use twists when connecting. Over time, in places where the wire is twisted, it becomes more brittle. It is better to use soldering with active fluxes such as zinc chloride.

All places of any wire connections are placed in junction boxes without exception. You should also remember that hidden electrical wiring in an apartment, whether made by yourself or running under drywall, siding or clapboard, should be kept in a protective sleeve.

The groove for the socket or switch should not go above it. It is better to take plastic installation boxes - they provide a tighter fixation. Calculation of the number of sockets - 1 socket per 6 square meters of room area. Switches and sockets are best located at a height of 75–80 cm from the floor.

All work is carried out on a de-energized network. Connect to power supplies only after checking the entire network.

Do-it-yourself electrical wiring in an apartment video

Video: Electrical wiring of a modern apartment. A look from the inside

Watch another video “How to properly replace sockets and switches.” It will be useful for everyone who encounters this and does not know how to install electrical wiring in an apartment; video tips are attached below.

Today, the load on old electrical wires has increased several times. This is due to the fact that almost every apartment contains many household appliances. Old wiring cannot always withstand such a load. Wiring electrical wiring in an apartment requires certain knowledge of drawing up diagrams, as well as compliance with a number of rules. Therefore, in order to perform this operation yourself, you will need to familiarize yourself with all its nuances.

Any construction event is regulated by relevant documentation approved by the state. This also applies to the huge variety of materials used in one case or another. Today as regulatory documents GOST and SNiP act. In turn, any work related to electricity is subject to the Electrical Installation Rules (RUE).

Before starting work with the electrical network, it is necessary to thoroughly study all the points specified in the PUE. It is recommended to pay special attention to the paragraph that describes the features of installation and selection of electrical equipment. Let's consider the basic rules for electrical installation in an apartment.

All important elements of electrical equipment should be located in plain sight. They must be provided with quick and convenient access. When installing switches, it is recommended to take into account the height of their placement (from the floor). In accordance with the standards, this indicator should be in the range from 50 to 150 cm. The location of the switches is selected in such a way that open doors did not cause any inconvenience when using them. Wiring to the switches is carried out from top to bottom.

The minimum recommended height for sockets is 50 cm, and the maximum is 80 cm. This rule protects electrical appliances from water in the event of flooding of the apartment. Sockets must be located at points that are at a sufficient distance (at least 50 cm) from gas stoves. The same distance should be to radiators, pipes and other objects equipped with grounding. Electrical wiring to sockets is supplied from bottom to top. These rules must be taken into account when drawing up an electrical plan.

Note! The number of outlets in one room is determined based on the square footage of the room. There is one rule, using which you can easily determine the required figure. According to it, one product should fit an area of ​​6 m².

However, this method is not suitable for determining the number of sockets in the kitchen. For a given room, their number is assigned individually and depends on the number of household electrical appliances. As for the toilet, installing sockets in it is prohibited. These products are allowed to be installed in the bathroom, but they require an individual transformer.

When laying wires in an apartment, you need to know that this operation can be carried out using a hidden or open method. In the first case, the cable is placed in a groove inside the wall, and in the second - outside. The laying itself is carried out strictly vertically or horizontally, and its place must be fixed on the general plan.

When installing wiring, you must maintain a distance from pipelines and ceilings. For lines laid in a horizontal plane, the recommended distance to the ceiling is 10 cm. For them, the distance to the cornice or floor beam must be at least 15 cm. In addition, horizontal lines must be installed at a certain distance from the floor (at least 15 cm) .

For lines that are mounted vertically, there are also certain rules. For example, the distance from a door or window opening must be at least 10 cm. Vertical wires must also be installed at a distance of 40 cm from gas communications.

It is very important when doing electrical wiring to ensure that the cables do not come into contact with metal elements in the walls or outside. If it is necessary to install several parallel (relative to each other) wires, a distance of 3 mm must be maintained between them. Such cables may come into contact, but for this they are placed in a special protective tube -.

When wiring wires in the panel, their connections are carefully insulated. It is important to remember that joining copper and aluminum cables is prohibited. It is customary to use bolts to organize connections. This method is used for grounding and neutral wires.

Electrical installation in an apartment: stages of work

Having a clear plan, installing electrical wiring in a residential area can be completed not only faster, but also cheaper. This event includes 5 main stages:

1. Development of an electrical circuit for the apartment.
2. Preparation of an electrical wiring plan, as well as its approval and registration (together with the diagram).
3. Arrangement of a temporary repair shed.
4. Installation of electrical wiring.
5. Installation of automatic machines, sockets, switches and necessary household appliances.

Note! Before proceeding with installation steps, care must be taken to ensure protective grounding. For safety reasons, you can perform a zeroing. Direct electrical wiring throughout the house is carried out at the last stage, when all the necessary mechanisms are installed.

In this case, cost savings occur. For example, you can perform some installation steps yourself. Experts do not recommend saving money on equipment or electrical appliances. All necessary mechanisms must be of the highest quality, since cheap products can fail after a short period of time.

Why do you need a wiring diagram in an apartment?

Modern electrical wiring is a very complex undertaking that requires professional knowledge and skills. To perform such an operation, it is best to involve a qualified specialist. If you need to do electrical wiring in a new building, it is recommended to draw up a drawing that will contain all the important objects related to electricity. This is very convenient to do before starting repairs. Key objects related to electricity:

• sockets;
• switches;

• lamps, chandeliers and other lighting fixtures;
• electrical panel with a residual current device (RCD).

The specialist must draw up a diagram taking into account all the necessary wishes of the owners and the individual features of the home layout. The main job of the master is to divide the cable into separate lines that will function effectively. This task requires proper load distribution, as well as the organization of control systems and protection of electrical wiring in the apartment.

Before starting to draw up a drawing or plan, it is recommended to study the purpose and features of all the individual components of the electrical network. Automatic machines that protect the network from overloads and are located in electrical panel, are a very important component of this system. How the electrical network will function, as well as its safety, depends on their proper installation.

The wires supplying electric current to various points must be correctly selected. They may have different sections. The choice of this indicator is made individually. Sockets and switches must be equipped with reliable contacts.

Electrical wiring in the house has some peculiarities. In particular, one more element is added to the above elements - an introductory machine. From it the power cable is supplied to the panel. Its main function is to regulate power in the network. If necessary, this element is capable of turning off the power supply.

How to install cables throughout an apartment: example

Control of the electrical network is simplified if it has several directions. Dividing the electrical network into lines allows you to turn off one of them and use others if necessary. The most common wiring option takes into account 4 directions:

• kitchen;
• bathroom;
• Large home appliances;
• lighting system.

Helpful information! In some cases, the installation of wiring in an apartment takes into account the installation of a separate cable (for example, for a washing machine). This is because the older system may not be able to withstand the voltage required by modern technology.

Each of the above 4 directions has its own wiring features. There are also certain rules that must be followed when installing electrical elements in the kitchen or bathroom. Experts recommend familiarizing yourself with the arrangement of each line in more detail. This will give you an idea of ​​how to do the wiring correctly.

