ᐅ Optimization of Electrical Planning for a 140 m² Semi-Detached House

Hello everyone,

A meeting with the electrician for the electrical planning was arranged on relatively short notice. Based on comments from other threads and the inspection of the neighboring house—which has already been completed—I have created an initial draft of the electrical plan and would appreciate your feedback. I have attached the necessary layouts. Additionally, I have the following questions and notes:

Notes:

• In the kitchen, I have only marked the "free" electrical outlets. Outlets for the oven, refrigerator, etc. are currently not included.
• Single sockets are mostly installed where there is also a light switch. Otherwise, I have planned multiple sockets everywhere.
• The wall lamps refer to the lighting of the staircase.

Questions:

• The access points (APs) are to be powered via Power over Ethernet (PoE). I want to avoid visible cables running from the access point to the outlet. The electrician suggested installing the LAN socket about 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) flush-mounted, so a cable can be plugged in easily. Is 1.5 cm sufficient, or does the socket need to be recessed deeper?
• I have read that APs perform best when mounted on the ceiling for signal distribution. Now the question is whether, given our compact house, wall mounting might also be possible, as I could then hide them, for example, in corners.
• Do you see the need for a LAN connection in the bedroom? We currently do not plan to have a TV or similar devices there, and if so, I think Wi-Fi should be sufficient. What are your thoughts?
• We have (unfortunately) not yet started the kitchen planning, so we do not have an installation plan for the kitchen. Is it still possible to create a mounting plan for the kitchen, or would this not make sense for the electrician? I am trying to schedule an appointment at the kitchen studio at short notice but cannot guarantee it.
• What can be improved? Did I forget anything?

Best regards,
ConnyJash

ConnyJash schrieb:

The APs are supposed to be powered via PoE. I want to avoid having visible cables running from the access point to the outlet. The electrician suggested installing the LAN socket about 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) flush in the wall, so that a cable can be easily plugged in. Is 1.5 cm enough, or does the socket need to be recessed deeper?

Let the cable end in a standard flush-mounted box. That way you have plenty of space. Maybe even with a connector attached, so you just have to plug it into the access point.

ConnyJash schrieb:

I read that APs are best installed on the ceiling for optimal signal coverage. However, in our compact house, would wall mounting also be possible? I could then, for example, hide them in corners.

It depends on the access points. The ceiling installation is ideal since the access point can radiate its signal evenly in all directions. But there are also models designed specifically for wall mounting. Their coverage pattern is different—generally more directional and front-facing.

ConnyJash schrieb:

Do you see the need for a LAN connection in the bedroom? We currently don’t plan on a TV or anything there, and if so, I think Wi-Fi would be sufficient. What do you think?

Better to have it and not need it than the other way around. It can’t hurt—whether for a TV, Sonos, or anything else.

On the property, you can work with Wi-Fi almost anywhere. That works. Personally, though, I connect as many devices as possible via LAN. That way I have never had problems, unlike with Wi-Fi.

Torti2022 schrieb:

Let the cable end in a standard flush-mounted box. That gives you plenty of space. Maybe even with a plug attached, so you just have to plug it into the access point.

A flush-mounted box is the preferred solution, but please do not have a plug installed directly on the in-wall cable. These plugs for in-wall cables are usually quite bulky and often too large to fit properly into the back of the access point. Have a keystone module installed on the in-wall cable and connect the access point using a short patch cable.

ConnyJash schrieb:

Now the question is whether wall mounting is possible for our compact house, as I could then hide it in the corners, for example.

Most access points are designed for ceiling mounting and have antenna orientation suited for that. However, there are also access points specifically for wall mounting. Mounting devices in corners (whether on ceiling or wall) should be avoided, as this tends to reduce Wi-Fi signal performance.

ConnyJash schrieb:

Do you see the need for a LAN connection in the bedroom?

If you ever repurpose this room, you might be glad to have a LAN connection available.

ConnyJash schrieb:

What can be improved? What have I forgotten?

