Installation of plug sockets. Socket outlets with grounding and everything you need to know about them.

A socket outlet is one of the main components of electrical plug-in connections. It is designed for quick connection and shutdown of electricity consumers with a capacity of up to several kilowatts.

Kinds of plug sockets

In most cases, they are made in two-contact and three-contact designs, divided into structures for internal and external wiring, for electrical circuit  - with grounding and without grounding, in accordance with the degree of water resistance - on waterproof and ordinary. In addition, in some cases, the inside can be installed.

In most cases, it consists of a ceramic base, to which the bronze contacts are fastened by screws, holding the corresponding plug pins of the plug. Contacts have special areas, to which screws are screwed conductors, to which the lead wire is divided. Grounding contacts of the sockets, if they are provided, are made in the form of spring-loaded metal strips on both sides, into which a plug is inserted.

Differences between plug sockets

By appearance  a two-pin socket with grounding immediately differs from the usual much larger depth of the connecting part - about 20 mm against 5 mm in the usual. The three-contact can be symmetrical and asymmetrical with flat or round contact holes. There are no side strips and the grounding contact is in front of the middle hole. The unbalanced socket does not allow inserting the plug incorrectly and interchanging the zero and phase conductors inside the connected appliance.

If the socket is designed for, the ceramic base is placed in the plastic housing, which is attached to the wall with the help of a special base - podrozetnik.

The socket for the external enclosure does not have and is mounted in a special recess, in most cases of a cylindrical shape. To fix the ceramic base in the recess, on the outside of the base, there is a bracket with movable legs on both sides, the position of which is fixed with screws. This design allows you to fix it at a niche diameter of 65 - 75 mm. Then, with the help of a central screw with M2 thread, an outer panel, mainly plastic, with holes for the plug contacts is put on it. The distance between the centers of the holes for the two-contact hole is 19 mm.

Sockets can be equipped with devices that prevent children from sticking foreign objects / penetration of insects. Usually it is a spring-loaded non-conductive plate, which can be moved only by the plug itself.

Installation of plug sockets

Socket Outlets  belong to the electrical installation products and are an integral part of any electrical network. In everyday life various types of plug sockets are used, the choice of which depends on many factors.

Let's consider the main types of sockets, the features of their use and installation.

  Socket Outlet Design

A socket outlet is an ordinary socket that is in every house and without which the work of most household appliances is impossible. The main task of the device is the communication of an electrical appliance through a plug with an electrical network.

The plug socket consists of three main elements:

• protective casing;
• block;
• contact.

The socket housing performs decorative and protective function - it closes access to current-carrying elements.

The protective case can be single and double. If it is necessary to install more than two paired sockets, it is necessary to install separate sockets with a plastic core in the common sockets frame.

The outer cover of the connector is made of unbreakable, heat-resistant plastic. The case can be zadekorirovat under the interior of the room. Some models of sockets are equipped with additional devices: protective covers and curtains, backlight, push button for ejecting the plug.

The base of the device is a shoe, the element on which the cover and contacts of the socket outlet are held. The material of the pads is ceramic or carbolite.

Carboline rosettes are more durable, but the shoe from this material, mainly found in old samples of sockets.

Ceramics - a very fragile material, so when installing the outlet you have to act as carefully as possible, - the damaged shoe can not be restored

The socket can be used for installation of open and hidden installation sockets, as well as serve as a blank when the extender is made independently.

The working element of the outlet is a contact through which electricity is transmitted to consumers - household appliances.

With the help of key or screw terminals, the contacts on one side are connected to the power conductor, and on the other hand - they interact with the plug of the appliance.

Contacts are made of metal alloys, which have a certain degree of elasticity. This property is necessary for the reliable connection of the socket with the plug pins.

The density of contact of the petals of the contact to the plug is one of the indicators of the quality of the plug socket

Technical characteristics of contacts modern outlets  exceed the performance of old samples. The permissible current strength of the new outlets is 10-16 A, and the old ones 6.3-10 A. These values ​​determine the total power of electrical appliances that can be operated from the outlet.

  Classification of plug sockets

Sockets are classified by several criteria.

