Connecting an outlet - step by step instructions for beginners. Proven options and installation schemes from the masters! One day of work as an electrician: connecting sockets with a flexible wire How to power an outlet from another outlet

Apartment renovation

Are you able to competently "look after" your apartment? Naturally, in the term of care, we include the organization of a cozy atmosphere, and periodic cleaning, and, perhaps, the main detail comfortable living- Maintenance of various household devices in working order. In the event that the light is not on in the apartment or the sockets are “closed”, living in it is completely unpleasant, and in some cases even extremely dangerous. In our article, we want to highlight a simple everyday task - connecting an outlet with our own hands. Any layman who has ever picked up a tool can cope with this work.

Types of sockets used in apartments

What a socket is, even small children know. A socket is a device for connecting various electrical appliances to the main house electrical network. The socket itself includes a working mechanism in which the terminals for connection are mounted. power cable and special contacts for the plug of electrical appliances, the socket is protected from the outside by an electrically insulating outer casing. At first glance, the design of the outlet is quite simple. However, in our world, everything is changing and modern sockets are no longer quite the same as those used in the past decade. And when connecting the socket it is better to be the taste of the device, both new and obsolete appliances.

So what types of sockets are available for sale on this moment? Grouping electrical outlets can be carried out both in terms of their structure and functional tasks.

Division of sockets according to their structure

Let us first describe the systematics of sockets according to their design:

• surface-mounted sockets for open wiring- mounted on a wall surface using a wood or plastic base in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bcabling, which are laid directly along the wall structure (at the moment they are usually used in small wooden houses);
• built-in sockets for concealed wiring- mounted in the cavity of the walls complete with an insulated "glass", the wires are also located in the cavity of the walls and pass to the glass itself;
• screw terminal socket- in this version, the cable from the mains is located between a pair of contacts and is clamped with a special bolt, this method is currently one of the most reliable;
• push-button socket- the capture of the contact is carried out by a special key, when the key is pressed, the plates are separated, thereby forming a place for contact, then the key is released, and the plates fix the contact quite firmly.

At the moment, we usually use built-in sockets with screw fixation, you will encounter this when you start replacing sockets in your apartment. In addition, sockets can be divided into double and single sockets according to the number of seats for the plug. By the way, a double socket can be mounted both in one socket (ordinary), and in several installed next to each other and communicating with each other with a special jumper (such a socket is called a team).

Combining sockets according to their purpose

• earthed socket- with a drain on the body of the socket of grounding marks connected to the "ground" of the house (serves to protect against the discharge of current breaking through to the body of the electrical device)
• closed socket- in such sockets, the place for the plug is masked by a special drop-down shutter or the holes themselves are closed by shutters that open only when the plug legs are inserted at a time (intended as protection for children so that they cannot insert any metal object into the socket)
• socket with configurable on/off- in the device of such an outlet there is a special timer, which indicates the time intervals of the connected electrical appliance
• socket with plug ejector- using a special button inserted into the socket device, you can easily remove the plug of the electrical appliance (such a socket prolongs the life of the plug)
• street socket- a socket with improved protective characteristics, which guarantees the operation of the socket in difficult weather conditions (protection class IP55 - from dirt and heavy water jets), has a special flap that masks the place for the plug
• bathroom socket- with maximum protection against moisture ingress (protection class from IP44)

Here it is necessary to mention that at the moment (due to the huge import of foreign devices), grounded sockets are used for the most part - since it is more secure. In apartment buildings built in the last century, there is usually no ground wire, but in general it is possible to lay it, for this you need to call an electrician in charge of your house. But it is preferable to deal with grounding together with laying new wiring, making a complete repair, otherwise an option may arise with external laying of the ground wire. Other types of sockets, in addition to waterproof ones, are used only at the request of the owners. In case you decide then, in addition to acquiring a socket with improved moisture protection characteristics, it is also necessary to clarify in which places sockets can be located, taking into account safe use.

