Every year, wooden houses are becoming more popular because they are environmentally friendly, warm, comfortable, easy to build and inexpensive. However, this material belongs to the category of flammable, so many nuances must be taken into account during the construction process. This is especially true for connecting the building to the electrical network, since there are quite a few requirements for this type of work. If you have at least some experience in construction, then you will not have any special problems with this, but, as practice shows, most average citizens do not have it, so they make a huge number of mistakes, which in the future can lead to very serious consequences. To prevent this from happening, this article will describe in detail from beginning to end the installation of wiring in a wooden house with your own hands.
Security requirements
So what are theyrepresent? Safety is a very important aspect when connecting a residential building to the electrical network. If you make even the slightest mistake, the consequences can be simply catastrophic. According to statistics, each year, thousands of people across the country die in a fire caused by a short circuit in the wiring and subsequent ignition. Therefore, it is very important that the wiring in a wooden house (installation rules will be described later) is reliable.
Basic Safety Standards state that:
- All wires and their connections must be insulated with non-combustible materials.
- The core should be made of high quality material, preferably copper, and also have an insulating layer that does not allow electric current.
- The most secure is the open mounting method, as it provides an opportunity to monitor the condition of the wires.
- When choosing electrical wiring, you must first calculate the optimal cable cross-section so that it can withstand the load created.
- If you have a wooden house, electrical wiring must be carried out without fail through a switchboard equipped with an automatic power off system.
- Only metal pipes can be used for cable laying. If they are steel, grounding must be provided.
- Buy only quality cables from reputable manufacturers. Not only will they last much longer, but they will also be much less likely to ignite.
Iffollow all the installation rules listed above, the wiring in a wooden house will turn out to be reliable and will comply with all fire safety standards, so the property you have acquired will be in full integrity.
Wiring Methods
Let's take a closer look at this. When planning to independently carry out the installation of wiring in a wooden house (the PUEs were described in detail above), you need to decide in advance on how it will be carried out. The thickness of the cable section and the required amount of consumables depend on this.
Today, there are two types of wiring:
- open;
- closed.
The last option assumes that the cables will be laid under the skin. This method is good for its aesthetics, but it is much more difficult to implement, so you need to design the wiring even at the stage of pouring the foundation, because if any mistakes are made, you will have to dismantle the siding and redo everything from scratch to eliminate them.
The open version is less attractive because the wires are visible, but it is simpler and anyone who does not have such experience can handle it. In this case, the cable is laid along the walls, and the installation is carried out using copper or aluminum rubberized wires. At the same time, you will need significantly less consumables, so you can save a lot. As for its aesthetics, this problem will be solvedeasy to solve retro wiring, which has an attractive appearance and gives the room some zest.
Open wiring method
What is its feature? Installing open wiring in a wooden house is the best solution when erecting buildings made of flammable materials, since the wires will not come into contact with them.
It can be done in a variety of ways, among which the following are the most common:
- Using an electrical conductor that attaches directly to the wall. The cable is clamped with special clips, which are made of non-combustible materials.
- Wiring in special polymer cable channels. This option is good because all the wires will be hidden from human eyes, so the interior of the premises will look more attractive. The channels are fixed on the wall using ordinary wood screws, after which the wires are laid in them and closed with a lid.
- Laying in a metal corrugated pipe. Perhaps one of the most common ways, since this consumable has a low cost, good strength and durability, and also freely accommodates several cables at the same time.
- Installation of electrical wiring in polymer pipes. It is an alternative to the method described above, however, this material is more difficult to work with than corrugated.
It is worth noting that retro wiring in a wooden house will also be an excellent option. She initially has an attractiveappearance, so it is not necessary to hide it inside polymer or metal pipes.
Hidden way to place electrical wiring
What is it? Installation of hidden wiring in a wooden house is not very popular because it is very laborious and problematic. In addition, homeowners do not want to sheathe the walls, as a result of which this method simply cannot be used.
If you are serious about this method of laying cables inside the house, then be sure to consider the following nuances:
- Electrical wiring should be laid in metal pipes or corrugations.
- So that water does not accumulate inside the protection, it should not be placed strictly vertically, but at a slight angle.
- Sockets and switches must be metal and must be grounded.
It is also worth understanding that if you perform such wiring in a wooden house, in case of any problems with the cable, you will not be able to get to it just like that. You will have to completely remove the sheathing from the walls in the room. This is a very time consuming process, so it is best to choose an open way to place electrical wiring.
Wiring Diagrams
What do you need to know about this? Many people think about how to do the wiring in a wooden house with their own hands. There is nothing difficult in this, if everything is carefully thought out in advance. To avoid the mistakes that all beginners tend to make,before laying the electrical network, it is worth drawing up a diagram showing a detailed plan of the future structure and electrical wiring. This will allow not only to do everything more rationally, but also to minimize the likelihood of damage to the wires. The drawing should also indicate the location of all sockets and switches.
To get the scheme right, follow these rules:
- The electrical panel should be mounted on the ground floor, at eye level, so that small children do not accidentally climb into it.
- To make the interior of an apartment or house look more attractive, the switches should be placed at the same level above the floor. As a rule, a distance of 80 to 100 centimeters is chosen.
- Regardless of how the wiring will be carried out in a wooden house, the wires must be at a height of 20 centimeters from the floor or ceiling.
- Sockets can be installed without being tied to a place, since the PUE does not say a word about them. The main thing is that each of the rooms has at least one.
After the drawing is completed, you can go to the store to purchase consumables.
Preparatory stage for laying
Wiring in a wooden house is a very complex process in which many nuances must be taken into account. First of all, you need to contact the organization that deals with the electricity supply in your region and get technical conditions from it. If your site is already connected to the public network, then this step can be skipped. Next you shouldcalculate the required power, taking into account all the electrical appliances that you will use. As practice shows, on average, power is required from 5 to 10 kW.
