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Hagiman200017 Oct 2016 13:46My wife and I have been thinking about our electrical plan for a while now, and we have decided to seek a third opinion through this forum.
There are so many questions. Should we install an additional power outlet under the one for the exterior light at the entrance for a camera? Also, should we run a conduit for a LAN cable now, or is Wi-Fi sufficient?
Should we include a high-voltage connection in the garage for a possible electric vehicle in the future?
Of course, all of this is useful, but we also need to keep the budget in mind.
Maybe you’ll notice some other must-haves or useful locations for electrical solutions that we might have overlooked. Thank you in advance.
There are so many questions. Should we install an additional power outlet under the one for the exterior light at the entrance for a camera? Also, should we run a conduit for a LAN cable now, or is Wi-Fi sufficient?
Should we include a high-voltage connection in the garage for a possible electric vehicle in the future?
Of course, all of this is useful, but we also need to keep the budget in mind.
Maybe you’ll notice some other must-haves or useful locations for electrical solutions that we might have overlooked. Thank you in advance.
D
Doc.Schnaggls17 Oct 2016 15:26Hello Peter,
In general, you should consider having all exterior lights and especially outdoor power outlets switchable from inside. Ideally with a switch that has an indicator light – this makes it less likely to forget to turn them off.
I don’t see a symbol for a ceiling light fixture in the attic. Is that intentional, or was it just omitted? For the power outlets in the attic, I would install double sockets now if there is any chance you might finish the space later. The door in the attic will probably not be allowed as planned; to my knowledge, building regulations do not permit doors that open directly onto a staircase leading downward.
For the upper floor, I would consider the following:
Master bedroom: I would upgrade the double socket next to the bed to at least a triple socket. With one bedside lamp and a clock radio, the outlets are already fully used. A light switch for the main lighting near the bed is also worth thinking about. In the dressing area (?), I would also change the single socket to at least a double socket for cabinet lighting, etc.
Children’s room: In my opinion, the socket provision is also a bit sparse here. I would plan for at least two or three additional outlets.
Bathroom: Only one socket next to the sink? What electrical devices do you plan to have in the bathroom? Shaver, hairdryer, electric toothbrush, radio…? One outlet in that area seems insufficient. If you might want to upgrade later to one of those new toilets with integrated water cleaning functions, you should also have a socket and a water connection installed near the toilet. In the hallway and bathroom, you might consider adding a socket with an integrated LED night light (orientation light). This way, you won’t have to turn on the main ceiling light at night if you need to use the bathroom.
Ground floor:
Only two free sockets in the kitchen seem a bit tight to me personally. In the living room, two sockets next to the satellite connection might also be insufficient. TV, DVD player, and other devices already take up outlets. What about a possible satellite receiver, hard drive recorder, surround sound system? Even if you don’t have all these devices now, you are unlikely to need fewer later.
Basement: Really only two sockets for the washer and dryer and none else?
Overall, especially regarding power outlets, I think your planning is very conservative. Of course, you can still add more later, but when I compare the extra cost of one or two more outlets per room with the effort and mess involved in retrofitting, I know how I would choose.
I would recommend installing a heavy-duty power outlet (preferably 32 A) once in the garage and once in the basement.
Best regards,
Dirk
In general, you should consider having all exterior lights and especially outdoor power outlets switchable from inside. Ideally with a switch that has an indicator light – this makes it less likely to forget to turn them off.
I don’t see a symbol for a ceiling light fixture in the attic. Is that intentional, or was it just omitted? For the power outlets in the attic, I would install double sockets now if there is any chance you might finish the space later. The door in the attic will probably not be allowed as planned; to my knowledge, building regulations do not permit doors that open directly onto a staircase leading downward.
For the upper floor, I would consider the following:
Master bedroom: I would upgrade the double socket next to the bed to at least a triple socket. With one bedside lamp and a clock radio, the outlets are already fully used. A light switch for the main lighting near the bed is also worth thinking about. In the dressing area (?), I would also change the single socket to at least a double socket for cabinet lighting, etc.
