Make wiring in a log house. Hidden wiring in a wooden house - how appropriate is it? Basic requirements for electrical installation

All electro installation work require from the performer accuracy, increased attention, strict adherence to technical rules and established standards. When planning and conducting electrification wooden house it is necessary to get advice from a qualified electrician, get acquainted with the regulatory documents, the basic requirements and the sequence of laying the electrical wire.

Requirements for electrical wiring in a wooden house

The installation of electrical wiring in wooden houses has some differences and features from the electrification of stone houses. When designing and laying cables, safety must be a priority. There are a number of basic rules that require strict implementation:

  1. Careful insulation of conductors electric current using non-combustible materials (NYM, VVGng, VVGng-LS).
  2. Aluminum conductors must be replaced with copper conductors with a cross section of at least 16 mm2. The cable must enter the house through a metal sleeve. The transition of the wire from one room to another is carried out through a rigid metal pipe.
  3. It is desirable to carry out electrification of a wooden house by an "open" method.
  4. It is necessary to carry out an accurate calculation of the cable thickness, leaving a margin of at least 30%.
  5. Special attention should be given to the quality of the materials used. It is necessary to choose a cable with non-flammable insulation.
  6. If it is necessary to install hidden electrical wiring, it is imperative to use a metal pipe. Laying cables in corrugated pipes is prohibited.
  7. Installation of an RCD, ground loop and lightning rod is required. In this case, not only electrical appliances are subject to grounding, but also metal pipes in which the cable is laid.
  8. The input node - the electrical panel should be isolated as much as possible from the wooden structures of the house. Sometimes you have to build brick wall, and the floors should be made of cement / concrete screed.

Wiring options in a wooden house

Installation of electrical wiring in wooden house with your own hands, namely cabling, can be done in three ways:


Do-it-yourself wiring in a wooden house: diagrams

According to current regulations, when electrifying a private house without installing a transformer, the power consumption cannot exceed 15 kW. This indicator is calculated by summing the power of electrical appliances turned on at the same time. If the result obtained is less than 15 kW, then an introductory machine is set to 25A, otherwise a transformer is additionally required.

When developing a wiring diagram, the connection points are divided into different groups consumption. For example, lighting fixtures are powered from one machine, sockets require a separate device, and an additional one for street lighting.

It is advisable to equip personal machines and a separate power supply branch for powerful electrical equipment: an electric stove, a boiler or an electric boiler. Free-standing outbuildings also require separate automatic power supplies.

Important! For safety reasons, it is better to increase the number of power supply branches - this measure helps to reduce potentially dangerous connection sections.

Below is exemplary scheme do-it-yourself electrical wiring in a private wooden house.

Some nuances in the development of the scheme:

  1. The introductory machine and the meter of the organization of energy supply require to be placed on the street for the convenience of controlling electricity consumption.
  2. For outdoor placement, the meter and circuit breaker must be in a sealed case that prevents moisture, dirt and dust from entering. Boxing protection class - not less than IP-55. Requirements for boxes installed inside wooden structure slightly lower - IP-44, the main condition is that the case is made of metal.
  3. For an emergency shutdown of electricity, it is necessary to place an RCD - the device will work in case of a short circuit in the network.

Do-it-yourself wiring in a wooden house: step by step instructions

Development of a power supply project

To develop an individual project in an electricity supply organization (RES), it is necessary to obtain technical conditions that will become the basis for further work.

The design of the power supply of a wooden house is carried out in the following sequence:


When organizing power supply and drafting a project, one should be guided not only by personal wishes, but also by certain requirements:

  1. Only vertical or horizontal wiring is allowed.
  2. All turns of the wire are performed strictly at right angles.
  3. Sockets, switches and junction boxes must be freely accessible.
  4. According to the rules, the installation of switches is carried out at a distance of 0.6-1.5 meters from the floor level, the cable is fed from above.
  5. The optimal placement of sockets is 0.5-0.8 m from the floor, the recommended number of sockets is 1 pc. for 6 sq.m. In rooms with large quantity household appliances outlets will be more.
  6. Wires must not be run closer than 10 cm from door / window openings. It is necessary to exclude contact of wires with metal elements and nearby wires (the minimum allowable distance is 0.5 cm).

Selection of equipment and cables

To avoid complex calculations to determine the appropriate cable, you can use the reference book on electrical engineering. The cross section of the wire core directly depends on the expected loads.

The power consumption of equipment and electrical appliances is indicated in the technical data sheet or operating instructions. Based on these values, a wire with conductors of the desired cross section is selected. To determine the size of the input cable, it is necessary to sum up the power of the installed electrical appliances.

Advice. For a wooden house, you should choose a cable marked "NG" (do not support combustion) and "LS" (low smoke emission). Usually, wires with a cross section of 2.5 mm and 1.5 mm are used for internal wiring.

Introductory circuit breaker is selected with a rating sufficient so that at maximum load the power of the house does not turn off, but the circuit breaks, preventing a short circuit.

For a single-phase supply, the circuit breaker is selected as follows:


When choosing switches and sockets, some parameters are taken into account:

  • the amount of current for which the equipment is designed;
  • installation option: external / hidden wiring;
  • the number of keys - for switches, the number of places - for sockets.
  1. Household appliances with high power (electric stoves, washing machines, boilers, fireplaces, refrigerators, etc.) are subject to mandatory grounding. In such situations, it is advisable to use sockets with a terminal for connecting the ground wire.
  2. Triplets should be avoided. For the simultaneous connection of several electrical appliances, a group of sockets or dual models are installed.
  3. The choice of switches is determined by the lighting mode. To simultaneously turn on several light sources or one lamp, set the switch to one key, for different modes - two- and three-key.