Electrical wiring in the kitchen: what you need to know

In most cases, it is the kitchen line that accounts for the main load in the electrical network. It’s quite simple to explain: the kitchen contains a large number of household appliances. The refrigerator, washing machine, microwave and other appliances are connected to the network and consume a lot of electricity. In addition to large household appliances, most families use electric grills, multicookers, toasters, etc.

It is worth remembering one important rule, which tells us that for the most powerful household appliances it is recommended to install separate circuit breakers in the distribution panel. It is best to make separate electrical connections, since the common line may simply not withstand the simultaneous use of several large appliances.

If you run a separate cable to a powerful electrical appliance, then it becomes possible to use several household appliances simultaneously without fear that the network will not withstand the load.

Installing and connecting electrical outlets in the kitchen requires knowledge certain rules. It is not recommended to place them closer than 0.5 m to the gas stove. Wiring cables also requires maintaining a distance from the gas stove and pipes (at least 40 cm). Don't forget about the heating radiator. Electrical points and wires must not be placed in close proximity to the battery. Compliance with these rules will allow you to correctly install electricity in the kitchen.

Electrical wiring in the bathroom: basic rules

The placement of electrical appliances in the bathroom and toilet requires increased attention from the master. This is due to the fact that these rooms have high levels of humidity. In order to secure the electrical network, it is necessary to study a number of important rules and recommendations that will help to carry out proper installation of the line.

First of all, you need to remember that it is strictly forbidden to place the junction box in the bathroom. It must be installed outside a wet area. The ideal option is to place the shield in the hallway. To design the electrical system in the bathroom, it is recommended to contact a specialist.

The second point to remember: for each electrical appliance, be it a washing machine or a hair dryer, you need to equip a separate outlet. It is advisable to indicate on the diagram according to which the wiring will be carried out, all electrical appliances in the bathroom, as well as their connection points.

Helpful information! Currently, it is possible to purchase waterproof sockets equipped with a lid and a seal that prevents moisture from penetrating into the device and oxidizing the contacts.

It is strictly forbidden to place the switch inside the bathroom. It is usually installed on the outside, not far from front door(for ease of use).

Related article:

Description of preparatory activities and installation technology. Electrical handling rules and safety requirements.

When installing electrics in an apartment with your own hands, you will need to pay attention to the cable wiring damp room. The best option for its location would be near the ceiling at the top of the wall. Experts recommend placing the wire parallel to the floor. In this case, a special corrugated tube is used to protect the cable. Lamps in the bathroom are selected individually. Standard devices that correspond to a voltage of 220 V are best replaced with low-power 12 V analogues.

The bathroom also requires selecting wiring. For small electrical appliances, cables with a cross-section of 2.5 mm should be used. It is best to connect wires with a diameter of 4 mm to large household appliances.

Electrical wiring in the apartment: Large home appliances

Household appliances that consume large amounts of electricity are most often located in the bathroom and kitchen. When installing large electrical appliances, there are a number of rules that should be followed.

Experts do not recommend installing sockets in such a way that they are covered by household appliances. They should be located in a visible place for ease of access. The most acceptable option is to install waterproof models equipped with a lid. When drawing up a project for the electrical supply of an apartment, it is necessary to record the points at which the large appliances will be located.

During the renovation, you need to make a separate connection for the kitchen area. In the future, this will make it possible to replace electrical appliances without disconnecting the entire apartment from the network. This option is especially suitable for kitchens that include built-in appliances. This is due to the fact that such devices are connected in hard-to-reach places, so their repair can take a long time.

Electrical wiring in the apartment: lighting group

Today it is possible to organize one or more lighting lines. The choice of their number depends on how many light-producing devices are located in the home. For example, if a powerful chandelier is installed in the living room, including 6 shades, and in the bedroom there are 1-2 sconces, then everything can be connected in one line.

As an opposite example, we can consider a hall that is illuminated not only by a chandelier, but also by spotlights, as well as other elements, for example, furniture lighting. For such a room, a separate line will be required.

Note! At the design stage of electrical wiring, you need to clearly determine the number of lighting fixtures and calculate their power. Based on this data, a decision is made as to whether the lighting line needs to be divided into two or more directions. This information also needs to be recorded on the general plan.

It is worth noting that in some cases, in addition to lighting fixtures, the network of one of the rooms includes transformers. In this situation, it is necessary to connect this direction to a separate automatic protection device.

Wiring diagram in the apartment: options for connecting elements in electrical circuits

Drawing up a residential electrical wiring diagram is a serious task. A person doing such work must clearly understand the basics of electrical engineering and have certain skills. Therefore, it is not recommended to take on this matter if you are not confident in your abilities. Errors in the circuit can lead to serious consequences. Most fires nowadays occur due to faulty wiring.

It is best to entrust the work of drawing up the electrical diagram to a specialist. To independently carry out this process, you should not only have knowledge in this area, but also know what options there are for connecting electrical circuits. Let's consider these methods in more detail.

Consistent. In this case, each element of the electrical circuit follows the previous one. The serial connection is made without organizing node joints, which is also indicated in the wiring diagram in the apartment. An example of this method is a regular Christmas tree garland, which includes light bulbs located on one wire and following each other. It is worth remembering that this method has some disadvantages. For example, if one element breaks down, all others will also turn off.

Parallel. This option differs from the previous one in that the elements that make up the electrical circuit are not connected to each other. They have a parallel arrangement and are grouped into two separate nodes. Thus, if one line fails, the second will continue to operate normally.

Combined. This method is also called mixed, since it takes into account the use of both sequential and parallel connection electrical circuit elements. This wiring diagram in the house is not used as often as the previous two.

How to properly organize electrical wiring: main types

Before starting installation work, it is necessary to determine the option for wiring electrical cables in the room, according to which the wiring diagram of the house or apartment will be carried out. This choice determines how the electrical network will function, so it is recommended to consult with a specialist knowledgeable in this matter. Today you can find three main wiring options.

Using a distribution board. Connecting the constituent elements of the electrical network using this method is the most common. In this case, the distribution box is installed in a pre-prepared niche on the landing.

Wiring type "Star"

An electric meter and circuit breakers are placed inside the panel, aimed at protecting the system from overloads. A cable is routed from the distribution box into the home. Its cross-section must comply with the standard. Subsequently, electrical wiring is carried out. In a new building, this operation is easiest to perform.

In this case, each room is equipped with a distribution box. It is usually located at the entrance to the room (above the switch). It is through the use of such boxes that all electrical appliances in the room are powered.

"Star". This type of wiring takes into account the presence of separate lines for each electrical device (socket, switch, etc.). All of them are connected directly to the electrical panel. Having a separate switch for each cable line is not a mandatory requirement, but is quite common.

Note! The star option is the most expensive. This is due to an increase in the amount of wiring required and the need to purchase a more capacious panel. Don't also forget about installation costs for laying cables in the apartment.

Despite the high cost, this type of wiring is the most convenient and reliable. The “star” option provides the possibility of individual control. This way, you can turn off a single element while all other devices will function. This type is quite often used for electrical wiring in new buildings. Price is not an obstacle when the issue concerns the safety of residents.