By type of construction:

By electric scheme:

According to the level of water resistance:

By the number of pads:

  Self-assembly of the socket

  General rules for installing outlets

Before starting work on the installation of the socket outlet, it is absolutely necessary to disconnect the mains power supply and check the voltage by the indicator

  Installation of a hidden type socket outlet

Consider step-by-step connection of the socket:

  Installing an external type outdoor plug socket

Plug-in socket connection open installation  - a simpler and faster method. This option applies if the house electrical wiring - external.

Sequence of installation works:

  Requirements for the number and quality of plug sockets

When installing and setting up electrical devices, it is necessary to observe the approved standards that determine the number and type of outlets depending on the design and room characteristics:

The housing of the socket must be marked (IP44, IP22, etc.), indicating the degree of protection of the device from foreign objects and moisture

The first digit in the marking indicates the diameter of the objects from which the housing is protected, and the second - the level of moisture content.

Allocate the following degrees of protection:

1. Protection from touching foreign objects with current-carrying elements:
   • 0 - no protection;
   • 1 - more than 50 mm, for example, the back of the hand;
   • 2 - more than 12.5 mm - finger protection;
   • 3 - more than 2.5 mm - protection against penetration of hand tools;
   • 4 - more than 1 mm - protection against small bolts, nuts, individual conductors;
   • 5-6 - complete protection against unwanted contact, dustproof housing.
2. Degrees of moisture insecurity of outlets:
   • 0 - no protection;
   • 1 - protection against drops falling on the body vertically;
   • 2 - protection against drops falling at an angle of 150 °;
   • 3 - protection against rain;
   • 4 - protection from various sprays, regardless of their direction;
   • 5 - protection from water jets - the highest degree of protection.

For ordinary living room, the IP20 sockets are suitable, for the bathroom - IP44

So, when choosing a socket outlet, it is necessary to take into account such criteria:

1. Type of electrical wiring in the apartment (outdoor or hidden).
2. Operating nominal data of the socket (size and type of current (constant, variable), voltage in the network).
3. Presence of a grounding loop.
4. The location of the outlet (necessary for selecting the degree of protection).

A quality outlet should be made of non-combustible materials, ensure reliable contact and insulation of live parts

The selection and installation of plug sockets is a crucial stage in the arrangement of the electrical wiring of the room. A competent approach to the selection of the outlet, and the installation that meets all the safety requirements, will significantly extend the life of the electrical installation product and household electrical appliances.

Foreword

It is necessary to choose the right types of outlets and switches in order to ensure the safety of their operation in different conditions.

Contents

Modern types electrical outlets  and switches ensure the uninterrupted operation of household appliances. It is necessary to choose the right types of outlets and switches in order to ensure the safety of their operation in different conditions. The article on this page lists the most common types of outlets and switches and provides a brief description of them.

Sockets and switches belong to the electrical installation products and are the most important element of any home electrical network. In recent years, in addition to the already well-known classical samples of these devices, many new varieties have appeared.

Nevertheless, the principle of their work remains the same.

Sockets are part of the plug connection with the plug. These components are called "mom" and "dad", respectively.

They are used to connect electrical appliances, without which modern life is inconceivable. There are many types of plug sockets. To determine the choice, you need to know some technical details.

Socket Outlet

The outlet device includes all the necessary parts for conducting an electric current.

Elements of the device of any outlet:

• contacts;
• base (or shoe);
• protective housing.

Contact  - the main working element of the outlet. It is through it that energy is transferred from power cable  on the contacts of the connected device.

Material of contact  - A metal alloy with a certain elasticity for the reliable connection of the plug pins to the socket. On the one hand, the pins are connected to the power conductor using screw or key clamps, on the other hand they interact with the plug.

Technical characteristics of contacts are of great importance. Sockets of the old sample are rated for a nominal voltage of 220 - 230 V and current strength 6.3 - 10 A. These values ​​are much smaller than in modern sockets for which the permissible current strength is 10 - 16 A.

From these indicators depends the total power of electrical appliances, which can be connected to the outlet. For the outlet of the old sample, it is 1386 W (6.3 A x 220 V), for the modern - 3520 W (16 A x 220 V). Thus, modern rosettes almost three times higher than the old samples. This is due to the increase in the power of household electrical appliances. If the apartment has old connectors, then when connecting a washing machine or air conditioner to them, the contact material can not stand.