Installation of the machine and input of power supply

According to the developed scheme, junction boxes are installed, the attachment points of switches, sockets and lighting devices are marked. In the designated place, the electrical panel housing is mounted and the following steps are performed:

  1. Installation in the meter shield housing.
  2. Installation of an introductory machine on a metal profile (din rail). An eyeliner to a two-pole automaton of phase and neutral.
  3. The terminals (output terminals) of the counter are connected to the input of the input machine.
  4. Planting a cable into the house and connecting it to the input terminals of the meter.
  5. A voltage relay, RCD, automatic devices for various groups power supply (lighting, sockets).

Cable entry into the house is carried out underground or by air. The second option will be cheaper, but such a supply is considered less reliable. With "air" input, self-supporting insulated wires are used. The main condition is the installation of a fireproof sleeve at the input site in the house.

With the underground method, a metal pipe is used for input, which protects the supply cable from various influences. Cable laying in this way must be agreed with the power distribution company.

Cable laying, installation of switches and sockets

The wire of the selected section according to the layout plan is laid in a closed or open way.

Do-it-yourself internal wiring technology in a wooden house:


Consider step by step how to conduct electrical wiring in a wooden house with your own hands using wall cable channels:


Important! The number of connections affects the ability of the system to transfer loads - the more there are, the worse the load capacity.

RCD and grounding

The arrangement of the ground loop involves the following actions:

  1. Preparation of metal rods diameter 3 cm / length 3 m.
  2. Digging a trench 30 cm deep in a triangular shape, where the length of each side is 1 m. Install metal rods at the corners of the formed triangle.
  3. The connection of the reinforcement to each other with metal corners by welding.
  4. Weld an eyelet (loop) to one corner and fix a steel bar 1 cm thick on it.
  5. The rod is laid so that it is connected to the ground conductor in the electrical panel. The insulation of the grounding conductors of the cables is yellow-green.

After the meter in the shield, it is desirable to place an RCD. This device will protect a person from electric shock in case of leakage to the equipment case. RCD parameters are selected based on the value of the rated current in the network. Such protective device especially relevant for rooms with a high level of humidity (bathroom, sauna, swimming pool, etc.).

Do-it-yourself wiring in a wooden house: video

Common Newbie Mistakes

Electrification of a wooden house is a responsible event. According to the statistics of fire organizations, most wooden structures ignite primarily due to a faulty electrical wiring. Some novice masters can ignore the advice of professionals and make a number of gross mistakes:

  1. Hiding wiring under wooden ceiling structures.
  2. Laying cables under the plinth.
  3. Use for corrugated wire laying PVC pipes. Despite the practical qualities of the material and the ease of installation, PVC pipes are prohibited for use in the electrification of wooden buildings.
  4. The location of the insulated cable in the strobe without the use of a metal pipe.
  5. The use of plastic boxes for sockets and switches.

Wooden houses are chosen as housing for many reasons: some are contraindicated to live in concrete "boxes", others like beautiful log cabins. However, living in them is closely related to such a concept as security. That is why electrical wiring in a wooden house is considered one of the key aspects.

We will talk about how to properly wire the power supply in a wooden house. Let's tell you what schemes, consumables and electrical installation products are used in laying lines along walls made of timber or logs. Taking into account our advice, you can make a secure and trouble-free network.

Even if all logs, beams and boards are treated with flame retardants, they remain vulnerable to accidental ignition. For this reason, the stages of the installation of the electrical system - from design to installation of sockets and switches - must be known to both skilled "home-made" and owners who control the work of hired builders.

According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, for residential buildings with a power consumption of not more than 15 kW, drawing up an electrical network project is not required. But the company supplying electricity must provide a diagram and data on the total power consumption. This is necessary for calculating the allocated power on the line and installing a meter.

Some electricity supplier companies, when concluding a contract, still require a project that includes, in addition to the internal wiring diagram, installation points for sockets, switches, junction boxes, an electrical panel with a meter

In the process of developing a project, you need to take into account all the nuances: the exact location of electrical installations, the choice of cable and wiring method, the need for grounding, etc. Let's take a closer look at how the project is drawn up and prepared for installation work.

Step # 1 - drawing up a diagram and work plan

You can do the design yourself if you have experience in similar work, or with the help of specialists by concluding an agreement with the design organization.

A professionally written document contains the following items:

  • electrical wiring diagram;
  • electrical installation plan;
  • calculations for the installation of a ground loop;
  • conclusions outside the house, if any - autonomous sources of electricity;
  • equipment installation plan with specifications;
  • if approval is pending - a package of permits;
  • explanatory note.

But first, you should contact Energosbyt to obtain TU - technical specifications that are signed in accordance with SNiP.

Least of all papers will have to be collected by owners who draw up a connection with a power of less than 15 kW. They need to write a list of electrical appliances and calculate their total power. If the power consumption is more than 35 kW, a linear electric supply scheme is required. For 380 V networks, a three-line diagram is drawn up.

