Installation height. Installation height of sockets - standards, placement rules, diagrams and do-it-yourself connection options. Installation of electrical components in the house

The height at which switches are installed must be such that there is no risk mechanical damage, water ingress and other negative factors.

Installation height of switches from the floor

The issue of designing switches and sockets is an important stage of repair.

The type of room, furniture arrangement, number of switches, and height above floor level must be taken into account. Recommendations on the number and location of switches in an apartment are given by the PUE; there are no strict requirements.

How was it installed before?

In the Soviet Union there was a standard for installing sockets and switches. According to it, switches had to be placed at shoulder level (160 cm from the floor), and sockets - at a height of 90 cm. This standard is still used in some rooms because of its convenience - it is in plain sight, and you can’t plug a plug into a socket. bending down. Convenience also included the possibility of placing furniture anywhere, which is important for small residential conditions.

Existing European standards: is there such a concept?


The terminology “Eurostandard” began to be used together with the concept of “European-quality renovation”. In fact, there is no such term, because each European country uses its own standards for the location of food outlets. The European standard means the following values: the installation height of switches from the floor should be 90 cm, sockets - 30 cm. This arrangement can be comfortable for children who can independently reach the switch and turn off the light.

Currently, Russia has its own standards that recommend where to install food outlets. Such documents are PUE, GOST Z 50571.11.96, SP 31-110-2003.

At what distance from the floor are switches and sockets hung?

The installation height is not strictly regulated in the documents; the rules for electrical installations provide only recommendations for location. The owner of the apartment decides whether to adhere to them or not.

PUE standards recommend installing switches at a distance of no more than 1.7 m from the floor. This coincides with Soviet standards. Currently, the location of food outlets is determined by the convenience and design of the premises. It is assumed that the height of sockets can be at a distance of 30-40 cm from the floor, and switches - from 80 to 100 cm.

In the kitchen and bathroom

The peculiarity is high humidity. The height of power points should be selected based on the requirements of GOST PUE. The switch must be located outside the bathroom. Electrical sockets should be located no closer than 60 cm from the water source. Recommended height for household appliances:

  • for a boiler 1.5 m;
  • for hair dryer, razor – 1 m;
  • for a washing machine not less than a meter.

It is not advisable to place products below 15 cm. A bathroom is a room where water may periodically appear on the floor. It can get into an electrical outlet and become life threatening.


In the kitchen, electrical products should be located at a distance of 60 cm from gas pipelines and water sources. Taking into account furniture height standards, electrical sockets can be installed at three levels:

  • 10-15 cm from the floor – power points for the stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and washing machine;
  • 110-130 cm – for a teapot, microwave oven, multicookers and other household appliances that are placed on the work surface;
  • 200-250 cm – for hood and lighting.

The sizes are chosen taking into account ease of access to sockets.

In the children's room and bedroom


Fewer power points are traditionally installed in the bedroom. The switch from the main chandelier is installed near the door on the handle side at a height of 90 cm. Near the bedside tables, there is traditionally one electrical socket on each side at a height of about 70 cm. An additional socket with 2-3 connectors is placed near the desktop at a level of 30 cm from the floor. If there is a TV in the bedroom, it is better to hide it behind its cabinet.

In a children's room, the switch should be installed at such a height that the child can reach it; 70-90 cm will be optimal. An outlet, preferably equipped with protective curtains, should be placed near the crib and next to desk at the same height as in the bedroom.

In the hallway and living room

In the living room, several electrical outlets are installed behind the TV at a level of 1 m from the floor. Additionally, they make power points for lamps and music systems at a comfortable height. There is one switch installed, about front door from the handle side. For rooms with multi-level complex lighting, you can install switches with several keys.

The corridor is equipped with one switch next to the front door. The socket is also made one next to the sconce at a comfortable height.


Before you begin installing electrical wiring in your home, it is recommended to do the following:

  • draw up a diagram showing the location of all the furniture in the room;
  • On the diagram, mark the location of household appliances, write down their power;
  • mark the places where there is a gas pipeline and water supply;
  • mark windows, doors.

Following, it is worth choosing the most comfortable height of the products. If you do not create an accurate diagram and install electrical outlets at random, some of them may be hidden by massive objects and become unusable.

