To connect powerful electrical equipment, such as an electric oven, electric stove, it is imperative to install power outlets. Unlike conventional products, they have reinforced input and output terminals that are rated for 25A and above.
During the operation of energy-intensive household appliances, the contacts of such sockets do not heat up, which is their most important feature - this reduces the risk of melting the insulation and causing a fire to almost zero.
Types of power outlets
Power outlets are usually divided into two large groups - open and closed installation. In the first case, the products are located directly on the wall, and they are installed during open wiring. Indoor outlets are "recessed" into the wall, making them virtually invisible and protected from damage.
Sockets also differ in the amount of current they can handle. There are sockets for 25A,32A, 63A and 125A. The power of the products must be coordinated with the power consumption of the electrical equipment.
Degree of security
According to the level of protection from external factors, power sockets are marked with a binary number, where:
- first digit indicates the size of the particles from which the product is protected (0 - no protection, 6 - dustproof);
- the second digit indicates the level of protection against water and moisture (0 - does not have special protection, 8 - can work even under water).
Sockets with a lower level of protection, such as IP22, are recommended for use in places with normal air humidity - bedrooms, living rooms.
Purpose of power outlets
The selected power outlet must meet all safety standards. Therefore, going to the market, familiarize yourself with the purpose of certain types of power outlets:
- Power socket with grounding. In addition to sockets for connecting electrical appliances, it has a special plug type F, CEE 7/5 or earthing contacts CEE 7/4. These products ensure that the equipment is grounded before the plug contacts the pins.
- Products with protective curtains. The connectors of such sockets are protected by plastic "doors", which move away when the plug hits two contacts at the same time. They have a high level of protection and are installed in children's rooms and bathrooms.
- Connectors equipped with ejectors. The design of such products has a special button, when pressed, the inserted plug is pushed outspecial spring mechanism.
- Power sockets with residual current device (RCD). Such devices, in the event of a short circuit, a multiple increase in load, open the circuit and stop the supply of electricity. Used in places of increased danger.
You can also highlight "smart" sockets that can be controlled using SMS messages or via the Internet. But such products are placed in a separate class and should be considered separately.
Lifetime
Durability is characterized by the maximum number of connection-disconnection of electrical equipment.
Quality power outlets can withstand at least 100 thousand cycles. This indicator depends on the design of the two elements of the product:
- output contacts - are spring and conventional, elements of the first type with two contact pads are considered more reliable;
- connecting clamps - used to connect the power cable, can be double and quick-clamp. Both designs are reliable, the second version is more expensive, but easier to operate.
When choosing an outlet, it is important to pay attention to the diameter of the hole for the plug. In the products of European countries, this figure is 4 mm less than in domestic products. These are the so-called "Euro sockets", to which only a certain type of plug is suitable. When choosing, it is also important to remember that the distance between the inlets can also vary.
Choosing a power outlet for an electric stove
Choosing power sockets220 V to connect an electric stove, you must be guided by two criteria. The first one is the capacity of your equipment:
- with a power consumption of up to 7 kW, it is advisable to use products with a rated current of 32A, and a permissible short-term load of 63A;
- if the power of the electric stove is more than 7 kW, then it is better to choose a plug-socket kit designed for a current of 63A.
The second selection criterion is the type of power supply that enters your home or business. The power line can be single- and three-phase. The most common single-phase connection type.
Sockets designed for a single-phase power supply have three connectors - two for the plug and one for grounding. If your house is connected to a three-phase network, then the power outlet for the electric stove should have five connectors.
Power cable selection
The first thing you need to focus on when choosing a cable to connect an outlet is the power of the connected equipment. Moreover, if it is planned to connect several installations at the same time, then the power should be summed up. For household electric stoves with a power of 5-7 kW, you must use a copper wire with a cross section of 3x4 mm.
The second thing to consider is the cable brand. Professional electricians recommend using a VVG or NYM power cable of the domestic and European standard, respectively, to connect the outlet. Wire brand VVG may have a round or flatsection. Its substitute is PVA wire, which is also flexible, resistant to abrasion and mechanical stress.
