The use of grounded outlets ensures the safety of households when using electrical appliances. But home craftsmen are in no hurry to update the wiring, considering the process of installing grounding sockets difficult. Although standard scheme work is quite simple.
We will help you sort out this issue. Before connecting a grounded socket, you must study it design features and find out the type of wiring in the house. The information in the article is supplemented with visual photo and video instructions for a better understanding of the process. electrical work.
The instructions for any electrical appliance clearly state that it is prohibited to use it without grounding. The main purpose of grounding is to ensure the stability of complex home appliances and protect from defeat electric shock.
According to the PUE, clause 1.7.6, grounding is a deliberate connection of one of the elements of an electrical installation with a ground loop. It is constructed with the aim of diverting currents of damaging and non-damaging values through a grounding protective conductor to the ground.
If earlier in apartment buildings laid two-core electrical cables, today it is mandatory to use wiring consisting of three cores
In the outdated system, the "neutral" partly performed the function of grounding. Zero was connected to the metal case of the device, and in case of overload, it took over.
The calculation was that when the load is exceeded, the current will flow through one of the phases, as a result of which a short circuit will occur and, as a result, the network section will be disconnected by an automatic machine or a fuse.
This decision simplified the conduct of electrical work, but carried the risk of electric shock.
When choosing products, pay attention to the size of the inlet holes for the fork and the distance between them. For models of European manufacturers, the diameter and distance between the holes are slightly larger. To avoid mistakes, choose universal models that come with connectors for different types forks.
Determining the type of wiring
The installation of a socket with grounding is carried out in those houses where a three-wire wiring is laid. In dwellings with wiring that includes only two cores, it makes no sense to mount such a grounding outlet, since it will not perform the task assigned to it.
Therefore, the first thing to do is to determine what type of wiring is in the apartment. If the wiring in the house is outdated two-wire, it will have to be replaced with a three-wire counterpart. Modern three-wire wiring meets all safety standards in all respects.
Replacing wiring is an additional expense item, but the costs will certainly pay off with a long “life” of electrical appliances and the safety of households
Find out if there is electrical panel ground bus, you can have an electrician serving your porch or house. The type of wiring is determined by the number of wires. If a two-core cable is connected to the connection point, then only “phase” and “neutral” are available.
If the outlet line is laid from the shield with a two-wire cable, it is only necessary to bring a third ground wire from the electrical panel to each point. But this procedure can only be performed if the shield is equipped with a ground bus.
Paragraph 1.7.127 of the current PUE clearly states that the ground conductor must be made of copper insulated wire with a cross section of at least 2.5 sq. mm.
To introduce a new line of sockets, you should use a ready-made three-core cable already equipped with a ground wire
Laying a cable with a cross section of 1.5 mm 2 from the junction box to the outlet is not advisable. Indeed, in this case, it is impossible to “power” a powerful device from it. For a single-phase network, it is better to take a cross section with a margin of 2.5 mm 2.
For the organization of electrical wiring, they choose the cable for marking VVG, and for fire hazardous premises - VVGng.
The main requirement for a protective conductor is that there should be no disconnecting devices in its circuit. Therefore, it is mounted in addition to any fuses, circuit breakers and knife switches.
Before installing and grounding the outlet, the first thing to do is turn off the power to the electrical panel. The task of the master is to remove the voltage from the junction box that feeds the lines with the socket to be replaced.
Laid from the electrical panel open or in a closed way wires lead into the cavity of the socket. With the help of an electrical tester, they determine where the “phase” is, and where is “0”.
The end of the indicator screwdriver is alternately immersed in the holes for the plug: if, upon contact with the core, the lamp on the screwdriver handle lights up, this is the “phase”
But when working with electrical wiring equipped with a ground wire, it is still better. This multifunctional device, even of the simplest design, will become indispensable assistant and when a wire break is detected, determining the integrity of radio and electrical components.