If, when installing electrical outlets, a part still turns out to be uncomfortable to use, you can use an extension cord.

After completing the installation of power points, it is recommended to carry out voltage measurement work. This will protect the operation of the devices and help extend their service life if a problem is found.

Installing power points and switches in the apartment is the most important moment laying electrical wiring. Fixing at an inconvenient height will not allow maximum use of electrical mechanisms. To select the optimal distance, there are PUE standards; it is also recommended to rely on the size and location of furniture and electrical appliances.

Useful video

Installing new or replacing old wiring always involves one important issue: what should be the height of the sockets from the floor, and at what distance should the switches be installed. On at the moment There are no unified rules and regulations, so each individual case needs to be dealt with in more detail.

Standards, SNiPs, regulations - where to find the exact answer?

It is impossible to say that there are exact recommendations about where and at what distance the outlet should be installed in each specific case. The fact is that during the Soviet Union there was a GOST, which unconditionally indicated the installation height of sockets and switches. In the first case, the figure was 90–100 cm from the floor, and in the second 150–170 cm. In fact, there was a rational grain in these values, because the switch was always at eye level and was visible, and in order to power any The device was plugged in, there was no need to bend down. In addition, this arrangement of power supplies made it possible to place furniture anywhere in the room, which is especially important in cramped living conditions.

Currently in many new panel houses You can still find this standard placement. The word “European standard” is common in our everyday life, but in reality such a unified concept does not exist. The fact is that each individual country in Europe has its own rules for the placement of power supplies, not to mention the fact that some of them have, in addition, designs of sockets and switches that differ from ours. As a rule, the European standard refers to the installation of sockets at a height of 30–40 cm from the floor and the installation of switches at a height of 80 cm to one meter. Moreover, there are no recommendations regarding their location in the rooms. This arrangement of sockets is not very convenient, since you constantly have to bend down to turn on the device, but there are no wires hanging on the walls in the room.

As for Russian standards and regulations, such as PUE, GOST R 50571. 11-96, SP 31-110-2003 and others, there are several main positions that give recommendations on where sockets and switches should be installed:

  • in the bathroom, electricity sources must be at least 60 cm away from the shower doors and taps;
  • they are not allowed to be placed above or below sinks;
  • in schools and nurseries preschool institutions switches must be located at a height of 180 cm from the floor, and sockets must have protective screens;
  • The distance between sockets and switches from gas pipelines should be at least half a meter.

Thus, there is no specific data that could indicate at what height to install sockets and switches, and there is also no information on where they should be located in relation to the placement of furniture in the room and the presence of certain equipment. However, this fact allows home owners to install power supplies in the place where it is more comfortable for them, and also makes it possible to install the number of them that they consider necessary. When designing electrical wiring, try to take into account all the nuances of the arrangement of furniture and appliances, so as not to use surge protectors unnecessarily in your household and not to load one outlet with several powerful electrical appliances.

Sockets in the kitchen - how to provide for everything

The modern kitchen is not limited to the refrigerator and gas stove. Today you can find a microwave oven, an electric kettle, a toaster, a dishwasher and much more on it. But for each of these devices it is important to think through correct location sockets In addition, it is important to take into account the location of the furniture and the kitchen set. And if we add to this water pipes and gas pipelines, then the question correct wiring becomes especially relevant. Before you begin work on electrical wiring, you need to draw up detailed plan wiring with an exact indication of each point regarding furniture, windows, doors and communications.

In order to make sockets and switches practical and as accessible as possible, it is necessary to follow some recommendations based on many years of experience of electricians and home craftsmen. Firstly, it should be taken into account that a large number of equipment is currently produced with a fairly short cord length. These include a refrigerator, dishwasher, and stove. For these devices, the optimal location of the sockets will be at a height of 10–20 cm from the finished floor covering. Since they are constantly plugged in, this distance from the floor to the outlet will allow the cord not to sag.

