Hatches in the floor for outlets

Modern new buildings delight us with large areas, as well as free layouts that have caused the spread of fashion in studio apartments. It was the increase in space that led to the introduction of floor-mounted hatches for residential outlets. Previously, they were used in large production facilities, in public places, offices, warehouses, i.e. where a lot of electrical equipment is connected, but it is unacceptable to have wires tangled under your feet. The use of this device makes life easier for designers and expands the possibilities of interior decoration, allowing you to move away from the usual layout of electrical appliances and furniture "along the walls." And also eliminates the need for extension cords, splitters, surge protectors and other devices that do not fit into the design and cause a sense of chaos.

Preparing to install the hatch

Make a decision and consider using a hatch for power outlets in the floor needed at the design or development stage. Before the final installation of the fixture itself, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work during laying the floor. The draft stage consists in laying the cable (wire) from the point of entry of electricity into the apartment to the installation site of the outlet block and contains the following nuances:

• It is necessary to choose a wire of suitable section.
• The cable bred under the connector is taken with a margin of at least 0.5 meters.
• Under the floor, a wire is laid in a plastic or steel (if necessary, with grounding) box and filled with a screed or simply covered with floors on the logs.
• After laying the coating, the place where the hatch will be mounted is marked.

When choosing a floor-mounted option for connecting electrical appliances spaced from the wall, it should initially be borne in mind that such an idea would cost an order of magnitude more expensive than a standard wall version. Such an outlet must have a special design, meet strict safety requirements, ergonomics and be an element of design, because it often remains in sight.

Why can't standard sockets be used on the floor?

In addition to electrical and fire hazards, there are several more reasons not to install standard models of sockets in the floor:

• The usual source of electricity does not imply the presence of physical exertion - it is forbidden to step on it, place or drop furniture.
• Such models are not intended to be installed in the same plane with the coating and always protrude.
• The wall outlet is not designed for accumulation of dust, debris.
• This connector is not protected against liquid entering the enclosure, resulting in short circuits.

It is also necessary to protect the wires (cables) supplied to the electrical connectors from moisture as much as possible, i.e. boxes for them are selected in good quality.

The main types of floor-mounted modules

The design of the floor-mounted electrical connector is designed for flush mounting in a horizontal plane. It is represented by the following modifications:

• Built-in floor hatches for sockets.
• Socket for the floor, equipped with a cover for the connectors.

Choosing a design, you should consider its purpose, this will help determine the required number of connectors. According to this feature, devices are divided as follows:

• A socket containing one connector.

• Fixture for two or three sockets.

• Multifunctional design, equipped with up to 12 electrical outlets, connectors for telephone and the Internet.

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Swiveling hatches in the floor for sockets are gaining popularity. This modification has the same functionality and is easy to use.

Features of choice

An important criterion for selecting the ideal model is the design component, i.e. compliance with the style and general design of the interior. Also, the execution material of the hatch determines its mechanical properties and life. According to these features, modules for floor outlets can be divided into the following types:

• Plastic Such a model is cheaper, but withstands the physical impact of up to 300 kg. This is quite enough for an average residential apartment. Also, the plastic design of the floor hatch for sockets provides the largest selection of color variations. The most popular devices have neutral shades - white, black, beige, brown, gray, silver. If desired, you can choose any color or combination. Complex colored models are found, for example, imitating flooring.

• Metal. Such hatches, made mainly of stainless steel or aluminum, have an almost unlimited service life and resistance to loads of up to 4 tons (which is not very important for an apartment). But their cost is much higher than plastic. Thus, the choice of a metal hatch in the floor is justified mainly by the design decision.

• Block in the floor for cladding with flooring material. This model is used when you need to use a hidden (masked) hatch for outlets. It is a kind of metal structure with mounts for the selected finishing material - carpet and parquet flooring, laminate.

Important! Be sure to focus on such criteria for choosing a hatch for sockets, such as the depth of its insert. This is an essential detail: the dimensions of the device must correspond to the height of the coating.

Security

When choosing a hatch for wall outlets, special attention should be paid to its safety, i.e. degree of protection against damage and moisture resistance. For confidence in the quality of the proposed product, you must study the IP index (Ingress Protection Rating). It is its value that shows how the device meets the required level of security. The range of IP indicators is wide enough. And if IP 22 is enough for wall connections of ordinary household appliances, then for outlets in the floor this value should be close to the maximum - IP 69.

The best option for an outlet in the floor is IP 67, and for an outlet that requires a protective cover - IP 44.

Device Options

Usually high-quality hatches for floor connectors are sold in a sufficient enough for a complete independent installation. As a rule, the standard set includes such components:

1. Installation box.
2. Floor hatch box (with lid and lever).
3. Fastenings and clamps.
4. Holders and clamps of cable (wire).
5. Mounting calipers.
6. Partition walls for connectors (if there is more than one connector).
7. Directly sockets.

Note! An additional security feature will also be present in the high quality kit. - support for sockets (for plastic models, the depth of placement is 7–10 cm, for metal ones - 8–11 cm).

Mounting the hatch to the floor

In most cases, the device comes with a step-by-step installation manual, following which, with installation can be done independently, especially with some knowledge of electrical engineering and equipment.

Installation of a standard product consists of the following:

• If it is planned to fill the screed, then the filler box included in the kit is initially installed. In its grooves, wires are inserted in the cable channels. After the solution dries, the box is carefully removed (the resulting niche should remain as intact as possible).
• If the floor is wooden, then at the first stage a nest of the required size is cut out.

Further, the sequence of actions is the same for each type of floor:

• In the niche or socket obtained at the first stage, the hatch housing for sockets is mounted (using the attached fixtures).
• Socket terminals are connected and mounted on rails.
•  The hatch cover is put on the appropriate fasteners.

Upon completion of the work, it is imperative to verify the tightness of the resulting structure, the tight fit of each element and the complete closure of all (including technological) openings. Increased vigilance is extremely important when working with electricity.