How to install an external outlet

Outlets are not only internal, but also external. Despite its shortcomings, the installation of this type of outlet is still relevant. This is due to several factors, which we will discuss further, but at the same time we will consider the installation technology from "a" to "I".

Feasibility of using external outlets

The main distinguishing feature of an external outlet is that all its elements are located in the housing. Consequently, it is screwed directly to the wall without installing the jar. On the one hand, it simplifies the operation, on the other hand it has obvious drawbacks:

• unsightly appearance,
• susceptibility to mechanical damage,
• unprotected electrical cable connection,
• risk to teach electric shock in case of contact failure,
• accelerated wear of fasteners and base.

It is these factors that made it necessary to install internal sockets in homes. Nevertheless, in garages, sheds, utility rooms or greenhouses, it is often impossible to install a full internal outlet. In addition, it is not even necessary to make a stroba under the outer socket, it is sufficient to secure the stud with the studs to the wall or to hide it in the protective box

Another undeniable plus is the cost. On average, the external socket will cost $ 1-3.Manufacturers do not stand still and constantly improve the appearance of external sockets. Therefore, it is appropriate to talk about their varieties.

Kinds of external sockets

It is customary to distinguish the following groups:

• standard external single outlets,
• standard outlets, double external,
• standard external sockets with protection,
• decorative external sockets.

They all come with or without grounding. In fact, the grounding is only necessary in two cases:

• if the external socket is mounted in a metal garage,
• if an external decorative socket is mounted.

Next, we will take a closer look at each of the following types:

1. The standard external sockets are a plastic container in which the body, contacts and crimping plates of the plug are mounted. Since the socket mechanism has a standard height of 5-7 cm and a width of 4-5 cm, the total dimensions of the external socket, taking into account the protective guard under the plug of the appliance, are from 10 to 15 centimeters in height and about 10 cm in width. They usually have the form of a parallelepiped.
2. Double external outlets differ from single outlets only by the presence of several plugs under the plug.
3. Sockets with protection are available both single and double. The main distinguishing feature is the presence of a cover, which prevents free access to the connector. They are used either in the garden area, so that the insects do not climb, or to protect the health of young children.
4. Decorative outdoor sockets have appeared relatively recently. Their main advantage is the height, only 1.5-2 cm, which is similar to the internal sockets. Because of the features of the device, these devices are suitable for installation in residential areas. The variety of colors and shapes, coupled with the ease of installation, makes them serious competitors to internal rosettes. But this is only at first glance. Mounting by means of a double sided adhesive base or even bolts to the wall is not reliable. The glue and dowels are quite resistant to constant loads, but sharp efforts to protrude the plug from the outlet, loosen the design and cause the outlet to fall off. Therefore, it is better not to experiment and install external sockets in the appropriate places.

The service life of the outlet depends largely on its quality. Therefore, when choosing, it is better to pay attention to the audited firms. Among them:

• Simon, Spain,
• Jung, Germany,
• Gira, Germany.

When choosing an external socket, the following characteristics must be considered:

1. The degree of protection of the enclosure from penetration of the water outlet and external solid elements. The marking of the degree of protection is displayed on the outlet with two digits. The first digit shows the degree of protection against penetration of external objects and is ranging from zero to six. Where six - the maximum level of protection. The second digit indicates the degree of protection against water, and is ranging from zero to nine. Where nine means full waterproof under pressure. Indicators of rated current and rated voltage.
2. The material of the main body of the external socket. It is advisable to purchase white or beige rosettes, which indicates the use of full-color plastic without a dye.

Installation of external sockets

Before proceeding to specific operations, it is necessary to prepare a tool. For work you will need:

1. Electrical socket.
2. Insulating material - lining under the socket in the number of installed external sockets. As such a basis, an isolating material such as textolite is used. The economical option is a piece of plywood or a wooden board 10 mm thick.
3. Dowels, screws or screws.
4. Cross and flat screwdriver. In the case of installing an electrical outlet in concrete or brick walls, you will need a drill or a punch.
5. Pencil and level.
6. Indicator screwdriver for checking the voltage in the socket.
7. Knife or other mounting tool for stripping the ends of wires.
8. Insulation tape.

