It is important for homeowners who decide to make repairs on their own to know what distance must be maintained from the opening to the switch, as well as to the floor level. Electricians increasingly prefer not European, but domestic standards, because they are characterized by the optimal ratio of practicality and convenience.
The distance of the switch from the doorway, the height of the sockets
In GOSTs, PUE there are no regulations that create specific boundaries for the placement of switches and sockets from the doorway. Experts say that the optimal distance between the door and the switch is 10-15 cm. If you make the interval longer, you have to stretch and feel for the device in the dark, which is not very convenient.
The optimum height of the outlets above the floor is 20-35 cm. However, in some places, the height is best determined individually, depending on the use of household appliances.
If a workspace is organized in a particular place, several sockets are required for a table lamp, a router, chargers, a monitor and a system unit. The optimal height of the sockets is 80-90 cm. This will greatly simplify the process of using electrical devices, since there will be no need to hit the corners of the table and climb under it to turn the device on or off.
According to the distance from the door to the switch in the regulatory acts, mainly Soviet standards remained. The manual on the installation of electrical equipment (PUE) contains the following list of requirements:
- The switches are installed on the side of the handle of the interior door. Height ranges from 0.5 to 1 meter.
- The following is shown to the sockets: the distance from the gas pipeline is at least 0.5 meters.
Sockets can be installed anywhere in the room, the distance from the floor surface should be at least one meter. This information is relevant for 2019, you can familiarize yourself with the requirements in more detail in Russian regulatory documents.
European standards
Compatriots began to pay attention to European standards relatively recently. The distance to the switches and sockets from the floor is as follows:
- sockets at a height of 0.3 m;
- switches at a height of 0.9 m.
This arrangement has both advantages and disadvantages. Electrical devices are conveniently located and do not catch the eye. On the other hand, in order to reach the device, you need to bend over, often the furniture closes access to them.
Switch position according to domestic standards
Most of the apartment buildings in Russia were built during the existence of the Soviet Union, therefore, all electrical points were placed according to Soviet standards - switches at a height of 1.6 m from the floor, and sockets - 0.9 m.
Outlets are always in sight and children do not reach them. However, to turn on the light, you have to raise your hand.
Correct position of the light switch in the bedroom
In the bedrooms, it is recommended to install double sockets near the bed at a distance of approximately 0.6-0.7 m from the floor. A similar height is made by bedside tables, which together will allow the functional use of space by connecting a nightlight, charging mobile devices, etc.
If you plan to install a TV in the room, additionally install another outlet for connecting, for example, a stereo system, Wi-Fi, etc. The total number of outlets depends on the amount of equipment.
A backup outlet is installed according to European standards for the convenient use of a vacuum cleaner, iron, heater, etc.
At what distance from the door are the switches in the bathroom installed
If we talk about switches and sockets in the bathroom, first of all you need to think not about the functionality of the used living space, but about the safety of staying in it. Sockets must be mounted wisely, since there is always the possibility of flooding. Optimum distance from the floor - at least 0.5 meters. This is due to the fact that low-lying electrical appliances are not used in the bathroom.
The PUE provides one requirement for the placement of outlets in the bathroom - an interval with a shower cabin of at least 0.6 m.
The switches in the bathrooms are recommended to be installed according to Soviet standards, i.e. outside the room, most often in the hallway.
The distance from the opening to the switch in the kitchen
The kitchen can not do without a large number of electrical appliances and household appliances, which significantly increases the load on the electrical network. In order to avoid breakdowns and fires, wiring is required if necessary, replace with a new one. General recommendations for review:
- For mounting and connecting the hood, the socket must be placed almost under the ceiling, at a height of at least 2 meters.
- One of the groups of electrical appliances is designed for outdoor appliances, the most common among them are a refrigerator, an oven, a freezer, and possibly a washing machine.
- At a height of 1.1 m from the floor level, a power group is designed for heating devices.
The distance of the light switch from the surface of the floor and doorways depends on the technical characteristics of the room. As a rule, the most practical height is the level of the person’s lowered hand.
Useful Tips
Despite existing standards, many homeowners prefer to do "as they please." So that non-standard solutions do not cause undesirable consequences, it is worth familiarizing yourself with a few tips:
- It is recommended to schematically depict sockets and switches on the surface of walls, this will allow us to analyze convenience, practicality.
- For safety reasons, do not install switches near moisture or heat sources.
- Even at the stage of repair work, you need to decide where the furniture will stand, otherwise it may block access to electrical points.
You can consult with your relatives and comrades, perhaps many of them have already made repairs and they have something to compare and what to advise.
There is a large assortment of circuit breakers of various modifications; choosing the right one is not difficult. The most common types: keyboard, touch, equipped with a motion sensor, acoustic, as well as rotary. Devices of different shapes, textures and colors are produced, so they can not be hidden, but, on the contrary, placed in a prominent place as an addition to the interior.
