Overhaul in an apartment of a multi-storey building in most cases is accompanied by the replacement of not only switches and sockets, but also all electrical wiring. This is done because the lines installed in the Khrushchev and Stalin buildings are not designed for modern loads, and have worn out over the decades of operation. Sometimes the installation of new communications is carried out in new buildings, where the electrical cable is brought out only to a common shield at the entrance. You can do the electrical wiring in the apartment with your own hands, provided that safety measures and the Rules for Electrical Installations (PUE) are observed.
Distinctive features of modern electrical wiring
The new conductors of electricity are qualitatively different from the products that were in use in the last century. A number of factors have contributed to the development of technology, covering the areas of safety, reliability, usability and durability.
Modern wiring in an apartment is characterized by the following aspects:
- Use exclusively copper wires. This metal has better conductivity than aluminum and good elasticity. When contacts are oxidized, the technical characteristics practically do not change, which makes it possible to connect powerful electrical equipment to the network.
- Cable insulation. Polymeric materials with excellent flexibility and insulating properties are used. The best products, when in contact with fire, do not emit toxic substances into the air, they are capable of self-extinguishing.
- Plastic wiring. The connection of the wires is carried out in special boxes that provide reliable protection against mechanical stress and moisture. Installation of sockets and switches is carried out in plastic cups, which have a better degree of fixation.
- Availability of grounding. In new panel buildings, three-core cables with an earthing wire are being laid. It is convenient and safe. But, it is necessary to install sockets and switches with three terminals.
Modern networks require a large number of automatic devices: stabilizers, fuses and residual current devices. Their purpose is to protect household appliances and people from electric shock.
What is the wiring diagram for?
Wiring is a collection of cables, wires, jumpers, junction boxes, protective and control devices, sockets and switches. All this equipment is needed in order to provide current to consumers of energy, which are located in different places and have different power. Only the right approach and competent calculation can ensure a clear and trouble-free operation of the entire system.
The wiring diagram in the apartment is needed in order to ensure that the following requirements are met:
- Unimpeded access to controls, devices, switching points, sockets and switches.
- Laying cables, the capacity of which corresponds to the planned load. Calculations will help you not to overpay for powerful and expensive property, buying it exactly in those parameters that are required.
- Calculation of the required amount of property and budgeting.The installation of electrical wiring in the apartment should not stop if materials suddenly run out.
- Ensuring optimal positioning of electrical devices. They should not interfere with people and spoil the interior of the room. At the same time, the rules for installing electrical appliances regarding openings, heating and plumbing fixtures must be observed.
The wiring diagram in the apartment is a document on the basis of which all subsequent repairs and modifications will be carried out. Knowing the locations of the lines will help save time, effort and money when carrying out various works.
Where to start electrical wiring in an apartment
Electrical installation in an apartment is a complex and responsible undertaking that begins with planning. It must be remembered that wires are laid for decades, if we are not talking about an open method.
You need to start with a detailed drawing of the apartment, indicating all the rooms, including the balcony and the vestibule.
Then it is recommended to hold such events:
- Measure all furniture and household appliances. Transfer dimensions to paper.
- Draw window and door openings. Specify the direction and width of the leaf opening. They will cover the part of the wall in which it is impossible to run the cable, install sockets and switches.
- Place electrical appliances in a free space. Building regulations for distances from floors, corners and heaters must be observed.
- Make a calculation of the predicted energy consumption for each point and room. This will allow you to determine the power of the cable, jacks and their number.
- Make an estimate. It should include not only consumables, but also devices for their installation. The cable must be taken with a small reserve, taking into account possible errors.
It is better to plan the installation of wiring in the apartment with a family council. There is always the possibility that one of its members may express an opinion that does not coincide with the project. On the other hand, someone has far-reaching plans to buy new cabinet furniture or install partitions in the places where the appliances are intended to be located.
Wiring plan
The features of the documents are as follows:
- kitchen - several lines for powerful consumers;
- bathroom - high humidity accounting;
- corridor - a minimum of sources, as for a passageway;
- hall, nursery, bedroom - a large number of sockets for household appliances.
To make the diagrams brighter and easier to read, lines, switches, junction boxes and sockets can be highlighted in different colors by making a footnote with symbols.
The layout should be done with a marker, since the pencil on the concrete is hard to see, the markings are easily erased. Lines are drawn so that switches and sockets are on the same horizontal levels.