To connect a small kitchen appliances, such as an electric meat grinder, toaster, multicooker, mixer, etc., it is recommended to install sockets 10–20 cm away from the countertop. For them, it is also possible to provide power sources at a distance of 110 cm from the floor. In this case, it will be convenient to use them by placing them on the table surface. If the kitchen has built-in appliances, then power sources should be located not directly behind the appliances themselves, but behind adjacent cabinets, and holes must be made in rear walls furniture so that there is easy access to turn it off. The optimal height for the points is considered to be 30–60 cm from the floor.

When installing sockets and switches above the countertop, they must be located at least 60 cm from the water source.

When installing a hood in the kitchen, the socket for it is mounted at a distance of at least 2 meters from the floor or 10 cm from the edge of the upper cabinets, and it is important to take into account the fact that the point should be located on the side of the ventilation pipe, providing open access to it. Over upper cabinets kitchen set, you can place sockets for lighting fixtures built into the top row of furniture and for lighting working area, unless separate switches are provided for them. You can also place a socket for a fan, if one is built into the ventilation duct. Thus, all sockets can be divided into three levels: lower, middle and upper.

This approach to arranging wiring allows you to correctly distribute points along the walls of the kitchen for their rational use. In addition, there is a good opportunity to lay out the wiring relative to the power of the appliances used, because for some of them it is recommended to run a separate line to the electrical distribution panel. When working in the kitchen, it is important not only to determine the correct height of sockets and switches, but also to make a power reserve in case the kitchen is equipped with new equipment or replaced old technology to a more powerful one. As for the installation of switches in the kitchen, they are usually located on the side of the open part of the doors at arm's length, which is usually 80–100 cm.

Is it possible to have sockets in the bathroom?

A couple of decades ago, the issue of installing sockets in the bathroom was practically not discussed, but today it is simply necessary to have an socket in the bathroom, and their number is not limited to one. Judge for yourself, the first thing you need to do is to allocate a personal point for the washing machine, since using an extension cord to connect the equipment is not recommended in principle. It is advisable if a separate line is provided for it with the obligatory connection of an RCD on it. For greater convenience, its location is recommended at a height of one meter. This is done so that at any time it is possible to disconnect the device from the network.

In houses where a boiler is responsible for the hot water supply, a separate line with an RCD and an outlet located in close proximity to the device must be allocated for it. It is also allowed to install socket blocks above the countertop in the bathroom. They are used for hair dryers, electric razors and other small equipment. An important limitation when installing them is that they must be located at least 60 cm from the water source. All sockets in the bathroom must be equipped with grounding and a moisture-proof screen that will protect them from splashes.

When choosing a socket, you need to pay attention to the markings. It looks like this: IP XY, where X is the degree of protection against dust. Y is the degree of protection against moisture (for use in the bathroom you need to buy models with a number of at least 4). The current strength of the purchased product must be 16A. It is possible to install sockets with a parameter of 10A, but they can only be used for low-power equipment. When laying the wiring to the sockets, you must ensure that a copper cable with three cores (phase, neutral and ground) with a cross-section of 2.5 mm is used.

The cable must be laid directly from the distribution panel, that is, a separate line must be allocated to the bathroom. Wiring is being laid in a hidden way– in grooves or behind drywall. This approach eliminates the possibility of accidental damage and contact with water. The installation of sockets in the bathroom should be preceded by a well-designed project, in which all distances will be measured to the nearest centimeter. Only in this case can you safely use the equipment and carry out water procedures.

Switches, as a rule, are never installed in the bathrooms themselves, but are located in front of the entrance to them. The installation height of switches usually starts from 80 cm.

Living rooms - there are never too many sockets

Competent wiring in living rooms It will not only allow you to functionally enjoy all the benefits of civilization, but also protect yourself from numerous network filters and dangling wires. Unfortunately, in typical new buildings, and even in old housing stock, designers are limited to two or three outlets per room, which in modern realities is negligible. So there is an overload in the power grid, countless power outages. And what’s even worse is fires. Therefore, having thought about the design of the room, you definitely need to think about what height to install the sockets and where it is best to place them. Once you've arranged your furniture in your sketch, place power points within arm's length of each area where you plan to spend your time.

So, let's look at the location of sockets and switches near the bed. Firstly, their number depends on the number of people who will rest on the bed. If this is a family bed, then it is necessary to place a block of sockets on both sides of it. Their distance from the floor will depend on several factors. If bedside tables are placed close to the bed, then it is convenient to place the sockets with a distance of 10–15 cm up from them. If there are no bedside tables, then choose any place near the bed at a distance of 30–90 cm from the finished floor covering.

