If the apartment was purchased in a new housing stock, then there is no need to talk about replacing the wiring. But in the case when an apartment is purchased from the secondary housing market, in order to reduce the fire hazard, it is still recommended to completely replace the electrical wiring in the entire apartment. Thanks to this, you can safely connect modern household appliances to the network and not be afraid of heavy loads on it.
First, you need to decide on the choice of wires for the main electrical cable, that is, what type of wiring will not spoil the interior of the room, and at the same time ensure sufficient reliability of use.
If the overall interior design of the apartment is made in a rustic style, then modern electrical wiring will be striking and will disrupt the entire composition of the style. Therefore, in this case, preference is given to the open type of wiring. Its essence lies in the fact that the electrical cable is not hidden in the wall, but is placed on its surface.
But the wires are not fixed to the wall itself, but small rollers are installed under them. In appearance, the rollers resemble small weights for Soviet scales. These rollers are made of glass or ceramic.
When installing electrical wiring in this style, the cable ends up suspended in a small space from the wall surface. This creates visually additional comfort in the apartment.
Typically, for open-type wiring, single-core copper wires are chosen. These wires are twisted and attached to the rollers, through a small, uniform gap, using thin wire.
Replacement of exposed electrical wiring is carried out without gating, which is convenient and easily accessible.
For a modern interior, installation of an open type of wiring is possible. But so that the wires do not hang in a common heap, they are placed in special cable channels. Cable channels are not a wide plastic box where wires are laid. The top of the box is closed with a lid, which prevents moisture and dirt from getting inside.
The appearance of cable channels is produced in a wide range of colors.
Today, decorative skirting boards are produced for the floor, in which there is space for placing electrical wiring.
This type of wiring makes it easier to access for connecting switches and sockets, as well as for subsequent replacement of wiring in old cable ducts.
But sometimes the design of the room does not allow open wiring. And then they use hidden wiring, that is, the cable is laid inside the wall.
The old wiring is completely replaced: from the circuit breakers in the panel to all sockets and switches. When installing hidden wiring, old cables must be removed. When laying an open-type electrical cable, it is enough to de-energize the previous wires and cover them with plaster.
All upcoming work can be divided into five main stages:
Before starting all work, you need to install a grounding wire.
Before starting all work, it is necessary to develop a wiring restoration project. It is usually applied to the apartment plan.
On this project, the location of electrical components is noted, and the required cable length is also calculated. The choice of wire type is based on the total load on the electrical network. To do this, take into account that when turning on household appliances with motors, the load on the network may increase for a short time. Therefore, machines should be selected taking into account voltage surges.
Incoming switches are installed taking into account the summed power of the total number of electrical devices that are supposed to be used in the apartment.
The general set of cables and switches for an individual operating circuit is selected separately, depending on the expected load on it.
The working design must include 2 neutral cables. Functional neutral cable and safety neutral cable (for connecting metal lighting fixtures and neutral contact of sockets). Approximate projects for replacing electrical wiring can be found in photographs from the Internet.
The initial steps when replacing this type of wiring are overhead electrical components. The beginning of all nodes is attached to the wall using dowel nails. Then cable channels are laid along the electrical network.
The wire for the electric stove must be complete, without connecting nodes. An exception is possible if you plan to transport the slab over a long distance.
The connection must be made securely and closed using a sleeve or heat shrink tube. Otherwise, during operation of the stove, the joint may heat up and lead to a fire hazard. The 3rd strand of the wire goes to connect the plate to the apartment's grounding wire.
If it is necessary to replace closed-type wiring, no matter wholly or partially, work begins with preparing new channels for laying hidden electrical components.
The chipping is carried out using a hammer drill and a set of round concrete drills. You can use a special wall chaser, but it will result in cramped channels. If wider channels are needed, then a hammer drill with a chisel is used.
Distribution boxes are fixed in the resulting channels. For fixation, it is better to use quick-drying solutions. The same solutions are used to fix the cable in the channels, which are laid to the connection points.
Inside the junction box, the supplied wires are fastened with any twisting method. Then they are either soldered or crimped, and always covered with insulating tape.
As a result, if the process of replacing the wiring is correctly divided into stages and carried out step by step, then the procedure for installing a new electrical cable will be successful.
We can: replace old wiring with new ones, at any facility and in any volume; lay everything from scratch electrician and weak current; partially change the wiring in one room; Completely assemble or sort out the electrical panel. The work we carry out complies with all building codes and safety regulations. The characteristics of each object and the individual wishes of the customer are taken into account. We successfully coordinate all our actions with architects, designers and builders. Knowing all the specifics of finishing the premises on a turnkey basis, we comply with all time regulations and always deliver all objects on time. Read our reviews.
