While engaged in construction or repair, manyhomeowners are wondering about how correctly and at what height from the floor to install switches or sockets. After all, this largely depends not only on the convenience of their use, but also on the safety of operation.
In order to deal with this issue, we will consider the rules for their placement, which existed in the recent past, and new European standards that came from civilized Europe.
To date, no strict standardsor rules governing the location and number of outlets and switches, does not exist. "Eurostandard" is just a convention, because here only convenience in use plus safety technology is of primary importance. The only documents that address this issue are: a summary of the rules for the design of public and residential premises (SP 31-110-2003) and the rules for the installation of electrical installations (EEE), therefore installation of wiring should be based on these recommendations. From the first follow these rules of installation:
The PUE discusses some safety rules that must be observed when placing.
There are 2 ways to locate switches and sockets in apartments and houses. These are old, many familiar Soviet standards, and so-called European standards. Let's consider each of them in detail.
During the Soviet era, the living quartersThe switches should be installed at the level of the human shoulder or under the ceiling. Sockets in the wall were installed on the basis of convenience and safety. As a rule, they were mounted at a distance from the floor of approximately 90-100 cm.
Ceiling switches worked as follows.To control the light, a cord was attached to the spring-loaded mechanical lever hidden inside the housing. At its first tension, the light caught fire, and at the other - the gas.
The height of the switch from the floor was 160-180 cm.This distance at that time was considered the most suitable and optimal for controlling light. And today, especially for the elderly, this is the most convenient option. The switch will not block low furniture, for example, thumbs, and it will be located at eye level. Besides, little children will not reach him. Many are accustomed to this arrangement of switching devices and consider it to be the norm.
The specified height of outlets and switches from the floor has its advantages and disadvantages:
The height of the switch from the floor according to the European standard is 90cm, rosettes - 30 cm. However, as such, standardization has never really existed, and in our life this concept came along with the concept of European-quality repair, replacing the "Soviet standard". Of course, he has his advantages and disadvantages:
Height of sockets and switches according to "Soviet"standards, in terms of convenience, many are considered highly questionable. The notorious European standard was given much more preferences today. And there are many reasons for this. For example, a block of outlets is not so conspicuous as a lot of sockets with cords and "tees". The height of the switch from the floor of 90 cm (at the level of the lowered human hand) is also very convenient, as it can be quickly found even in the dark.
Sockets and switches that do not have protection fromleakage current "on the ground" (Difavatus, RCD), installed in bathrooms and toilets is highly discouraged. The same applies to the outlet for the washing machine.
Before proceeding to the immediateinstallation of the switch or socket, on the wall it is necessary to circle their outline. In concrete, the hole is made with a perforator with a diamond bit. The receptacle may be square or round. In the prepared holes insert special installation boxes. To fix them, use a building plaster, plaster or gypsum glue. The box is attached with sliding tabs or screws, then a plastic case is put on it.
Installation in the wall of plasterboard is somewhat different,and the toolkit is different. All the holes in the plasterboard sheets, where the cable will be made, are made in advance. To fix the switches and sockets use special paws. They will keep them on the sheet.
Open wiring is extremely rare and, likethe rule is fixed temporarily (for example, during repair), because the wires spoil the interior. Agree, look at the wall, where everything is aesthetically pleasing and neat, much more pleasant.
If the wiring andconnection of the socket and the switch without involving a specialist, you should adhere to the above recommendations and certain rules that will allow you to perform all the work without any problems and, most importantly, safely.
So, there are clear standards as to whichshould be the height of outlets and switches from the floor (euro or Soviet standards) no. But there are many recommendations that need to be followed, especially for security reasons.