Switches for overbed sconces and general light should be located next to the sockets in this block. If you plan to place lamps on bedside tables near the bed, then you should definitely add an extra socket for them. This rule also applies to the location of sockets on both sides of the sofa in the living room. Sconces are rarely used in halls, but floor lamps are quite common, so an extra socket at a distance of 30 cm from the floor to connect the device will be very useful.

In addition to 220 V outlets, install special USB ports for recharging modern gadgets– phones, smart watches and other things.

For the TV, if it will hang on the wall, install a block of five sockets at a distance of 130 cm from the floor. Or 30–60 cm from the floor, if a place has been prepared for it on a low cabinet. The unit consists of 3 electrical sockets, an antenna socket and an Internet connection. Equipping workplace, you need to provide two socket blocks. The first is located above the surface of the desk (this is approximately 90 cm from the floor, and the second is made only 30 cm above the floor). A desktop computer will be connected to it.

If the room is supposed to be installed dressing table, which is especially important in bedrooms, the same rules apply for them as for the work area - 2 blocks at a distance of 30 and 90 cm from the floor. When installing electrical wiring, do not forget to place several blocks of sockets around the perimeter of the room to connect a vacuum cleaner, humidifier and other devices. Switches are usually located at the entrance near the door, at least 10 cm from the opening and at a height of 75–90 cm. Some install switches on the corridor side. For greater convenience, do not forget to install duplicate (pass-through) switches to regulate the light, especially if your lighting is not connected to a smartphone or control panel.

Where else are sockets needed in the house?

When planning the wiring, you should not lose sight of such rooms as a balcony, hallway, storage room and the like, because the sockets and switches installed there play an important role. Let's start with the hallway - the first room that greets everyone who comes into the house. Here it is necessary to provide a light source. The height of this switch, like the others in the home, should be 75–90 cm. As for sockets, if the size of the room is small, then one will be enough double sockets for connecting a vacuum cleaner and shoe dryer. If the corridor is elongated, then you can provide a block of sockets on each of its sides. Their distance from the floor is 30–40 cm, but if this is inconvenient for you, then you can choose this indicator yourself depending on your personal preferences.

If you plan to equip a work area or recreational area on the balcony, then you should also take care of arranging power supplies there. If you plan to place a desk for work, then, as already described above, install two socket blocks on different heights. If the room will be used only for recreation, 1–2 blocks of sockets at a height of 30 cm above will be sufficient.

If you plan to install an air conditioner in the apartment, then provide an outlet for it, 30 cm away from the ceiling.

Installing sockets and switches in an apartment according to European standards is not convenient for everyone. When installing wiring and determining locations for future power sources, first of all, rely on the design project of the room and personal needs.

When starting a renovation, you have to take many nuances into account. One of the most difficult points in improving an apartment or house is electricity. Even the seemingly simple installation of a light switch has pitfalls. In addition to its form and functionality, you will have to decide at what height from the floor the switch will be located.

The choice is influenced not only by the factor of ease of use, but also by the safety of residents. Therefore, it is necessary to understand in detail how to determine the installation location of the switch and whether there are any regulatory documents regulating this.

At what height should the switch be installed from the floor?

In your own home, you can find the switch even with your eyes closed, but when visiting, if you notice it, you often get lost, even if it is in a visible place. And its location does not always seem convenient to you. This happens because we use lighting at home so often that we turn it on and off automatically, and when we get into an unusual room, we have to think about it.

That is why it is worthwhile to approach the issue of choosing the height and location of the switch with special care.

There are no rules regulating the number of sockets and switches installed in apartments and residential buildings, in all documents only general recommendations. This figure is determined by each owner depending on the number and location of electrical appliances.

But existing regulatory documents strictly regulate the places prohibited for the installation of sockets and switches. This should be noted special attention, since these rules will affect the installation height.

If you go to several different apartments old years of construction, you can notice that, basically, all the light switches are on the same level. By Soviet standards the device data was located at a height of 1.6 - 1.7 meters from the floor. This attitude is still common today.

