Floor-mounted sockets: floor consignment notes and hidden sockets

In most typical apartments, one standard option is provided for the location of outlets - on the wall. This is not always convenient, and meters of additional wires “creep” into the rooms: extension cords, surge protectors that spoil the design and get underfoot. Particularly relevant is the question of placing sockets in a studio apartment, where walls and partitions may be completely absent between functional areas? To solve the problem is simple: just install the sockets in the floor, taking into account the future location of the equipment.

Varieties

Currently, there are several main varieties of wiring devices for the floor:

• simple sockets with a cover that protects the connector from moisture and dust;
• hatches - recessed structures, more complex and complex, a kind of recessed device;
• columns - racks from a rigid profile with a cavity for placement of wiring devices inside it;
• minicolumns.

Sockets are also subdivided according to other parameters:

• By color - white, gray, graphite, black, brown, with a pattern for decoration material.
• According to the material of manufacture - plastic and metal.
• By the number of connected plugs - from 1 to 12.
• By design type - retractable, rotary, stationary, built-in devices.

Device Security Level

A number of factors are taken into account here:

• fire safety;
• degree of protection against moisture and dust;
• ability to withstand mechanical stress;
• the maximum weight that the product can support.

So, metal sockets do not burn and do not melt, withstand weight from 200 kg to 4 tons, are well protected from mechanical damage, so they are installed in crowded places.

Plastic device suitable for home. It withstands weight up to 300 kg, is resistant to mechanical stress, does not support combustion.

The degree of dust and moisture protection is shown by the IP Index (Ingress Protection Rating). The minimum value is 22, the maximum is 69. High-quality dust- and moisture-proof sockets for the floor have an IP 67 index, i.e. almost maximum.

Floor outlet columns

Special attention is paid to the floor outlet column. It is a telescopic rack made of aluminum or plastic, which rises from the floor and rests on the ceiling, without requiring fixing with dowels. It can accommodate wiring devices of any European standards. Inside the column is divided into 2 channels for separate conduct power and low-current lines. Electrical communications are supplied to the device through floor channels or suspended ceilings.

The standard height of the outlet column is 1.5 m and 2.7 m with the possibility of increasing to 3.25 and 4.5 m.

The double-sided column is an ideal solution for offices and other premises where a large number of equipment needs to be connected at one time. Each column can have up to 32 modules with a size of 45 × 22.5 mm. At the same time, sockets can be mounted on 1 or 2 sides.

The minicolumn differs from the column in height. Such a stand rises above the floor to a height of 25 cm or 68.5 cm and is also equipped with a large number of outlets.

Why can not I use standard sockets?

Often people are confused by the rather high price of floor sockets. There are also difficulties with their acquisition: they can not be found in every store. Then you may be tempted to save energy and money and install ordinary sockets, invoices on the floor. However, doing this categorically is impossible for a number of reasons:

• Wall devices are not designed for the loads that models installed in the floor are subjected to: they do not go on them, they do not put furniture on them, etc. Conventional sockets will break very often.
• Wall models do not have moisture and dust protection, so the risk of a short circuit increases many times.
• Devices do not close with covers when inoperative, which can also lead to accidents.
• They protrude from the surface, are not suitable for hidden placement, when located on the wall it is imperceptible and does not cause discomfort. On the floor, even a slight ledge will be noticeable, you can stumble and fall on it.
• The IP index does not exceed 44, which may not be sufficient for more severe floor conditions.

Thus, ordinary wall outlets, even built-in ones, are not suitable for use on the floor, so you only need to purchase special devices designed for high loads.

To avoid short circuit and fire, you need to lead wires to the device in a plastic box, this will provide maximum insulation.

Rules for choosing floor outlets

Currently, a fairly large number of wiring products for the floor are used. They are used to connect various devices: telephones, computers, television equipment, etc. They are made from a variety of materials. To purchase the most suitable model, you need to check it according to several criteria:

• The degree of moisture protection - the higher it is, the better the device is protected from water. For dry rooms, devices with a low index are suitable, for wet rooms, you should choose the maximum protection.
• The required depth of the cover - it can vary from 6 to 26 mm. This parameter depends on the height of the fill or the raised floor and the finish used.
• The required number of outlets. There can be single and paired modules, also there are associations of 4, 6, 8 and 12 devices.
• Accounting for the type of outlet.
• Color - usually matched to the finish of the floor or the interior of the entire room.
• Modification - a simple socket on the floor, hatch, column, mini-column.

• The material the rosette is made of. Most often there are steel, plastic, brass, aluminum. In order not to overpay for unnecessary functions, you need to know several features of the device. So, plastic models are not inferior to their metal "brothers" in terms of strength and wear resistance: they are able to withstand loads of up to 300 kg. At the household level, this is an almost imperceptible difference. But when arranging offices and passageways, metal devices should be preferred: they are more durable and durable.
• Convenience of opening the device cover, tightness of fit.
• The required quantity is 1, 2, a small outlet block or column.
• Terms of Use.

Important! When buying, be sure to check the device’s packaging in the package. If any part does not appear, it will not be possible to install the socket.

Device Installation Instructions

Installing an outlet on the floor is quite simple, all activities can be performed independently. Installation does not require special skills or devices.

• First, choose a place where the outlet will be.
• Spend the cable channel with wires to the place of installation of the outlet.
• Further actions depend on the floor material. In a wooden, a groove of a suitable size is simply cut. In this hole and fix the hatch. With a concrete floor, the process is complicated. The fill will be performed first. A special box for the device, which is usually included, is installed on the floor. Fill the floor with a mixture and allow to dry. After solidification, the box is carefully removed.

• The outlet housing is installed in the finished niche and secured using the included accessories.
• The socket is connected to the mains..
• The installation of a protective cover completes the installation of the outlet.

When the device is fixed, it is necessary to check its operability, as well as the quality of installation. Then they find out how tightly the lids close and protect the outlet from water penetration.

Outdoor devices are suitable for large open spaces, as they allow you to get rid of ugly wires, as well as for rooms clogged with objects, because they help to unload the room and organize a working a place.