Using the device is not difficult. On the multimeter, set the measurement range of alternating current to over 220 volts. After that, one tentacle is applied to the phase contact, and the second - to the "ground" or "0". Upon contact with "0", the voltage of 220V will be reflected on the device, on the "ground" the voltage will show a little lower.
Most often, the installation and connection of an Internet outlet related to low-voltage lines is carried out in a triple block:
- conventional 220 Volt
- internet socket
- TV under TV
For most models, for example, from Schneider Electric (Unica series), Legrand, Lezard, the installation principle is almost the same and does not contain fundamental differences.
Let's take a step-by-step look at the entire cycle of connecting an Internet outlet.
Internet cable
Installation begins with the installation of a router in a low-current shield and connecting it from a 220V power outlet. 
Further, a 4-pair 5E series UTP cable is laid in a separate cable channel or gate not connected to power lines. 
This cable provides a connection speed of up to 1 Gigabit per second at a distance of up to 100m. Here are its specifications: 
There are shielded and non-shielded varieties. The foil acts as a screen in networks where there is normal grounding. 
On one such cable 5E (4 pairs), you can connect only two sockets. In this case, 2 pairs will be separately involved.
Installation is carried out with a solid wire directly from the shield to the socket. Run the cable into the junction box and leave the necessary margin - from 15 cm or more. 
Internet socket installation
From the outlet, first remove the cover and pull out the caliper for ease of installation. 
If the design of the outlet allows, the frame on the socket can be mounted initially. Thanks to the grooves in the frame, you can easily adjust the horizontal position of its location.
With screws 3 * 25mm, pre-tighten the entire structure. At the same time, check the accuracy of the installation with the level of the Pocket Electric electrician and tighten the screws completely.
Manufacturers have recently begun to make frames made of aluminum alloy, they are of course stronger in design, but at the same time they will not be magnetized to the level. You will have to support it with one hand on weight. 
Next, bite off and leave a supply of wire in the socket, a maximum length of 15 cm. Remove the top layer of insulation from the UTP cable. 
To remove the insulation, so as not to damage the cores, it is better to use a special tool - a stripper. But you can do all this neatly and with an ordinary clerical knife.
The top layer from the cable must be cleaned to a length of no more than 2.5 cm. Cut off the excess thread in this case, which goes between the cores. 
A strong thread in twisted-pair cables, often used to facilitate opening the sheath over long lengths. It is even called that - a breaking thread. In telephone cables, bundles and layers are separated by it.
Lightly untwist the veins separately. Next, pull out inner part sockets with contacts. 
As a rule, for any brand, whether it is a TV, an Internet outlet or a regular 220 Volt, there should be an instruction.
Instructions for the Internet socket Schneider Electric Unica -
Instructions for Legrand -
Standards and wiring diagram
Open the cover of the contact part and carefully study the markings. Each RJ45 socket can be connected in two ways:
- according to standard “A”
- according to standard "B"
In most cases, the second option is used - "B". To understand where to connect which wires, carefully inspect the case. It should show which standard corresponds to certain contacts.
For example on Unica:
- protocol “B” refers to the top color coding. When connected, you will be guided by these colors.
- “A” - to the lower color marking
If this is sorted out, then with further installation there will be no difficulties. Protocol “B” follows the EIA/TIA-568B color scheme. One side of the clip should have the following colors:
- white- Orange
- Orange
- white- green
- green
On the other side:
- blue
- white- blue
- white- brown
- brown
Pass the wire through the cap. In this case, as mentioned above, the top layer of UTP cable insulation should not be removed by more than 2.5 cm.
You can not strip it under the very wall of the socket, as is done with conventional NYM or VVGnG cables. 
The segment without insulation must be of the minimum length. All these layers are not made easily. Them exact amount per 1 meter of cable is strictly calculated and regulated.
Otherwise, with the wrong connection and stripping, not only the speed, but also the quality of data transfer may decrease. 
Next, insert all the wires into the contact grooves according to the colors. 
Then just snap the lid on. Extra segments of veins that protrude outward, You need to cut it off after closing the lid.