What is attractive idea of ​​building a wooden house? This is the ecological purity of materials that can provide a comfortable and healthy microclimate in the premises of the dwelling and, of course, the desire of homeowners to follow the traditions of Russian architecture. The modern building materials market allows you to build a house made of profiled and glued beams, as well as rounded logs. In contrast to all the advantages inherent in houses made of wood, there is a problem with the arrangement of electrical wiring. The option of open wiring laid in cable channels does not always meet the requirements attractive design interior decoration premises, the homeowner is faced with the question of how to make hidden electrical wiring in a wooden house with his own hands. We will talk about this further.

Advantages of concealed wiring

The indisputable advantages of installing hidden wiring in a wooden house are:

  1. The absence of cable channels on the walls, which adversely affect the premises and significantly complicates the process of applying wallpaper.
  2. Minimization of the risk of mechanical damage to cables and wires.
  3. Possibility of replacing the cable laid in the pipe.
  4. A high degree of electrical fire safety, provided that the installation work is correctly performed in accordance with the requirements of regulatory documents.

Special security requirements

Hidden installation of electrical wiring in a wooden house is very complex, requires strict compliance with anti- fire safety, the requirements of the PUE and compliance with GOST R50572 1-93. A person who does not have experience in electrical installation should not try to do this work with his own hands. The homeowner, who invited specialists for the arrangement, needs to know the basic provisions on installation methods in order to control the progress of work and in no case take this material as a step-by-step instruction.

When designing a house electrical network diagram, the main emphasis is on ensuring fire safety, even if this goes against the aesthetic component. The finished project must be agreed with specialists. The hidden wiring scheme should provide for a minimum of turns in the electric line. Considering the high probability of ignition of wooden structures, the wiring must be laid in such a way that even a meager section of the electric main does not come into contact with wood. The cable must be laid in steel or copper pipes. It is allowed to lay electrical wiring in a corrugated metal hose, as well as in PVC corrugation, provided that they are protected with plaster or asbestos gasket.

The diameter of the pipe is selected taking into account the fact that the concealed wiring should occupy 40% of its internal cavity, the thickness of its walls should correspond to the cross section of the conductive wires. Pulling an electric line through pipes can cause mechanical damage to its shell, therefore, after each such operation, it is necessary to carry out. Special requirements are imposed on the brand of the cable, its sheath must be made of non-combustible three-layer material, and the marking of domestic samples must necessarily contain the letter symbols "NG". For example, VVGng-p. The imported analogue is the NYM cable.


Pipes must be securely joined by threading, welding or soldering. Places of interior transitions, as well as installation points for wiring elements, should be equipped with metal boxes or glasses wrapped with asbestos and fixed with alabaster plaster. More details about that, we talked about in a separate article.

Mounting Features

The most time-consuming operation when laying hidden electrical wiring in a wooden house is the installation of pipes in the body of the wall. The process is quite laborious, requiring the greatest possible accuracy and precision. For the production of these works, special practical skills and a special high-tech tool will be required.

In order to insert insulating pipes into the walls, drilling will be required, both horizontally and vertically. Vertical holes are drilled in the process of laying the frame, horizontal when the walls are already erected. After the pipes are fixed in the body wooden walls, a wire is started in them, which will serve as a conductor for pulling the wire. The seats are carefully cut to fit the dimensions of the wiring elements, insulating metal boxes are attached to them.



An alternative option is wiring over the floor. Is it possible to avoid such a laborious process associated with the rate of pipes in the walls? Many homeowners, when arranging hidden electrics in a wooden house, practice laying wiring along the ceiling in the attic. The fire safety requirements for this method of electrical installation remain the same, the electrical main in the attic is insulated with metal pipes or trays, as soon as the descents to the switches and sockets are carried out along the strobes or vertical drillings in the walls, as shown in the photo below:


Another option is hidden wiring in plaster. You can go the simplest way and lay the wiring between the layers of plaster. The method is primitive and not expensive, but not very safe. The plaster actively absorbs moisture, and also cracks over time, which is why it loses its insulating properties.

Helpful information

For laying hidden wiring on wood, experts recommend, developed in Germany, with three-layer insulation made of non-combustible material. The sheath is so strong that it can be laid without PVC corrugations.


The home electrical network must have a TN-S or insulation system that makes it possible to ground metal pipes, trays, boxes and boxes.


It is better to equip the electrical facilities of the house with protection against currents. short circuit, as well as having RCD functions.


Now you know how hidden wiring can be done in a wooden house with your own hands. We hope that our installation tips, as well as the rules and requirements provided, helped you understand the whole essence of the work!

materials

Installation of equipment in the shield

Having completed the external wiring of a wooden building, it is customary to bring the input cable through a metal sleeve into the room. To receive electricity and distribute it in the house, an input distribution board is used, which must be installed in safe places to ensure free access.


The shield must not be installed in rooms with high humidity

Residual current devices and circuit breakers are installed in the shield. Particular attention is paid to the selection of automation. It is recommended to use products only from well-known and reliable manufacturers.

Laying the internal network

Internal wiring in a wooden cottage is considered a guarantee of the safety of residents. Unskilled electrical wiring very often causes fires. There are two methods of wiring inside a wooden building - open and hidden. By these names, the appearance of these postings is clear.

Open installation method

Of the two ways, open wiring in a wooden house is safer. In addition, the implementation of such electrical work will be cheaper. Wires are laid along the inner surface of the building, attached to ceilings, walls and other structural elements. You can hide the cable in various ways: by designing it with a retro cable or by placing it in a PVC box.