In addition, modern sockets have more distance between the output contacts and a larger diameter of the fork pins (4.8 mm instead of the previous 4 mm).

Now in the sockets set three wires - phase, zero and grounding, in the old samples there were only two: phase and zero. New devices are also equipped with special grounding conductors. When connected to an old wall outlet, this protection will not work, which is absolutely unacceptable from a security point of view. And it's not so much in the design of the sockets, as in the power supply network, which may or may not have a grounding system. The latter option is often found in old houses.

Socket socket

The socket socket is the socket base, then, on which the contacts and the protective housing are kept. It can be made from carbolite (in old samples) or ceramics. Ceramics - a wonderful dielectric material, durable and fire-resistant. Its only drawback is fragility. Sometimes the pads are made of special plastic, as, for example, in sockets Wessen.

The socket socket can be used as an ordinary open socket power outlet. If the socket is built-in, on the shoe there are fasteners for its installation in the junction box. In addition, the shoe can serve as a blank for self-manufacturing extensions. In this case, it is fastened to the cord of the required length (usually PVA), to the end of which the plug is mounted. In addition to the usual household extensions, there are portable. They are used for various construction works or outside the home, for example.

Protective socket housing

Protective socket housing - this is the outer cover of the connector with the holes for the plug. It performs protective and decorative functions.

In certain types of sockets, special devices are installed in the casing: protective curtains, covers, push buttons of the plug, lighting, etc.

The material is heat-resistant unbreakable plastic, sometimes the body is decorated with a variety of inserts, which can be selected according to the interior or layout elements.

All types and types of electrical outlets and their photos

There are various types of sockets that allow you to solve specific problems. All types of sockets are divided according to their purpose and installation method. The main types of electrical outlets are designed for connecting household appliances. You can see different types of sockets in the photo, which are attached below to a description of their types.

Closed-type recessed wall outlet

A recessed plug socket hidden wiring  in the installation boxes (podrozetniki): the shoe, together with the contacts, is immersed in the wall, while the protective casing hardly protrudes from the plane of the walls.

A double socket recessed type is used to connect two plugs at once. Built-in option double socket  It is suitable for installation in a single padding as it has one standard-size shoe in the base. If an outlet is required closed type  with more than two jacks, install pads for three or four forks (open wiring) or mount several single-socket outlets next to and place a frame on the top (concealed wiring).

Open sockets of open type unheated

Overhead outlets open type  attach to the wall surface. The protective casing surrounds the connector from all sides, leaving no contacts open, as is the case with hidden sockets.

A socket outlet of unheated type with grounding is intended for installation in electrical networks where there is grounding. These outlets have contacts connected to the ground wire.

In the case or shoe of such outlets, additional devices are installed: backlight, childproof curtains, moisture-proof covers, fork ejector or a sleep timer.

There can be combined types of sockets. For example, a double built-in socket with a ground or a single-socket outlet without ground (marking b / z).

If the socket is not the end in the electrical circuit and the power wire, feeding it, goes further to the next outlet, it is called the gateway. These sockets are mounted when the wires are unattended.

Kinds of television outlets

In addition to power, there are types of television outlets for the tips of information cables.

Antenna socket.Its difference from a conventional power outlet is that instead of two holes under the fork pins, it has a connector under the end of the antenna cable. These outlets are installed in the places where the TVs are.

Types and types of telephone sockets

All types telephone sockets are created under the phone connector. There are several types of telephone sockets - from simple, installed next to the telephone, to complex, having the form and size of the power outlet. Some types of telephone outlets can be used to connect to the Internet.

The computer socket in appearance is very similar to the phone, but differs in the size of the cable lug and the number of contact wires. Used to connect to the Internet and connect computers to each other.

Sometimes, antenna, telephone and computer connectors are combined in one socket housing.

There are also power connectors - plug connections, designed to connect to single-phase and three-phase networks  various electrical appliances. In everyday life they are rarely used. With the power connector, an electric stove is connected, welding machine  or a concrete mixer.

In different countries, the plugs can be very different from each other. For example, a Russian-made hair dryer can not be connected to a French outlet. If you need to connect non-matching connectors, use special adapters. By the way, the so-called Euroset is a German standard.