This happens because the standard height of the switch from the floor is so memorable on an intuitive level that even during repairs, people do not change their location so as not to get used to it again.

Height of the switch from the floor according to European standards

We always associate the prefix “euro-” with something new, more reliable and of higher quality. "Eurostandard" and "European-quality repair" are modern technologies and materials in construction, more comfortable layouts and the location of all communications, including sockets and light switches. All new buildings are now built to these standards.

According to the European standard, the optimal location of switches for all family members was calculated. Not too high for children and not too low for adults. Height of the switch from the floor according to European standards is 0.8 - 0.9 meters. This level was not chosen by chance. This is the approximate height to which an adult’s hand can reach down.

At the same time, the child will also be able to reach this level. IN SP 31–110–2003 clause 15.34, 15.36 the following is said about this.

Both the Soviet and European standards are not an unquestioning indication. You can choose the installation height of equipment in your home depending on your convenience and the location of furniture and electrical appliances. In a room intended for sleeping, it is more convenient to install switches near sleeping place at the level that can be reached from a lying position. This is approximately 60 – 70 centimeters from the floor.

In the work area, in addition to the main one, additional lighting is provided. These are various table or wall lamps. It is more convenient to place their switches on distance of 10 – 20 centimeters from the height of the table. This way you can adjust the lighting without interrupting your studies.

The location of sockets and switches must be thought out in advance before execution. finishing works. Once they are completed, it will be almost impossible to move or add additional ones without damaging the new renovation. It is imperative to take into account the location of furniture in the rooms and electrical appliances on them.

Where should the switch be placed?

The location of the switch depends on the purpose of the room. In any case, for main lighting it is installed immediately next to the front door on the handle side. Do not place the switch behind open door, as this will complicate its operation and lead to accidental presses.

Also, it should not be partially or completely covered by furniture and interior items. The installation height of the switch should be comfortable for all family members, both adults and children. To make it comfortable to press the key, consider the average height of the hand lowered down for all adult family members.

Where is better install a bathroom switch(bathroom): at the entrance to the room or inside? In rooms such as bathrooms, toilets, saunas, pantry, light switches should be install outside, that is, in front of the entrance. Why outside and not inside?

Usually, when a person enters the bathroom or toilet, what is the first thing he does? That's right - he closes the door (possibly even with a lock). Now imagine that you are closed and it is dark around, where to look for this switch? Therefore, for convenience, it is better to control the lighting in such rooms from the outside: when you come in, the lights are already on, you can see everything around you, when you go out, you turn them off.

In living rooms, kitchens and corridors the opposite is true. In such premises switches are installed inside. We went into the room - turned on the light, went to bed - turned it off. That is, here all control occurs inside the room and there is no need to open the doors for this.

Moreover, to increase comfort, for example in the bedroom, it is advisable to install special (pass-through) switches for the main lighting, which allow you to control one chandelier with different places. For example, one switch is placed near the bed or sofa at arm's length of a lying person, the other at the entrance near the door. Thanks to this, it becomes possible turn off the lights before bed without getting out of bed.

Don’t forget about additional lighting – lamps, sconces, LED strips. Their switches are installed depending on ease of use and aesthetic appearance of the interior.

Have you noticed in which position the switch is on and in which position it is off? And it should. This is necessary in order to install all equipment in the apartment equally correctly.

From the above we can conclude that the location of the switches is chosen based on the purpose of the room and ease of control. The generally accepted location is at the entrance to the premises on at a distance of 10-15 cm from the door. Here is what is said about this in State Standard SP 31–110–2003, paragraph 15.34.

Tips for choosing the height for switches

How high should the switch be from the floor? Besides existing standards Individual factors influence the choice of location. As a standard, it is suggested to choose the distance of the hand lowered down. This height is convenient because turning the light on and off can be done automatically without bending the limb. Walk around several times, simulating pressing a switch, and mark the position on the wall that is comfortable for you.

The second factor influencing the location is the design features of the renovation. You should decide in advance where the furniture, sockets, main and additional lighting will be located.

Visually imagine where the switch will be installed for a particular room, mentally try to turn it on several times. Perhaps when driving it will seem to you that it is too high or, on the contrary, low. This way you won’t forget anything and choose the optimal location.