In addition, there are such types of sockets as network (Internet), telephone and television, which are more often connected not in residential buildings, but no one forbids you to install them in an apartment.

Appearance and design of sockets

I would like to dwell a little on the design of sockets. V modern world a wide range of sockets of completely different brands appeared. Their cost, of course, is also different: the "cooler" , the higher the cost. But as statistics show, the best demand among people who want to connect an outlet with their own hands is used by models of a moderate price range - when you pay money for the quality of the device, and not for the "hype" of the manufacturer. However, in all cases, when connecting new sockets, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the sockets must fit well in their style into overall design apartment interior. I doubt anyone will be impressed by the cute retro rosette in the direction's living room. . And the reverse option will also not become harmonious. Thus, when going to the store, take into account not only the performance of the sockets, but also the visual atmosphere in your apartment.

Do-it-yourself installation of sockets

So, the selection of socket models is carried out. It is only necessary to mount them on the intended sites. In this article, we will describe the installation of a new built-in outlet in place of the old one, and for example, transferring the outlet to another seat, ground connection, and major wiring upgrades are issues for future reviews.

Outlet Replacement Plan

The general plan for connecting a new outlet will be as follows:

• de-energize the apartment on the shield (turn off the machine) and, for complete certainty, you can put on rubber gloves;
• make sure that there is no electricity in the outlet - for this you need to connect any working electrical appliance to it or use a tester;
• dismantle the old socket (remove the outer housing with the socket, unscrew the mounting bolts, remove the old working mechanism, disconnect the cables);
• clean the socket from debris (if there is no socket, you need to mount a new one, securing it with alabaster) and pull all the wires out so that it is convenient to work with them;
• prepare the cable for connection (correct the length, remove the general insulation, strip the ends of the cables by approximately 10-15 mm);
• connect the wires to the internal component of the purchased socket;
• carefully bend the cables, insert the internal component of the socket into the socket, fix it with screws or use the fastening tabs so that the mechanism is in the socket in the correct position;
• mount the frame
• screw the outer case to the purchased outlet;
• connect electricity.

Some features of connecting cables

If your apartment is located in an old high-rise building where there is no grounding, your work becomes easier, since there is absolutely no difference whether you connect zero or phase to the socket contacts. In such a case, it happens standard connection power cable. The main point is not to connect both wires to one contact, however, it is very difficult to do this in a single standard outlet.

In new buildings, grounding, as a rule, already exists, and as a result, a grounding cable has also been added to the two main wires. Here you already need to know specifically which wire carries which purpose in order to competently bring their connection to the inside of the outlet. In such a case, the work is facilitated by the color coding of the wires:

• phase - the cable often has white, red or brown braids;
• zero - black or blue color braids;
• earth - green-yellow, or green, or yellow braids.

The only caveat when connecting a grounded socket from a standard one is that the ground wire is connected to a dedicated terminal, with contacts placed on the socket casing.

To connect the cable to the screw clamp of the terminal, there are a couple of methods: directly pass the stripped end between the metal fixing plates or additionally wrap the cable around the screw itself in a half ring. The second option guarantees a better connection, it is only necessary to twist the ring correctly, namely clockwise, so that when the screw is tightened, the ring does not turn around.

You also need to properly strip the ends of the cables. best method- use a special device for removing the braid, which does not deform the wire. But not everyone has this tool (especially if your profession is not an electrician), as a result, you can use what is in any apartment. For such tasks, home craftsmen use, more often a knife or pliers. By the way, when cleaning a cable with several cores, it is necessary to cut the braid around the circumference and then remove it, but from a cable with one core, we carefully cut the braid, as it were, without deforming the core itself. The cleaned copper wire must also be soldered to extend the service life.

How to connect a double socket

About a regular outlet, in general, everything is clear, then we will consider connecting a double outlet.

In general, a standard double outlet is installed in the same way as a single one. It is only necessary to carefully connect the power cables to different brands, otherwise, when you connect the electric current, you will see a bright spectacle known to everyone as short circuit.