"Plume". The last type of wiring, which has common features with the “star” option. The main difference is that one cable line can carry several electrical appliances. Accordingly, in this case the cost of the system decreases, since its organization requires less materials, time and effort.

The type of wiring is determined individually, and a diagram is drawn up in accordance with it. On the Internet you can find programs for calculating electrical circuits that allow you to independently perform this operation in the shortest possible time.

Wiring type "Line"

It is important to remember that the second and third types are often combined. This allows you to reduce financial costs and increase the capabilities of the system. Maximum efficiency and safety of residents are the main goals that are achieved during the installation of electrical wiring.

Independent drawing up of a project and wiring diagram

The first thing you need to do before starting the installation of electrical wiring is to draw up a project that takes into account all the steps step by step, and a wiring diagram. Independent design is not recommended, since the future performance and safety of the system depend on it. A professional will handle this matter much faster and, most importantly, with better quality.

If you independently draw up a power supply diagram for an apartment, you will need to study the basic principles and understand the features of the operation of this system. It is also necessary to draw up a general drawing that includes all elements (without exception), and calculate the load on the network.

In the diagram, all electrical elements that make up the system are indicated using special symbols. This allows you to transfer communication, including devices, onto paper as concisely as possible. In order not to get confused, it is recommended to write down all the symbols and their interpretation in advance.

Using the designations, it is necessary to mark on the electrical wiring diagram in a house or apartment the points at which electrical appliances will be located. It is important to remember that such a document is drawn up precisely in order to mark on paper the installation locations of sockets, switches and lighting fixtures, as well as connecting wiring.

Note! Before you start creating a diagram, you need to decide on the number of household appliances, as well as designate a place for each device. Otherwise, the location of the sockets may be incorrect.

After identifying the key points, you need to mark the cable paths on the apartment wiring diagram. To do this, you will need to select the option of joining individual elements in the circuit and the type of wiring. For convenience, experts advise dividing the electrical wiring in the room into separate zones:

• lighting area (corridor, kitchen, living rooms and a separate one for the bathroom);
• power supply zone (divided into three groups: corridor and living rooms, kitchen and a separate one for an electric stove).

This option is one of many possible ways electrification of an apartment or private house. It is worth noting that today you can draw up a diagram using a special program for electricians.

If necessary, you can contact a specialist who will draw up an individual scheme that best suits your specific housing circumstances. Division into zones allows you to combine disparate electrical appliances and wiring and organize them, which will help save material during installation.

In order to simplify the installation of cables indoors, it is recommended to route the electrical wiring along the floor (for example, in the cavity of the baseboard) or under it. All lines must be marked on the diagram as a dotted line.

Among other things, you need to perform an individual calculation of materials, as well as determine the current strength in the system. There are special formulas for this. As a rule, the current strength in a modern residential building does not exceed 25 A. Based on this parameter, you need to select materials that will meet the requirements of the system.

The apartment wiring diagram must contain information about the length of the cables. The length of the wires is determined using a regular tape measure. It is recommended to add 3 meters of reserve to the final figure.

All cables are connected to the lighting panel, which is most often located in the hallway near the door. It also includes an RCD, which is divided into 2 types: 16 and 20 A. In the first case, the circuit breaker is responsible for lighting fixtures and switches, and in the second, for sockets. When connecting an electric stove separately, another type of RCD is installed - 32 A.

In order to complete the circuit, you need to count the number of sockets and junction boxes. The last step will be to add auxiliary materials (insulating tape, corrugated pipes, etc.) to the apartment’s power supply diagram.

Installation of wiring in the apartment: calculation of materials

Once the electrical wiring diagram is ready, you will need to calculate the materials that will be used during installation. First of all, it is necessary to calculate the number of cables, since they supply electric current, which allows the devices to function normally.

• number of sockets and switches;
• number of lighting products;
• places for installing electrical appliances.

Next, you need to measure the distance to each electrical point (from the junction box). The footage is determined using a construction tape. The data obtained during the measurement is necessarily indicated in the electrical wiring plan for the apartment, and then added up.

Helpful information! Experts recommend adding 10 to 15% reserve to the total amount of electrical wiring. This need is due to the fact that various unforeseen situations often occur during installation.

During operation of the electrical network, the wires heat up. Because of this, they should not be placed in one place in large quantities. You should always pay attention to the standards that are specified in the regulatory documentation governing electrical networks. Often during installation it is necessary to arrange parallel wiring with bends and turns.

Modern cables have a three-core structure, in which copper is the key material. Aluminum wiring in apartments is used very rarely, since copper is a more acceptable material and meets current standards. The wire cross-section is selected individually depending on the indicator design power in system. In order to pick up required section, you can use one of the tables on the Internet.

The standard option is to use a cable with a cross-section of 2.5 mm (for supplying electric current to sockets). In turn, the lighting fixtures are powered using 1.5 mm wires. After calculating the required amount of wiring, you can begin to calculate the required number of other materials:

• sockets and switches;
• lighting fixtures;
• distribution boxes;
• protective tubes (corrugated);
• cable channels;
• terminal blocks and fastenings.

Correct calculation of all the necessary materials will simplify the work of arranging electrical wiring in the apartment with your own hands. In order to protect yourself from voltage surges in the electrical system, you should purchase a special stabilizer. Today you can choose a powerful device that can cover the needs of the entire apartment, or divide the zones of influence by installing several small models.

Which cable to choose for organizing electrical wiring in an apartment?

The modern electronics market can surprise any consumer with a variety of devices, cables and other elements used in the installation of electrical networks. Today it is possible to purchase several types of wires of foreign and domestic production.

NYM. An expensive option, which is produced by a German company. It has a high degree of security and can include from 1 to 5 cores. However, the disadvantage of such a cable is that it does not have sufficient resistance to moisture. In addition, the outer sheath of such a wire is made of polyvinyl chloride, which makes it vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation.

Note! NYM cable is not recommended to be installed in places not protected from direct sunlight. It is also not recommended to use it for organizing electrical wiring in a wooden house.

VVG. This cable is quite expensive, but its insulation characteristics are superior to other domestic analogues. It consists of one core, which is an advantage for laying inside walls. This cable is most often used when installing or replacing electrical wiring in an apartment with your own hands.

PUNP. This cable includes 2 or 3 copper cores. The outer protective sheath of such a wire is made of PVC, so it is not recommended to install it in places that are not protected from sunlight. It costs less than other analogues. However, you should not purchase this cable for self-installation, since its installation is more labor-intensive compared to installing a VVG (due to its rigidity).

It should be remembered that not only the efficiency, but also the operational life of the entire system depends on the choice of wiring. Therefore, before purchasing a cable, you need to calculate whether it is suitable for a specific power.

Do-it-yourself electrical wiring in the house: tools and materials

Before starting wiring installation, you need to purchase all materials and prepare the appropriate tools. First of all, you will need a hammer drill. It is used to groove channels for future wiring. It is also worth preparing the following attachments for the hammer drill:

• (16-20 mm);
• core drill (90-100 mm);

• chisel for concrete (25-30 mm);
• set of drills.

