Socket strip: installation and fastening of the device, preparatory work

The difference between a block of outlets and a conventional outlet is that the block has a larger number of seats. It consists of a plastic case and elements located inside: contacts, terminals and other components. The contacts are connected to the springs for the plugs. Most of the newest units are equipped with grounding contacts, which guarantee safety when using the system, make it possible to reduce the voltage of the connected sources.

The device of the block and its attachment points

You need to know the connection methods and the nuances of mounting the socket block.

There are several types of blocks:

1. Designed to hide wiring. They are installed inside the walls and have a frame in the form of round recesses, which is intended for socket outlets.
2. Designed for open wiring. This type is mounted in the wall using a plate socket.

In addition to these two types, there are also pull-out modules designed to be mounted in furniture. They do not differ much from the previous two types.

Quite often, such blocks are installed in the kitchen. They are mounted, as a rule, at a level of 10-15 cm from furniture or 30-60 cm from the floor. They are very convenient when using such low-power devices as small household appliances, refrigerator, extractor hood.

In rooms, as a rule, sockets are mounted in the immediate vicinity of a TV or desktop. Triple sockets are often used in bathrooms. These types of blocks must have a moisture resistant module. The distance from taps to sockets should not be less than 60 cm.

Connection options

When connecting a unit of one group, it is necessary to use the daisy-chain method. This refers to the connection of each member of the group to a common power line of the wiring. The daisy chain is rated for a maximum load of 16 amperes.

The combined connection method using a parallel circuit is the most common, especially in European countries. In the countries of the former USSR, this type of connection is most often used when supplying electricity through separate lines to large consumers.

When connected in parallel, several cables leave the junction box, the first of which goes as a loop and provides electricity to 4 of the 5 sockets of the five-place block. Another cable goes to the fifth socket, which is provided for connecting more powerful equipment.

The advantage of the combined type of connection is the redistribution of risks: each socket does not depend on the operation of the nearby components of the circuit. However, there are also disadvantages, consisting in the high cost of purchasing the cable and the laboriousness of installation work.

Both stub and combined methods are used to form open and closed systems. The first method requires the formation of a channel in the wall, where the lines and sockets for connectors will be located.

The combined method involves pulling the PE conductor along the wall. Plastic channels make the system safer and more aesthetically pleasing.

Most ducts are equipped with wire baffles, which are easy to check with removable covers.

Installation tips

When choosing the installation method, it is necessary to build on the material from which the wall is made. If the walls are brick or concrete, then you will have to use chasing. Otherwise, the wiring can be left open.

Before starting work, it is necessary to de-energize the area where they will be carried out. In older houses, where there is no automation, to turn off the electricity, you must unscrew the plugs.

To carry out the work, you will need the following devices:

• block of sockets;
• bar;
• electric wires;
• socket boxes;
• plaster or alabaster solution.

When choosing a block, you should pay attention to its quality. In order to make the installation, you will need the following tools.

• perforator with a crown for drilling (70 mm);
• building level;
• installation tools;
• tape measure, marker, ruler;
• putty knife;
• solution tank.

When choosing a crown, it is also necessary to take into account the working material. Depending on this, you should choose the most suitable nozzle, the choice of which is quite large today.

Wall marking

Correct striping will provide convenience in carrying out the following operations. Before the very beginning, it is worth checking the wall for the presence of various communications in it. If the walls are made of plasterboard, then you need to be extremely vigilant so as not to disturb the frame on which it is attached.

Using a ruler, marker and level, you need to mark the surface. And also the number of outlets in the block should be taken into account. The future location of the hole is marked with intersecting lines, in the center of which small indentations are made. It is necessary to drill as accurately as possibleso that the bit does not move while drilling.

Some difficulties may arise when setting the horizontal position of the holes. In this regard, a slightly larger crown (80 mm) should be taken. The drawing is best done in advance, which will greatly facilitate the work, and also reduce the risk of incorrect wall marking.

Slitting process

It is necessary to groove the grooves for the seats along the marked lines at first at low revolutions, observing the desired position of the drill. For greater accuracy, mark the future recess with a small diameter drill, and then use the main crown to create a full recess. They usually collect pieces of material that should be removed with a perforated chisel.