And, for example, connecting the assembled double sockets will be somewhat more difficult. This requires a piece of wire, the same length as that connected to the main socket. In other words, if there are three cables (zero, phase and ground) in the block into which the cables of the electrical network are connected, then there must also be three auxiliary cables. These cables are laid between the sockets, and in the main unit two cables are connected to the contacts - from the common wire and from the auxiliary one, in the other socket the cables are connected according to the standard scheme. Visually see this procedure in the video:

That's all! It turned out to be not difficult at all - I think, while studying at school, you had to understand more complex schemes. So you can safely take the tool and proceed to repair work. This skill can help you in the future, because for the sockets to work well, they must be periodically opened for a preventive inspection of the reliability of the contacts. After that, the electrical network in your apartment will work without any failures.

Tsugunov Anton Valerievich

Reading time: 3 minutes

The connection of sockets with a loop is often used when installing electrical wiring in an apartment. This is a fairly common connection method; in essence, it is a backbone connection of consumers.

Connection methods

Currently, there are two main schemes in the apartment:

• Radial connection (sometimes called "star" connection, which should not be confused with the circuit used in three-phase circuits). Such technical solution widely used in apartments and private houses. Its main advantages are simplicity and reliability. Main disadvantage- high consumption of expensive cable.

• Ring scheme. It is practically not used in our country, but it is widespread in some regions. Western Europe. The meaning of such a connection is that the electrical circuit supplying the load is closed in a ring. This achieves the possibility of supplying consumers simultaneously from two sides. The ring scheme significantly increases the efficiency of electrical wiring compared to the traditional radial connection and at the same time is more reliable in relation to the main one.

Wiring diagram

In the case of a radial connection, each is allocated a separate line that goes directly to the junction box. Naturally, the reliability of such a scheme is the highest of all non-redundant connections. In order to reduce consumption electric cable, necessary for the installation of electrical wiring in a radial pattern, looping of sockets is often used.

Since this circuit uses socket terminals as places for connecting wires, such a connection has some properties of a serial electrical circuit. Namely:

1. If the wire burns out at the terminal of one of the devices (the vast majority of breaks occur in such places), all the devices following it are inoperative.
2. Connecting each of the consumers causes a significant increase in current in the wires connecting the sockets to the electrical box.

Thus, it is advisable to use the connection of sockets with a loop in cases where the total power of consumers does not exceed the maximum allowable power of the cable supplying the group of sockets.

Features of mounting a group of sockets with a loop:

1. According to requirements of the PUE, the PE conductor must not have any breaks. To connect it to the terminals of the electrical installation, separate branches must be used. Incorrect connection of the ground conductor can lead to the fact that if it breaks at one of the outlets, all other devices will also be ungrounded. Since it is impossible to determine the quality of grounding without special measurements or visual inspection of the integrity of the PE conductor, in this case it is not possible to achieve the required level of electrical safety.
2. To protect consumers powered by a group of sockets, it must be used at 16 A. If the total power of the electrical installations supplied exceeds 3 kW, then a separate line must be laid for each device.

The main advantage of terminal blocks is the absence of the need to use special tools for their installation. Such products are installed very quickly and easily. In addition, each of them can be easily dismantled for repair or maintenance of the junctions of the wiring elements.

In turn, the advantages of crimp sleeves include higher quality electrical connection as well as their low price.

When using terminal blocks or crimp sleeves, it is necessary to proceed very carefully, since it will be necessary to compactly arrange all the resulting connections in the socket. Some experts recommend not being limited to making a branch for the ground wire, but connecting the phase and zero to the socket contacts in the same way.

Phase and neutral wires can be connected directly to the socket contacts. The quality of such a connection is largely determined by the type of contact. Standard bolt clamps are often not able to provide sufficient reliability for connecting two wires inserted into them at once. Therefore, terminal blocks must be used for devices intended for daisy chain connection. Another option is to use quality devices equipped with several clamps for each terminal.

