Double sockets are gaining more and more popularity, the connection of which improves the quality of life in modern apartments. This article also provides descriptions of computer and telephone sockets, how to connect and install them.
Double socket
The number of household electrical appliances in the house is increasing, therefore, more sockets are needed where they can be plugged. There is nothing difficult to install, you just need to know the elementary rules of electrical safety and the sequence of work. Before any work with electricity, it is necessary to turn off the voltage in the shield (by turning off the automatic power supply) and check its absence with a voltage indicator.
Types of double sockets
There are two types of double sockets according to the connection method:
- With terminals for one phase and zero, with distribution strips (the most common case), when the current value is divided by the number of outlets. Not good if there are many high power consumers.
- With terminals for one phase and neutral on each socket, withoutdistribution boards. Used to connect two jacks in parallel. To do this, you need to connect the cable only to the first outlet and make jumpers in parallel to the second. In simple words, connect with a wire the phase of the first terminal with the phase of the second, the zero of the first - with the zero of the second.
Cable Selection
The choice of jumper cable is very important. The material of the internal connection wire must match the material of the input cable. If a copper cable is suitable for the outlet, then the jumper should be made of copper. If aluminum, then, accordingly, use aluminum wire to avoid oxidation of the contacts. The jumper wire size should also match the input cable size to evenly distribute the loads.
Preparing the wall
Installation of a double socket is slightly more complicated than a single one and depends on the type of equipment:
- To mount a non-recessed (open) type double socket, you just need to screw the housing to the wall with screws.
- To mount a recessed or internal type double socket housing with dividing strips (described above as the first type of socket), one hole should be drilled in the wall with a puncher with a special nozzle (slightly larger than the socket box). If the wall is concrete, you need to use the hammer drilling mode. If the wall is made of brick or drywall, then only drilling. It is attached in the same way as a single one in one socket.
- To mount a double socket with parallel connection (described above as the second type), you must first drill one holefor the first socket. Then attach the device to the wall and mark the drilling location for the second socket using a level. Make a second hole. Next, you need to take a drill with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the corrugation for the jumper wires, and drill a hole between the two sockets.
Connection
Described using the example of connecting a double socket with a parallel connection. First you need to determine where the phase is, and where is zero on the connected wire. To do this, briefly turn on the automatic power supply and check for voltage with an indicator screwdriver. Turn off the power again. Insert each wire into the socket through different holes. The connection of the double socket is made in the case itself. It is necessary to lay a piece of jumper cable, cut to the desired length, into the groove between the two sockets. It is best to strip the wires with a stripper (a hand tool for neat stripping) 1.5 cm from the edge and crimp with lugs using a crimper (a hand tool for processing cable ends), fasten to the socket terminals. If there is no special equipment, you can strip the wire from insulation with a sharp knife, trying not to damage the cores, twist the ends of the wires with your fingers and tin with a soldering iron.
After the cable is ready for connection, bring the double socket to the socket and screw the incoming wires to the first socket. It is important to fasten the phase to one contact, and zero to the other. Then, from the first outlet, the jumper wires are pulled through the groove in the wall (drilled earlier) to the second outlet and connectedto the terminals. Accordingly, phase - to phase, zero - to zero. Connecting a double socket with grounding is distinguished by the presence of another yellow-green wire. He comes to the socket and connects to the ground plate on the socket, wraps his paws around the plug from the outside.
Connecting a double socket without grounding is possible, but undesirable, as there is a risk of electrical appliances burning out during a short circuit and electric shock to a person. However, in old houses, grounding is not provided in the wiring, and most residents do without it.
There are times when you need to connect two double sockets. Then they are all connected in parallel, or a surge protector is bought for four or more sockets.
