Hello everyone,
how did you approach the topic of electrical installations? How many sockets/power outlets did you plan for, and where? The homeowner has calculated a certain amount, but I believe that won’t be sufficient.
how did you approach the topic of electrical installations? How many sockets/power outlets did you plan for, and where? The homeowner has calculated a certain amount, but I believe that won’t be sufficient.
nordanney schrieb:
I’m seeing 48 power outlets throughout the entire house. I would at least double that. You can never have too many.
For example, the living room. You have 10 power outlets and one TV socket (satellite?). What usually gets plugged in? Dual satellite receiver—already one connection short. Smart TV with a network connection—you can’t connect it physically, only via Wi-Fi (which I don’t really recommend in a new build). TV/receiver/Blu-ray player/soundbar or amplifier/PlayStation—that’s already 6 outlets used, plus hi-fi system, CD player or similar, floor lamp, phone (which I’d connect via network sockets anyway), small lamp on the sideboard or windowsill, Alexa, digital photo frame, phone charger...
Example bedroom. You have 6 power outlets and one TV socket. Waterbed + bedside lamp + at least one phone charger and/or alarm clock, and suddenly the six outlets, scattered throughout the room, are all taken. What about a nice floor lamp for cozy lighting? Or lighting inside the closet? And so on.
For instance, in my actual 70 sqm (750 sq ft) living space (not including the balcony), there’s roughly one power outlet per square meter. In a typical single-family home, having 100 outlets isn’t much of an issue—unless you want to rely on multiple extension cords.
Others have already covered plenty about networking, wall lamps, and flush-mounted boxes, so I won’t repeat that. Now the question is whether I should have 6-8 power outlets installed near the TV for about €100 ($100) or just buy a good power strip for €40 ($40). Keep in mind that over time you might rearrange the furniture. You can’t take fixed outlets with you. That’s why, in my opinion, the power strip wins.
I agree with you on the network connection...
Ybias78 schrieb:
Now the question is whether I should have 6-8 power outlets installed for the TV area at about €100 (around $110) each or just buy a good power strip for €40 (about $44). Keep in mind that over time, you might move the furniture. You can’t take the outlets with you. That’s why, in my opinion, the power strip wins.
I agree with you on the network connection…Power strip! However, I wouldn’t install just one outlet.
With wall sockets, you have more options than with power strips, and rearranging the furniture is no problem. Experience shows that a TV and media center are rarely moved, so when rearranging, it is mostly just lamps and portable devices that require power. Everything else can be planned in advance, and it is perfectly possible to have a house without power strips—you just need to plan wisely and learn from past experiences.
However, it is up to each individual to decide which approach they prefer.
However, it is up to each individual to decide which approach they prefer.
N
nordanney13 Oct 2020 10:00Ybias78 schrieb:
Keep in mind that over time you might want to rearrange the furniture as well.That’s why there are enough outlets placed in other locations throughout the house. The TV, however, stays in the same spot 99% of the time, so it’s less of a concern. For example, I don’t want to have power strips everywhere—that’s not why I’m building. But, as always, it comes down to personal preferences and your own budget.
No offense intended, but you’re a few decades behind. Not just regarding the outlets, surface-mounted light switches, or the roller shutter controls, as Golfi90 pointed out. If I have to rely on power strips, then the electrical planning has failed, and maybe there weren’t any plans at all—just the standard setup with one switch and three outlets per room.
These quantities and requirements are from over 30 years ago and are long outdated. Nevertheless, this minimal setup is still what builders often offer to homeowners (surface mounting only, if at all, in utility rooms or garages), and if you’re not vigilant about it, this is what you get.
In my opinion, electrical installations are still often neglected, and most people just assume the "standard" package includes enough. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, and you’ll have to pay extra here and there. Sadly, much more time is usually spent discussing tile shapes and colors or door handle designs than the number of outlets and lights.
These quantities and requirements are from over 30 years ago and are long outdated. Nevertheless, this minimal setup is still what builders often offer to homeowners (surface mounting only, if at all, in utility rooms or garages), and if you’re not vigilant about it, this is what you get.
In my opinion, electrical installations are still often neglected, and most people just assume the "standard" package includes enough. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, and you’ll have to pay extra here and there. Sadly, much more time is usually spent discussing tile shapes and colors or door handle designs than the number of outlets and lights.
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