The procedure for the installation of a stub connection

1. Preparation of installation sites for socket boxes and wall chasing for cable laying between sockets.
2. Laying a cable from the junction box to the first socket, from the first to the second, and so on according to the number of sockets in the loop.
3. Preparation of branches for connecting a PE conductor, and, if necessary, a neutral and phase wire.
4. Installation of branches and laying them in the socket.
5. Connecting the neutral, phase and ground conductors to the corresponding terminals of the device.
6. Fixing the working part of the product in the mounting box.
7. Installing the outlet cover.

A master who knows how to connect an outlet without errors will save residents from defeat electric shock. This is the main thing, but not the only one. An incorrectly connected outlet will not provide power various devices up to the mark. It will be inconvenient to use, absolutely unreliable and will not last long.

The information contained in this article can be read quickly. But valuable information about the features of working with a home electrical network will be useful for many years. Sockets, switches, circuit breakers and other fittings from time to time have to be repaired, reinstalled or installed in a new location. It is better to do this in such a way that the safety and reliability of the device is not in doubt.

The main components of the socket are a block assembly, protected from the back by a socket box, with an external one - a decorative box with a fixed screw. The box in most cases consists of a front panel and a frame. The socket box is used only for those sockets that will be installed on the wall, and not in the recess. The deck includes:

• frame;
• phase and zero contacts, into which the plug is connected;
• terminals for connecting electrical wires;
• ground contact;
• movable or fixed legs for mounting in a box or on a flat surface.

Grounding is not provided for all sockets, in the simplest devices it is not. When screwing the screws, the movable legs are spread apart, being fixed on the walls of the plastic boxes. Double-tongue tabs hold the joint more securely, as they are sharper and penetrate deeper into the plastic.

If the terminals to which it is connected are screw, they should be lubricated before use, for which cold solder is used.

Common types of sockets

The connection of the socket begins with its right choice. There are hundreds of types and subspecies of sockets, they all differ from each other both in design and purpose. But there are not so many devices most common in everyday life, GOST 7396.1-89 recommends their use, depending on further operating conditions.

1. Type C 1a. Socket without grounding. In operating mode, it must withstand up to 10A DC, up to 16A AC and voltage up to 250 V. This socket can provide work simple appliances that do without grounding;
2. Type C 2a. This outlet has two grounding prongs on the sides. The operating parameters are the same as those of the first type, but you can already connect to such an outlet electrical appliance high power. We are talking about washing machines, electric ovens, water heaters, water pumps and similar appliances;
3. Type C 3a. The same device as C 2a, but with pin type grounding;
4. Type C 5. Sockets Soviet period, are well suited for equipment left over from the same time. Withstand up to 6A;
5. Type C6. The so-called euro-sockets with wider holes for the plug and a housing protruding above the wall. Suitable for electrical appliances with the appropriate plug.

Before installing sockets, you should select the cable. For options with grounding, it must be three-wire, without grounding - two-wire. Usually, a core with yellow insulation is intended for grounding, red or brown for phase wire, blue for zero. The cross section of the wire is selected depending on the upcoming load.

Moisture protection and dust protection are designated, for example, IP44. This marking indicates that a device is installed in the network that is protected from solid particles larger than 1 mm and from circular splashes.

It is undesirable to install sockets in the bathroom or in the bath, but it is often difficult to do without it. If there is no other way out, you need to pick up a waterproof device equipped with a special cover.

Wiring and socket installation method

Usually, to install an outlet in a concrete wall, it is planned to make a special channel (strobe), drill holes for the socket box, install the wire and the box, and then install the outlet.

Installing sockets in drywall requires similar work, with the only difference being that you will have to make much less effort.

On wooden or adobe walls, wiring is attached open way, since deepening it is not safe from the point of view of the rules fire safety. A socket with a socket box is installed on such a wall. If we are talking about, for example, a steam room, then the installation of the wire must be carried out using special plastic boxes.

