How to fix the socket in the wall: methods, nuances and installation details

Carrying out electrical work, we often have to deal with the installation of socket boxes. Indeed, in reality, despite the name, they are used not only for installing sockets. For example, to install the same switches, you also need a socket outlet. Installing the latter is not something special or complicated, but how to choose and how to fix the socket in the wall, it will not be superfluous to know.

Function and types of socket boxes

The main function of the socket boxes is to securely fix the sockets and switches on the wall when using hidden wiring. And also this is where all the wires and their supply are located.

However, when installing sockets and switches, you need to know in what cases and which socket is best to use. The fact is that there are several types of the latter:

• For concrete and brick walls.
• For drywall.
• For wooden walls.

The choice is made based on the material of the wall. So, if the wall in the building is concrete or brick, then it is recommended to buy boxes for sockets specifically for this type of wall. In order to install this type of socket, you need to make a hole in the wallslightly larger in diameter than the glass itself. Moreover, inside it will be fixed with a solution. Such modifications are suitable not only for brick or concrete surfaces, but also for foam concrete, expanded clay or aerated concrete.

As for the installation of socket outlets in plasterboard walls, here the glass is selected with special fixing paws, which will securely fix the product.

For wooden walls, according to safety regulations, it is necessary to mount or overhead wiring and other components, or install an iron socket in a pre-drilled recess, where the latter is attached with any fastening fittings.

Preparation before work

Of course, in order to install the socket into the wall, you need to have some tools and prepare the installation site itself. By and large, preparation means the assessment of the wall and the selection of a suitable socket or socket in case you need to install a whole unit on several sockets.

The installation site is marked out, and in a situation with a block, you must not forget about the center-to-center distance. As a result, the place itself is ready, and all that remains is to choose the necessary tool:

• Pencil or marker with a ruler.
• Perforator.
• A drill for concrete, if you need to install a socket in a concrete wall, brick, block, and so on.
• Hammer.
• Chisel.
• Bit for concrete.
• Grinder with a disc for concrete.
• Assembly knife.
• Alabaster or other putty solution.

When the instrument is prepared, you can continue mounting the socket boxes. And here it is important which surface is used.

Installation in concrete

Concrete or brick is, for obvious reasons, particularly difficult to process. However, there are several ways to install flush boxes in such walls.

The simplest and most accurate of these is to use a crown to create holes. It looks like a cut tube with teeth made of extra strong material. As a rule, there are crowns of different diameters, so it is worth considering which one is needed in a particular situation. The standard size of the socket is 67 mm, therefore, the crown is needed a little more, that is, 70 millimeters. Next, a hole is carefully drilled in the wall according to the markings. Moreover, the crown should fit into the wall almost entirely.

Now the drill with the crown can be set aside and take up the hammer and chisel. The inner part is easily knocked out, and then carefully brought to perfect condition. And if the hole drilled with a crown fits perfectly in diameter, then the depth is not always the same. Therefore, you need to take the socket and, by inserting it into the hole, check whether it fits. It should fit into the wall almost completely and even with a margin of several millimeters. If the depth is not enough, then you will have to finish the hole a little more.

Now the cable is passed through the side holes of the socket box, and the glass itself is inserted as much as possible into the prepared hole. Moreover, in some cases, it is recommended to even cut the leading edge so that the product completely enters the wall, so as otherwise it is very possible that the socket or switch will not make firm contact with the surface walls.

The glass is fixed in the wall with a solution of alabaster or plaster. Although any other may work, but in this case you will have to wait a long time until it dries.

Before starting the fixing, the prepared hole must be moistened with water, and then put a little mortar inside. Further, not forgetting to pass the wire, the socket box is inserted and well recessed into the hole. It is worth paying attention here so that it does not go beyond the surface. Now you can put the solution into the remaining side voids and gently level with a spatula. After the solution has dried, everything will be ready to install the socket in the socket box.

Installation in drywall

In the case of drywall, the situation is much simpler. After all, drywall itself as a material is much easier to process. All that is needed from the tool is a screwdriver, a knife and a spatula. Although it is much easier to make an even hole with the same crown and drill.

The socket for drywall has special spacer legs, with the help of which there is a reliable fixation. Then it remains only to process the seat with putty. This will not only give a more aesthetic appearance, but also ensure reliable fixation of the product.

Working with a wooden wall

By and large, the installation of socket outlets in a wooden wall is not much different from their installation in concrete or brick. The only difference is in the box itself, since it requires the use of metal products. Otherwise, a hole is also drilled, after which it is adjusted to fit the glass. Fastening is done with screws. Also, do not forget that wiring on wooden surfaces requires compliance with the PUE.

Alternative methods for creating a hole

Often it can happen that there are simply no crowns at hand, and buying is not very rational. In this case, you can make a hole for the socket in other ways.

So, for these purposes, a grinder with a concrete disc is perfect. With its help, a rectangular niche is cut out according to the marking, which, after installing the glass, is filled with gypsum or alabaster, and then carefully putty.

Another, a rather ancient way is to hollow out a hole with a chisel or spatulainstalled in the punch. The process is extremely complex and energy-consuming, but the result obtained is quite satisfactory.

Some nuances

Despite the ease of installation of the box, there are some nuances that are best known:

1. If the wall is not processed and will be covered with plaster or tiles in the process, then this should be taken into account. Otherwise, the socket will be recessed too deep into the wall. To do this, it is good to know how thick the plaster or tile will be. If there is no such information, then it is recommended to make a preliminary stock of 5-7 mm or even make a hole after finishing.
2. When buying a box for an outlet, it is better to immediately purchase the outlet itself or the switch. There are two nuances here: firstly, this way you can be sure that the outlet itself will fit in size, and secondly, that there will be enough space for a supply of cable.
3. It is preferable to leave a stock of a cable 20 centimeters, but not less than 10, since during operation it is often necessary to remove the ends of the wires in order to strip new ones. Thus, the cable length may not be enough, which will lead to a forced build-up, and all kinds of twists and spikes are extremely undesirable.
4. When preparing the mixture for putty, it will be useful to pay attention to the consistency density. After all, if you make a too liquid solution, then it will simply spill out from everywhere, including into the box body itself. Too thick a solution will be extremely difficult to smudge into all the holes, besides, gypsum in this state will harden very quickly, which can interfere with the injection at all.
5. To ensure that the resulting socket or switch fits snugly against the wall, it is recommended to cut the front edge of the glass to allow it to sink deeper into the wall. Although in some cases this is not required.

The installation of socket outlets in any type of wall is not something special and difficult. Even a beginner can do such work without risk. And qualitatively. The main thing is the desire and knowledge of some of the nuances.