Wiring does not like jokes. Both the safety of the premises and the serviceability of all devices that require connection to the network depend on the quality of its installation. It is known that the most reliable option for installing an electrical cable is hidden. In this case, the wires have maximum protection from any external influences, which means a long service life.
How to do electrical wiring
In some cases, it is problematic to apply the traditional mounting method. This applies to wooden buildings, as well as old houses with concrete walls, where during the work it will take a long time to ditch the walls, which leads to the formation of a huge amount of dust. As a result, one cannot stay indoors for some time, which causes a number of inconveniences for residents and repair teams. In addition, if errors in work are found over time, then it will not be easy to repair wires immured in concrete walls. An alternative can help out - open wiring in cable channels.
Main benefitThis option is easy to install. But there are also some nuances here:
- The wire is much easier to damage.
- Even if mechanical impacts have been avoided, other external factors, such as temperature and humidity changes, can degrade its performance in the future.
- The size of the cable channel for electrical wiring in some cases is quite large, it can harm the beauty and comfort of the room.
Keeping this in mind, you need to choose the right cable channel. Fortunately, their range is huge both in size and shape, and in the materials of manufacture
Types of cable channels for electrical wiring
With all the variety of brands, shapes and sizes, these products are available in two versions:
- Rigid cable channels. These include open and blind structures made of metal, wire or plastic.
- Flexible. For their manufacture, rubber (budget option) or flexible plastic is used. Such products are more reliable and of high quality, but are more expensive. They are corrugated pipes or sections that are connected to form structures of the desired length.
Types of cable channels for electrical wiring
Each owner who renovates the house has the opportunity to choose a cable channel that fits perfectly into the interior of the home. There are such varieties of these products:
- Mini box. Their width and height is a little more than 1 cm and are intended for telephone and Internet cables, as well as forwires of household electrical appliances such as computer, TV, etc.
- Designs for decorating skirting boards. They are one of the most advantageous for residential premises. In addition to sufficient protection of the wires, they also decorate the room in an original way, in particular, the baseboard. This creates an optimal balance of beauty and practicality.
- Cable channel in the form of a parapet. It is appropriate to mount it in institutions and offices. They are rarely used for houses and apartments, because they somewhat burden the appearance of the walls. However, with an appropriate design, it can be preferred, because it is quite reliable, has enough capacity for a large number of wires, and has built-in niches for sockets and switches.
- Floor boxes. They have a rounded shape, they are able to give originality to the appearance of the room, but they are not very popular.
- Ceiling structures. They have a triangular shape. One piece attaches to the ceiling, the other to the wall.
- Flexible channels. This is ideal for uneven surfaces.
Materials used for manufacturing
It has already been noted above that metal or plastic is used for the manufacture of these devices. It remains only to decide what to give preference. The key to making the right choice is knowing the characteristics of these materials.
Plastic cable ducts
Many people give preference to them, because the price for them is quite democratic, installation is also not very difficult. The material itselfsufficiently resistant to temperature extremes and other influences. Suitable for houses, apartments and offices, however, they are not recommended for industrial premises with powerful electrical equipment. In this case, in case of a short circuit, the temperature will be too high and unbearable for plastic.
Aluminum
High strength and durability, resistant to fire. However, they are rarely used for the home, only if the design is designed in techno style. However, they are ideal for industrial premises. Their installation requires skills and experience, as well as the availability of special tools.
Steel
You should pay attention to them if you need to purchase a non-combustible cable channel for electrical wiring, which, by its appearance, will not disturb the interior. These devices are universal, suitable for premises of any purpose, have an additional zinc-based coating that protects them from any impact. Differ in a variety of design solutions, so you can choose according to your taste.
Sizes
How to choose the size of the cable channel for electrical wiring? This question is rarely difficult, as there are many options for sale.
The dimensions of the cable channels for electrical wiring are selected so that all the wires that need to be laid fill the structure by about half. If we are talking about a three-core wire where grounding is used, then there must be a distance between its elements. Suitable in this casecable channel 25x16. It should not be laid in an oversized box. It will accumulate more air, which reduces fire safety. Some of these devices already have special recesses for wires of various sizes.
Preparing the surface for mounting
Regardless of whether it is a floor, walls or ceiling, if wires are to be attached to them, then they should be pre-aligned. Mounting the cable on a curved surface can disrupt the harmonious appearance of the room. In this case, the boxes will be skewed in different directions, and their latch will not be able to perform its function.
The next step is marking in accordance with the design of the electrical system. Its compilation is a responsible matter. It is necessary to accurately calculate the amount of material, choose a location so that the boxes fit into the interior as naturally as possible.