Connection type

How to properly connect the socket (sockets), based on the number and characteristics of electrical appliances that will be connected to them? First you need to select the type of connection. There are two of them:

• "loop", or serial connection;
• "star", or parallel connection.

"Loop" - the connection of each next outlet is actually from the previous one. This applies to zero, phase and ground. In this way it is convenient to assemble in one row, vertical or horizontal, up to five or more outlets. The disadvantage is that it is not recommended to connect powerful equipment to such sockets.

"Star" - with this socket connection scheme, it is connected directly to the junction box. It is done like this:

1. With the help of special caps, ordinary electrical tape or other devices, the power wire in the junction box is connected to right amount wires leading to sockets;
2. Each outlet receives its wires from a junction box, which allows you to connect devices with high power consumption without risking the outlet itself;
3. To make such a connection, you should choose wires that are smaller in cross section and capabilities than the wire connected to the junction box. For example, if a 25A cable with a cross section of 2.5 sq. mm, it is possible to connect wires to 16A with a cross section of 1.5 sq. mm.

At what height to install sockets

The installation height of sockets is determined on the basis of purely practical considerations. It is necessary to take into account the convenience for users, the length of the power cable for heavy devices (refrigerator, washing machine) and security. Sockets break down from time to time and need to be replaced or repaired. When preparing the installation, you should keep this in mind.

The distance to sockets from the floor is usually from 30 to 80 cm. When installing at a low height, you should take care of the safety of children by choosing devices with special curtains. The upper point of the outlet location is not determined by the norms.

But you need to know that there should be at least 15 cm from the floor slab to the socket, and at least 10 cm from the edge of the window opening. atmospheric factors.

Installation process

We have one strict rule, which corresponds to the official safety standard. When performing any work on the network, you must turn off the power supply. Moreover, double control will not be superfluous: after the circuit breaker is turned off, from time to time it is necessary to check the wiring for the presence of current. Scrupulousness in this matter will help to avoid many troubles.

Stage one: preparatory work

The socket tends to be disassembled into parts, and this should be done on preparatory stage. It is necessary to unscrew the housing, which is fastened with a fixed screw. If the outlet has a socket, you need to remove it as well. The bottom line is to gain access to the terminals to which the wires will be attached.

Here it should be clarified that not all sockets are removable. There are also those who are one with the block. In this case, the disassembly process is somewhat simplified.

If the outlet has to be mounted on top of a concrete wall, it is recommended to use plastic dowels. For them, it is necessary to pre-drill the wall according to the diameter of the dowel and the location of the mounting holes on the socket. If it's about wooden wall, it is quite possible to do with self-tapping screws.

Hidden installation of the outlet is somewhat more complicated. Under the socket box, you will have to drill a hole of the appropriate diameter and depth in a brick or concrete wall. For work, a core drill for concrete, a hammer drill or hammer drill, chisel and hammer. A round groove is cut with a core drill.

Everything that is inside this groove is removed using the tools mentioned above. The wire leading to the junction box will also have to be hidden under the plaster. To do this, you need to make a groove with a puncher, drill or wall chaser, if any.

It is also necessary to the power cable in the junction box.

Each master chooses his own method, but the most popular are three:

1. Use of PPE caps. The insulation from the wire should be removed by 3 cm, twisted with the power cable, put on the cap on top and screw it on;
2. The use of VAGO terminal blocks is more promising, since the process is simplified to the limit, and you can connect the required number of wires by creating several parallel lines. The wire is stripped one and a half centimeters and inserted into the terminal block. At correct installation a click is heard;
3. The same as in the first method, but instead of caps, electrical tape is used.

With all types of connection, it must be ensured that adjacent conductors do not come into contact with the cleaned parts. Otherwise, a short circuit will follow when turned on.

