The owners of a house or apartment often decide to install electrical wiring on their own. This is a responsible event that requires certain knowledge from the master.
To avoid negative consequences, it is necessary to consider how to properly install open wiring.
Types of electrical installation
Today, two types of installation can be used to create an electrical communications system in a house or apartment. The first of them is called hidden, and the second is called open. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. Installation of open and hidden electrical wiring must be carried out in accordance with existing building codes, fire safety requirements.
Hidden type of wiring takes place in special mines. They are cut into the surface of the walls, floor or ceiling. The process is accompanied by a large emission of dust. In this case, a major overhaul will be required. When the wires are laid in the prepared channels, they are plastered. You will need to redo the decorativeinterior decoration (paint walls, wallpaper, etc.).
Open wiring is easier to create. The wires in this case pass immediately along the surface of the wall. In this case, it is not necessary to carry out decorative finishing in the room. It's a quick, easy way to install.
Open Mount Options
Installation and repair of open and hidden electrical wiring is most often trusted by an experienced specialist. He can do all the work correctly and quickly. However, if you wish, you can save money and carry out all the actions yourself. Consider what types of exposed wiring exist today.
Many private property owners believe that open wiring spoils the interior. However, today there are many methods that allow you to harmoniously fit the wires into the design of the apartment.
You can mount wires in special cable channels. They will hide communications. At the same time, cable channels have a different configuration, color and texture. It is also possible to bring wiring to electrical consumers using special skirting boards. In some cases, it is possible to lay wires in a corrugated pipe. One of the most stylish today is the method of creating open antique wiring using special insulators.
Disadvantages of exposed wiring
Considering what are the features of the installation of open electrical wiring, it should be noted, in addition to the advantages, and a number of disadvantages. They must be taken into account before installation. Experts say that far fromalways special designs can be entered into the interior of the room. For some styles and design features, this option is not suitable.
Cable channels will take up some space in the room. Because of them, it will not work, for example, to put the cabinet close to the wall, etc. At the same time, the wires themselves are poorly protected from mechanical damage. If the system is accidentally touched, you can pull out the channel and break the wire.
When creating the presented type of wiring, soft multi-core cables are used. They are softer, they are easier to lay in prepared channels. However, the cost of such conductors will be higher than single-core varieties. Outdoor installation is not recommended in the bathroom or kitchen. If there is no other way out, you need to buy a special moisture-resistant cable. Its insulation is different from the usual.
Application of cable channels
Installation of open wiring in cable channels is one of the most popular methods today. It allows you to hide all the wires. At the same time, there are a large number of options for their texture, color. With proper installation, such cable channels will look stylish.
To conduct the wire in this way, you will need to purchase the necessary materials. First of all, these will be plastic cable channels. Their dimensions are selected in accordance with the features of the wiring. Next, you need to purchase junction boxes. They are also made fromplastic.
Having developed the installation scheme, it is necessary to fix the junction boxes in the appropriate areas. Cable channels need to be connected to them. They are attached to the surface of the wall. In this case, it is desirable to monitor their position on the surface. It must be clearly vertical or horizontal. Further, wires are laid inside the channel. They are covered with a top panel. This is a quick and easy way.
Application of skirting boards
Open installation of electrical wiring in the apartment can be carried out in special baseboards. This is also a fairly popular option. However, it will not work if the wiring power is large. In other cases, it will be possible to simply and quickly hide the wires in special cable channels that run inside the plinth.
All electrical communications will run along the floor surface. The plinth will reliably hide all wires. However, it can have different textures and colors. This type of channel is no different in appearance from ordinary skirting boards. Only inside it has special compartments for wires.
First, the lower part of the skirting boards is mounted. Then the cable is laid in the corresponding channels. There are models of skirting boards in which it is possible to carry not only electrical, but also network or television cables. Then the whole system is covered with a decorative cover.
Laying in corrugated pipe
One of the most inexpensive is the technology of installing open electrical wiring in a corrugated pipe. It is non-flammable and fairly durable material. However, thisthe installation option is more often chosen for utility, non-residential premises. The fact is that corrugated pipes are difficult to fit into almost any interior. But in rooms where the aesthetics of installation is not a priority, this option will be the most suitable.
In the process of installation, plastic junction boxes are used. They are installed in appropriate places, in accordance with the developed plan. Next, corrugated pipes are carried out. They are attached to the surface with brackets. It is necessary to mount them with a distance of no more than 30 cm. This will ensure sufficient rigidity of the system. Staples can be plastic or metal.
Then, with the help of a wire, a wire is pulled into the channels. It must be connected to a junction box. Next, the wires are connected into a single system. This option does not require large financial and time costs.
Tubeless wiring
In some cases, you can do without the use of special cable channels. Installation of open pipeless electrical wiring has many advantages. It looks better, takes up less space in the room. At the same time, installation can be done very quickly.
The disadvantage of the presented mounting option is the unprotected wire. It's easy to damage it. This type of installation is not recommended in a wooden house. Only for concrete, plasterboard walls, this type of installation remains acceptable. You will need to purchase special clips. The wire in this case must have special insulation. The best thingVVGng or NYM is suitable for this.
For wires of other brands, you will need to install an asbestos or metal gasket under the wire. It should protrude 10 mm from each side of the wire. This installation method is quite simple. However, the type of wiring will be unaesthetic. Therefore, in a private house or apartment, a different installation method is used.
Retro wiring
One of the most aesthetic methods of installing open wiring in a wooden house or a room with a different type of wall is retro wiring. This method was often used in the middle of the last century. In this case, special porcelain insulators are used. The wire is twisted into a pigtail. This is one of the best options for installing hidden wiring in a wooden house. The interior will look stylish.
To mount such wiring, you will need to purchase a special cable. For retro-wiring, a wire marked GPVop, PVOp is used. Its veins can be intertwined without problems. The presented cable has a higher price than conventional wires. This is one of the shortcomings of the presented method.
It should be noted that the special rollers on which the wire will be installed are also quite expensive. You will need special sockets, switches that will match the retro style. This also increases the cost of installation.
Start mounting
Exposed wiring requires careful planning. For each wall, its own scheme is developed separately. ATit must provide for the location of junction boxes, switches, sockets, cable channels or other elements of the system. After that, it will be possible to calculate the required number of wires. Their section is chosen in accordance with the total load on the line.
Plan features
In the planning process, you must select a wiring diagram. It could be European. In this case, several lines will depart from the switchboard. Each will be connected to a specific group of consumers. For each line, you will need to connect an RCD. This option is rather inconvenient for an open mounting method. In this case, you will need to run a lot of wires.
In another scheme, one main wire is connected. Cables will depart from it to each separate zone of electricity consumption. This will require junction boxes.
Installation process
After a thorough planning procedure, preparatory work, it is possible to carry out the installation of open wiring. Most often, this procedure is carried out using cable channels. This is a simple, relatively inexpensive and reliable installation method. Cable channels can fit into various types of interiors.
If there are 2 to 3 wires inside the structure, you can glue the base of the plastic box to the wall. In other cases, it is recommended to use dowels. First you need to mount junction boxes, prepare places for installing sockets and switches.
After that, from the listed elements of the system, they drawstraight lines. Further, according to the markup, the lower part of the cable channel is applied. Small holes are drilled in plastic, marking places for fasteners. Next, the cable channel is removed from the wall and drilled with a drill or puncher for dowels. Next, the lower part of the box is firmly mounted on the wall. Wiring is in progress. The upper decorative bar is put on after connecting the system and checking its performance.
Having considered the features of installing open electrical wiring, you can do all the work yourself.