The socket is actually already connected. It remains to insert it into place in the caliper.
The main advantage of such Internet sockets is that with them you don’t need to remove the insulation from the wires at all and expose it to copper. Special knives are already installed inside the outlet itself.
When you close the lid, the knives automatically cut through the insulation and form a contact connection. The instructions for such brands often indicate that when connecting a wire, the use of special crimps-crossers is prohibited.
It's like it's already in the design. That is, when the cover is closed, it cuts off the insulation itself and lays the wires to the desired depth of the connector.
Connecting to the router and crimping the connector
After installing the Internet outlet itself, it remains to correctly connect the cable to the router in the communication board.
Remove the insulation from the other end of the cable by 2-3cm. The cores are fluffed and inserted in a certain order, according to the TIA-568B standard, or simply "B". 
The arrangement of colors is considered from left to right:
- white- Orange
- Orange
- white- green
- blue
- white- blue
- green
- white- brown
- brown
The "A" standard is sometimes used when you need to connect one computer to another. Here you crimp one end of the cable according to the "B" standard, and the other according to "A". In general, if both ends of the cable are crimped according to the same standard (AA or BB), then this is called a patch cord. And if they are reversed (AB or BA), then - cross.
Again, the veins do not need to be cleaned. Just insert them into the connector until it stops. 
After that, all this is pressed in with a special crimper. Some do this with a thin screwdriver or a knife blade, though this can easily damage the connector.
The cat5E and cat6 cables in the RJ45 connector are crimped according to the same principle. Another "fork" is not required here. Differences between cables in data transfer speed, cat6 has more.
Checking your internet connection
After installing the Internet outlet and the connector at the other end of the cable, it is advisable to check the connection and integrity of all connections. You can do this with the cheapest Chinese device. 
What is its essence? There is a signal generator that sends pulses according to certain codes, and a receiver. The generator is connected at the installation site of the router, and the receiver directly into the outlet itself.
After the pulses are applied, the signals are compared. If everything is in order, the green LED lights on the receiver case light up in turn. If there is an open or short circuit somewhere, then one or more bulbs will not light at all. 
When this happened, then first of all you need to sin on poor contact in the connectors. Most often, it is there, on any core, that the insulation is not completely cut off and, accordingly, there will be no connection.
At the very end, a ready-made tested cable with a connector is connected to the router. 
A complete set of all tools for cutting, crimping, dialing the utp internet cable can be ordered on Aliexpress (free delivery).
How to connect a 4-wire telephone cable
But what if you use a 4-wire telephone cable for the Internet, and a standard 8-wire socket? How to connect the circuit in this case?
A simple connection by color will not help here. That is, if you insert a white-blue core into contact with a white-blue marking and connect all the other cores in the same color, there will be no signal.
This is explained by the fact that for signal transmission it is necessary to use contacts 1-2-3-6.
On one side, connect two wires to contacts 1-2:
green = blue lived
In this case, everything should work without problems. Just remember that here the most important thing is not the colors, but the positions. Colors are used to make it easier to visually distinguish the positions of the same core at different ends of the cable.
Also keep in mind that when using 4 wires, i.e. two pairs of twisted pair, you can achieve speeds up to 100Mbps. But for a gigabit network (1 Gbit / s), all 8 wires will already be needed.
Errors when connecting an Internet outlet
1 Incorrect wire connection according to the protocol.You can easily confuse the order of the cores on the connector and in the outlet itself. Roughly speaking, turn them 180 degrees. 
Here everything is checked by a more careful study of the inscriptions on the body of the socket and the colors of the cores themselves. A tester with a signal generator and receiver is a good helper for identifying such errors.
If the wires are disconnected incorrectly, the tester lights will light up not in order from 1 to 8, but in arbitrary variants. For example, first 1, then immediately 3, then 2, etc. 
That is, immediately after laying them in their places in the slot. In this case, the core may accidentally fall out, and it will no longer be possible to insert it back cut off. You will have to clean everything up again and go through the entire connection cycle on a new one.