Check out the idea! Pay attention to the location of switches in the apartments of your friends and relatives. Are you comfortable using them? Perhaps this way you can avoid mistakes in your repair by changing the selected position in advance.

Switches are not installed near sources of heat and water (radiators, sinks). These restrictions are set for security purposes. Also, do not place the devices too low or too high.

The optimal height is at the level of your hand down. If set too low, you will have to squat or bend over. When positioned high, the arm must be raised or bent, which also causes, albeit minor, inconvenience.

They strive to organize electrical wiring so that it is safe and easy to use.

To do this, you should decide what the optimal height from the floor is, as well as.

Regulatory documents covering issues of organizing power supply, such as PUE-7 (“Rules for Electrical Installations”) and others, do not contain general requirements regarding heights and switches.

Therefore, in most cases, the assignment of these parameters is left to the discretion of the object owner. In special cases, the following rules apply.

Clause 7.1.50 PUE-7:

  • sockets, switches and electrical installations are located no closer than 0.5 m from the gas pipeline;
  • allowed under the ceiling if there is a dedicated switch to the comfort control level;
  • in the bathroom and switches are installed at a distance of at least 60 cm from the floor, plumbing fixtures and water supply.

Code of rules for the design of residential and public buildings SP 31-110-2003, section “Design and installation of electrical installations of residential and public buildings, clause 14.33”:

  • in apartments and dormitories it is recommended to install switches on the side door handles at a height of 1 m;
  • in public buildings it is recommended to install general lighting switches at a height of up to 1.5 m;
  • It is recommended to install sockets at a height of 1 m;
  • in premises for children: schools and kindergartens, sockets and switches are installed at a height of 1.8 m (clause 14.35);
  • in retail and catering establishments, sockets are installed at a height of 1.3 m.

GOST R 50571.11-96 (IEC 364-7-701-84) “Electrical installations of buildings”, part 7 “Requirements for special electrical installations”, section 701 “Bathrooms and shower rooms”. The document considers the installation of electrical sockets and switches in the specified premises. These requirements are taken into account when laying electrical wiring in any rooms with high humidity.

Installation height of sockets and switches according to GOST and PUE

SP 76.13330.2016 (SNiP 3.05.06-85) “Electrical devices”:

  • V public buildings and indoors, sockets are installed for ease of connection, preferably at a height of no more than 1 m;
  • in rooms for children, this document also requires that sockets and switches be installed at a height of 1.8 m (clause 6.9.16);
  • the minimum permissible distance between the socket/switch and heating cables- 200 mm (clause 6.13.21).

In the general case, when the electrification facility is not mentioned in the above documents, the USSR has developed the practice of installing electrical installation equipment at heights:

  • switches: shoulder or head level, that is, 1.6 - 1.7 m from the floor;
  • sockets: 0.9 – 1 m.

In common parlance, this installation method is called the “Soviet standard.”

The word “standard” does not imply a normative document, but an established tradition.

Since the 90s when performing major repairs V existing houses and during the construction of new ones, sockets and switches began to be installed en masse, following the example of Western European countries:

  • switches: 0.9 m from the floor;
  • sockets: 0.3 m from the floor.

This installation method is called “European standard”. Like “European-quality renovation”, it is conditional. Contrary to popular belief, it is impossible to talk about the absolute superiority of the European standard over the Soviet one. Everyone has their own strengths. According to the European standard, switches are installed at a height of 0.9 m.

The location at a height of 0.9 m is convenient for the following reasons:

  • no need to raise your hand to turn on the light;
  • The switch is easy for children to reach.

Sockets are placed at a distance of 0.3 m from the floor. The wire of the connected device does not block the space near the wall, but lies almost entirely on the floor. The Soviet standard provides for installation of switches at a height of 1.6-1.7 m.

Advantages of installing switches at a height of 1.6-1.7 m:

  • it is possible to install a piece of furniture under the switch;
  • the device is in the field of view, which is especially important if there is a backlight;
  • accidental pressing is excluded.

