How to install and connect a power outlet with your own hands: from theory to practice

Despite the fact that such a task as installing outlets is considered to be uncomplicated, in practice it can raise a number of questions, especially for those who decide to do it themselves, without experience. In the article you will find detailed information, both about the installation process itself and the necessary tools for this. We hope that step-by-step instructions, tips and tricks will help you come to the right decision.

Classification of sockets by installation type

Household quick-disconnect electrical connectors (sockets), in accordance with the specified classification, It is customary to divide into two types:

1. Overheadare installed directly on the wall surface. Because of this installation method, they are also called external. Installation can be carried out on virtually any type of surface (brick, concrete, wood, etc.).
   instagram viewer
   
2. Recessed. This term indicates that the installation will be carried out in the landing nests, usually made in the walls.

If the first type of questions, as a rule, does not arise, then with the second, there are nuances. As already mentioned above, the installation is carried out in the landing nests, subspecies of which differ significantly from each other.

We will not give the design of these devices, since a detailed description can be found in other publications on our website.

Classification, features and sizes of undergrowths

Depending on the material of the surface where the installation will be carried out, the landing nests are divided into two types:

1. Under the drywall.
2. For concrete and brick.

The differences between these species is that the former are fixed with special ears (marked with red circles in Figure 3), and the latter are “frozen” into the wall with gypsum mortar.

In addition, “glasses” can be single and composite. The first (they are shown in Figure 3) are used for single structures, the second - for a group of outlets.

If you plan to install two electrical points, it makes sense not to drill a second hole for the socket, but to choose a double socket design. This is especially true when mounting is done on a concrete surface.

As for the material, plastic is used for concrete, brick and plasterboard surfaces, if flush mounting is carried out in a combustible base, it is necessary to use metal sockets.

Concluding the topic of landing nests, we present their standard sizes, this information will be useful both at the design stage and during installation work.

Having finished with the theory, we proceed directly to the installation process. Let's start from simple to complex.

Mounting overhead sockets

This is the easiest installation option, if you follow the instructions below, then there will be no installation problems. We will proceed from the fact that the marking of the locations of electric points has already been made, in this case the algorithm of actions will be as follows:

1. We prepare the tool and the necessary materials. We will need:

• drill or perforator (depending on the type of surface), as well as the corresponding drill;
• fasteners, it is also selected depending on the material of the wall;
• a metal plate according to the size of the outlet (if installed on a wooden surface;
• screwdriver and the socket itself.

1. We disassemble the structure into components (unscrew the top panel, remove the mechanism from the bottom panel).

   

2. We cut out the plug through which the wires will be supplied (indicated in the figure above with a green circle).
3. We fasten the bottom panel to the wall (if it is made of combustible material, we attach a pre-prepared metal plate). If the wall is concrete or brick, it is first necessary to drill holes for the dowels at the attachment points. Mounting holes on the case are marked in red in Figure 7. Before tightening the fasteners, the base should be level.
4. We install the mechanism on the base.
5. We make a connection (this process will be described in detail in a separate section, since it is performed the same way for all types of devices).
6. We fasten the external panel.

As you can see, there is nothing difficult in this process. Now let's move on to the built-in installation.

Drywall Installation

For this process, we need the following tools:

• Drill or screwdriver.
• Drywall crown (Ø 67 mm), this is a special drill nozzle for cutting holes.

In extreme cases, if there is no such nozzle, then the holes can be cut with an ordinary clerical knife, but this is not recommended. On the other hand, you can do without a drill or screwdriver.

• A screwdriver (with its help, the socket is disassembled and assembled, as well as a “glass” is screwed).

First of all, we should install the socket, this is done as follows:

1. We install the nozzle with a crown on a screwdriver (drill), after which we cut a hole in the marked place.
2. We break out the plug for the wire in the landing nest, after which we put the electric wires there.
3. We insert the "glass" into the drywall and tighten the clamping screws (marked in green in Fig. 1).