We are installing external outlets:

• we draw a diagram on which we mark all the necessary outlets,
• we pull the cable from the counter to the first electrical node,
• we clean the end of the cable, we clean the wires,
• disassemble the socket, for this we need to unscrew the bolt located in the middle between the holes under the plug,
• we connect the wires to the contacts,
• fix the socket on the wall, for this either we fasten it on the dowels, or glue with liquid nails, an insulating gasket is installed between the wall and the socket,
• we measure the required amount of cable to the next node with a margin of 15-20 cm,
• cut the cable and clean it at both ends,
• connect the cable to the first and second node,
• repeat the procedure until all nodes are fully connected.

For safety reasons, the cable must be hidden in a special protective box. In practice, this requirement is not mandatory, but for your own safety, any protection should be provided for. If there is no desire or possibility to make a stroba, it is necessary to connect the electrical nodes to the hard corrugation before connecting them. It would be enough. Even in the event of a short circuit or cable overload, the corrugation localizes the ignition and prevents a fire. If it was decided to install a protective box, you should choose products from non-flammable plastic.

Another problem arises if the external socket is installed after the meter is sealed. To remove the seal, you need to call an engineer and order a fairly expensive and lengthy procedure. The solution is quite simple - to assemble an extension cord with two plugs. The first is included in any outlet of the home network, the second - in an external socket.

Important: The underwater outdoor socket must be single. It is the source of voltage on the entire electrical network, therefore it carries the greatest load at the moment of switching on electrical appliances. Therefore, you need to use an extension cable with a cross section of at least 4 mm, and make the contacts as durable as possible. For this, the stripped ends of the wire are bent in half, thereby increasing the cross section even more. A socket, also, it is necessary to choose qualitative. For the remaining wiring, a cross section of 2.5 mm is sufficient.

Socket with external ground

If the installation takes place in the countryside or in the country, there is no grounding inside the network. For the convenience of installing wiring in multi-apartment buildings, a grounding line is installed inside the switchboard, a meter is connected to it, and through it, all the remaining wiring. Additional grounding is established only in cases when the power in the network jumps, and the used household equipment is not equipped with fuses.

In the field, owners of private houses and other detached buildings are forced to make a grounding themselves. The term arose due to the fact that the earth has a resistance close to zero, is accordingly capable of instantly passing a current of any force without heating. It is on this principle that grounding works.

The installation is carried out as follows:

• to a depth of 40-50 cm, a reinforcement with a cross-section of at least 0.5 cm is instilled or driven in, the
• fittings must be recessed 10 cm above ground level, the
• from the valve to the first electrical node measures the cable and cuts offat least 15 cm,
• cable is pulled through thick corrugation,
• ends of cable are cleaned,
• one end is attached to the armature, it is crimped with a rubber band and is closed with electrical tape,
• the second end is fixed in the socket,vestigated corresponding connector,
• connector is located midway between the phase and neutral,
• other electric units are interconnected over a thin single-core cable.

Important: uses a single-core cable for earthing. Its cross section does not matter much, most importantly, choose the metal with the least resistance. The least resistance in silver, but such a wire will have to be made to order, so high-quality copper will do.

In practice, most problems are due not so much to wrong connection of the sockets, as to miscalculations regarding the load on the cable. In addition, some manufacturers save and use instead of copper or aluminum iron, and lead or various alloys. This reduces the cost of production, but significantly reduces the technical characteristics of the cable. Therefore, before starting work on the self-installation of sockets, carefully recalculate which cable should be used.

Tips for mounting the

• outdoor outlet The recommended location of the outdoor socket is 25-30 cm from the floor. Also, the location of the electrical outlet near electrical appliances is not recommended.
• On sale there are external sockets with terminals in which there are connectors for wires. Such electrical outlets are characterized by less reliability of contacts. It is better not to buy them. The external socket, the photo of which is presented below, clearly demonstrates what is at stake.

• When installing external sockets for convenience, it is necessary that wires with a length of 4.5-9 cm are drawn from the wall.
• For safety reasons, the installation of external sockets must be carried out in rubberized gloves.
• If there is a small child in the house, care should be taken to protect the outlets using a special set of plugs.