Open wiring in a wooden house: the cable is placed in self-extinguishing channels

Wiring is laid in self-extinguishing channels. A modern assortment of such products allows you to choose the desired color of the box, which imitates wood, for any design. Such boxes are usually used in houses made of clapboard and rounded logs, where the walls have a flat surface.

Wiring in a cottage using a retro-braided cable is another method of outdoor laying material. The cable looks like a twisted cord and is fixed on ceramic insulators. This installation technique is considered safe because the cable has an outer insulation of natural silk and two of PVC plastic. The main advantage is the gap between the surface and the cable. In addition, this type of wire is able to decorate any log house.

Features of hidden wiring

Concealed installation of electrical wiring is characterized by rather inaccessibility of wires in the case of modernization and repair of housing, higher prices for services and much more time required for work. However, the lion's share of customers prefer this technique, referring to the aesthetic appeal. The owners of wooden cottages do not want to spoil the interior and expensive finishes of their homes with electrical panels and wires.

Hidden electrical wiring in a wooden house is usually laid at the stage of assembling the house. To comply with all safety standards, the cable must be enclosed in a painted metal or galvanized pipe. All lifts to lighting fixtures, switches and sockets are made in special openings.


Hidden wiring in a wooden house - a very complex and expensive process, justified only by aesthetics

When installing electrical networks in wooden houses, it is recommended to comply with certain requirements and use special materials to ensure maximum safety and protection against fires. In the ceilings of a wooden building, the cable is placed in pipes made of non-combustible plastic, and it is ensured that there is no mechanical impact on the pipe and cable.

Concealed electrical wiring can be located in grounded metal hoses and metal pipes. log houses are subject to "shrinkage", therefore it is recommended to take this into account, preventing the logs from affecting the wiring in the metal hoses. The passage of the wire through the wall through is carried out through special metal sleeves. Both methods of wiring installation have advantages and disadvantages, so a combined wiring technique is often practiced.

Marking devices, shields, cables

After completing the power supply project, you need to mark the cable lines and places for the location of switches, sockets, dimmers, shields and lamps. The markup must be carefully approached so that in the future it is not necessary to redo the work performed. The wiring in a wooden house should be planned so that the cable routes do not interfere with the installation of furniture in the future.

The most harmonious and aesthetic will look like a wire in cable channels. You can choose any pattern any shade under the tree. For such channels, you immediately need to buy tees, plugs, adapters. And although the price of these parts is twice as high as the boxes themselves, it is not advisable to save money, since no one will perfectly fit the inconsistent places of the boxes.

When buying channels, you should pay attention to the wall thickness and the lock of the box. Carrying out work on the installation of wire in miniature boxes, which have thin walls and double locks, electrical installation companies do not think that in most situations, maintenance of electrical wiring in such boxes provokes a break in the locks if the channel cover is opened.

To add a cable to the box, you will have to buy new channels and re-wire the wiring and boxes. A double lock requires the use of a specialized tool that can open the cover, but not all electricians think about this at all. It is better to choose a box with a technologically advanced profile geometry, large walls and a single lock.

When the wiring diagram in a wooden house has been studied, and the marking of the cable lines has been completed, you can take on the wiring of switches and sockets. All switches, dimmers and sockets, sconces and lamp bases must have a platform made of metal for mounting an electrical installation product to the ceiling or wall, because wiring electrical equipment on metal platforms is the most fireproof option.


After installing all the sites, you should start installing cable ducts. No matter how accurate the eye of a specialist is, it is necessary to perform all electrical work with the help of a level.

Passage through wooden surfaces

All passages of wiring through wooden walls, partitions, bases must be carried out through pipes made of metal, which are called bushings. Before proceeding with the wiring of wires through combustible walls, it is recommended to drill them, then insert a metal sleeve into the hole so that its edges extend from both sides of the combustible base by at least 1 centimeter.

It is recommended to pay special attention to ensure that such sleeves are equipped with plastic bushings at the edges that can protect the wire from cuts during installation and further operation of the power supply system, in other words, they will keep the cable insulation from damage. After that, the cable channel must be mounted in such a way that the end of the metal sleeve enters the box.

How to choose an electrical cable

Installation of electrical wiring in a wooden house requires a specific cable. The wire for power supply of a private house should be bought with the “NG” index, which means “cable that does not support combustion” and with the designation “LS”, which stands for “low smoke emission”. It is preferable for wiring in a wooden building to choose a wire that meets all existing fire safety requirements, and also has all the necessary quality certificates.


The choice of wiring section depends directly on the power that it consumes electrical equipment. Designers usually lay in their power supply projects 3 by 1.5 millimeters for lighting, and 3 by 2.5 millimeters for groups of outlets. To organize the power supply of electric stoves, you need a wire with a cross section of at least 6 millimeters square. Don't skimp on the cable. Outlet lines must be calculated with a minimum number of outlets that are located on the same group. If a wire is laid from the shield to the block, which consists of 4 sockets, then it is not recommended to connect anything else to it. Only then the wiring will last for many years. The link between the cable cross-section and the power of electrical appliances can be found in the corresponding tables.

After doing such work as wiring in a wooden house, you must immediately measure the insulation resistance of the wiring.


This manipulation is done to make sure that the conductor insulation is not damaged during installation work. Such electrical measurements are recommended to be carried out every 3 years to protect the wooden house and its easily combustible bases from short circuits in the wiring.

Video about electrician in wooden houses

Thus, the problem of installing electrical wiring is as follows: often inexperienced craftsmen believe that the cable in a wooden structure should be the same as in a simple apartment. This is unacceptable, because the wiring of a wooden building must be distinguished by increased fire safety characteristics. If you complete the installation work according to the above instructions, the wiring in your cottage will last for many years.