Rules for laying electrical wiring take into account the use of other tools. For example, you will need a grinder equipped with a circle that allows you to work on stone. You also need to purchase a soldering tool, an indicator for determining phases and a universal electrical multimeter.

Auxiliary tools include side cutters, which must have insulated handles, a mounting knife, and a flashlight. Among other things, you will need a building level and a cord, as well as tools for finishing the channels (spatula).

Installation of electrical wiring in the apartment: preparatory stage

Electrical wiring in the room can be done alone. The main thing to adhere to is to follow installation rules and safety precautions. The master is required not only to understand the basics of this field, but also to know the working nuances.

Note! In case of replacement old wiring For a new one, you must first find and dismantle the old cables. To find these lines, you can use a wiring gauge.

Preparatory work includes several stages. First, you should make markings on the walls that correspond to future channels with wires. Wall marking is carried out in accordance with all necessary rules for cable placement. It is important that all actions are thought out in advance and indicated in the electrical project. The apartment must have a sufficient number of electrical appliances to satisfy the needs of the owners.

After marking the lines, the points where electrical appliances will be installed are marked, namely: switches, sockets, junction box, and lamps.

When wiring electrics in a new building, the panel is located in a special niche. In turn, in old-style buildings the box is simply installed on the wall. Of course, you can make the niche yourself, but this will complicate the electrical wiring work. Once the marking is completed, you can proceed directly to the installation work.

Installation of new wiring in the apartment: wall chipping

Before you start organizing channels for cables, you need to remember that they must be straight. Grooving is carried out only in horizontal and vertical planes. This is because diagonal elements are much more difficult to perform, as a result of which such work can lead to injury.

If a horizontal channel is installed under the ceiling, it is necessary to maintain the distance specified in building codes, namely 50 cm. Grilling is quite within the power of every person and can be done without difficulty with your own hands. The wiring into the apartment is pulled from the panel.

Let's consider the sequence of actions during gating. First of all, it is necessary to draw the boundaries of the channel using a grinder. This operation is performed strictly according to the markings. Next, using a hammer drill equipped with a chisel, a groove of the required width is made. For smooth curves of the line, it is necessary to make oblique cuts inside the corners. A grinder is used for this.

The next step is to drill small niches in the wall that will be used for sockets. To do this, the nozzle on the hammer drill is replaced with a core drill. It is important to remember that using such a tool, holes are made in brick walls. For concrete surfaces, an ordinary chisel is also suitable, which will not deteriorate if it hits the reinforcement during the organization of power supply to the apartment.

The recess intended for the high-voltage switchboard at the meter is also made using a chisel. It is worth noting that experts do not recommend using double grooves when organizing holes for switches. The best option in this case is to purchase a corrugated tube that will accommodate both wires.

Helpful information! When working with a hammer drill, it is necessary to prepare a comfortable and reliable support that can support the weight of a person. Suitable for this purpose with side stop elements. It is not recommended to use a regular ladder as it may tip over.

Separately, it is worth examining the nuances of wiring in the apartment along the ceiling. Today there are 3 popular ways to organize lines on this surface. The first method takes into account cable camouflage using suspended ceilings. The second option is to organize a shallow groove and then finish it.

The third method has some nuances. It takes into account the location of cables in the ceiling. For panel buildings, ceilings with internal voids are used, so the wire can simply be pulled through one of them, making two holes (input and output).

At the end of the grooves in the walls, you need to make connecting holes between the rooms. This work is also done using a hammer drill. For maximum invisibility, through holes are arranged in the corners of the room. Then you need to run the cable to the lighting box from the panel. Do-it-yourself wiring in an apartment requires wearing protective equipment (glasses and gloves).

Electrical installation: installation of a lighting panel

Once the wiring channels are ready, you can begin installing the panel responsible for lighting. In this case, there are two installation options: in a niche or on the wall. The panel must contain an RCD, the number of which depends on the number of devices in the home.

To clearly explain the design of the shield, experts divide it into three conventional parts: upper, middle and lower. The first of them should contain zero terminals. Grounding clamps are mounted at the bottom, and circuit breakers are located in the middle part. The installation location of this structure must be indicated in the electrical plan. In the apartment, VVG cables (5x6 and 2x6) are installed to the lighting panel.

Connecting cables to the junction box is carried out with the participation of an electrician. Therefore, at this stage there is no need to engage in this type of work. The wires that connect to the lighting panel have multi-colored external markings, which allows you to accurately connect them to the right points. For example, a cable painted yellow with a green stripe is connected to ground. In turn, blue is connected to zero, and white is connected to the upper contact of the RCD.

Installation of external wiring in the apartment: action algorithm

To route cables open method, you will need to install cable channels. Installation of these elements is carried out according to the markings prepared earlier. The most acceptable option for the location of such channels is the area of ​​the baseboards or, conversely, a place right under the ceiling.

In order to fix the box, you should prepare self-tapping screws. Their step should be approximately 0.5 m. The process of securing the channel is quite simple. It is necessary to retreat from its edge from 5 to 10 cm and make a hole. Then, using a hammer drill or drill, you need to drill a hole in the wall and insert a dowel into it. All that remains is to attach the box to it - and you're done.

Helpful information! Open wiring also has other features that relate to basic electrical appliances: sockets, switches, etc. During installation, such elements are placed on the surface of the wall, and not inside the holes.

The next stage involves wiring open wiring. This process has some distinctive features that are worth paying attention to. All work is carried out in accordance with the electrical wiring diagram. First of all, it is necessary to extend the main line from the sockets to the lighting panel.

It is important to remember that VVG 3x2.5 cable is used to lay the main line. To avoid confusion, experts recommend labeling wires to indicate their function. The next thing to do is to extend lines from switches and lighting elements to the distribution panels. For this, a wire of a different diameter (3x1.5) is used.

It is important to select cables with the correct cross-section. This will allow you to carry out reliable and efficient electrical wiring in the apartment with your own hands. In this case, the diagram is a hint according to which installation work is carried out.

The wires are connected to the lighting panel using PPE caps. All connections must be equipped with reliable insulation in accordance with safety regulations. Next, you need to connect the main cable to the lighting panel and check all the wires using a tester. After this, you need to call an electrician (to connect the system to the panel).

Installation of internal electrical wiring and its verification

The hidden wiring arrangement has much in common with the external method. The main difference with this method is that the wires are positioned so that they are not visible to the eye. This event has a clear algorithm of actions that must be followed when installing electrical wiring in a private house or apartment.

First of all, the lighting box and circuit breakers are installed. Then you need to run the input cable from the side of the distribution panel. As with outdoor wiring, you don't need to wire it yourself. An electrician is also required for this job.

The next step requires drilling holes into which the socket boxes will be mounted. The same operation must be done with indoor distribution boxes. Upon completion of this work, you can proceed directly to the electrical wiring in the apartment. The price of installing this turnkey system (for new buildings) can be different and depends on the number of rooms. For example, for studio apartment the total cost ranges from 25 to 35 thousand rubles, and for a two-room apartment - approximately 30-45 thousand rubles.

Note! Self-installation will save money, but organizing power supply is not only a responsible, but also a dangerous task. Therefore, if you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to use the services of a specialist.