The first sign that something is wrong with the electrical wiring is if you periodically gives an electric shock. The second sign is the frequent or random operation of automatic machines or burnt-out plugs (the presence of plugs is already a diagnosis!) And the third sign is burning smells, crackling and blinking lights.
You can see what unusable old wiring looks like and why it is dangerous.
2 room apartment
3 room apartment
4 room apartment
Electrical wiring in a cottage
Minimum wiring replacement cost including material! Price without grooves, without shield, cable in boxes or under the plinth)
1 room apartment
2 room apartment
3 room apartment
Wiring in the cottage
Minimum cost including material! Based on 2-3 sockets and 1 light source per room, a switchboard in the apartment.
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When the foreman (staff engineer) first arrives at the site, all details are discussed and an estimate is drawn up. After receiving an advance payment (prepayment is necessary for the purchase of material and usually does not exceed 50% of the cost of work, it is also possible to start), a project is drawn up and drawn wiring diagram.
A wiring diagram is included with each project and is free.
After concluding the contract, a team of electricians begins laying the cable. If necessary, old floors are opened and ceilings (not main walls) are broken.
It is worth recalling that the site’s team of craftsmen are, first and foremost, professional electricians with professional tools! And we are engaged ONLY electricity and a weak point, and we don’t take on anything else. We do not do plumbing, level walls, lay tiles or install windows! Our team has been doing only electricity and wiring for many years!
All related services: garbage removal, opening floors, dismantling ceilings, etc., - are paid separately. The wiring replacement service includes only such work as: purchasing materials, wiring replacement work, commissioning and cleaning after work.
All noisy work: chiselling, chiseling, drilling, is carried out only at the time established by law, for each region this time is different. It is allowed to make noise in Moscow from 9.00 to 19.00, with a break from 13.00 to 15.00. On weekends and holidays, only low-noise work is performed.
After laying all the electrics, including low-current cables: audio, video, Internet. Installation of socket boxes and junction boxes is carried out (if absolutely necessary). The placement of socket boxes is agreed upon with the customer or finishers. It’s more convenient and best to do it after rough finishing (for example, plastering walls)
The installation of the panel can be rescheduled at any time during the wiring replacement. It is best to install the panel after rough finishing (for example, plastering the walls). The panel is assembled at any time, but before installing sockets and switches, for the convenience of commissioning.
He is assembling the shield qualified licensed electrician. For the switchboard we use only high-quality certified materials (automatic circuit breakers, RCDs, differential circuit breakers, voltage control relays, switches, meters). At the customer's request, cheaper domestic analogues can be used. Also, for an additional fee, it is possible to connect a voltage stabilizer to the switchboard (the stabilizer requires additional space next to the switchboard).
Installation of all electrical installation products is carried out only for finishing. That is, after painting, wallpapering, laying tiles, etc. If necessary, temporary sockets and switches are installed.
In wet rooms, special waterproof sockets are installed. In children's rooms (or throughout the apartment) there are sockets with internal curtains.
The installation of switches is combined with the installation of temporary lighting sources (Ilyich bulbs) to check the stability of the entire system.
Switches are selected depending on the wishes of the customer or project. Since there are various modifications of switches: walk-through, on a string, with backlight, dimmers, radio switches, contactless, etc.
All LED strips, transformers and installations using diodes are also mounted with a fine finish.
Partial replacement of the wiring in an apartment will cost much less than replacing the entire electrical wiring (logical, isn’t it?). This procedure will save on large-scale repairs and will keep the apartment’s electrical system in good condition.
Simple improvement of wiring in one room first will reduce the load on the rest of the apartment, and secondly, this will allow partial renovations to be made in the apartment. This is most suitable for residents of Khrushchev-era apartments, communal apartments, hostels and Stalinist houses. And also for several families living in the same living space. If it is not possible to replace all the wiring, the first thing you need to think about is about partial replacement.
Priorities of work to improve the condition of existing or emergency wiring:
Some companies or private craftsmen take the number of points as a basis. (For example, 500 rubles, period). Let's explain why this is wrong. There can be 10 points, but there can be 2 times more lines laid to them (pass-through switches, lines for individual devices, etc.). Therefore, an accurate calculation and understanding of what points these are is always necessary. You can simply replace traffic jams with automatic machines, and in some situations this will be enough. You can change the cable with sockets in the room, or install an RCD. In any case, any of the listed actions improves fire safety and safety of wiring in general.
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website offers 2 options for carrying out work:
Everyone knows that when laying rough electrical wiring, it is also necessary to think in advance and lay all the accompanying low-current cables.
Exist various low current systems and they have nothing to do with the electrical wiring in the apartment, since the wiring will work without them. BUT, today, without some of them (and this is at least the Internet), an understanding of modern and comfortable housing is not possible.