When the socket has been installed, you can start finishing work, and upon completion we continue the installation of the built-in electric point. The sequence of actions is as follows:

1. We disassemble the design into elements, as a rule, it is enough to remove the front panel.
2. We connect to the terminals of the wire.
3. Set the base with the mechanism in the "glass", set it to level, and then fix it.

   

4. We fasten the front panel.

Installation in concrete or brick

As always, we start with the preparation of tools, in which case we will need:

• If the installation is done in concrete, a perforator is desirable, and a hammer drill is suitable for working with bricks.
• Screwdriver.
• A crown for concrete, not to be confused with a drywall nozzle, if you try to make the hole last, it will instantly fail. Detailed information on crowns for concrete and brick can be obtained on our website.

As an alternative, you can use a drill for concrete, in this case, holes are drilled around the perimeter of the seat for the "glass", then excess material is knocked out. This option is quite time-consuming, it can only be justified if you need to make one or two holes.

In addition, we need gypsum to make a solution for “freezing” the planting nests.

Algorithm of actions for installation of a socket for concrete:

• We install a crown nozzle of the corresponding diameter on the puncher, after which we drill a hole (A in Fig. 11). You need to prepare for the fact that this procedure is quite dusty, so you should take care of protecting your eyes and respiratory organs with glasses and a respirator. To limit the spread of concrete dust, the room can be “sealed” using plastic wrap and mounting tape.
• We knock out concrete (B), clean the hole (C) from dust.
• We prepare the landing socket (we break out the plug for cable entry), then we put wires into the “glass”.
• Knead the gypsum mortar and coat it with the seat (D), and then put the socket in it (E). Extruded excess solution is removed (F).

After the gypsum mortar has hardened, you can begin decorating. After their completion, we proceed to the second phase - the installation of electric points. Since the same built-in sockets are used for drywall, concrete and brick walls, the algorithm for their installation is no different. That is, it is carried out similarly to the process described above with drywall, so it does not make sense to bring it again.

Features of connection (electric part)

Before you begin this stage of work, you must make sure that the wiring is de-energized. That is, go to the input shield and turn off the machines, if this has not been done before. In addition, according to safety standards, it is required to hang a sign “Do not turn on people work!”, But in everyday life this requirement is usually ignored. In any case, it will not be superfluous to warn the home, but it is better to close the switchboard with a lock.

Once the safety standards are met, you can begin to connect. First of all, it is necessary to cut off the excess wire, leaving about 10 cm. The ends are cleaned, it is advisable to use a special tool for this purpose - a stripper, it allows you to quickly remove the insulation without damaging the current-carrying core (TKZH). For not having one, you can use a knife for stripping wires, in extreme cases, a regular office knife will do.

If stranded wires are used in the wiring, their ends must be crimped or tinned. In everyday life, this requirement is often ignored, which is fundamentally wrong, since the likelihood of loose contact increases, which can cause a fire. Therefore, do not be lazy to at least tear the ends of the wire. If a cable with a monolithic cable string is used, it is unnecessary to tin or crimp the ends.

Next, the prepared wires are connected to the corresponding contacts, the wiring diagram for a network with grounding and without it is presented below.

Accordingly, electric points with grounding (V in Fig. 12.) can be used in both versions.

If a group of outlets is connected, they must be connected in parallel, while the ground wire must be connected from a common point, as shown in the figure below.

This is done so that in case of "burning of the earth" at the first outlet, other electrical points in the group are not left without grounding.

When connecting, it is important to ensure that the wires in the clamp are tightened, otherwise the contact will be broken, which threatens it, as described above.

As for the standard, normalizing the location in the sockets of zero and phase, it does not exist, but it is considered good form when all the connections in the apartment or house are made the same way.

Briefly about retractable sockets

In the article, we did not pay attention to this type of electric points. This concept has only recently been introduced to the market, but nonetheless, it is rapidly gaining popularity.

Structurally, such devices are much more complex than typical products, respectively, their cost is much higher. No small effect on the price also has a novelty factor. In the near future, an overview of these devices will be presented on our website, including information on how to install a socket of this type.