Many people are interested in the question of how to conduct wiring in an apartment in a hidden way. The wiring begins with drawing the main line, for which it is necessary to prepare a VVG wire in advance. The cable diameter must match the operational needs. It is recommended to use a wire with a cross section of 3x2.5.

Internal laying can be done in the floor. In this case, the cables are laid in a protective corrugated sheath, which is routed to electrical appliances. Next, the wire is pulled and placed in the socket box. Then you need to stretch cables with a cross-section of 3x1.5 from switches and lighting fixtures to the distribution boxes. After this, they are connected to the main line using PPE and insulating material.

The above procedure is suitable both for installing electrical wiring in a new building and for organizing a new system to replace the old one. The final step is to check the network using a multitester and connect it to the lighting box. Upon completion of the work, all that remains is to call an electrician to connect the system to the panel.

Electrical wiring design softwarein the apartment

Today there are many programs, the use of which allows you to independently draw up an electrical wiring diagram. Among them are several graphic editors that are most popular among users.

Autocad. One of the most popular programs that allows you to draw your own electrical diagram apartments. At the moment, you can find many versions of this software on the Internet, and there are both paid and free samples. The advantages of this program include a simple and intelligible interface, as well as the ability to use the Russian language.

Visio. This program Great for when you need to do some drawing for an electrical circuit. Novice electricians most often use it, as it is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface. You can easily find a free version of this software on the Internet. The disadvantage of the program is its limited functionality.

Eagle. Such software is used for drawing single-line electrical wiring drawings. The functionality of this product allows you to work in two modes: manual and automatic. If you wish, you can use the free version of this program. To create an electrical circuit, it is better to purchase a paid version, as it includes more features.

Elf. Convenient software that was developed for people involved in designing electrical wiring in apartments and private houses. The advantages of this system include a built-in database that contains all necessary elements electrical networks.

Helpful information! If necessary, you can draw an electrical diagram online. To do this, you need to use the search bar of your browser and go to one of the many sites that provide this service.

Independent calculation and installation of the electrical network is a complex undertaking. However, in this case, you can significantly reduce the final cost of electrical wiring in the apartment. Before starting work, you need to study the basic principles of operation of this system, building regulations, and safety rules. During electrical wiring, it is strictly forbidden to deviate from the work algorithm.

Replacing the electrical wiring in an apartment with your own hands, as a rule, is timed to coincide with a major overhaul. And it is perhaps the most difficult part of it. Accordingly, so does the price. In a regional city in central Russia, professional wiring replacement costs approximately 1,000 rubles. per 1 sq.m of total housing area. You should only attempt to replace the wiring yourself if repairs are necessary and you are short on funds.

Copper, earth and doses

Replacing electrical wiring in a residential area rests on three pillars:

1. Replacement aluminum wires to copper.
2. Transition from the power supply circuit TN–C (solidly grounded neutral) to TN–C–S (with protective grounding of consumers).
3. Transition from branching wires to connecting groups with separate branches.

Let's explain in order:

Aluminum electrical wiring, due to its low cost and environmental friendliness (copper mining and smelting were extremely hazardous industries at that time), became widespread throughout the world in the 30s - 60s. However, over time it became clear that aluminum is unsuitable for electrical wires:

• Over the course of 20 years, changes occur in metal circuits under current, the essence of which is still not completely clear; First of all, aluminum becomes very brittle, and you literally can’t breathe on the wiring.
• At the slightest ingress of moisture, aluminum is susceptible to electrocorrosion, which spreads under the shell; A seemingly intact wire turns out to be thinned down to a hair; hence the sudden failures, the most emergency ones.

Aluminum is a soft metal. It is squeezed out from under the terminal screws, the twists become loose, and soldering aluminum is difficult, expensive and one of the hazardous industries. Therefore, aluminum contacts are unreliable.

Power line wires have a service life of less than 20 years, and the defects of aluminum do not affect them. But aluminum is now prohibited in residential wiring.

The Soviet TN-C power supply scheme was used forcedly, due to the need for mass electrification in conditions of an acute shortage of non-ferrous metals and the large length of communications in a huge country. Since 1997, the TN-C-S power supply system has been adopted in the Russian Federation, ensuring consumer safety regardless of the state of the power grid. There are many ungrounded high-rise buildings left from the USSR, but since there is a problem, it needs to be solved; not “from above”, but on our own.

The branching wiring diagram was also used forcedly, and for the same reasons as TN-C. At the same time, branches to groups were connected to the more powerful apartment input wires along their length. Branches were made in distribution boxes - electrodispensers (doses); The main apartment dose is located next to the counter.

Each branch is stripped of insulation and twisted or terminals: unreliable and sensitive to locking. Nowadays it has not yet been legalized (but things are moving towards that), but branch wiring is commonly used: from the input to each group of connections there is a separate solid piece of cable in double or triple insulation. No twists or clamps, not afraid of moisture.

Stages of work

Electrical wiring installation costs can be reduced by half or more. The fact is that replacing electrical wiring is carried out in five stages:

1. Development of a power supply diagram for an apartment (house).
2. Drawing up an electrical wiring plan, its approval and registration together with the power supply diagram.
3. Construction of a temporary repair shed.
4. Electrical wiring.
5. Installation of mechanisms (switches, automatic machines), connection points (sockets) and stationary electrical appliances (lighting fixtures, heated floors, washing machines, air conditioners, electric ovens, etc.).

Before starting work on replacing electrical wiring, protective grounding should be installed, if possible, or protective grounding should be provided. However, its device is .

Wiring to points is carried out at the last stage during the installation of mechanisms, automation, connection points and electrical appliances.

You can save money at each stage of replacing electrical wiring. In general, you can reduce costs by half or more - up to 650-450 rubles per square meter, depending on what you can do on your own and what you will have to entrust to specialists.

Power supply diagram

Take a look at the picture in the section. Just take a look for now. Let's give some explanations. Firstly: kWA – electricity meter; RCD – residual current device. Secondly, the power supply circuit is single-line.

Pay attention to the two slashes that cross out the wire designation. This means that in reality there are two wires - phase L and zero N (neutral), laid together. The PE protective wire is not crossed out, which means it goes separately. If the input is three-phase, then there will be three dashes on the designations of its wires. We do not touch systems with an isolated neutral, which are not used in everyday life.

Now look at the drawing carefully. This is a single-line power supply diagram for an elite apartment of 200 square meters. m. If everything in it is generally clear to you, you will be able to draw your own power supply diagram, even if you do not have an electrical engineering education and do not know how to draw.

At worst, you will end up with a clumsy sketch. But according to him looking for a part-time job a senior student or a retired electrician will be able to draw the correct circuit in half an evening and inexpensively. And if you entrust the scheme to a practicing specialist with a decent salary, it will cost a pretty penny. The trouble will not decrease for you: after all, he needs the initial data.

Thinking through the power supply

Proper electrical wiring in the house depends primarily on the power consumption. In cottage villages they give a consumption limit of 10-20 kW for housing, but in a city apartment this is unrealistic: either the machine in the entrance will be knocked out all the time, or, even worse, the house wiring will burn out. And in old houses, where replacement of wiring is most often required, the “Khrushchev” limit is set at 1.3 kW; at the limit - 2 kW.