The main low-current systems in order of demand for them:
The duration of replacement work depends on a number of factors. Usually all work is divided into rough BEFORE and finishing AFTER. In such cases, the timing of the work directly depends on other craftsmen (plasterers and painters) doing repairs in the room.
Rough laying of communications takes an average of 1 day/room, installation of sockets and switches for a finished floor takes an average of 1-3 days for the entire apartment, and work on assembling a switchboard can take 1-2 days.
All deadlines for completing work, as well as guarantees and payments, are specified in agreement. Prepayment is required only for materials; it is also possible to divide the prepayment in stages according to the stages of work performed.
Turnkey guarantee for all electrical equipment (maintenance and warranty repairs) from 5 years, the warranty period directly depends on the stages of the work (turnkey or partially) and the materials used.
Homeowners have to deal with this issue quite often.
It should be clarified that by partial replacement, this means not only the replacement of electrical installation products - old sockets, switches with new ones, but the replacement of the mentioned electrical accessories and wires only in certain rooms.
Of course, in many respects, the option of completely replacing the wiring in an apartment or house is more preferable, which any competent electrician can probably confirm.
Technically, the obvious advantages of installing new electrical wiring in the house are due, first of all, to the possibility of creating high-quality reliable connections - switching power wires.
Having chosen a step-by-step method and laid new wires in a specific room, we, faced with the need to connect power, will be forced to power new sockets and lamps from the nearest existing old distribution box.
Here we must take into account that old electrical wiring is most often done aluminum wires and their direct compound with new copper ones due to the electrochemical incompatibility of these materials is unacceptable.
Of course, this can be completely corrected by using special connecting terminals - modern manufacturers provide a fairly wide range of these products on the electrical market. However, one cannot ignore the possible difficulties associated with their use.
It should be taken into account that the lack of free space or a large number of old connections in the box can cause certain difficulties and require reconnection of fragile aluminum wires.
However, if the contractor has sufficient experience in carrying out such electrical work, this situation is completely solvable. The same cannot be said with regard to the uniform distribution of the load and the correspondence of the cross-sections of the electrical wiring to it.
As an example, having replaced the old wiring in one room (increasing, as a rule, the total number of “points” in it upward) with a new one and connecting it to an existing box, most often we have a current overload on the wires feeding this box.
The fact is that the old wiring of the vast majority of our apartments and houses is made of one power supply electrical group, the material (aluminum) and the cross-section of the wires of which do not correspond to the power consumption and the number of modern household electrical appliances.
A good solution here would be to power this room bypassing the distribution box - connecting directly to the circuit breaker of the distribution board.
But this solution cannot be called universal. For most homeowners, such a change in the interior is unlikely to be acceptable: wires laid across the entire apartment along the wall or ceiling to the electrical panel, even if laid in a cable channel, are a very dubious decoration.
Especially in cases where repairs to the premises through which “transit” power cables will be laid are not planned and there is no way to hide them in grooves.
Of course, the better choice is to completely replace all old electrical wiring. But our desires do not always coincide with our possibilities. For various reasons, the most common of which are lack of funds or lack of time, we are forced to resort to phased repairs of not only electrical wiring.
Considering the listed disadvantages of partial replacement, its choice must be justified - for example, if such a phased renovation is planned to be done throughout the entire apartment and the mentioned supply wires are laid temporarily and will be hidden during the renovation of the following rooms.
As a rule, every 3-5 years we renovate the rooms in our apartment. In the vast majority of cases, repairs are cosmetic in nature and include: replacement of ceiling, wall and floor coverings, as well as replacement of baseboards, cornices, lighting and sockets. If you decide to renovate the entire apartment or are moving to a new one, we recommend replacing the wiring. We will try to describe in detail how to properly install the wiring in this article.
The content of the article:
First of all this fire hazard. Secondly, it is a danger to life and health (current up to 36 volts is considered safe for humans). And thirdly, poor outdated electrical wiring means unstable operation and failure of equipment, breakdown of expensive household and lighting devices.
First of all, you need to pay attention to the electrical panel. Typically, this is where the electricity meter is installed. If there are still old Soviet plugs in the panel, then you have old wiring! Everything is obvious here - the wiring in the house is rotten, with aluminum wires. The second, important sign of old electrical wiring is if you are periodically shocked in the most unexpected places. Don't wait until next time - call an electrician immediately! And if possible, be sure to replace all traffic jams with automatic ones. Don't wait until they burn out next time. It is best to entrust the replacement of traffic jams to automatic machines to a professional, - call an electrician for 1 hour and the job is done! Remember! That untimely replacement can cost you significantly more.
“Fireproof” wooden panel with melting wires
What are the dangers of aluminum wiring?