Types of electrical light switches

Like sockets, switches consist of three basic elements (contacts, pads and protective cover), which are made of the same materials. Types of electrical switches are designed for concealed (recessed) or external (overhead) installations. On this the similarity of the switches and sockets ends.

Unlike the sockets that serve to connect to the mains, all kinds of light switches operate differently - they tear electrical circuit. In the socket there are no moving elements, in the switch the whole principle of operation is built on a changeover contact, which, changing its position, opens or closes the circuit. In addition, only one wire is suitable for the switch - phase. In some types there is a contact for connecting the ground wire.

There are several types of switches.

Key.  Device with one key or button. Used when you want to turn one light on or off. To save space, install switches with two, three or more keys that are able to control several independent light sources, sometimes located in different rooms. Pass-through (switch). Allows you to control one light source from two different points. Outwardly, it is no different from a keyswitch. The difference is in the number of contacts: the one-key switch has three instead of the usual two, the two-key switch has six instead of three. The passage switch is very convenient: you can, for example, turn on the light with a switch at the entrance to the bedroom, then go into the room, go to bed and turn it off with the switch at the head of the bed.

With backlight.  On the case or on the keys of such a switch there is a built-in indicator light that glows in the dark. Entering the room, you immediately see where it is located, and you do not have to look for it by touch.

Control.  In appearance it is similar to a switch with illumination, but the principle of its operation is exactly the opposite. The indicator light illuminates when the light is on and off when the circuit is open. By the appearance of such a switch it is easy to determine whether lighting is switched on in a remote room.

Shockproof and dustproof.  They have increased mechanical strength and protection from moisture and dust. Are installed on the street, in the bathrooms, etc.

Dimmer (dimmer) - switch-regulator of illumination. Recently, such switches have become popular. Smoothly turning the knob or pressing the dimmer key, you can immerse the room in the twilight or fill it with blinding light. There are dimmers that are not manually controlled, but with the remote control from the TV or voice commands. This dimmer costs six to seven times more expensive than a keyswitch. Dimmer has some drawbacks. For example, it creates radio interference. In addition, dimmers can not be used in conjunction with energy saving lamps  (Gear), and connected in series, they behave unpredictably.

Pushbutton, or linear.  They are mounted directly on the wire. Most often they are used in floor lamps, sconces and other lighting equipment.

With a timer.  Has a clock mechanism that turns on or off the light at specified intervals. With these switches, you can install various sensors that trigger on sound, light or movement. They are mounted in the switch body.

A socket outlet is one of the components electrical network, without which the task of connecting devices is significantly complicated. Despite the large number of existing models (waterproof, dual, grounded), the basic principle remains unchanged. Indeed, the socket outlet makes it possible at a low cost to provide a secure connection to the network electrical appliances  any person even without a tolerance group.

Part of the whole

Although the plug socket is a structurally completed device, it can not be fully operated without the plug, which it creates with copper sliding contacts. In other words, it's important to match the solutions used. For example, a socket outlet for two sockets (holes) is intended for a suitable plug with the same number of pins (pins), with the diameter not exceeding the allowable value.

Popular Modifications

Let's consider, what features are inherent in the sockets, used in household electric systems. One of the key differences is the body material (not to be confused with the outer cover). The socket can be made of ceramic or non-flammable plastic. The latter, despite its high performance characteristics, loses its resistance to heat (it deforms at high temperatures, caused, for example, by poor contact compression) and the permissible breakdown voltage (the best insulators are glass and ceramics, not polymers).

Now, when everywhere replacing obsolete home postings, the plug socket with grounding contact becomes irreplaceable. If in the Soviet era the standard was a two-wire network (zero and phase), now, according to the requirements of the PUE, a third grounding wire is mounted and additionally diluted. This significantly increases electrical safety. It is connected to a special contact in the sockets. The equipment providing the use of grounding is realized with special plugs, in which the case is connected to the third contact. When you turn on the plug, there is a contact not two, as before, but three wires. Such outlets can be of two modifications: when the plug has three pins, standardly included in the holes, and also (more convenient solution) in the presence of a spring-loaded sliding contact, which additionally fixes the included plug. The peculiarity of the latter is that, when switched on, first a grounding circuit is created, and then deepened power conductors.

