How to conduct copper wiring in an apartment?
The advantages of copper wiring
In order to make the right choice, it is necessary to compare aluminum with copper. This metal has at least four advantages:
- Good conductivity, despite the fact that over time it oxidizes.
- Service life till half a century.
- Good resistance to mechanical damage. Not afraid of twisting or bending up to 15 times.
- Copper is easy to use during installation. Manufacturers produce different copper cable brandsin which the core structure, technical characteristics and insulation are different.
In order for the apartment to have high-quality wiring, it is better to purchase a copper cable, because there is only one minus - its price. So, given the pros and cons of copper wiring, we can say that this option of wiring will be more reliable and its price is justified.
In an extreme case, in order to save money, a combination of copper and aluminum can be used, however, the connection must be made through terminal blocks of various types in which copper and aluminum do not contact. If these wires are connected together, then over time, the aluminum oxidizes strongly, which leads to heating and burning of the contact. In the combined use of conductors, copper is taken for sockets, and aluminum is taken for lighting. Either to sockets and lighting equipment - copper, and to junction boxes from the shield - aluminum. But it is better to use only copper wire for wiring, just a different cross-section, taking into account the expected load. In addition, such a requirement is spelled out in the EMP in chapter 7.1. paragraph 7.1.34.
Which cable to choose
The most common types of copper conductors are VVG, GDP and NYM. In home wiring, a wire (cable) with three cores is used, less often with two cores - if the wiring is not provided protective earth or for connecting appliances that do not require grounding.
VVG cable is a stranded round or monolithic flat conductor. The number of cores is from 2 to 5, and it also has strong insulation. In apartments and houses built of brick or concrete, you can use the usual brand of VVG. However, in places where there is an increased ignition fall (for example, in a wooden house) it is better to use a modernized view of this conductor - a cable VVGng or VVGng-LS, which does not spread combustion.
The GDP wire is extremely rarely used for wiring, for example, in residential premises, as well as in workshops where the voltage is within 220-660 V. Outwardly it has only a flat shape, lived in this conductor from 2 to 4. Each individual core is insulated, as well as external insulation. An enzyme has been added to the insulation, which inhibits the spread of combustion. This brand is not intended for underground installation.
If your budget allows, you can choose a NYM cable for wiring in the house. It is also made of copper, is popular with electricians and at the same time is a more expensive analogue of VVGng. Discover NYM specifications You can from our article.
The right choice of section
Well-made copper wiring can last for many years. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the right cable cross-section, and for this you need to know what load a particular section can withstand.
The easiest way to choose the cross-section of a copper cable is according to the table:
During installation lighting in the apartment or at home, you must choose a cable with a cross section of 1.5 mm.kv. This section is able to withstand a load of up to 3 kW, which is enough to connect the fixtures in the room. You can make several main lines from the switchboard, for example, for rooms one line, for the kitchen - the second, and for the bathroom and the corridor - the third. About, how to divide wiring into groupsread in our separate publication.
For outlet groups, choose conductors with a cross section of 2.5 mm.kv., which are able to withstand a load of up to 4.5 kW. For more powerful electrical appliances, separate lines should be drawn from the shield of a larger cross section, corresponding to the load current of a particular electrical appliance. Such appliances include an electric oven, electric boiler and hob. You should also know that to connect electrical appliances with a power of more than 3.5 kW a conventional outlet will not work and you need a power outlet that is designed for a larger load current.
An important point! If there are several electrical wiring lines in one strobe (corrugation, pipe, etc.), then they will withstand another current - less than the specified for 1.5 and 2.5 sq. Mm.
Connection methods
Connection of wires of different metals is not recommended. However, many ignore this requirement and as a result, the wiring serves a very short time. However, there are situations when there is no choice, and such a connection must be made. In this case, you can use the following connector options:
- So called WAGO terminal blocks. It is necessary to strip the core 10 mm and insert into the socket until it clicks.
- Also use terminal blocksthat clamp the current-carrying core with a screw.
- With a cap or connecting insulating clamp. It is necessary to strip the vein up to 15 mm, then collect the veins in a bundle and twist them all the way in the cap clockwise.
- Soldering conductors.
- Crimping with sleeves.
- Wire welding.
Twisting is prohibited according to PUE of chapter 2.1, paragraph 2.1.21. They do not provide reliable contact and may weaken with time!
The most reliable connection of wires when laying new wiring is carried out by welding. In this connection, very low resistance, so the welding of cores is the best option. Welding is applicable especially in a wooden house, because the level of fire safety in the welding joint is great. If we conclude, then with the listed types of connectors, this is the safest and most durable. In addition, soldering and crimping with sleeves are considered to be qualitative methods of connection.
Useful Tips
It is very important to correctly navigate the basic nuances of installing copper electrical wiring, so here are a few tips:
- The number of sockets must be selected in each case individually - according to the number and power of operated electrical appliances in a particular room.It is also important to consider the convenience of their operation, so that you do not have to limit yourself, including electrical appliances in turn. When installing copper wiring, it is necessary to take into account a possible increase in the load on the wiring and the number of outlets in the future, since the electrician has been installed for more than one year.
- It is imperative to have a ground in the living room.
- Additionally, copper wiring must be protected by circuit breakers and RCDs. These devices will protect the wiring from short circuits, overload and current leakage.
- When installing electrical wiring, the main thing is to correctly calculate the cross-section of all electrical wiring lines and choose the correct protective devices - the reliability of the installed electrical wiring depends on this.
- In rooms with high humidity, the cable must be additionally protected by corrugation. Sockets and switches located in such a room must be protected from moisture. Also, lamps in such rooms should have moisture protection.
- Despite the many advantages of a copper wire, you need to make sure when buying that it is not a TUSH cable, but made in accordance with GOST, otherwise the wires may not meet the specified characteristics. About, how to determine the cable cross section Before buying, we described in a separate article.
Having made the wiring using a copper cable, you do not have to worry that there will be any problems with it and it will last for more than a dozen years. Finally, we recommend watching a useful video on the topic of the article:
This and all that we wanted to tell you about this issue. Now you know the better the copper wiring in the apartment and how to properly mount it. If you have questions, ask them in the comments below the post!
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