The lifespan of aluminum wires is significantly less than that of copper wires. Aluminum is more susceptible to oxidation and is a less flexible and softer metal (compared to copper alloys). The problem with aluminum is especially pronounced in places of connections and kinks in the wiring. High humidity and poor contact also accelerate oxidation processes. Subsequently, this leads to overheating and burnout of the contact.
Aluminum wiring
Old aluminum wiring has single insulation, which is simply unacceptable according to modern rules! Single insulation is fraught with current leakage into walls or other structures of the house. In a modern home, you simply need a double-insulated wire, which is called a cable. According to the new rules, only cable is allowed to be used in apartments and houses.
This is how current passes through a person
Another disadvantage of the old wiring is the absence of a third, so-called “safe” wire, known as the ground wire. In old five-story buildings, Khrushchev, Stalinist, and panel houses, up to the construction of the early 2000s. — The grounding wire was simply not provided! Therefore, installing sockets with grounding, without replacing all the wires, does not make any practical sense. In special, ridiculous cases, this can even play a cruel joke if done incorrectly. installation of sockets! New rules require grounding all electrical equipment, and accordingly the presence of a safe wire in all electrical wiring. What is the term grounding and why it is needed can be read.
Standard location of junction boxes
Probably everyone has heard the concept of twists. In old electrical wiring, twists are normal. A good twist is no worse than, for example, a bolt clamp. The main and necessary condition is that all twists and connections of wires must be located in junction boxes, which serve as a place for safe switching (connection) of wires. According to the rules, it is not allowed to block access to junction boxes, cover them up or cover them with wallpaper. Typically, junction boxes with twists are located above the light switches under the ceiling.
Old twisted wires
Twists of aluminum wires in these places become unusable over time, especially with high humidity and poor-quality installation. Signs of problems in the junction box are: blinking lights, electrical crackling under the ceiling, burning smells (not always obvious), or a partial absence of light in the apartment. In such cases, it is necessary to look for and open old junction boxes in order to sort through (reconnect). To do this, they unravel the old strands and place the wires on special terminal blocks, having previously treated the ends of the wires.
Terminal blocks for connecting wires
A fairly common (even too common) and unpleasant problem is the twisting of copper wires with aluminum ones. The fact that you can’t do this should probably be taught in school! And not many people know that this is one of the main causes of fire! Thin wires with a cross-section that does not correspond to the load are the second factor causing fires! Any wire that passes current through itself heats up, and it heats up in direct proportion to the load. That is, any wire can be heated like a soldering iron - just apply a good load to it! If you see that, for example, a household heater is hanging on thin wires, turn it off and immediately call an electrician, - Old electrical wiring is the most common cause of fire!!! .
Twisting - you can’t do that!
Old electrical installation products: sockets and switches do not meet modern electrical safety standards. It is simply impossible to insert a plug into an old Soviet-style socket without additional effort, and when you try to insert it with a blow, the socket usually breaks.
The main problems in old wiring most often appear in feed-through sockets. Pass-through sockets are called sockets through which electricity flows from the source (another socket) further to the next socket or consumer. Usually, where the wires are connected in the socket, a break occurs. And the worse the contact, the higher the load on the connection point. At higher currents, overheating and even fire are possible. One outlet can carry the entire load in the apartment, and if the outlet is old and constantly in use, there is a high probability of the contact weakening in it.
It is clear why most often it is the old sockets that fail. In the best case, some of the sockets in the house stop working, but if things go wrong, they simply burn and melt. And the saddest thing is that no machine other than an RCD can save you from this.
In general, pass-through sockets are normal, and they are allowed by the rules. Not a single modern wiring can do without them. This is primarily due to the enormous cable savings. High-quality and correctly installed pass-through sockets cope with their task with a bang. The main thing is not to exceed the calculated load on the line with sockets.
The same, but not fully, applies to light switches. Of course, the load on switches is much less than on sockets, but they can also burn like the sockets in the photo. By the way, the switches are on a string, this is another sign of awareness that something is wrong with the wiring. The socket in the old socket box is supported by pieces of wood
It is necessary to pay attention to lighting fixtures: old chandeliers, sconces, lamps. The weak point of old lighting devices is the cartridges! Over time, the plastic of the cartridges dries out and bursts, the contacts overheat and oxidize, hence all the ensuing problems. Often, due to such sockets, light bulbs explode, or the base is left inside the socket. Replacing sockets in old chandeliers is not a cheap pleasure, as it is a very painstaking job and requires quite a lot of time. It is much easier and cheaper to buy a new lighting fixture.
Be careful with electric current! Don't have the funds to completely replace the wiring? - Do it at least partially! Any improvement in wiring is additional insurance for your safety, which significantly reduces the likelihood of any problems with wiring and will significantly reduce energy costs.
Old pre-war wiring in a dilapidated house on Old Arbat.
Exclusive photo from our electrician
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