What should be the height for installing outlets according to the rules?
Shouting a modern myth
Many electricians are new to replacement of wiring in the apartment very interested in the question of what should be the height of the installation of sockets from the floor according to European standard. The fact is that the so-called European standard regarding the location of electric "points" does not exist. The myth went back to the time when they were just starting to renovate, according to which the products are installed at a height of 30 cm above the floor. This distance was chosen only for reasons of practicality and no regulatory documentation prohibiting the choice of another distance exists.
At the same time, the rules of the PUE stipulate some requirements for the height of the sockets in the bathroom, which is associated with protection against electric shock. We will talk about this mention, in fact, as well as about some points of the GOST and SP standards. Well, since we have already touched on this issue, we cannot fail to mention the Soviet standard, according to which the minimum distance from the floor was 90 cm. This value was justified by the fact that with such a placement the object will always be in the field of view of a person.
Existing regulatory references
As we already said, in some documentation you can find at what height from the floor to make sockets and switches more correctly.
So that you are familiar with these references, we provide them in a visual form:
- The height of the installation of sockets from the floor according to PUE 7.1.48 - 1.50:
- GOST R 50571.11-96
- SP 31-110-2003
As you can see, there are no words about any prohibition in the rules, so we recommend that you rely only on the recommendations that we have provided below. Tips combined both safety requirements and practicality!
Useful Tips
So, let's look at what height it is better to install sockets for each specific room in the apartment, as well as for the most popular household appliances.
Kitchen
In the kitchen, the standard installation height of the plug sockets should be as follows:
- For connecting the refrigeratorwashing machine and dishwasher: 10-20 cm from the floor. This value is the most optimal, in relation to the length of the electrical cord from the equipment. Some manufacturers produce household appliances with a short cord that does not even reach up to half a meter.
- 20 cm above the countertop (in the area of the kitchen apron), totaling about 110 cm from the floor. This mark will be optimal for connecting small-sized kitchen appliances, which are often located directly on the table: microwave, kettle, mixer, crock-pot, etc.
- To install the hood, you need to connect the outlet at a height of not less than 2 meters from the floor.
In a visual video lesson, tips are provided on the topic of where it is better to have electrical accessories:
Bathroom
This room has high humidity, so the height of the sockets from the floor in the bathroom should be chosen wisely. Here we must be guided not only from the interior of the room, but also based on the requirements in accordance with GOST and PUE.
You yourself understand that it is strictly forbidden to fix products near water, therefore at least 60 cm, preferably a meter, should be retreated from the sink, shower and other objects. The recommended elevation should also be practical so that the cord from the hair dryer, electric razor or the same washing machine is not stretched.
We recommend using the following values:
- for connecting an electric boiler on the wall - 1.5 meters;
- for a hair dryer and a razor - 1 meter;
- washing machine - not less than half a meter.
Here you should also pay attention to a very important nuance - you do not need to place products lower than 15 cm from the floor! This is due to the fact that the bathroom is prone to small floods, which occur both in the event of a malfunction of household appliances and when the owners forgetfulness. So that flooding the room does not become a threat to life (if water gets into the outlet), you need to place electrical accessories at a safe height, at least not lower than 15 cm.
Bedroom
Everything is simple, we have one electrical point near the bed, next to the bedside table - to connect a phone charger or a night lamp. And the other according to European standard - 30 cm above the floor covering.
Another should be for a reserve - for example, to connect a vacuum cleaner during cleaning or an air conditioner / fan. If you decide hang the tv on the wall or install it on the bedside table, then the place for connecting the electric cord can be placed behind the screen, which will hide all the wires behind it. To power the computer, it is advisable to install the outlet on the desktop, at a height of 30 cm from the floor.
As for the concerns of some “specialists,” who argue that a backup outlet should be placed higher up from young children, these are all outdated concerns. Today, there are products with protective curtains and covers that will prevent dangerous contact.
To summarize
So we provided useful recommendations on what height to make sockets more correct and safer. In the end, I would like to add a very important nuance that will help you determine the exact location of each electrical point.
Before you start gating walls and installing wiring in the house, make a diagram on which mark the following elements:
- the exact location of all the furniture in the room;
- types of household appliances with its exact location;
- gas and water supply areas;
- the route of electrical wiring along the walls;
- windows and doorways.
Already on the created diagram, select the most suitable height for installing outlets from the floor, so you definitely will not lose.
Otherwise, the installed electrical accessories after arranging the furniture can be closed by objects or be at a considerable distance from them. If this happened in your case, then we recommend do-it-yourself extension cordrather than buying it in a store!
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