When all the calculations and formalities are over, you need to decide which cables you will use to lay the power grid. This is very difficult, since the features of the construction of buildings made of wood impose various restrictions. If there are double sockets in the room, then the wire must be three-core. In addition, each building must have a junction box. Each of them should be given great attention, since most often the fire occurs precisely at the junction of the wires. Therefore, all contacts must be well insulated.
A few words about materials
Wiring (an electrician will do it without problems, following the instructions) will be able to withstand the load created on it only if the cable section is correctly selected for it. But this does not mean at all that the higher it is, the better. Accuracy is very important in this matter. At the same time, you don’t have to calculate anything yourself, since you can use the ready-made table of recommended power.
If the cable will be laid inside the house in an open or closed way, then the material from which it is made is of no fundamental importance. But if you plan to install outdoor wiring in a wooden house, this should be done exclusively withusing copper consumables. Firstly, they are more durable, so they cause the least problems, and secondly, their conductivity is much higher, which results in better performance. The best option would be NYM copper cable, which combines an ideal price-quality ratio. The role of insulation in most cases is performed by metal pipes or corrugations made of modern polymeric materials. The latter have low flammability, and in case of fire they self-extinguish.
The process of laying the electrical network in a residential building
So, what does it consist of? Wiring must be carried out in a strictly defined sequence. Thanks to a clear plan, even a beginner who has never worked with electricity will be able to cope with it. When you have a drawing ready and everything you need has been purchased, then first of all you need to lay a cable that will connect the living space with a common power line.
Further, the step-by-step installation of the wiring section in a wooden house is as follows:
- The cable runs from the panel to all rooms where there will be electricity.
- Installation of sockets, switches and junction boxes in progress.
- The wires are connected to a single network. This is one of the most difficult processes, as you need to make sure that the contact is good, and also carefully insulate everything.
- At the last stage, switches and sockets are connected.
When all installation work is completed, inspection andelectrical network testing to make sure everything is working properly and works reliably.
Wire insulation
What is it for? If you performed the installation of retro wiring in a wooden house, then this step can be skipped, since consumables are already sold with insulation. In all other cases, it should never be skipped, since the safety of the people living in the house depends on it. If the cable is not insulated at any point, there is a high probability of electric shock, which can lead to death.
There are many parameters to consider when choosing insulation. Chief among them is the maximum power that the cable can withstand. As a rule, this value varies from 600 to 100 watts, which is more than enough for use in residential buildings. In addition, good insulation must have high frost resistance, since most regions of our country have a very harsh climate.
If the electrical wires are located outside the building, then the insulation must be resistant to ultraviolet rays, unless, of course, you want to change it often. Cheap materials deform very quickly, as a result of which their service life is reduced. The same applies to high temperatures. As electric current flows through the cables, they heat up. If at the same time the wire is damaged in some place or a large load begins to be created on it, then the temperature can rise to very highvalues, which creates a high risk of fire.
Installation of switchboard
Where to start? After the wiring in a wooden house is completed, you can proceed to the next process. This will be the shield installation. It is not only responsible for accounting for electricity consumption, but also performs a protective function if equipped with an automation system. If there is any problem, it will automatically turn off the power supply.
First of all, it must be equipped with an electric meter. Next, the installation of the input protective device is carried out and the phase and zero are connected, after which the device is already connected to the general electrical network and the residential building. At the very end, fuses, voltage control relays and circuit breakers for various types of electrical appliances are installed in the shield. It is worth noting that it is desirable to leave some free space inside the shield, so that in the future, if necessary, be able to connect additional equipment and machines. If you have an autonomous heating system in your house, a washing machine or any other household appliances that consume a lot of electricity, then it is recommended to connect them through separate machines in order to reduce the load they create on appliances and cables.
Connecting the building to the public power grid
So, you have completed the electrical work, but there will be no light in your house yet, because the building needs to be connected to the general electrical network. In theory, there is nothing complicated here, but in practice everything is far from it,because many people face many difficulties in doing so.
Cable laying in this case can be done in two ways:
- by air;
- underground.
Each of the options has both advantages and disadvantages, which must be taken into account. The first method is much easier to implement and requires little financial outlay. To do this, you need to buy self-supporting wires with good insulation. The cable is routed inside the building through a non-flammable sleeve, which is installed inside the wall.
Installation el. wiring in a wooden house in the case when the cable to the room is supplied underground is more complicated and financially costly. Firstly, you need to purchase a high-strength cable, and secondly, metal pipes that will act as insulation. In addition, you should take into account that if you want to use this particular method, then you will first have to coordinate your intentions with the energy company serving your region.
Power grid testing
So, you have completely finished the wiring and are ready to start using electricity. However, do not rush to do this, because first you need to check the communication system. To do this, you will need an accurate measuring device used in electrical laboratories, or a regular multimeter.
Testing is done as follows:
- Visual inspection.
- Resistance measurements on the insulating layer of the electrical wire and grounding.
- Checking the correct operation of the "phase - zero" circuit.
- Testing fuses and automatic protection system.
- Taking readings from the ground on the shield.
If during the testing process no defects and problems are identified, then representatives of the governing body can be called in to test the electrical network and put it into operation. To do this, an application of the established form is submitted to the electric company serving your region.
Finally, it is worth noting that electrification is a very difficult task that requires certain skills and knowledge, so before proceeding with the installation, you should think carefully about everything. If you are not confident in your own abilities, then it is best to entrust it to qualified specialists. Remember that working with electricity is very dangerous, so don't risk your life.
