Moving sockets and switches is a relatively easy job. However, it requires certain knowledge and skills from the master. Otherwise, the operation of the electrical network will be unsafe. Knowing all the nuances of this work, you can do it yourself. The advice of experienced electricians will help you figure this out.
Should I call a professional?
Today, many organizations offer their services for electrical work. Professionals are ready to perform installation of varying complexity. The quality of such actions is often quite high. Each such company provides a guarantee for the installation of electrical equipment.
However, every homeowner knows that the services of a master can be quite expensive. So, the transfer of sockets and switches in Omsk can cost from 1200 rubles. In Moscow, the price for such a fairly simple procedure can reach 2000 rubles. for one entry point. It is for this reason that many private property owners decide to carry outsimilar procedure with your own hands.
In this case, it is extremely important to comply with all safety requirements and PUE. Otherwise, an unprofessional master risks serious injury. In this case, the operation of the electrical system will be unsafe. Faulty sockets and switches can cause fire, property damage and threaten human life and he alth.
Why move outlets?
Some homeowners don't understand why relocate outlets and switches. After all, you can buy an extension cord or a tee. In this case, you can increase the number of power points. However, not everything is so simple.
The fact is that in old-style houses a certain number of sockets and switches were provided. They were designed for a certain load (maximum 3.5 kVA, and more often no more than 2 kVA). Over time, the number of household appliances in the home has increased. The sockets provided were not enough.
However, by including an extension cord or tee in the network, the owners can increase the load on the outlet. In this case, the extension cord begins to melt or spark. This can lead to fire, equipment malfunction and other troubles. Therefore, before including such elements in the network, it is necessary to calculate the total load on the network. The best solution is to transfer or add additional sockets according to the established PUE technology.
Varieties of transfer
Proper transfer of sockets and switches with your own hands canbe carried out only when the master is familiar with the norms and requirements of the rules for installing electrical equipment. Sockets and switches can be raised or lowered horizontally or moved vertically. It is much more difficult to transfer both horizontally and vertically at the same time.
Before you carry out such a procedure, you need to carefully consider everything. Not always a new socket or switch becomes convenient during operation. It is necessary to take into account what objects are nearby, who will use such points of the electrical system.
Switches are most often transferred to a level of 120-190 cm from the floor. Sockets, on the contrary, today it is customary to lower them lower. They can be located at a distance of 20-30 cm from the floor. However, if there are small children in the house, proper protection for such electrical objects must be provided. These may be plugs that the child cannot remove from the socket on their own.
Concealed and exposed mounting
Transferring sockets and switches with your own hands can be done in one of two ways. The first is called the open mounting method. In this case, the wires run along the surface of the wall. Sockets and switches also have a special configuration. These are overhead structures, which differ in rather large dimensions.
The hidden mounting method involves creating a recess inside the wall. They are laid along the strobewires. Next, they are covered with putty. This method of transferring sockets is aesthetically pleasing. Sockets and switches are also recessed into recesses that are drilled into the base using special equipment. Such products look more compact.
It should be noted that each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. Open wiring is easier to install. However, its appearance leaves much to be desired. Hidden wiring does not spoil the look of the interior. However, this option is only possible during a major overhaul. It is harder and more expensive.
Safety
There is a specific instruction for transferring sockets and switches. First of all, you should familiarize yourself with the safety regulations. Work must be carried out with a de-energized power supply line. This requirement must not be neglected.
Special tools and equipment should also be used. Clothing must be appropriate. Rubberized shoes are an important element when working with electrics.
When performing the presented work, it is forbidden to twist the wires and wrap them with electrical tape. Today there is a large selection of special connectors that improve the quality of connections. It should be noted that, according to the rules, access to contact points cannot be closed. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to leave such compounds in the thickness of the plaster, to cover them with asbestos.
Materials
Proper transfer of sockets and switches in an apartment orhouse requires the selection of suitable materials. First of all, you should pay attention to the wire. It must be copper. Aluminum varieties must not be used for interior mounting of sockets and switches.
The cross section of the wire must correspond to the maximum rated load on the line. In this case, you need to calculate what powerful equipment the owners can connect to an outlet or switch. Based on the calculations obtained, you need to purchase the appropriate wire. Best suited for these purposes is a VVG type wire.