In some houses, cable ducts are provided for by the project. It remains to lay plastic tubes in them and tighten the communication inside. If there are no channels, the chasing and drilling of the holes for the socket boxes must be done independently. For these purposes, a grinder and a perforator are used, equipped with diamond-coated nozzles. The grooves are brought to a level of 20 cm below the floor slab, after which they are led out at right angles to the apartment panel. The cable is fastened with alabaster, but it is better to use plastic tubes for this. Products protect communications, help to lay lines around the apartment faster and easier. The wires are connected in plastic boxes.
For commutation, buses and terminals are used. The splitting and twisting method with subsequent insulation with tape or casing is allowed.
Electrical wiring diagram in the apartment
You can only draw lines vertically and horizontally. It is forbidden to make diagonal or curved connections when carrying out the internal method of laying the cable. This is fraught with the fact that when drilling a hole, the drill can pierce the wires, which will lead to a short circuit. The consequence is the shock of a person and the subsequent replacement of communications.
It is necessary to observe the following distances between electrical elements in the circuit and interior items:
- floor - 30-120 cm;
- ceiling - 20 cm;
- corners - 20 cm;
- sinks, bathtub - 100 cm;
- heating radiators - 10 cm (bottom);
- electric and gas stoves - 50 cm;
- openings - 10 cm.
Lay the cables so as not to damage the supporting structures. In addition, the devices should not, after settling, be behind cabinet furniture or open doors. Free access requirements are dictated by convenience and safety.
Ways to wire the cable
Bathrooms are characterized by the presence of powerful consumers and high humidity. To exclude the slightest possibility of electric shock, each device must be connected through a separate machine with the obligatory use of grounding. Outlets must have a protective cover to prevent water from entering.
A fan pattern is required for the kitchen, as this room contains a lot of household appliances located in different places. For powerful products (air conditioner, oven), a separate line should be provided from the back box.
The lighting group includes central chandeliers and spotlights. Depending on the configuration and area of the room, one or two main lamps are installed in it. A two-phase line is connected to the switch. Further, a single wire is launched to each device, forming a closed loop.
- Consistent. Consists of fragments located one after the other. Node blocks are not used. The advantage of this option is the savings in materials, since they are consumed to a minimum. There are also disadvantages - the load on the line is distributed unevenly, if the integrity of one element is violated, the entire system is de-energized.
- Parallel. A separate node is set up for each direction. The scheme involves a large consumption of cables and junction boxes. Plus in its reliability - if one direction fails, the rest continue to function. An extension cord can be pulled from one of them to the appliances.
- Combined. It combines parallel and sequential methods. Parallel is used to supply current to boxes, wiring to the ceiling and walls. Lighting devices and sockets of the same group are connected in series.
The choice depends on the area of the room, the number and power of consumers.
Examples of circuits
The cable is laid from the panel and meter to sockets and lighting devices according to the wiring map. The studio is a one-room apartment, which has demolished piers that do not perform a load-bearing function. The presence of free space makes it possible to install a large number of electrical installations of various capacities. Based on this, it is necessary to divide consumers into groups and bring separate lines to them through packet switches.
Example of grouping directions:
- Powerful devices - 32 A.
- Household appliances - 16-25 A.
- Lighting group - 10-16 A.
The installation of the electrical network for multi-room apartments is carried out in a similar way.It is advisable to allocate a place for an introductory panel, in which packet switches are installed, from which a line goes to each room.
Wiring directions and their characteristics:
- Living rooms - 16-25 A.
- Kitchen - 32 A.
- Bathroom - 25 A.
- Corridor - 8 A.
- Balcony (loggia) - 8 A.
Such a solution is good in that you can de-energize one room, if there is a need to hang a chandelier, replace the socket or switch.
Independent design and wiring diagrams
Professional knowledge and skills are not required for the production of a real estate electrification project. Anyone who has mastered the high school physics program can do this.
Step-by-step instructions for drawing up a diagram:
- Drawing a plan of housing.
- Distribution board.
- Package switches.
- Sockets and their type.
- Key switches.
- Stationary lighting devices.
- Mounting boxes.
- Cable and wire routes.
When designing, it should be borne in mind that only internal walls can be channeled. It is prohibited to touch the load-bearing walls.
