How to position the light switch on the wall - up or down

For homeowners who decide to make repairs on their own, it is important to know what distance from the opening to the switch, as well as to the floor level, must be maintained. Electricians increasingly prefer not domestic, but European standards, since they are characterized by an optimal balance of practicality and convenience.

Distance of the switch from the doorway, the height of the sockets

In GOSTs, PUE there are no regulations that create specific boundaries for the placement of switches and sockets from the doorway. Experts say that the optimal distance between the door and the switch is 10-15 cm. If you make the interval longer, you have to reach out and grope for the device in the dark, which is not very convenient.

The optimum height of the sockets above the floor is 20-35 cm. However, in some places it is better to determine the height individually, depending on the use of household appliances.

If a workspace will be organized in a specific place, you will need several sockets designed for a table lamp, router, chargers, monitor and system unit. The optimal height for placing sockets is 80-90 cm. This will greatly simplify the process of using electrical devices, since there will be no need to hit the corners of the table and climb under it to turn the device on or off.

In terms of the distance from the door to the switch, predominantly Soviet standards remained in the regulations. The electrical installation manual (PUE) contains the following list of requirements:

• Switches are installed on the side of the interior door handle. The height ranges from 0.5 to 1 meter.
• The following is presented to the sockets: the distance from the gas pipeline is at least 0.5 meters.

Sockets can be installed anywhere in the room, the distance from the floor surface should be at least one meter. This information is relevant for 2019, you can get acquainted with the requirements in more detail in the Russian regulatory documents.

European standards

Compatriots began to pay attention to European standards relatively recently. The remoteness of switches and sockets from the floor is as follows:

• sockets at a height - 0.3 m;
• switches at a height of 0.9 m.

This arrangement has both advantages and disadvantages. Electrical devices are conveniently located and unobtrusive. On the other hand, in order to reach the device, you need to bend over, often furniture blocks access to them.

Breaker position according to domestic standards

Most of the apartment buildings in Russia were built during the Soviet era, therefore, all electrical points were located according to Soviet standards - switches at a height of 1.6 m from the floor, and sockets - 0.9 m.

The sockets are always in sight and children cannot reach them. However, to turn on the light, you have to raise your hand.

Correct position of the light switch in the bedroom

In bedrooms, it is recommended to install double sockets near the bed at a distance of approximately 0.6-0.7 m from floor level.The bedside tables are of a similar height, which together will make it possible to functionally use the space by connecting a night light, charging mobile devices, etc.

If you plan to install a TV in the room, they additionally install another outlet for connecting, for example, a stereo system, Wi-Fi, etc. The total number of outlets depends on the number of equipment.

The backup socket is installed according to European standards for convenient use of a vacuum cleaner, iron, heater, etc.

At what distance from the door are the switches in the bathroom installed?

If we talk about switches and sockets in the bathroom, first of all, you need to think not about the functionality of the living space used, but about the safety of being in it. Sockets should be mounted wisely, since there is always the possibility of flooding. The optimum distance from the floor is at least 0.5 meters. This is due to the fact that low-lying electrical appliances are not used in the bathroom.

The PUE provides one requirement for the placement of outlets in the bathroom - the interval with a shower is at least 0.6 m.

It is recommended to install switches in bathrooms according to Soviet standards, i.e. outside the room, most often in the hallway.

Distance from the opening to the switch in the kitchen

In the kitchen, you cannot do without a large number of electrical appliances and household appliances, which significantly increases the load on the electrical network. To avoid breakdowns and fires, the wiring must be replaced with a new one if necessary. General recommendations that must be read:

• For installation and connection of the hood, the socket must be placed almost under the ceiling, at a height of at least 2 meters.
• One of the groups of electrical appliances is designed for floor-standing household appliances, the most common among them are a refrigerator, an oven, a freezer, and possibly a washing machine.
• At a height of 1.1 m from the floor level, a power group is installed, designed for heating devices.

The distance of the light switch from the floor surface and doorways depends on the technical characteristics of the room. Generally, the most practical height is the level of the person's lowered arm.

Useful Tips

Despite existing standards, many homeowners choose to do "as they please." So that non-standard solutions do not cause undesirable consequences, it is worth reading a few tips:

• It is recommended to schematically depict sockets and switches on the surface of the walls, this will allow you to analyze convenience, practicality.
• For safety reasons, do not install switches near sources of moisture or heat.
• Even at the stage of repair work, you need to decide where the furniture will stand, otherwise it may block access to the electric points.

You can consult with your relatives and comrades, perhaps many of them have already made repairs a long time ago and they have something to compare with and what to advise.

There is a large assortment of switches of different modifications; it is not difficult to choose the right one. The most common types: keyboard, touch, equipped with a motion sensor, acoustic, and rotary. Devices of different shapes, textures and colors are produced, so they can not be hidden, but, on the contrary, placed in a conspicuous place as an addition to the interior.