And if you left the supply of cable in the mounting box small, then you will face a big headache.
As mentioned earlier, the result here is a deterioration in the speed and quality of the signal. Moreover, it is not necessary to unwind the twisted pairs beforehand to the place where the insulation is cut, especially with a screwdriver. Just embroider them by pushing the strands to the required length to bring them into the slots. 
According to the standard, it is not allowed to unwind a twisted pair cable by more than 13mm., otherwise crosstalk errors will appear in the frequency response tests. In practice, problems will begin when the network is loaded with traffic.
A master who knows how to connect an outlet without errors will save residents from electric shock. This is the main thing, but not the only one. An incorrectly connected outlet will not provide adequate power to various devices. 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 nodes of the outlet - block assembly, with back side protected by a socket box, with an external - 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 provided not for all sockets, in the most simple devices he is not. When screwing the screws, the movable legs move apart, fixing on the walls 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.
- Type C 1a. Socket without grounding. In operating mode, must withstand up to 10A direct current, up to 16A AC and voltage up to 250 V. Such an outlet can provide operation simple appliances that do without grounding;
- 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 an electrical appliance can already be connected to such an outlet. high power. We are talking about washing machines, electric ovens, water heaters, water pumps and similar appliances;
- Type C 3a. The same device as C 2a, but with pin type grounding;
- Type C 5. Sockets of the Soviet period, well suited for equipment left over from the same time. Withstand up to 6A;
- 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 junction box. It is done like this:
- Using special caps, ordinary electrical tape or other devices, the required number of wires leading to sockets is connected to the power wire in the junction box;
- Each socket receives its wires from a junction box, which allows you to connect devices with high power consumption without risking the socket itself;
- 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:
- 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;
- 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. When installed correctly, a click is heard;
- 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. An 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. At the same time, it is necessary to control the position of the block so that the line between the legs remains parallel line gender. 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, House 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.
You don't know So you're here. This article provides detailed information on installation and connection, with photos and comments. Nothing hard if you follow step by step instructions, after reading which the question, , will be
completely exhausted.
So, you have an outlet that needs to be connected. In our case, the socket has a separate frame, and this is no longer an innovation, so almost all modern sockets are now manufactured, only the cheapest category of this product has a single frame. A separate frame is convenient because you can pick up original design sockets, the palette of colors is simply huge. For example, a white key, a green frame or a brown one, whatever you like.
Before you start installing the outlet, you should have at least general idea about her device. In this section, we will get acquainted with its design in detail. In the course of acquaintance we will carry out pre-installation preparation.
First of all, you need to remove the plastic protective frame, which in the operational mode protects the current-carrying parts of the mechanism from people touching them. To do this, unscrew the fixing screw of the cover, located in the center of the outlet.
Before us is the socket mechanism.
It has contact and spacer screws. The contact ones are designed to fix the cores of the wires in the terminal clamps, and the spacer ones are for fixing the socket mechanism in the socket box.
There are two types of socket outlets, with and without a grounding contact. In our example, a socket with a grounding contact is shown. What is grounding and what it is intended for is described in detail in the following article.
The socket has three contacts for connecting wire cores:
- phase;
- null;
- ground contact.
Consider the location of the contacts on the socket mechanism. On the left and right on the mechanism there are two identical screw contacts, they are designed to connect the phase and neutral conductors of the wires.
In which of the contacts the phase will be connected, and in which zero it does not matter.
The middle contact is designed to connect the ground conductor. This contact has the form of a screw terminal connected to a metal strip that passes through the entire body of the mechanism and has hook-shaped roundings at the ends.
Two lateral screws located on the left and right are expansion screws, they set in motion metal paws, which, when the required position is reached, fix the mechanism in the socket. Also, for fixing the mechanism, special holes are provided located along the perimeter of the metal frame.
We pass to the installation site of the outlet, in which there must be a socket, two wires and electric current.