However, no one turns everything on at once. Even in the summer, when the air conditioners are on, they turn on out of step. Here, chance works for the consumer: with an average power consumption of 4.3 kW, the house wiring holds up. This limit is used as the basis for the calculation. True, if in the summer you start washing or ironing, the air conditioner with the boiler will have to be turned off, otherwise the main machine will turn off the entire apartment. But you have to come to terms with this.

Without going into the details of the calculation, we will immediately give data for an average city apartment of 40-100 square meters. m of total area:

• Main circuit breaker - from 25 to 32 A depending on the area. For the meticulous: the current safety factor is 1.3-1.5. It is impossible to give 2 in apartment buildings: the general wiring is “stunted”.
• Apartment RCD – 50 A 30 µA unbalance.
• Kitchen - two branches of wiring of 4 sq. mm; on each there is a 25 A automatic circuit breaker and a 30 A 30 µA RCD. Water supply to the bathroom is from the kitchen; not indicated on the diagram, see below.
• Air conditioning – branch 2.5 sq.mm; automatic – 16 A, RCD – 20 A 30 µA.
• Socket circuits and lighting circuits - one of both in each room, except for the bathroom and toilet; they contain only lighting; We're still talking about the bathroom. The cross-section of the prododes is 2.5 sq. mm; Automatic shutdown is not needed, a general apartment one will suffice.

That's all the source code for a single-line power supply diagram for an apartment. You can draw.

Figure: graphic diagrams for “clarification”:

Drawing a diagram

You can take the diagram given as a basis. Its top, from the exit from the counter, remains unchanged, you only need to change the numerical data. The brand of the RCD does not matter: if you end up installing others instead of the ASTRO-UZO, this does not violate anything.

In case of doubt regarding the designations, see the Appendix to the PUE (Rules for the construction of electrical installations of consumers) or GOST 2.755-87(CT SEV 5720-86). Just follow the GOST number: for some reason, in the search, a lot of references to GOST 2.721-74 and even GOST 7624-55 pop up, which are now no more useful than the Moral Code of the Builder of Communism, at one time personally edited by a dear comrade and unforgettable Secretary General Leonid Ilyich.

When drawing a diagram, observe the dimensions symbols elements: their scaling is not allowed. If, for example, an electric capacitor is indicated by two parallel lines 0.5 mm thick and 10 mm long at a distance of 2 mm from one another, then so be it, even if it is alone on a sheet of Whatman paper A0.

Preparing a plan

Now look at the picture that accompanies this section. This is already a PLAN for the electrical wiring: this is what the diagram turns into when you have to do it by hand. Let's explain the plan:

1. At least two branches must go to each room from the meter - to the lighting circuit and the socket.
2. Since an ordinary apartment has one bathroom, a DSU (additional potential equalization system) is not needed. Its branch in the diagram is indicated by a dotted line.
3. In the bathroom, mark only the moisture-proof ceiling light and the boiler, if installed there. The bathroom is a special and complex case, we will talk about it later.
4. Designate only branches to connection points (sockets) and stationary electrical installations. Stationary installations are considered to be those that are rigidly fixed to supporting structures, or that are not powered through a detachable connection. For example: the boiler and heated floor are stationary, but the washing machine, dishwasher and electric oven are not. The fact that they are connected to other communications does not concern or concern electricians.
5. Don't clutter the diagram with little things like LED backlight ceiling, extension cord to the balcony, etc. Such things only irritate inspectors, and a completely decent plan can be “cut down.”
6. Under no circumstances point branches onto a balcony or loggia! For a city apartment, this is a gross violation of the PUE. These rooms must be powered from outlets in other rooms.

Now let’s show you how to simplify the preparation of the plan:

• Take a plan of your apartment from the DEZ or BTI.
• Scan; if large - in pieces.
• In Photoshop, glue the pieces together and remove the old wiring symbols, stationary electrical appliances and connection points.
• Apply new ones in accordance with the diagram and the sample wiring plan provided. It’s more convenient to do this not in Photoshop, but in CorelDraw or another vector graphics editor, importing the original raster file and then exporting ready plan back to raster. Don't forget to save the vector template! Plans made by amateurs are returned for revision with comments in almost 100% of cases.
• In Photoshop, divide a large image at the required scale into parts the size of the printable area of ​​your printer, print and glue together large leaf so that the lines match. If they move apart a little, you can draw it by hand.

Notes:

1. If the bathroom is located far from the kitchen (as, for example, in Czech apartments), then the group of sockets provided for it, described below in the section on the kitchen, should be placed in the bathroom adjacent to it.
2. It is advisable to place groups of sockets in adjacent rooms exactly opposite each other across the wall. In this case, by drilling into the wall, you can power both groups with one branch, saving cable and pipe.
3. In “tram” apartments (enfilade layout) in the room farthest from the meter, groups of sockets, but no more than two, are allowed (in practice, not according to PUE) to be powered sequentially, one from the other. In this case, if the near group is powered through the wall from the living room, another half of the branch is saved.
4. In practice, sconces and other local lights can also be powered from sockets or in series within the room if it also has a ceiling lamp.
5. Ceiling lamps must be powered each by a separate branch. It is unacceptable to power them through each other or from sockets: general lighting circuits are considered vital.
6. The rows are counted and designated on the plan as a chandelier. The branch for them is led out to the center of the ceiling, and the wiring during installation is done as safer and more convenient.

The finished power supply diagram and wiring plan for the apartment must be registered and approved by the energy service. The verification and registration procedure is free.

Important: The electrical wiring plan should be given the utmost attention. Optimally, a properly drawn up plan saves costs by half or more compared to a sloppy one.

Electrical equipment of rooms

To draw up a power supply plan competently, you first need to decide how many and what connection points and stationary consumers will be in the house. Of course, you are the master of your home, and it is impossible to develop a single methodology for drawing up a plan for all layout options. But the following guidelines may be useful to you.

Bathroom

Bathroom electrical installations are a tough nut to crack. On the one hand, only high humidity makes the bathroom particularly dangerous in terms of the degree of electric shock. Plus, there is a splashed floor and a naked, steamed person in hot water. The resistance of his body drops more than that of a dead drunk: the short circuit current through the body can exceed 5 A (!), and this is between an absolutely fatal blow and charring. The damaging effect of electric current depends on the time of exposure, and with such strength, the response time of the RCD is in no way sufficient to certainly prevent trouble.

On the other hand, there are powerful electrical installations: a washing machine, a boiler, with a large inherent leakage current, operating at elevated temperatures and humidity. In such conditions, exposed live contacts, even under the cover of the socket, will be a source of danger of electric shock.

PUEs allow the installation of sockets in the bathroom through an isolation transformer or RCD, but this decision is even more forced than the TN-C system was at one time. The RCD has already been mentioned, but as for the isolation transformer, this point was simply copied from the section on industrial electrical equipment for lack of a better one.