All cavities of the holes should be cleaned of dust and residues of building materials. A paint brush and napkins are suitable for this purpose. After that, channels are created between the recesses connecting the protuberances of the socket boxes. If you need to create a personal line for one of the outlets, you should first make a channel.

When placing the cable in a corrugated sleeve, a more reliable protection of the PE conductor is provided. It is possible to chisel the partition with a hammer and chisel, although this is a very laborious and time-consuming process, especially if the walls are made of bricks. For such walls, only mechanized chipping is suitable.

Installation of blocks in drywall

Drywall is one of the most flexible materials, when working with it, there are practically no difficulties. Holes are drilled in the sheet using a special nozzle designed for plasterboard sheets. This job is pretty easy. However, excessive pressure on the drill should be avoided in order not to damage the fragile base of the sheet.

Boxes for installing drywall are equipped with special legs, which are located on the back side and tighten the glass into a niche. The gap between the wall and the sheet should be enough to place the block in it. If you cannot do this, you will have to chisel the wall.

Specificity of installation of socket outlets

To mount the socket outlets, you must use special glasses that are connected to each other using plastic clips. The glasses come in a variety of shapes. They ensure a reliable connection of all elements. Brick walls suggest that the fastening will be carried out using gypsum or alabaster mortar. The ratio of water and mixture is 1: 4.

It should be remembered that the creamy mixture dries quite quickly: literally within a few minutes. The powder must be dissolved in small portions and immediately put into the recess. The same solution is used for finishing the adjacent side edges and the bottom of the glasses. After carrying out all these actions, the block is immersed in the hole. The correct position of the installed glasses must be verified using a level. Do not allow protrusions beyond the boundaries of the wall. After checking, the edges of the flush boxes should be carefully leveled with a solution, thus achieving the most even surface. The rest of the solution can be used to cover the wire going to the outlet.

If wall tiling or plastering is planned, the block should protrude slightly from the wall. This projection can be between 5 and 7 mm.

Electricity connection principles

After the mixture has completely frozen, you can start connecting the indoor unit. If the socket has a daisy-chain type of connection, the wires go from the junction box to the first socket. The ends of the wire must be very carefully cleaned from the braid with a sharp knife. A side cutter is also perfect for this purpose. During stripping, a small margin of cable should be left to create additional connection if necessary.

It is necessary to hide the cable by twisting it in a spiral way and laying it inside the block. To make bows, you need to prepare pieces of wires of different colors. Make sure that the cross-sections of the bows are the same as those of the power line conductors. They should not be too elongated, because this will interfere with the correct installation of the socket into the back box. The cut wires must be stripped from the insulating layer by about 1 cm.

The wires should be passed through the adapters of the blocks, having previously ensured their good permeability and removing excess solution.

It will be easier to install the unit if the ends of the conductors are bent towards the terminals. Remove the protective cover from the surface of the unit, and then tighten the clamping screws by 5-7 cm. The first socket is connected to the processed phase end of the supply cable. The position of the terminals must also be taken into account. After that, the PE conductor and the zeros of the supply cable are connected to the 2nd socket. It is not recommended to tighten the nests too tightly.

When looping out sockets, the principle of polarity must be observed. The phase wire is taken from the phase with the terminal, and the zero wire is taken from zero. It is necessary to connect the protective conductor in strict accordance with the requirement of the Electrical Installation Rules, which mentions the mandatory creation of only non-separable connections of this type.

It is forbidden to ignore this condition, because then the risk of accidents increases significantly. For example, if you remove the ground at the main power point of the power outlet block during installation, the other participants in this circuit will lose the protective zero. In the future, if the mains voltage is applied to the housing module (in the event of equipment breakdown), the voltage will be transferred to all other housings of electrical devices connected to the mains.

Socket boxes with conductors connected to the terminals are mounted in the created recesses. This mechanism is reinforced with side clamps, after which it is necessary to check the strength of fixation of all elements. To do this, it is worth using the building level and, if necessary, make adjustments. Open parts of the wiring are wrapped with electrical tape or treated with a heat-shrinkable sponge. After completing these steps, you need to tightly tighten the self-tapping screws, fix the block module and put the decorative cover.

As you can see, the process of installing the socket strip is not that difficult. With minimal skill and technique, this task can be easily accomplished. The main condition is that you should think over everything in advance and prepare for work, take into account all the nuances and design features of the walls in order to avoid unforeseen difficulties.