We connect the socket
Before carrying out all work on connecting the outlet to the wires, it is necessary to turn off the electricity suitable for this outlet. Disable. We check.
We carry out the check with the help of, having previously checked its performance on the outlet where the current is present. Alternately touch the voltage indicator, first one wire, then the other.
After making sure that there is no voltage, we proceed to connect the outlet.
Loosen the terminal screws. From the top end of the socket outlet there are holes for connecting wires. Two for each contact. The terminal screw drives the pressure plate, which fixes the wire in the clamp.
We prepare the wires. With the help of a knife, we will remove required amount isolation. As a rule, the average contact depth is no more than 7 mm.
We insert the wire into the contact. The bare part of the wire should not look out of the contact much, 2-3 mm will be the most. We fix the wire with the terminal screw. We check how well the wire is clamped in contact, pull the wire a little towards ourselves, swing it from left to right. If the wire remains motionless, the contact is good.
We clean the second wire and also insert it into contact, tighten it, check it.
If there is a ground wire in the socket, we connect it to the middle contact.
How to determine if your outlet is grounded? Well, firstly, there should be three wires in the outlet. In new houses, this wire should be yellow color, with a green stripe. If all the wires are the same color, then you can only determine if you have a ground wire using a megger. We find the phase wire with the voltage indicator. Relative to him, we measure the remaining two. As a rule, on the ground, the readings should be less than 220 volts, and at zero 220 and above.
After connecting the wires, install the mechanism in the socket.
We set the outlet exactly horizontally and tighten the spacer screws. If the mechanism is not fixed, and this is possible, since the old sockets (iron) were made with a larger diameter than required for new sockets, then an additional installation of a new socket will be required.
Second option. Installing a socket with a socket replacement
Modern socket boxes are mainly manufactured with a standard diameter of 67 mm.
What we need to connect:
Material
- socket - 1 pc.
- socket box (required in some cases) - 1 pc.
Tool
- flathead screwdriver
- crosshead screwdriver
- pliers
- wire cutters
- voltage indicator
Replacing wiring in an apartment or house involves the selection of electrical accessories, which include sockets.
The main requirements that are taken into account when choosing an outlet are quality and reliability. Attention is also paid appearance. Although the socket is a small interior detail, its design can affect the look of the room as a whole.
There are many domestic and foreign manufacturers of sockets on the market, which, on the one hand, facilitates the selection of sockets in appearance, and on the other hand, makes it difficult to choose according to technical specifications. It is especially difficult for inexperienced buyers to understand all the subtleties.
In fact, choosing an outlet is easy! This is the last link in the electrical wiring with which a person comes into daily contact. First of all, the safety of such “communication” is important. To prevent the current from accidentally falling on the parts of the socket and the case electrical appliances, it must be possible to drain the current. Let us consider in more detail why grounding in sockets.
A grounded electrical outlet has three pins. The third is for a ground wire that runs to the electrical panel and is connected to a special ground terminal.
Connecting a socket with grounding is possible only in those rooms where wiring with three cores is laid. Accordingly, its use for rooms with two-core wiring does not make sense. In such a network, grounding is not provided and the socket will not perform the function of protection against electric shock.
Grounding sockets in an apartment, a private house is a guarantee of safety for a person and a long service life of electrical appliances.
The instructions for all electrical appliances indicate that their use without grounding is prohibited.
Therefore, if the wiring in a house or apartment is outdated - from two-wire wires, you should definitely change it to a wiring that has three cores.
This wiring complies with all safety standards. And the money spent on replacing the wiring will definitely pay off with the health of the residents and the long service life of the devices.
It is especially dangerous to use without grounding devices with a metal case (for example, an electric stove), as well as devices that come into contact with water during operation (for example, a boiler or a dishwasher).
Features of installing a socket with grounding
The wiring diagram for a grounded socket does not imply any complicated manipulations. Anyone can deal with this. It is enough to familiarize yourself with the theoretical part and be careful during installation.
Before installing a grounded outlet, the type of wiring is determined. To do this, the old outlet is dismantled. If two wires are connected, there is no grounding, only available (zero phase).
