To make high-quality wiring in the kitchen, you need to figure out how best to install it. The success of the entire event will depend no less on the choice of the correct connection option than on the materials used and the correctness of the work. It is important to correctly draw up a project and carry out the wiring in the kitchen with your own hands in full accordance with the established norms.
What is the wiring
The wiring can be hidden or exposed. Each option has its own pros and cons. You need to choose one or the other depending on the materials from which the building was erected. It also takes into account the features of the planned design and all decorative elements that are already or are only being planned in the room.
Open
An open wiring diagram in the kitchen is the simplest option for providing a home with electricity, which does not require any special skills and is completed in a short time. The main advantage of this option is that it does not provide for damage to the interior, does not require the dismantling of any objects or the entire interior decor in order to carry out the necessary work. In addition, if a short circuit appears in the wiring, you can quickly process it and eliminate the problems that arise without spending a lot of time looking for a specific location for their localization.
At the same time, do not forget that an increased concentration of moisture is constantly present in the kitchen, and therefore the wires will need additional protection. Also, the kitchen is characterized by constant temperature drops, which negatively affect the electrical wiring. Over time, the wires will overheat, their protective sheath will quickly lose integrity, ultimately this will result in their premature failure. It is not at all necessary that everything will be limited only to a power outage in the house, since such conditions often lead to short circuits, and this is already a direct risk of a fire hazard.
The most popular solution to this problem is special PVC cable channels. They are a special structure made of a box that is fixed on the surface of the ceiling or wall, as well as a reliable cover on which fasteners are installed. All the wires to be laid are placed in such channels, which are then pulled to the necessary household appliances, outlet or lighting.
Cable ducts of the latest models are distinguished by excellent electrical insulation characteristics, they can be easily bent, they are protected from high temperatures, due to which they will not melt during short circuits. You can purchase channels for any type of interior, including wood-like finishes.
Hidden
The hidden scheme is the most optimal. To make the correct wiring in the kitchen, you need to ensure its maximum safety. To do this, all the wires are hidden behind the surface of the ceiling or walls. In load-bearing walls or ceilings, special grooves are made into which the electrical wiring will fit, after which the recess is filled with cement or alabaster, followed by applying a decorative coating to it. Due to this, the wires are protected, and any interior can be made in the kitchen.The only caveat is that the wiring must be done before redecorating.
The method has its drawbacks. If any malfunctions arise, in order to find the exact place of their localization and carry out even minor repairs, it will be necessary to remove the external finish and re-punch the wall, since it will no longer be possible to get access to the wires in other ways.
Cable selection
To connect standard floor lamps, chandeliers, table lamps and some small spotlights, copper wires equipped with PVC protection of the PV or PPV brand are used. The main feature of such wires is their increased resistance to high loads; their service life will allow you not to worry about carrying out repairs for many years. In this case, the conductor cross-section must be at least 1.5 mm. The wires that will be routed to the outlets to provide power to powerful equipment should be selected with a cross section of 2.5 mm.
If thin wires are used, eventually the wiring will not be able to withstand the operating load, which will result in a short circuit or a fire in the cables.
If the kitchen is lit with devices enclosed in a metal case, it will not be possible to use a thin wire for them. To eliminate the risk of voltage transfer to the lighting device case, a three-core wire with powerful insulation must be connected to it. Only then can you be sure that the use of metal fixtures is really safe.
If equipment that consumes more than 8 kW per hour will work in the kitchen, you need to use a separate branch, which will include a three-core copper cable with powerful insulation. It is important to ground the device after installing it with the third conductor. The section in this case must be at least 6 mm.
Preparation for work
Installation of electrical wiring in the kitchen is an extremely responsible procedure, on which the quality of work of household appliances and the safety of people inside the room will depend. Therefore, it always begins with the development of the project.
- It is determined how much equipment will be used indoors.
- A drawing is drawn up, which will display the planned location of furniture and all appliances. It should also indicate where you plan to install all switches and sockets.
- It is determined what type of network is used to supply electricity to the house. When connected to a single-phase network, it is difficult to ensure the operation of several powerful devices at once, and therefore it will be necessary to limit the amount of equipment or turn it on separately in order to eliminate the risk of overload.
A three-phase network is an excellent tool for laying wires with almost any power reserve, which will allow you to use the equipment as you like.
Laying of electrical wiring
In order to properly carry out the electrical installation in the kitchen, the walls should be covered with preliminary markings in accordance with the diagram from the project. Further, following the figure, carefully make grooves in the walls, into which the wires will be laid, providing that in the future they will be masked with finishing. It is important to remember that if you need to turn the tool, you need to turn it strictly 90 degrees.
Sockets are being prepared into which the socket boxes and built-in sockets will be installed, and cables are laid in all the channels made. To fix the cable, it is recommended to make a special hole in the channel every 30 cm, through which it will be possible to fix it with dowel brackets.When the installation is finished, all channels are carefully covered with alabaster or plaster.
Socket boxes are installed in the pre-made recesses, from which the wires that power all the switches and sockets are derived. Do not forget to trim their position using a special building level, and then securely fasten with mortar and screws.
Places where several wires are twisted should be masked with special metal or polymer boxes. The boxes should be flush with the wall. Ultimately, all wires that come from switches, lights and outlets are combined with the main power input wire, and all connections are neatly covered with a protective sheath.
Useful Tips
It is important to choose in advance which machine to put in the kitchen. Masters recommend using differential automatic devices equipped with increased protection against moisture damage instead of standard RCDs.
In addition, consider all safety requirements:
- Laying is carried out only in conditions of disconnected electricity, and if necessary, hang a sign on the shield, which will warn other residents that work is in progress.
- Any connections to the central network are made only in accordance with the accompanying instructions.
- All tools must be insulated.
- Any dampness is removed before work is carried out.
Considering all these rules, you can properly lay electrical wiring in your kitchen without risking your own health, even if a person does not have much experience in such work.