Installing an isolation transformer is a technically quite complex task and is the subject of a separate description. Recommendations like - pushing the RTR under the suspended ceiling in the bathroom - are the fruit, if not of ignorance, then of a latent desire for perverted electrosuicide. According to the letter PTB and PUE, a bathroom can only have a ceiling lamp in a waterproof design. But in the spirit and essence of the same PTB and PUE, the power supply to the bathroom can be organized as follows:

• Replace the electrical cords of the boiler and fan with long ones so that they are enough to go through the hole in the wall to the sockets in the kitchen or in the room adjacent to the bathroom. The boiler is not equipped with a standard cord, and the loss of the warranty on an inexpensive fan is not a big problem, especially since almost 100% of warranty returns of fans come down to non-warranty cases. Of course, the cords are three-core, with a protective conductor.
• Buy an extension cord without a cord, but with grounding contacts (Euro), for three sockets, with shaped holes in the back for hanging on the wall, and also provide it with a three-core cord.
• Lead all three cords through a hole in the wall in the corner above the baseboard into the kitchen or adjacent room, equip them with Euro plugs, and place them in a PVC box: in the corner and below it will not be conspicuous.
• The boiler plug is plugged into the socket “permanently” - nowhere in any rules is there a time limit for plugging the plug into the socket. Also the fan plug, if it is “intelligent” and is triggered by temperature and humidity.
• The extension cord is hung in the bathroom using self-tapping screws in dowels.
• The washing machine is plugged into the extension cord permanently. The remaining two sockets can be used to include a light frame for a mirror and a hair dryer.
• The extension cord plug is plugged into an outlet in the adjacent room as needed.

Thus, there will be no exposed live ends in the bathroom all the time, and if basic precautions are taken, the risk of electric shock will be reduced to zero. And according to the PUE and PTB, an extension cord, even with a cord in a box and hung on the wall, is just an extension cord, not a socket.

Toilet

Only one lighting branch for the ceiling lamp will go to the toilet, as well as to the bathroom. Toilet and bathroom fixtures can be powered sequentially using one branch: electricians do not find fault.

Kitchen

For the kitchen, therefore, you will need two branches of wiring: for the bathroom and for your own needs. If the bathroom is located away from the kitchen, then the branch for the bathroom will go into the room adjacent to it, but we will describe it here.

The wire cross-section is 4 sq. mm and the automatic protection for both branches is the same and is described above. But the connection points differ: for your own kitchen branch you need not one, as for the bathroom, but two triple sockets. They will always include a dishwasher, an electric oven, a food processor and spotlights. Powering the halogens on the bottom of a hanging cabinet with a separate branch, as is sometimes recommended, is uneconomical and incorrect according to the PUE.

One of the remaining points will go under the kitchen fan, and the other is constantly connected to an extension cord, hung, like in a bathroom, on a wall or on a cabinet. It can be used to plug in a toaster, a vacuum cleaner when cleaning, etc. The refrigerator is plugged into an additional group socket on the opposite wall.

It is advisable to place the bathroom and main group sockets behind the lower kitchen cabinet, close under the countertop, but away from the sink. If the bottom cabinet has a back wall, cut an opening in it. To pass the cords, cut off the back corners of the tabletops so that they are not visible, and the cords pass freely.

The lighting branch in the kitchen is the same as everywhere else.

Hallway and corridor

Two branches are needed here: for the socket and for the light. If the corridor is long and two lighting points are needed, then the one closest to the outlet is made in the form of a sconce and is powered from it. And the far point will already be a ceiling lamp, powered by its branch.

Children's

The PUE requires for children's institutions that sockets and switches be located at a height of at least 180 cm from the floor. But this applies only to institutions, and the child will grow up, and the room will remain his.

If your beloved child shows an increased interest in technology from a tender age, the socket in the nursery should be equipped with a protective disk. A socket with a key-locked lid can cause a petty individual to become sulky and suppress inclinations that may later become the key to success in life.

Living rooms

Without going into the intricacies of topology, let’s say right away: for powering ceiling lamps and two groups of sockets in living rooms, 2N+1 branches are sufficient, where N is the number of rooms. Let us explain using the example of a three-room apartment:

1. Living room - 1 branch of the main socket group, 1 - additional, 1 - lighting.
2. Bedroom – 1 branch of the main group, 1 lighting. The additional group is powered through the wall from the additional group in the living room.
3. Children's - 1 branch of the main group, 1 lighting. The additional group is powered through the wall from the additional bedroom group.
4. From the bedroom or children's room, depending on the layout, an additional kitchen group is powered through the wall.

In total for 2-3 room apartment you will need 12-15 branches, including the air conditioner. The branch for the air conditioner must end with a socket, although it is a stationary device. For two reasons: for safety and ease of maintenance, and because the split is equipped with a standard molded cord, cutting which will void the warranty.

At what height will the sockets be?

The optimal height for sockets is 25-35 cm from the floor. It’s quite comfortable to reach for them, they don’t catch your eye, and they don’t interfere with furniture. The exception is the air conditioner outlet. It is placed higher so that its cord can be reached and not dangle in plain sight. Excess cord can be rolled into a coil and placed on top of the wall unit body; The height of the placement of sockets is not regulated anywhere.

Do not try to “over-wire” it beyond measure - this will only reduce the reliability of the wiring. Two groups, one double in each, is quite enough. As a last resort, a triple socket can be placed in one seat, but this cannot be built-in.

Tools and materials

You will need the following tool to replace electrical wiring:

• A hammer drill with a 16-20 mm concrete drill, a 90-100 mm core drill, a 25-30 mm concrete chisel and a set of drills, also for concrete.
• Grinder with a stone circle.
• Soldering iron 40-60 W.
• Phase indicator indicator.
• Multimeter tester.
• Pliers, screwdrivers and side cutters with insulated handles.
• Flashlight.
• Assembly knife.
• Construction level and cord for marking the groove route.
• Spatula for putting alabaster.
• Portable electric lamp.

We should talk specifically about materials.

Terminal blocks

The described method of replacing electrical wiring eliminates its twisting and soldering along the length, and the wiring turns out to be absolutely resistant to jamming. All connections will be made in the input panel (IC) at the terminal blocks and at the end points. Terminal blocks are sold in sections of 10 contacts (5 pairs). You will need 3-4 sections; It’s better to take three at once, and it’s never too late to buy.

When purchasing, pay attention to the material of the case - polyethylene is bad, any other will do. And most importantly, the holes for the wires should accommodate two wires with a diameter of 2.5 mm. It is better to immediately take terminal blocks with rectangular holes, in which the wires are clamped not directly with a screw, but with a special plate.

Socket boxes

Mounting boxes for sockets and switches (socket boxes) can be of any kind, but they must have protrusions on the outside so that they stay in the alabaster.

Cable brand

The “cool” and expensive NYM cable is not so cool at all: according to the manufacturer’s specifications, it cannot be laid in wet concrete (and where is the guarantee that the walls will always be dry?) and on the street. Therefore, the choice is domestic VVG or PUNP cables. The first is more expensive, but its insulation is more reliable. But there are no complaints about the apartment wiring installed by PUNP.