Differences between Soviet and European standards for installing switches

Sockets are mounted 0.9-1 meters from the floor. Advantages:

  1. convenient if the device does not work constantly and often has to be connected and disconnected. In the case of a socket installed according to the European standard, this would require bending over each time;
  2. this arrangement is less dangerous for small children.

The given rules are general. But some areas of houses and apartments have their own laws.

In the kitchen

There are requirements of PUE-7 that are relevant for this premises.

When installing electrical points minimum distance should be:

  • from switches and sockets to the gas pipeline: 0.5 m;
  • to the sink and water supply: 0.6 m.

This exhausts the requirements of regulatory documents regarding the kitchen. But there are other rules dictated by life experience and common sense.

The kitchen is divided vertically into three zones, this is due to two factors:

  1. there is a lot of furniture blocking access to the lower part of the walls;
  2. There are many electrical appliances installed: for ease of use they need to be separated.

These vertical zones are:

  • lower: 10-15 cm above the floor. Sockets are installed here for constantly operating appliances - refrigerator, electric stove, dishwasher. With this connection, the risk of getting caught on the wire is minimal, since almost all of it lies on the floor;
  • average: 1-1.3 m above the floor. Install light switches and sockets for appliances standing on the tables - blender, coffee maker, toaster, electric meat grinder, etc. The specified height is conditional. It depends on the height of tables and work surfaces: sockets and switches should be slightly higher;
  • top: 2.0-2.5 m above the floor. Sockets are installed here to illuminate the work area, air conditioner, hood, etc. This placement is convenient for two reasons: you can use models with a short wire, and the sockets are hidden by furniture and therefore do not spoil the interior.

Built-in socket blocks mounted in a countertop or cabinet are very convenient. The unit connects to an outlet on the wall (in the lower zone) and works similar to an extension cord with several outlet sockets. When not needed, it slides under the countertop or into a cabinet, so that only the elegant lid remains on the surface.

Bathroom

When designing electrical wiring in a bathroom, due to high humidity- safety should always be a priority:

  1. switches are located outside - in the hallway or corridor;
  2. due to the risk of water supply failure and flooding, sockets are placed at a distance of at least 60 cm from the floor, water pipes and plumbing fixtures.

For a washing machine, you can make an exception - install the socket slightly lower. The rest is guided by personal preferences and ease of use.

  1. to connect a washing machine and a water heater, especially instantaneous, it is better to specially install sockets next to these devices, powered by separate lines directly from switchboard. The main reason is the significant power of such consumers: when plugged into a regular outlet that is part of a group, they can affect the operation of other devices. At the same time, the connection becomes as convenient as possible: without the need to attach to an existing outlet, the device can be placed in any suitable place;
  2. for connecting various devices, it is considered optimal to install sockets for the hood and boiler - 1.5 m, for a hair dryer, electric razor - 1 m.

Installation height of sockets and switches in the bathroom

For safety reasons, when installing wiring in the bathroom, it is recommended to follow the following rules:

  • low-voltage lighting is used, for example, operating on 12 or 24 V;
  • sockets and devices are powered through a separator with a transformation ratio, equal to one: when contacting live parts, the electric shock will be much weaker than as a result of touching a normal phase;
  • sockets with dust and moisture protection class IP44 and higher are installed (equipped with covers).

In the bedroom

In the bedroom, it is customary to install combined appliances (switch plus socket) on both sides of the bed, at such a height that they can be conveniently operated by the resting user. Usually it is 60–70 cm.

Location of sockets and switches in the bedroom

If there are nightstands near the bed, the electrical installation points are mounted just above them. It is also desirable to have a low socket for a vacuum cleaner (up to 30 cm) in a place from which the wire can easily reach anywhere in the room.

Other premises

In other rooms there are general rules, except for a few special cases:

  1. TV socket: at a height of 140 cm;
  2. above the desk: 90 cm (with standard height table tops 75 cm);
  3. For computer desk: at a height of up to 30 cm, a socket block of several sockets;
  4. in large rooms and long corridors install two changeover switches - at one end and the other. Such switches, on the one hand, have two contacts - they connect the devices with each other, on the other - one at a time. The first switch is connected with a single pole to the phase, the other - to the lamp. The user can, entering the corridor, turn on the light with the first rocker switch and then turn it off with the second at the end of the room.