In retail chains, you can find sockets of a special design, in which the holes are closed with plastic curtains, which need to be pushed with pins to insert the plug.

Installation of plug sockets

There are models for the external (open) and internal first type, usually used in conjunction with external wiring, in which the wires are not hidden in the wall, but fixed to small insulators or placed in cable channels. Usually these are production premises, sheds, street chains. If the lower part of the socket is not equipped with a closing cover, then a plate of non-conductive material (textolite, wood) must be fixed to the substrate. Then disassemble the socket housing and use screws or bolts to place it on the prepared site. Wires can be connected both before and after installation (always in the de-energized state of the network).

The models for the concealed installation are equipped with internal metal "paws" which, when twisting the two screws, are bent to the sides, securely fixing the entire structure inside. The installation is simple: a hole is prepared in the wall, the diameter and depth of which correspond to the selected plastic box; then a channel is made for the wire from the main line; The ends of the wires are connected to the sockets for this purpose; the fixation is performed; the outer cover is installed.

Safety requirements for the operation of electrical appliances dictate the need for grounding. Grounding is a system of conductors that removes the voltage that has arisen on the plant housing into the ground. The electrical resistance of the earth is much lower than that of the human body, so the stress resulting from insulation damage or for other reasons does not affect the user.

The presence of a ground loop in the electrical network of erected objects is a prerequisite. However, objects erected prior to the entry of the advisory point of the PUE into force are not equipped with grounding. Such networks have only two conductors: phase and zero. The possibility of adding a ground loop to such a network is available, but its implementation involves considerable time and money. Therefore, in most cases nothing like this happens. Thus, socket outlets with a grounding contact (the presence of which is reflected in the price of the mechanism) makes sense to acquire only if the grid of the object has an appropriate conductor.

Grounding arrangement in sockets

There are many different designs of sockets with grounding, but in Russia the most common type F. This European standard is also known as "schuko" or "schutzkontakt". In fact, this term refers to the specific diameter of the contact pins. The use of such a term is justified by the mandatory presence of a ground contact in European outlets and forks.

Socket outlets of this type have two grounding contacts (the presence of which is taken into account in the product price) located in a plane perpendicular to the main contacts. They are made in the form of spring plates, adjacent to the corresponding areas on the plug. At the same time, when connecting the plug, the grounding contacts are the first to close, and the main ones after. This connection procedure allows you to remove dangerous voltage from the housing as soon as it arises. If the device is not equipped with the necessary circuit or it is installed incorrectly in it, there will be no grounding.

Today, consumers can buy plug sockets with ZK in any configuration. Built-in and overhead, single and dual models, even products from modular series for installation in boxes are produced in versions with earthing contacts. It is noteworthy that models without ZK are mostly intended for the post-Soviet space market.

Mounting of sockets with ZK

Installation of the outlet from the ZK into a network with a ground loop will not be difficult. There is no particular difference with the installation of a socket for two conductors. The only difference is that the grounding conductor (usually marked with green or green-yellow isolation, but this is not mandatory) must be connected to the corresponding terminal. Terminal ZK in most cases is located between zero and phase or top / bottom of them. The exact location can be found from the marking on back side  enclosure or in the enclosed instructions. Safety rules for the installation of all outlets are the same.

When installing such outlets in a network without a ground loop, sometimes resort to the so-called "zeroing". Instead of the corresponding conductor, the ground contact is connected to zero. Doing so is forbidden, because afterwards it can lead to a voltage on the body of the appliance, which is fraught with damage to the user or damage to the electrical appliance itself. It is equally unacceptable to use water pipes or a heating system as a ground loop.

An additional measure of safety can serve as a protective device (RCD). This device, which detects a current leakage and disconnects the power of the consumer with the help of automatic systems. In particular, the reason for the operation of the RCD can be the current leakage into the ground. This triggering will detect the malfunction before unpleasant consequences.

Thus, the use of sockets with grounding contacts (in networks with a suitable conductor) increases the safety of operation of electrical appliances. In addition to security, the presence of ZK in the socket increases the stability of the devices, and reduces the chances of failure.