All these cables have single-core wires, and this is one of the ways to save money when replacing wiring: multi-core cables are much more expensive, and are unreliable in the wall. If the wiring is done by hired workers, then they will remember you: the cables are hard, especially PUNP. But it doesn’t suit your pocket. And if you are not touchy and have a sense of humor, then you can listen: good electricians swear masterfully, no worse than aircraft mechanics.

Video: a little about cable types

Old pipe or new corrugation?

It is better to tear out old cable pipes along with the wires without any pity: the gaps of the pipes are not designed for double-insulated cable, they are often clogged, the bends are flattened and wrinkled. It’s better to hand over them and the old wires after replacing them with scrap metal: at current prices for recycled metal, this will pay off, partially or completely, the costs of corrugated hose for cables.

It is better to take metal corrugation: in the event of an accident, PVC, decomposing in the wall without access to air, will release toxic gases. And by grounding the metal cables, you will also get shielded wiring, which has a lot of advantages and not a single disadvantage.

Introductory shield

The VSC will be located at the site of the old dose. It needs to be of a suitable size: it will have to fit 4 automatic devices, 4 RCDs, 4 terminal blocks and all the ends of the wires. The ends of all corrugated hoses will need to fit into the installation openings of the VShch.

Other materials you will need are cotton electrical tape (cloth), some conductive paste and alabaster.

Let's start replacing

Repair temporary shed

First of all, you need to provide power to the tool during repairs. To do this, we first attach a double or triple socket and a 16 A circuit breaker with a piece of 4 sq. mm cable to a board or piece of durable plastic. We also stock up on a long extension cord, enough for all rooms.

Then we de-energize the apartment by unscrewing the plugs or turning off the apartment breaker, manually tapping the dose near the meter, removing it and bringing the wires from the meter outside. We connect a temporary structure to them tightly twisted (twisting during repairs is permissible), carefully isolate the joints, and attach the temporary structure to the wall. We power up the apartment and get to work.

Note: For this work, it is better to hire a DEZ electrician, or work extremely carefully - do not touch the wires with parts of your body or clothing, hold the tool only by the insulated parts not lower than the limiting protrusion. And it is highly advisable to first familiarize yourself with the PTB and PUE. Remember: voltage may appear on a de-energized wire at any time! Those electricians who could not or did not want to understand this are no longer with us.

Grooving and socket boxes

The grooves must be straight, horizontal or vertical. Sloping and crooked grooves lead to accidents and injuries. Horizontal grooves lead half a meter below the ceiling.

Walls need to be hammered and drilled using a sawhorse or a stepladder with side supports, such as those used by outdoor advertisers. An ordinary stepladder can tip over due to lateral force, and you will fall down with a heavy, rapidly rotating tool in your hands.

The boundaries of the groove are first drawn with a grinder to a depth of the diameter of the corrugation and the width of the perforator bit, then a groove is knocked out with a chisel. Inside the corners, an oblique cut is made with a grinder, and a hole is knocked out with a chisel so that the bend of the corrugation is smooth.

Holes for socket boxes in brick walls are selected with a crown; in concrete - with a chisel. The crown, once it hits the reinforcement, immediately crumbles all over, and it’s not cheap. The recess for the overhead switch at the meter is also knocked out with a chisel.

Note: Do not choose a double groove for switches. It is much easier to buy a corrugated cable that will accommodate two cables.

Grilling is a very noisy, dusty and dirty job. Therefore, its time must be coordinated with the neighbors. It’s best for the first half of a weekday, when adults are at work and mothers with small children are walking.

Wiring

We measure out the required pieces of cable and corrugation. We tighten the corrugated cable on the floor. Then we place socket boxes in the holes on the alabaster cushion. Then we lay the corrugation to the cable in grooves; We insert the ends of the wires into the socket boxes. Finally, we coat the socket boxes with alabaster to the level of the wall, and grease the grooves with gofor in pieces about half a meter apart.

Note: if the switches are single-pole, then the ends of the zero (blue wire) are immediately twisted, soldered and insulated with three layers of electrical tape with the bottom layer overlapping the wire by 15-20 mm and an overlap of layers of 50%.

To complete the laying of the wires, we insert the input ends of the corrugations into the VShch, lubricate them with conductive paste, grab them with a tin clamp on the screw, and connect the screw with a piece of PE wire to the ground terminal of the VShch. We put the VSC in place, mark the mounting holes, drill them, and drive in the dowels.

We turn off the power to the apartment and turn off the temporary shelter. We introduce the wires from the meter and the apartment PE into the overhead switchboard; We connect PE to the main switch housing. We put the VSC in place and secure it. We carefully insulate the wires from the meter and place them in the switchboard housing. It's time to plaster; the apartment is without power.

About wire colors

Zero (neutral, N) is always indicated blue or blue color, protective conductor PE – yellow with longitudinal green stripe. Phase wires may be white, red , black, brown. Only wires of the same color can be connected to each other. Transition of phase to zero, phase to phase and switching on of the switch in the zero gap are unacceptable.

Plaster interlude

Now it's time for the plasterers, painters and wallpaperers. Or yours, in a new form. But first you need to fill the socket boxes with foam rubber, paper or rags flush with the wall, and cover the power supply with a piece of plastic film, tucking it under the edges of its frame. We also cover the meter with film, but be careful not to break the seal - you won’t have any trouble with the energy service later. If the seal is still damaged, you must immediately inform the power engineers.

Completion

After plastering, painting and wallpaper work, the socket boxes and electrical switchboard will be rubbed and sealed, but it will be easy to feel them and cut the wallpaper along the contour. Having cleaned the remnants of plaster from the socket boxes, switches, lamps,...

Note: In sockets, it is customary to connect the wires so that the zero is closer to the window.

Then we assemble the power supply circuit on the terminal blocks in the VShch, but we do not connect the input from the meter yet. EACH BRANCH SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR SHORT CIRCUIT WITH A SHORT CIRCUIT TESTER BEFORE ENTERING IT INTO THE TERMINAL BAR! Now we power the apartment for a short time and use the indicator to find the phase and zero coming from the meter.

We remove the power, connect phase and neutral wires of the corresponding colors to the terminal blocks. AGAIN CHECK FOR SCROTS with the circuit breakers turned on, turn off the main circuit breaker, power the apartment, turn on the main circuit breaker. Didn't it "bang"? We check the lights, voltage in the sockets and continue the repairs.

Is it possible to do without papers?

As you can see, a good share of the work on replacing electrical wiring falls on paperwork. But any handy man experiences a not always justified, but persistent aversion to paperwork. So is it possible to do without papers?

No you can not. Electricians have a trained eye. The very first check of the meter readings - you will be reported to your own people, and then wait for the visit of the inspector. The result is a large fine and the legalization of work in fact, which is not at all cheaper.

Replacing wiring in a wooden house

Wiring in a wooden house is a separate topic. We can only note that the recommendations to lay corrugated cables directly along the walls are completely untenable: open wiring has long been prohibited all over the world.

What can you advise if the house is old and there are no cable channels? Cover the cable hoses with wooden boxes. Whether it will be a decorative imitation of beams and ribs, or a simple plank in the corner is up to you, but for power engineers it will pass with some difficulty.