In rooms where small children live, it is recommended to install sockets with plugs in the lower zone (up to 30 cm).

Video on the topic

About the installation height of sockets and switches from the floor in the video:

The issue of choosing the height and installation location of sockets and switches should be approached with all due care, because in case of an error, relocation will be very expensive. It is useful to first draw a plan in order to reliably assess the convenience of the adopted placement. In the kitchen and bathroom, it is important not to forget about other communications so that the minimum distances mentioned in this material are maintained between them and the sockets.

It is clear that the installation of sockets and switches in a room in most cases determines the degree of comfort. It is equally important that their optimal height distance from the point of view of convenience assumes normal accessible operation. At the same time, it would not violate their functional purpose, the features of the existing interior in the arrangement of household electrical appliances. The standard installation of sockets and switches includes a 100 centimeter or 50 centimeter distance of the device from the floor. At the same time, it cannot be called an example of convenient use of sockets and switches. It is for this reason that most owners own apartments trying to replace old electrical wiring to a new one with a different installation of sockets and switches. Changing the distance allows you to increase the degree of convenience in using sockets and switches.

Installation according to European standards, GOST or convenience

Installing sockets and switches according to European standards is a good idea. But at the same time it is limited general requirements, which so successfully replaced the Soviet standard for installing sockets and switches with a new, so to speak, European standard.

According to the European standard, sockets are installed at a height of 0.3 meters, and the installation of a switch must be at a height of no less than 0.9 meters from the base of the floor. In addition, in different parts of our country the height of the established standard may differ slightly, but still differ. At the same time, the installation height of sockets and switches here can be either less than the total distance according to the European standard or more.

But, seriously. So far, there is no established European standard regarding the installation of the height of sockets and switches.

Rules for the Installation of Electrical Installations, requirements drawn up in accordance with IEC standards only mention the possibility of installing plug sockets at a more convenient distance from the floor, which can be read in Chapter 6.6.30 of the Rules for Installing Electrical Installations.

It is for this reason that during installation work When installing devices, you have to be guided by ease of use. But at the same time, do not violate the developed and approved restrictions on height compliance with generally accepted regulatory documents. That is, standards that are associated not only with the location of sockets and switches, but also with safety equipment and in relation to the installation of electrical wiring and electrical installation devices. (PUE-7 Internal electrical equipment, chapter 7.1.48-7.1.54).

Recommendations regarding the installation of electrical installation devices

But with regard to the Soviet standard, the ease of installation of sockets and switches is quite doubtful. As practice has shown, the previously used standard does not meet the conditions of convenient operation, which cannot be said about the notorious European standard, which has become more suitable for us than the old Soviet GOST.

And the convenience of installed sockets and switches at the entrance to the room should be no higher than at the level of the lowered hand of an adult user of average height. And this is a directly established standard for the distance of sockets and switches at the very entrance to the room. This is necessary so that you can quickly find the device, even in the dark.

Of course, it should be noted that the installed points of electrical installations are built in according to standards in accordance with the convenience of their use. Only, it is completely acceptable to adhere to a distance and height of 0.3 meters for sockets and about 9 meters for switches, as a necessary and correct height standard does not follow.

In addition, in a room with a large area, to control its lighting, it is better to install sockets and switches at different points in the room. For these purposes, pass-through switches are used. It is clear that it is very problematic to get deep into the room in the dark in order, for example, to find a switch and turn on the light.

Ideal option, installation of plug sockets

Therefore, the most suitable options is the installation of plug sockets with no disconnection, which is directly connected in rooms with bathrooms. At the same time, everything electrical devices, this applies to both sockets and switches for household appliances such as washing machines, where there is a need to take them outside, for example, to the wall in the hallway.

In addition, special attention should be paid to those places in the kitchen where the largest number of electrical appliances are located. This means installing sockets at the table in the kitchen, where you can and should install a couple of spare sockets. In this case, the most common option is a distance of about 10-15 centimeters from the tabletop kitchen table. At the same time, the number of installed sockets should ensure maximum convenient use. This means that when designing repairs, it is necessary to take into account ease of use, common sense and requirements in accordance with regulatory documents.

What to look for when choosing sockets