A log house or a cottage made of timber: any building made of wood, regardless of the impregnation of the material with fire retardants, is a fire hazard, and many owners are wondering whether hidden wiring in a wooden house.

Is hidden wiring possible in a wooden house?

In an apartment of a high-rise building, in order to lay an electrical network in the premises, concrete walls are subjected to chasing, that is, shallow grooves are machined. Brick is often easier to do by simply hiding the wiring under a thick layer of plaster. In buildings made of logs or timber, things are somewhat more complicated. Even the highest quality cable can easily burn out due to an accidental short circuit, which is why there is a high probability of a fire. Of course, there is an optimal way out - to lay the network so that all the wires are visible. But to many, this option will seem unaesthetic.

Is hidden wiring allowed in a wooden house? Quite if you use special channels that must fit into the walls. The main requirement is to exclude cable contact with wood. The fact is that even without short circuits, the metal core hidden in the insulation tends to heat up at a high load on the network, which occurs when several household appliances are turned on. It is necessary to take care in advance that the wooden walls do not heat up from the wiring, and this is achieved with the help of special boxes, sleeves or pipes laid in the walls.

Choosing a channel for pulling the cable

So, in order to hide all the wires in the thickness of the walls, you will have to gouge recesses, grooves, cavities in logs or timber, through holes etc. However, as already mentioned, even an insulated cable should not come into contact with wood. As a precautionary measure, many use metal sleeves, which are completely unsuitable for this purpose (due to poor thermal insulation properties), they are designed to pull the external network. For laying cables inside wooden walls, special metal tubes are designed, in extreme cases - non-combustible or plastic, which tend to fade without external intervention. Let's consider both options.

Metal cable channels are preferable for the simple reason that they are completely non-flammable. In addition, wall shrinkage should be taken into account, due to which plastic pipes, unlike copper, are easily deformed. On the other hand, the channels must bend in the corners, and in this case, if you are working with copper, you should be patient. The fact is that first a wire is pulled into the tube, after which it should be carefully bent on a special pipe bending device. In this case, the place of the bend must be with a certain radius, otherwise there is a possibility of damage to the cable.

Plastic channels are less preferred, although they are more cost-effective and save a lot of money when laying the electrical network. It’s best to simply place them in the grooves knocked out at the ends of the logs that limit the doorway, in extreme cases, use them to pull wires through the walls. It is better not to lay plastic tubes in the thickness of the partitions between rooms, remembering the shrinkage of the crowns. The grooves with cable channels are closed with plugs cut from a board or a bar, which are subsequently closed with platbands or masked with a special wood putty, followed by surface grinding, as well as stain and varnish.

The easiest way to hide the power grid in a log house

The layout of the premises is best done not along the walls, but either under the floor covering or under the ceiling sheathing. Since this placement of cables is considered secretive, we lay copper pipes along the logs (or under them, if on the floor), connecting them in special junction boxes, which in no case should come into contact with the tree. It is desirable to separate such intersections of highways from the sheathing with asbestos or metal sheets. In the wall, at the end of each groove for a network branch, we hollow out a recess for the mounting box, on top of which a socket or switch is attached. The diameter of the pipe and the thickness of its wall is selected depending on the cross section of the wire.

Wire strands, even those covered by junction boxes, must be insulated with caps, especially in places where wood is located in close proximity. If you plan to sheathe the walls with clapboard, you can run cable channels directly along their surface without gouging grooves. Just in this case, non-combustible plastic pipes are most appropriate, and, regardless of the material, the wires must be completely hidden in them, especially at the junctions with junction boxes. Alternatively, a combined scheme is possible, when the mains are hidden in metal gutters and pipes under the wall, floor and ceiling sheathing, and the point-to-point wiring is performed semi-open, in boxes.

Open wiring in a wooden house as part of the design

It is not at all necessary to hide the cables if the walls are not planned to be hidden under the crate with subsequent finishing with plaster or under wallpaper. It will be perfectly combined with log partitions between rooms, in a wooden house this solution can become part of the design. However, if it seems to you that the electrical network stretched along the walls and ceiling will not be combined with paintings and rugs, it can be laid in plastic boxes that will fit into any environment.

It is also allowed to lay cables in special channels decorative skirting boards, which is convenient for renovation, when you don’t want to make an apartment look like an office using boxes. Some homeowners use plastic corrugated tubing, which is flexible but does not protect the wiring at all and does not have an aesthetic appearance. In non-residential premises, cables are often mounted using metal brackets, this option is appropriate in the bathroom or in the bath, as well as in the workshop, garage, cellar or barn.

An external electrical network is convenient in that it is easy to find and repair damage caused by a short circuit or for another reason.

The most interesting is the open one, made in the “retro” style, when copper insulated wires twisted with a pigtail are pulled straight along the wall, fixed with ceramic insulators. In stores, you can often find models of sockets and switches in the style of the 30-40s, with massive cases (although there will almost certainly be a ground contact in the sockets). The only condition for organizing such a network is to observe a gap of 10 millimeters between the cable and the wall. However, this type also has disadvantages, in particular: open access for children to wires (what if they want to cut them with scissors), as well as the high cost and lack of ceramic rollers for fastening a two-core twist.