When buying an outlet, the quality of the product is taken into account and preference is given to a manufacturer that has proven itself in the market. The body must be undamaged. The so-called "internal" sockets are suitable for the house - they are built into the recess of the wall during installation. The recommended breaking current rating for a household outlet is 30 to 100 milliamps. Denomination information can be found at reverse side sockets. Russian samples are usually rated at 10 or 6.3A; foreign - 10 or 16A.
Particular attention is paid to the size of the holes and the distance between them. European samples have both a diameter and a larger distance. If only domestic appliances are used at home, it is better to buy domestic sockets too.
From a properly selected socket, the plug is removed with little effort!
There are a wide variety of earthed sockets on the market:
- There are samples with overload protection - inside there is a built-in fuse that blows out in case of a short circuit.
- With current leakage protection - a special device turns off the outlet in the event of a leakage. The socket is perfect for a child's room! As soon as the baby puts something into the outlet, the protection will immediately work.
- With overvoltage protection - automatically turns off when there is a power surge, suitable for connecting expensive devices.
- FROM mechanical protection- special shutters protect against touching the contacts.
- With lightning protection - for regions with strong lightning activity.
- For powerful devices - designed for a current of 20 or more amperes. Always sold with a special fork.
- Universal - complete with connectors for different types forks.
The socket is selected based on the type of wall. The socket box is fixed inside the wall, in a special recess.
For drywall, wood, plastic, drywall boxes are used. And for brick, concrete, foam concrete - boxes for concrete. They are fastened with gypsum or alabaster mortar.
Attention! The working body of the products must be of high quality - made of ceramics. Socket contacts - from good metal(not foil!).Desirable presence screw terminal- wires are inserted between two plates and pressed with a screw, which ensures reliable fastening of the contacts and prevents them from loosening during operation.
Before installation, the power is turned off at the electrical panel. The wires are bred to the sides. The phase is determined by an electrical tester (probe). Usually the wires are distinguished by colors. Yellow-green insulation indicates ground. If the wires are the same color, the tester will help you find the phase.
Wiring rules: phase - on the right, neutral - on the left, ground - to the top or center terminal of the outlet.
Wrong connection - what to look for
The main connection error occurs when a three-prong (ground) socket is installed on wiring that has two cores.
In this case, the neutral wire is also used as ground.
Important! Do not install a jumper from the neutral to the ground terminal in the socket. It's really life-threatening.Why you can't do this:
- Any damage to the insulation of the neutral core will lead to a phase short circuit on the body of the devices, while the devices themselves do not work - the socket will seem safe.
- In two-wire wiring, both wires are the same color. On the electrical panel easy to swap phase and neutral. Even a home electrician can accidentally do this. As a result, it will get on the socket housings.
How to check the grounding in the outlet
Grounding check is needed to make sure its quality. You will need: a screwdriver tester and a multimeter.
Before you determine the grounding in the outlet, you need to inspect the electrical wiring. If the wire strands are multi-colored, the phase will have black-brown insulation. But to know for sure (especially when the case is closed), you will need to use a tester. It is alternately inserted into the socket holes. When the phase is touched, the indicator of the tester will light up.
With one probe of the multimeter, you need to touch the grounding of the outlet (center, or top), the second one should be inserted into the holes in turn.
Lack of voltage may indicate the following:
- between phase and neutral indicates the presence of a break in the latter,
- between phase and grounding - about the absence of grounding,
- between neutral and ground - about their association. That is, there is a jumper in the socket.
Grounded sockets are not a fad or a luxury. This is a "subject" of the first necessity for any modern wiring. Take care of their quality and correct installation every self-respecting owner is obliged.
But the installation of sockets on your own can be carried out only if you are confident in own forces. This work is not difficult, but requires precision - errors can lead to electric shock.
If you have any doubts when installing the outlet and checking it, it is best to contact a professional electrician.
Video with detailed instructions for installing a grounded outlet