Wall fixing
It is important to securely fasten the socket in the hole in the wall so that the socket does not pull out during operation. For this, it is best to use alabaster, which can be bought at the store. Dilute it with water until a thick paste is obtained, then spread the mixture into the hole for the socket. After that, insert the socket into the wall on the alabaster and be sure to level it. For the mixture to dry, you need to wait an hour and a half and only then install the outlet. It is attached to the socket with paws with screws - a socket is inserted, the fastening bolts are tightened. The final stage is the installation of a decorative panel.
Switch
Sometimes it is required to combine a double switch with a socket, the connection of such a device is often necessary in the corridor near the sanitary room. How is its installation different from connecting a conventional outlet? Firstly, by the need to drill an oval hole in the wall for the socket (by the way, the latter should also be oval), and secondly, by connecting more wires.
Wires with phase and zero are suitable for the socket, two wires from lighting equipment are also connected to each switch (for example, from the corridor and the bathroom). The sequence of operation is the same as in the case of connecting a double socket. Only the connection diagram differs.
Internet outlet
Modern computer sockets are abbreviated 8P8C: from English - 8 positions, 8 pins, have a latch, used to connect various objects to the network. A four-pair cable is connected - twisted pair. The connection of a double computer socket T 568 B is being considered, as it is most often used in Russia.
The cable is cut to the desired length, the outer insulation is removed by about 5 cm. The twisted pairs are unwound to the distance necessary for plugging into a socket. On the back of the connector are cut-out contactors into which the wires are clamped. When pressed, the insulation is cut with two sharp knives and reliable contact of the core with the terminal is ensured. Must complypinout of the connector according to the colors of the cores. Colors are drawn in the socket - which wires should be inserted into which contacts. Option B must be selected (for socket T 568 B). Termination of contacts is done with the back of a clerical knife or a thin flat screwdriver, but it is best to use a special device for terminating and cutting a twisted pair. This device greatly improves the quality of work and saves the installer's time. You just need to press down until it clicks, and it's done. After clamping the wires, the unnecessary ends are cut off.
Before mounting the socket to the wall, you can play it safe and ring the contacts with a multimeter, so as not to disassemble the structure later. Depending on the version of the connector - internal or external - the body is attached either to a conventional socket box (with plastic spacers with teeth) or to the wall surface (with bolts or double-sided adhesive tape). The top is covered with a lid. Connecting a double Internet outlet is different in that two cables are connected: each to its own socket, also according to the color markers on the connector.
Telephone jack
The telephone socket is easier to connect than the electrical one, and the voltage in the telephone line does not pose a danger to life (in standby mode - 60 V). It is often not possible to turn off the telephone line, therefore, electrical safety requirements must be observed during work. It must be remembered that at the time of an incoming call, the voltage in the circuit is 120 V.
Sockets come in different types, offeredconsider the most common option - 6P2C (RJ11), shown in the photo.
In order to connect a telephone socket, you need to follow a few steps:
- Open the socket housing cover by unscrewing the fixing bolt.
- For an indoor housing, you must first install the mounting capsule, before that, drilling a hole in the wall for it with a special nozzle on the drill. A cable is drawn to this hole, preferably a four-wire one, and a tail of 15 cm is left. In order for the socket body to hold tight, you need to put it on alabaster, but when installing it in drywall, the fasteners of the body itself are used. It is best to lay the wire under a layer of plaster, away from the power cable.
- Before connecting the wire to the outlet, the ideal option would be to put special tips on the stripped (5 mm) ends of the wires and crimp them with a crimper (crimping pliers). And it’s better to strip with a stripper (a hand-held cable stripping tool). If such a tool is not at hand, you can use a sharp knife to clean it.
- The telephone cable is connected to the socket terminals with red and green wires. A minus is connected to the red conductor, and a plus to the green one. The most common multimeter will help determine where is the minus and where is the plus of the network. In most modern telephones, the polarity is unimportant, but if the polarity was reversed and the phone did not work, there is nothing to worry about. You should swap the network wires and check the operation again.
- Screw on the housing cover.
- Check for connectivity.
Connecting a double telephone jack is no different from a single one, because the circuit differences are already present in the case itself.