Despite the pursuit modern technologies, in recent years, some industries are returning to their roots. The most striking example is the construction industry: people much more often prefer the construction of suburban wooden houses. A number of reasons contribute to this, ranging from lightness and economy to the environmental friendliness of the final product.

Wood is a natural anti-allergic material. Thanks to the latest innovations, 100% natural substances are used in the construction of such buildings. Wood has its drawbacks, and the main one is considered to be an increased level of fire danger. Therefore, wiring in a wooden house must comply with all recommendations, rules for installation and operation. And it does not matter if you lay it yourself or turn to professional specialists for help.

What electrical wiring is suitable for a wooden house

Not a single modern residential building, whether it is made of wood, concrete or adobe blocks, can do without electricity. Depending on what building materials were used to build the building, the organization of electrical wiring will have different features. The main nuance of wiring in a wooden house is an increased risk of fire and higher requirements for the quality of wiring.

open or closed

There are two main types of electrical wiring: open and closed. In the first case, the cable is located in an open place: it is attached to the walls, laid on the outer shelves, and so on.

The process of conducting the cable using the open method in a wooden house can be performed in one of two main ways:

  1. With the use of boxes, corrugated pipes or cable channels. The option is appropriate for houses with flat walls, which, for example, are finished with clapboard. The key advantage of this approach is the availability of the cable, the possibility of prompt repair or replacement, and the arrangement of an additional branch. Since the wires are open, they cool perfectly, which eliminates the possibility of overheating or fire. For better ventilation the cavity of the cable channel must be filled with wires by 60% or less.
  2. For a wooden house made of logs suitable installation cables with insulators. First, ceramic rollers, which are excellent dielectrics, are fixed, then cables are fixed to them. This technology is outdated and rarely used even today. Ideally multi-colored twisted pairs should be used.

  1. Bracket installation. Alternative method, which is suitable if it is impossible to lay the cable in boxes or fix it on insulators.
  2. Retro wiring that allows you to most effectively and unusually mask the cable fixed on the walls and under the ceiling.

Concealed wiring is appropriate and desirable in all situations where external walls, the floor and ceiling of the house have not yet been covered finishing materials. For wooden houses, cables should be hidden in metal or corrugated pipes. The use of plastic cable channels is strictly prohibited. The method requires large investments, but allows you to ensure high-quality and safe installation, hiding the cable from the eyes.

It is impossible to say unequivocally which is which: hidden or open wiring - for a wooden house it is better or worse. It all depends on individual preferences, operating conditions, the presence or absence of a suitable tool and other factors. For example, the walls in the house have already been finished, so you don’t want to rip off the wall paneling in order to do hidden installation. In such a case, the open-mounted method is chosen.

Basic requirements for electrical wiring in a wooden house

Above, we determined that wood is the most dangerous and flammable building material used as a basis for the construction of residential buildings.

We list the basic requirements that must be followed when organizing electrical wiring in a wooden house:

  1. Increased level of electrical and fire safety. Make sure that cables and wires are laid in a way that minimizes the chance of overheating of the insulation and subsequent ignition, and prevents the spread of open flame to other parts. wooden structure. In the design process, it is necessary to achieve full compliance technical parameters and performance characteristics of the wires and products used, peak load for a certain section of the circuit. To reduce the likelihood of overheating, empty cavities are left in the cable channels and metal corrugations, and the wire cross section is taken with a margin of 20-30%. To increase security, it is advisable to choose exactly open method gaskets, which allows you to monitor the condition of the wires throughout the entire period of operation, perform timely diagnostics, identifying and promptly eliminating damage.

  1. Quality insulation. The electrical panel must be securely isolated from any wooden products. Ideally, you need to choose rooms with a partition made of non-combustible materials.
  2. Reliable conductor. It is best to use three-core copper wires with high-quality non-combustible insulation. Avoid laying cables through PVC corrugation.
  3. Workable automation. Each group of working devices in the electrical circuit must be supplemented by an automatic switch. The trip threshold of this product depends on the current carrying capacity. Try not to overestimate these values, otherwise the conductor will overheat.

Regulations

All requirements and rules for installing electrical wiring in a wooden house are clearly spelled out in three documents:

  1. PUE, edition 7. The main document that guides the design of electrical networks of residential buildings. Here you will find basic recommendations for the selection of cable, distribution equipment, automatic protection devices and lighting devices.
  2. SNiP 3.05.06-85. The organization of electrical wiring in old and new buildings is described. From the document you will learn the main ways of supplying and entering wires into living rooms.
  3. SNiP 31-02. Additional rules and recommendations that are important to consider when laying cables in a residential building.

These SNiPs contain many technical terms and parameters, so this language will not be understood by an inexperienced person. Thus, it is enough to study the corresponding edition of the PUE.

Charting

Building an electrical wiring diagram - preparatory stage prior to any cable installation or replacement work. Only a competent and technically correct project guarantees high-quality installation of a reliable and safe electrical circuit that complies with the rules and regulations.

When drawing up a diagram of future electrical wiring, follow a number of recommendations:

  1. Important electrical components, including shields, meters and sockets, must be placed in accessible places. You must be able to get close to such a node at any time in order to carry out prompt repairs or replacements, eliminating the possibility of a fire or short circuit.
  2. Place the switches in open places so that they are not cluttered with furniture. This error is common in Soviet time and today often hidden switches can be found in the homes of parents and grandparents. The ideal height for any switch is at least 50 cm from the floor.
  3. When choosing the location of future outlets, consider in advance where all household appliances should be located. Try to install as many sockets as will be enough to operate devices without extension cords. The height from the floor for sockets should be 25-50 cm. In theory, it is enough to have one socket for every 6 square meters. m. However, if the situation requires it, then their number can be increased.