Step two: connecting the wires to the outlet

A double or triple cable must be connected to the socket terminals, arranging it so that all the wiring is separate inside the housing. The connection must be reliable, but contact of the cleaned parts of the conductors must not be allowed.

• The overall insulation is removed. If the outlet is not a consignment note, experts recommend leaving up to 20 cm of cable for future use. The total insulation must be removed one and a half centimeters more;
• There is nowhere to place a supply of wire in an overhead outlet, so the cable length should not be more than required. It is recommended to lead the general insulation into the socket housing by about half a centimeter if the wire is mounted on the wall without a box;
• To connect the wires to the terminals, they must be stripped of insulation by about a centimeter;
• The contact of the wire and the terminal should be as large and reliable as possible. It is recommended to twist the cleaned wiring into a ring and then clamp it with a screw to the contact pad. Aluminum or copper ring can be further flattened with a hammer;
• The screws are tight, but not too tight. With excessive effort, you can damage the socket, which has a lot of fragile plastic elements.

Step three: connect the outlet

The socket box or socket box in the case of a surface-mounted socket was prepared in the previous steps. It remains only to fix the block, and then screw the decorative box.

The paws are screwed in turn, each by several turns, otherwise a distortion will inevitably occur. In this case, it is necessary to control the position of the block so that the line between the legs remains parallel to the floor line. The block itself should go deep into the box to the desired depth. Otherwise, the decorative box will also be installed unevenly. The paws are screwed to the stop. If the socket box is chosen correctly, the design will hold securely.

When the assembly is completed, it remains only to connect the circuit breakers and check the performance of the outlet. But you should not make a common mistake and be the first to include some household appliance. Use a multimeter to check for voltage.

Important! To protect your home from fire, and relatives and friends from electric shock, home master must always be aware of safety regulations while working.

Conclusion

Replacing the outlet with your own hands is carried out in the same way as installing it, but some steps are skipped.

Electrical socket. Now I will talk in detail about how to connect 220 volt electrical outlets to each other or from the electrical wiring junction box.

Turn off the machine before starting work. in the electrical panel of your apartment, house or garage, from which the outlet is connected. Proceed to connect with your own hands only after you make sure that there is no voltage with.

Wiring diagram for an electrical outlet

All electrical outlets to each other or to a junction box connected in parallel- wires of the same color are connected to each contact from one to the other socket, respectively. It does not matter which of the two contacts to connect the phase or zero, just do not make a short circuit.

Very important to the third grounding contact, connect only the third grounding conductor, which is not involved in the operation of the electrical appliance. It has only one function - to protect us from electric shock and reduce the level electromagnetic radiation from the refrigerator, washing machine and other household appliances With metal cases. The grounding contact in the electrical outlet is always open, and is connected in the middle between the main contacts.

There are only two ways to connect:

Me when drawing up a wiring plan for an apartment, house or garage, I try to connect all electrical outlets or their blocks directly from the junction box. The exception is when single or double sockets are nearby, and the wiring box is much further away. For blocks of 2, 3, 4, 5 outlets, always lay a separate cable from the junction box.

According to generally accepted standards, in the electrical wiring, the blue wire is zero, yellow-green is ground and red (white) is phase.

Step-by-step instructions for connecting an outlet

Very important in order to avoid the occurrence of a short circuit, so that the insulation on the wires is not damaged or protected more than necessary.

Connecting a double socket

In a standard single mounting box(with the exception of reduced versions) it is easy to install a double or double electrical outlet. And it's easier to hook it up.

We clamp on the side contacts Phase and Zero, and on the central one with unprotected metal grounding plates - a grounding conductor. If it is necessary to connect another cable from a double socket with a cable, then we connect in the same way in pairs to each contact of the same color of wire or cable core.

Connecting a 220-volt electrical outlet in your house, apartment or garage is quite simple, much more difficult at 380 volts. I recommend reading ours.

How the block is connected from sockets or a switch + socket combination you will learn from our next article.

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