Connections are made using special connectors. When choosing them, you should also pay attention to the total network load. You can also use the soldering method. In this case, the wires are exposed and twisted. Then they are soldered with tin solder. Acid fluxes should not be used in this case. It is best to use rosin. If the old line is made of aluminum wire, you can not connect it directly to the copper core. There are special connectors for this.
Using a loop
Some masters perform the transfer of sockets and switches in an apartment or house by creating an additional loop. In this case, a new wire will go from the old outlet to the new outlet. This is a rather unsafe method, which is characterized by a large number of disadvantages.
Wires that were previously connected to an old outlet or switch remain in the current circuit. They will also transmitelectricity. However, another power point will depart from one outlet. In this case, the old wire will be connected to the new one. This principle is reminiscent of using the same extension cord.
It should be noted that the presented method will save on the amount of materials. Wires will be required much less. However, this saving significantly reduces the quality of installation and the functionality of the socket or switch. It will not be possible to connect powerful equipment to it. Otherwise, line congestion may occur. This is a temporary scheme, which must be redone later. It should only be used as a last resort.
Disadvantages of using a loop
Proper transfer of sockets and switches in the house does not accept the use of a loop. This method has a lot of disadvantages. Therefore, having decided on such an action, one should learn about several of its weaknesses.
The application of the presented approach is not recommended by the EMP. This is a temporary way to connect a power point. In this case, the wire cannot be carried out in the thickness of the wall. It is allowed to install the socket in an open way. Otherwise, a number of difficulties arise.
It should be noted that it is not safe to transfer an outlet using a cable hidden in the wall horizontally or in any other direction (except vertical). Over time, you can forget that the wiring runs on this section of the wall. Driving a nail into a wall can result in an electric shock.
Also, the presented method is not durable. Needs to be refurbished soon. Use such an outlet orswitch for high power equipment is not allowed.
Wire extension
Moving sockets and switches in the house can be done by extending the wire. This method is not ideal, but it is much safer than the previous approach. In this case, the old socket or switch is removed. A new wire is connected to the line.
This procedure can be performed if an element of the electrical system needs to be lowered or raised vertically. In this case, the master must completely de-energize the power line. Next, with the help of a perforator and a grinder, a new strobe is cut out. Wires are laid in it.
Also, for a socket or switch, a hole is drilled at the required distance from the floor using a crown. A spacer box is installed in it. An extended wire is laid along the line. This method will be safe if you do not load the line more than the set value. For extension, a wire with exactly the same cross section and core material as the supply lines is used. It is strictly forbidden to cover up the connection of wires with alabaster.
What to do with the old junction box?
Transferring sockets and switches with your own hands must be carried out according to the established methodology. The master can make a gross mistake in this case. An inexperienced electrician can twist the wires of the old wire and the new line, and then cover the old junction box and duct with plaster mixture. In this case, the junction will be inaccessible toreviews.
If the junction of the wires is in a visible place, you need to do otherwise. First, the old junction box must be dismantled. This is especially important for products made of metal. A plastic spacer box is installed in its place. Further, the junction of the wires is left in this box. A circle is cut out of a drywall sheet. They close the box. Attach the cover with glue. It is impossible to cover the surface with putty. The lid can be painted to match the color of the walls or covered with appropriate wallpaper.
Proper way to carry
The most correct transfer of sockets and switches can only be done by drawing a new line from the switchboard. To do this, turn off the power supply. Next, the old wire is disconnected on both sides. The junction box is completely dismantled. The surface is cleared of debris. With the help of putty, the installation site of the old outlet is smeared. The wire remains immured in the thickness of the wall.
Creating a new line
The transfer of sockets and switches must be carried out from the switchboard. In this case, it will be possible to move the switch or socket to any suitable place in the room. In this case, it will be possible to add the number of outlets. This method will cost more money. However, the electrics will be as safe as possible.
You will need to create a new strobe. This procedure must be done with a grinder and a perforator. The width of the recess depends on the number of wires that pass through it. Next, it fits into the prepared strobecable and with the help of dowel-clamps is attached to the surface. The system is covered with putty.
Having considered how sockets and switches are moved, you can do the work yourself.