  1. Twisting and frequent bends of the electric cable are excluded. It is desirable that all lines in the diagram be at right angles to the floor, ceiling and walls - horizontally or vertically. The bottom or top electrical wiring is used: the cable is placed at a distance of 15 cm from the floor or ceiling, respectively.
  2. It is important to use metal junction boxes for switching wires. Operation of plastic or wooden products is unacceptable.

Preparing a home electrical project

Before starting the design of wiring for a wooden house, you need to contact the electricity supplier for technical specifications. It is from them that it is necessary to build on when doing this work. First, you should calculate the total power consumed by all electrical appliances in the house, including lighting sources.

Further development of the project is as follows:

  1. Build technical scheme residential building. Indicate on the plan all the places where sockets, switches and light sources will be located. Add electrical devices to the circuit that require a separate connection.
  2. The type of cable is selected depending on the characteristics of the electrical point. For example, for two-gang switches and sockets with grounding, a three-wire wire is required.

  1. Specify the location of all junction boxes. In a pair of adjacent rooms, one common room can be used.
  2. Add the power of all individual appliances to the plan. If the device is equipped with an electric motor, then the starting power of the unit must be indicated.
  3. Devices are divided into different groups: one includes lighting products, the other includes powerful boilers, boilers and electric stoves. Switching must be carried out through differential automata, which should be indicated in the diagram.
  4. Mark the distance between the cable and door/window openings, electrical outlets and the floor/ceiling.

Important! Any cable turn must be at right angles (90 degrees).

At the end of the work, the maximum power is calculated, which will be required when turning on all electrical devices in the house. This allows you to determine the load level on the introductory machine.

The choice of cable and electrical devices

For cable selection, any table is suitable, which indicates the ratio of the wire cross-section to a certain load. You can use a special electrical reference. The cable cross section is selected depending on the power electrical appliances and their number in a separate group. You can find out the level of consumed load from the equipment data sheet or by studying the label on the product (packaging). To determine the cross section of the input cable, the power of all electrical appliances is summed up, and a small margin of 20-30% is taken.

For wooden houses, NYM brand copper wires are popular. Such a product has an additional insulating shell, is characterized by durability and ease of use. If applicable aluminum cable, then try to avoid frequent kinks. In addition, it often breaks during the cutting process.

Three-core cables are used for sockets and lighting devices, which increase the safety of equipment. Grounding is required when operating any powerful equipment, including street spotlights.

The choice of sockets and switches is based on the current load, the type of electrical wiring (open or hidden), the possibility of switching the whole unit and the switch in one frame.

Selection of input cable and circuit breaker at the input

After calculating the rated load of the devices, a suitable cross-section for the input cable is selected. In the event of an upgrade of the electrical wiring and the need to replace the internal cables and automatic machines to increase the power, it is imperative to replace the input wire.

By changing the wiring in the house, installing strong machines, you may encounter another problem: a lack of cross-sectional reserve for the input cable, which will further provoke a fire. It is forbidden to change the input cable on your own, so the only way out is to contact your electricity supplier with a corresponding request.

Three-phase electrical networks require the connection of a three-pole circuit breaker. Single-phase networks are more common and they use one- and two-pole differential automata to break the phase with neutral.

Advice! When choosing a differential machine, consider such a rated power that will be sufficient to break the circuit and prevent a short circuit, and not completely turn off the power in the house when the maximum load is reached.

Rating and type of machine for single-phase power supply

When choosing a circuit breaker, the following formulas are used:

  1. The total power of all electrical appliances and the maximum current load: I (max) \u003d P / U * cosA, where cosФ is equated to 0.8. The obtained current value is corrected using a correction factor equal to 1.1. As a result, a current will be obtained, upon reaching which this device will work. A 25 A circuit breaker is usually enough for cable entry at home.
  2. To determine the type of machine, you must calculate the minimum value of the short circuit current. For a single-phase network with a voltage of 220 V, use simple formula: I (kz) \u003d 3260 * S / L, where S is the wire cross section in square millimeters, and L is its length in meters. This formula is relevant for an extended section with small wires.
  3. The ratio of short-circuit current to maximum current is the most important parameter of a circuit breaker. For wooden houses, type C differential automata are more often chosen, suitable for mixed load electrical networks.

An introductory circuit breaker for a private house is placed after the electric meter. This device together with a metering device and an RCD, they are fixed in a special shield fixed on a metal profile.

Do-it-yourself wiring installation in a wooden house: step by step instructions

The process of installing electrical wiring in a wooden house is divided into several stages:

  • placement of power input cable;
  • installation of a switchboard;
  • installation of cable lines;
  • fixing switches and sockets;
  • switching contacts;
  • network health check.

These works will require a variety of tools, including an electric drill with a crown, a screwdriver with various nozzles, an indicator and latex gloves for protection against electric shock.

Switchboard installation

An introductory cable from the nearest electric pole is laid into the house. Any branches are excluded before it is in the main switchboard.

The shield consists of several important components:

  1. Plastic or metal case. For wooden houses, the second option is preferable. There is no strict regulation regarding the size of the box, so proceed from individual fixtures and stock up. Keep in mind that in the future it may be necessary to upgrade the electrical network.
  2. Electricity metering device with a seal.
  3. Automatic switch at the input. A device with two or three poles is selected. The electricity supplier puts a seal on this equipment.