Children’s room: In my opinion, the socket provision is also a bit sparse here. I would plan for at least two or three additional outlets.
Bathroom: Only one socket next to the sink? What electrical devices do you plan to have in the bathroom? Shaver, hairdryer, electric toothbrush, radio…? One outlet in that area seems insufficient. If you might want to upgrade later to one of those new toilets with integrated water cleaning functions, you should also have a socket and a water connection installed near the toilet. In the hallway and bathroom, you might consider adding a socket with an integrated LED night light (orientation light). This way, you won’t have to turn on the main ceiling light at night if you need to use the bathroom.
Ground floor:
Only two free sockets in the kitchen seem a bit tight to me personally. In the living room, two sockets next to the satellite connection might also be insufficient. TV, DVD player, and other devices already take up outlets. What about a possible satellite receiver, hard drive recorder, surround sound system? Even if you don’t have all these devices now, you are unlikely to need fewer later.
Basement: Really only two sockets for the washer and dryer and none else?
Overall, especially regarding power outlets, I think your planning is very conservative. Of course, you can still add more later, but when I compare the extra cost of one or two more outlets per room with the effort and mess involved in retrofitting, I know how I would choose.
I would recommend installing a heavy-duty power outlet (preferably 32 A) once in the garage and once in the basement.
Best regards,
Dirk
I completely agree with Dirk.
You should definitely plan for a few extra power outlets. For example, in the living room on the flat wall above the kitchen. It might also be a good idea to install an outlet about 25cm (10 inches) above the floor there. If a sofa is placed in front of it later, it won’t necessarily be visible.
Better to have one outlet too many now than to be missing one somewhere later.
If you save money by cutting corners in the basement, I can understand that. Surface-mounted outlets can be added later. However, you should make sure that there are still available slots for circuit protection in the distribution board.
What about LAN/Wi-Fi hubs? Where will they be located? Where will they get their power from?
You should definitely plan for a few extra power outlets. For example, in the living room on the flat wall above the kitchen. It might also be a good idea to install an outlet about 25cm (10 inches) above the floor there. If a sofa is placed in front of it later, it won’t necessarily be visible.
Better to have one outlet too many now than to be missing one somewhere later.
If you save money by cutting corners in the basement, I can understand that. Surface-mounted outlets can be added later. However, you should make sure that there are still available slots for circuit protection in the distribution board.
What about LAN/Wi-Fi hubs? Where will they be located? Where will they get their power from?
B
Bieber081517 Oct 2016 16:32Hagiman2000 schrieb:
Another power outlet below the one for the outdoor light at the entrance for a camera. Also, a conduit for a LAN cable or is Wi-Fi sufficient? For cameras, I would recommend installing CAT7 cable and then connecting PoE-capable devices.Hagiman2000 schrieb:
High-voltage connection in the garage for a possible electric car in the future? One three-phase power connection is standard for a house (like the outdoor water tap). I personally see it as a nice-to-have, so one is enough in my opinion. In our case, it is located in the utility room.Hagiman2000 schrieb:
Maybe you can think of some additional must-haves Is there already network cabling? Dimmer switches would be great. If the property allows, it might be worth installing a heavy-duty underground cable as well (for a garden shed with a sauna, for example). Well, in the end, it all depends on the budget.D
Doc.Schnaggls17 Oct 2016 16:43Bieber0815 schrieb:
If the plot allows it, you could have a thick underground cable installed as well.A very important point! I completely forgot about underground cables. They only cost two or three euros per meter but really provide an invaluable convenience.
We also have a power outlet column in the garden (unfortunately only one :rolleyes 🙂, which is used frequently. Today, I would have at least two of these cables installed.
Especially for garden parties, but also for lawn mowing, Christmas lights, or for the (wishful thinking!) robotic lawn mower, an outdoor power connection (definitely switchable from inside) is a very convenient feature...
Best regards,
Dirk
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