Required fixtures and tools
To complete the work you will need:
- Cable channels must be equipped with plugs that are installed in the corners and in other places where their elements are connected.
- Hammer and drill.
- Dowels, self-tapping screws or liquid nails.
- Special knife for plastic.
- Building level.
- Junction boxes, RCDs, sockets, switches and other electrical accessories.
Mounting the cable channel on the wall
For its fastening, dowels, self-tapping screws or liquid nails are used. The first option is suitable for concrete and brickwalls. The use of self-tapping screws is appropriate on wooden and plasterboard surfaces. As for fixing with liquid nails, this method is more suitable for giving additional structural strength. It should be taken as a basis only in exceptional cases, as a temporary option. If the size of the cable channel for the electrical wiring is very large, it is better not to use glue at all.
Work begins with marking future holes for drilling on the box and walls. It must be carried out taking into account the fact that the walls have irregularities. In these places, the distance between the fasteners should be reduced to about 6 cm.
When everything is planned and the holes are drilled, you can begin to install the cable channel. Separately, it should be said about the length of the dowels and screws. It must be at least 5 cm.
Next, you need to lay the wires. It is good if the boxes already have special recesses and cells for cable elements. If there are none, then the wires intended for the switches should be placed a little higher than those that go to the sockets, while making sure that they are laid evenly and do not touch the cable channel cover.
Installation of floor cable channel
The most popular devices in the form of skirting boards with a built-in cable box. They can be found in a variety of colors. This allows them to fit into any interior, creating a harmonious combination with the floor and walls. There is no need to level the surface. They are not very pricedhigh.
Although this cable channel is considered to be floor-standing, it is fixed to the wall.
To calculate the material, you need to know the perimeter of the room. Installation takes place similarly to the previous version. You only need to take into account that the fixing devices for skirting boards are located at a distance of 30 cm from each other.
Installation in a wooden house
Electrical wiring in the cable channel in apartments has not been widely used. However, for wooden buildings, it is ideal. Why? Because wood is a heat sensitive material. The location of conductive lines inside wooden walls is costly. This requires the installation of additional layers of non-combustible materials. There should be wires between them. Only highly qualified electricians can perform such work with high quality.
Even if everything is done correctly, hidden wiring can be dangerous for a wooden house. Agree, it is almost impossible to notice the slightest disturbances in the operation of a system hidden in a wall. Conducting open wiring in cable channels allows you to keep everything under control. There is no need to be afraid of violating the beauty of the interior, because boxes can be found in any color. Moreover, now there is even a cable channel for wood-like electrical wiring, which not only does not spoil the beauty, but also turns out to be a good addition to the design solution. Pay attention to the choice of electrical cable. It must be with insulation that does not support combustion, for example, VVGNG.
Cable channels in the bathroom
Life dictates its own rules. Every year there are more and more electrical appliances, including those that are most appropriate to place in the bathroom. So you need an extra outlet. Please note that wiring in cable channels in rooms with high humidity is only allowed as a temporary option. The presence of grounding in this case is mandatory, because the risk of electric shock increases several times. All sockets should be with a special spring cover that protects against splashes, they should be placed at a considerable distance from the bathtub and sink. All joints and cracks, if necessary, can be additionally fixed with sealant. In this case, a plastic cable channel is installed for electrical wiring. Metal boxes are strictly prohibited in such premises.
Helpful tips
Experienced craftsmen advise:
- Replacement of electrical wiring is best done simultaneously in all rooms. This will reduce the cost of work, because fewer additional accessories are required, including terminal blocks.
- It should be remembered that a quality product cannot be cheap, so it is recommended to forget about saving. Electricity may not forgive this.
- Wires, cable channels, and other mounting accessories are best bought with a margin to be insured against unpleasant surprises.
- When placing cables in the same junction box, you need to know that copper andit is forbidden to connect aluminum wires together.
- It is better to choose a cable that is designed for power above the average for a house or apartment. In this case, it will not be subject to premature degradation.
- The size of the cable channel for electrical wiring should be like this. so that the wires are freely located in it, but without excess margin.
- The cable should only be cut after it has been laid to avoid inaccuracies in the calculations.
- Cable channel 25x16 is ideal when only one wire needs to be placed.
Conclusion
Modern life requires speed and ease. Not spared this work on the installation of electrical wiring. It became possible to avoid unnecessary labor-intensive work associated with chasing walls and ceilings. Installing electrical wiring in a cable duct saves time and money. There are several ways. We talked about them above. Do not forget about those places where this method of wiring is not recommended. We are talking about rooms with high humidity. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of cable channels, you can make the right choice.