  1. Additional single-pole circuit breakers mounted on DIN rails. The number of such devices is not regulated in any way. The home electrical network is divided into several sections, so a separate machine is installed for each. One zone can be allocated for lighting the courtyard and buildings near a residential building, the other for rooms, and so on. The power of the machine will be calculated individually for working area. The main condition in the calculations is timely operation due to overload in weak areas. For example, if the permissible current load for the outlet is 15 A, then the machine should work at the slightest excess of this value.
  2. Residual current devices are expensive and most homeowners ignore their installation. The device cuts off the power supply when a leak is detected. This will prevent electric shock. Only a qualified specialist will be able to select a device with suitable technical and operational parameters.

Cabling

Wiring is hidden in cable channels or under skirting boards. The work consists of several stages. At the first, the wire is cut into segments, the number of which depends on the number of sockets and switches. The length of a single wire is equal to the distance between the socket and switches with a margin of 15-20 cm.

Next, the installation of cable channels is carried out, which are mounted strictly vertically or horizontally. To ensure that the boxes are level, use building level. At the end of work electrical wire fits inside the cable channels, but do not rush to close them.

Electrical installation of junction boxes

A junction box should be installed wherever the main cable branches to connect sockets or switches. The device is used to separate the power line and further distribution to other parts of the room.

In the box, the cable is attached using one of the following methods:

  1. With the help of PPE caps, which differ in size and color. For installation, the end of the wire is cleaned by 30 mm, twisted, after which it is threaded through the cap and twisted. The twisted ends of the two segments are hidden in the distribution box so as to exclude contact with other twists.
  2. Special Wags. This product is selected depending on the specific dimensions. Devices differ in the number of holes for wiring and cross section. For switching, the ends of the wires are stripped by 10-15 mm, after which they are placed in the holes until they click. The ends of the cables are allowed in different directions, excluding contact and short circuit.
  3. Twisting with electrical tape. After stripping the ends, the two wires are twisted together and then covered with electrical tape. The insulated strand is located inside the junction box.

Installation of switches and sockets

Sockets and switches are attached directly to the wall. Before installation, aluminum or asbestos insulation is laid. The sockets are twisted as tightly and firmly as possible to prevent loosening. When connecting a three-core cable, the yellow-green wire is used for grounding.

Installation of lighting fixtures

Lighting devices in a private residential building are divided into three main categories:

  • built-in;
  • invoices;
  • street.

It is important to use metal platforms for fastening wall lamps, sconces and similar ceiling products, which will increase fire safety. Switching the lamp to the network is carried out according to a simple scheme using yellow-green wires. Each product is equipped with contacts for connecting to a three-phase network.

How difficult is the job of replacing the wiring

Replacing wiring in a wooden house does not present any difficulties for experienced craftsmen. Especially easy process will be if an outer gasket is used. After turning off the power supply at the introductory machine, all old cable lines are removed and a new wire of a suitable cross section is laid in their place.

If the house has hidden wiring, it is not necessary to destroy all the walls. You can disconnect the old wiring from the introductory machine, connect a new cable to it and install it in an open way.

Grounding device and installation of RCD

For grounding, a PE bus is used, which is connected to a grounding device. It is installed in the ground near the wall of a residential building. Externally, such equipment consists of several metal sticks with a diameter of 1.5-2 cm and a length of up to 3 m, they are connected by a common metal strip.

A single-core wire of the same cross section as the input cable is suitable for switching the grounding device and the bus. After installation, the resistance of the grounding device is measured. V single-phase networks it should be 8, three-phase - 4 ohms.

Mounting errors

The occurrence of fires in wooden houses is often associated with violations of safety rules during the installation or operation of electrical wiring.

We list the main mistakes that are made in both cases:

  1. Installation of hidden wiring under the ceiling. Often, an electric wire is placed in interfloor ceilings, forgetting about additional insulation measures. In this case, the cable is in close proximity to wooden surfaces. In the case of an incorrectly selected section, the cable line will begin to overheat, which will gradually lead to a fire.
  2. Cabling under the plinth. There is little space underneath that is not enough to create a "safe air barrier". Because of this, the wire is constantly in contact with a wooden or plastic plinth leading to overheating and fire. The gaps in the plinth should be at least 10-15 mm.

  1. The use of corrugated PVC pipes is strictly unacceptable when installing electrical wiring in wooden houses. Replace products with metal standard or corrugated cable channels.
  2. The location of the cable in the strobe without insulation. When choosing a hidden laying method, it is permissible to use prepared recesses - a strobe. However, even in this case, it is necessary to lay not a bare cable in the strobe, but a metal corrugation or a steel tube.
  3. Installation boxes for sockets and switches must be made of metal. The use of plastic structures is unacceptable.

Fire protection measures

To provide high level fire protection must take into account a number of key factors:

  1. Select and install an RCD with suitable parameters.
  2. Mount a grounding loop of a modular-pin type and appropriate resistance, depending on the number of phases in the network.
  3. Ensure the operability of the potential equalization system.
  4. Ensure the continuity of the ground in each section of the circuit.
  5. Install only overhead sockets.
  6. Realize concealed installation using metal cable channels and pipes.

Following the listed rules, recommendations and norms, you can organize safe electrical wiring in a wooden house with your own hands or verify the competence of the called specialists. And this is very important, since the risk of fire in these residential buildings is much higher.