1. I would add a LAN connection in the garage in case you install a charging station (wallbox) in the future. Prepare electrical cabling for the charging station.
2. Want good Wi-Fi on the terrace? Consider preparing an outdoor access point.
3. Instead of single LAN outlets, always use double outlets. Possibly even a second double outlet where the TV will be.
4. I can’t say much about lighting plans, but I would add lighting in the garage, near the front door, and on the terrace.
5. Consider an intercom or video door phone system at the front door.
6. Are the roller shutters electric? If yes, how should the control be designed?
7. Always install LAN cabling loosely in the rough-in phase so it can be replaced later. (Electricians often dislike doing this!)
8. The kitchen is tricky without a plan. You’ll also need the kitchen layout for water and wastewater connections.

Hello everyone,

@Torti2022: Thanks, I will hang the access points on the ceiling and discuss the flush-mounted option with the electrician.

@hanse987:

hanse987 schrieb:

1. I am missing LAN in the garage in case a charging station (wallbox) is installed later. Have electrical wiring prepared for a charging station.

LAN and wiring for a charging station is a good point. I will add that.

hanse987 schrieb:

2. Want good Wi-Fi on the terrace? Then possibly prepare an outdoor access point.

Not necessary. If needed, I would set up a repeater in the living room.

hanse987 schrieb:

3. Always use a double LAN socket instead of a single one. Possibly even a second double socket where the TV will go.

If the pricing for sockets is the same as before, upgrading from a single to a double socket costs 220 euros more. I would only consider this in the living room.

hanse987 schrieb:

4. I can’t say much about lighting planning, but I am missing light in the garage, front door, and terrace areas.

I will add that.

hanse987 schrieb:

5. Intercom/video system at the front door?

Not planned.

hanse987 schrieb:

6. Electric roller shutters? If yes, how should the control be?

Yes, all roller shutters are electric. The electrician will probably handle the planning.

hanse987 schrieb:

7. Always lay LAN cable in a way that it can be replaced later in conduits. (Electricians usually don’t like doing this!)

They will be laid in empty conduits; this has already been confirmed.

hanse987 schrieb:

8. The kitchen is very difficult without planning. You also need the kitchen plan for the water and waste water connections.

Unfortunately, yes. I am still trying to schedule an appointment.

Are there any other suggestions for optimizing power outlets? Too many, too few? Any ideas?

Best regards
ConnyJash

ConnyJash schrieb:

...
LAN and cable for a wallbox is a good tip. I will add that later.
...
Not necessary. If in doubt, I would just place a repeater in the living room.
...
If the same pricing applies as with the sockets, upgrading a single socket to a double socket costs 220 euros more. I would only do that in the living room at most.
...
Yes, all shutters are electric. The electrician will probably handle the planning.
...

- There are very detailed descriptions here in the forum on how to mount and connect a WLAN access point under the ceiling, including example photos, which can be quickly found thanks to the excellent search function (by now everyone should get my humor, so I’ll just leave out the extra irony on/off tags here... okay?)

- For the wallbox, definitely use duplex LAN cable (since LAN plus serial might be needed!)

- Repeaters don’t belong in a new build; I see the WLAN access point installed indoors in a suitable spot so that it also covers the outdoor area. Or just have a cable coming out of the wall. There are small, discreet outdoor WLAN access points with PoE from Unifi for this purpose. But well, here in Germany we also have comprehensive 5G coverage as an alternative (irony off).

- For intercom/video systems, run at least one LAN cable, preferably duplex. You can initially use it “just” for a doorbell. Please no more 2-wire solutions.

- Charging 220 euros for upgrading from simplex to duplex is outrageous; inquiries clarify this (the extra cost consists of one keystone module, double instead of single socket, more cable, more labor = approximately 75–100 euros maximum unless 100 meters of cable are involved).

- Electric roller shutters are not the same as electric blinds, neither in wiring nor operation. Do you want to control them “smartly” or create a switch chaos every morning/evening? Proprietary technology for simplified control or standard (Loxone/KNX/OpenSource). (I am so glad that with only four existing venetian blinds, a single press on my phone is enough to open or close them.)

What I forgot to mention.

- Will there be a photovoltaic system? If not, prepare empty conduits from the roof to the technical room.
- Will electricity be needed in the garden? This could also be added later using a sub-distribution. Therefore, don't undersize the cable to the garage.
- Three-phase power outlet for the garage? I’m not sure if you need one. In our area, almost every garage has one.
- The overview lacks light switches and information about which lights should be controlled from two or more switches.
- Switches for roller shutters? Next to each window or at the room entrance?
- Electric garage door opener? If yes, it also requires power.
- Do you want switchable sockets, for example, for a floor lamp?