Hello everyone,
Today I would like to ask for your experiences.
I am now at the point of planning the electrical installation and find it difficult, for example, to estimate the number of power outlets needed. For your information, it is a rather small house with about 100m² (1,076 ft²) of living space.
I come from a poorly equipped apartment and have largely adapted. When I hear what friends plan, I can hardly imagine that so many outlets are necessary... 21 outlets in the living room, for example???
What I have considered:
Living room: TV, stereo system, DVD player, telephone, charger, laptop, lamp, Christmas tree, possibly a game console, raclette grill, vacuum cleaner. 14 outlets?
Kitchen: stove, dishwasher, fridge/freezer combo, microwave, kettle, waffle iron, blender, coffee maker, lighting, music system. 12 outlets?
Children’s room: TV, music system, computer, charger, lamp, vacuum cleaner. 8 outlets?
Bedroom: Similar? Probably without TV for me...
Bathroom: Hairdryer?
Hallway: always at least one outlet?
What would be a reasonable number? Is the above list too minimalistic? What have I forgotten?
I would like to plan LAN connections in every room.
What should be considered or possibly provided for easy future upgrades?
What would be some nice-to-have features that people nowadays might want? I probably don’t know many of them.
I am thinking of a sensible standard setup, not a high-end gadget plan, and would consider having empty conduits or similar installed in case of future expansions.
Do you have any tips for me?
Today I would like to ask for your experiences.
I am now at the point of planning the electrical installation and find it difficult, for example, to estimate the number of power outlets needed. For your information, it is a rather small house with about 100m² (1,076 ft²) of living space.
I come from a poorly equipped apartment and have largely adapted. When I hear what friends plan, I can hardly imagine that so many outlets are necessary... 21 outlets in the living room, for example???
What I have considered:
Living room: TV, stereo system, DVD player, telephone, charger, laptop, lamp, Christmas tree, possibly a game console, raclette grill, vacuum cleaner. 14 outlets?
Kitchen: stove, dishwasher, fridge/freezer combo, microwave, kettle, waffle iron, blender, coffee maker, lighting, music system. 12 outlets?
Children’s room: TV, music system, computer, charger, lamp, vacuum cleaner. 8 outlets?
Bedroom: Similar? Probably without TV for me...
Bathroom: Hairdryer?
Hallway: always at least one outlet?
What would be a reasonable number? Is the above list too minimalistic? What have I forgotten?
I would like to plan LAN connections in every room.
What should be considered or possibly provided for easy future upgrades?
What would be some nice-to-have features that people nowadays might want? I probably don’t know many of them.
I am thinking of a sensible standard setup, not a high-end gadget plan, and would consider having empty conduits or similar installed in case of future expansions.
Do you have any tips for me?
Mycraft schrieb:
But that’s the completely wrong approach. Why install a power strip and create cable clutter when it’s better to simply have 2–3 extra outlets built into the wall?
The same applies in the kitchen: constantly unplugging and plugging in appliances is not efficient, especially if there is space available and the appliance is not immediately put away after use.But you also have to consider the budget. Not everyone can afford several switchable outlets that are next to each other and always used together, like a computer, monitor, scanner, and printer. In that case, a quad outlet works pretty well.
Altai schrieb:
At the moment, I’m only using the hairdryer there. Electric toothbrush with battery ,Your electric toothbrush could also become a rechargeable one.
I think your list is actually a pretty good estimate. We planned way too few outlets, so my advice is: at least one in every corner, even if you don’t currently want one there. In living room and bedroom corners, always think double sockets—one for possible extra lighting, the other for a device. Where a PC or media center is located, plan at least three.
Extras you might not know in advance:
Switchable outlets, for example, in the kitchen (so small appliances can be turned off altogether) or the living room for a floor lamp. Or in the bedroom, switch outlets for bedside lamps from the door, and turn them off again from the bed—this is a two-way switch setup: common in stairwells, very helpful in bedrooms.
Switchable outlets above cabinets or shelves for indirect lighting.
Dusk sensors for exterior lighting.
Exterior outlets (switched) for garden and front yard.
Outlets at the terrace that can be switched from inside.
Dimmers for dining room and bathroom ceiling lights.
P.S.
We have a switchable outlet near the TV, controllable from the living room door. There used to be a power strip connected there, and we switched the entire TV setup with receiver, etc., on and off.
Modern TVs can’t handle that, so now there’s a lamp connected there instead, which doesn’t have a switch anyway.
By the way, my favorite power outlet is installed in a window reveal, with the window right behind one arm of the sofa. Originally intended for Christmas decorations, it now regularly holds a tray, laptop, or phone while you read or work comfortably on the couch.
Window reveal outlets can definitely be debated, and you also have to consider that the window needs to be operable, but this setup is brilliant.
Other ideas to consider:
Don’t forget outdoor power—outlets should be switchable!
Power outlet in the garage for a possible electric vehicle?
Window reveal outlets can definitely be debated, and you also have to consider that the window needs to be operable, but this setup is brilliant.
Other ideas to consider:
Don’t forget outdoor power—outlets should be switchable!
Power outlet in the garage for a possible electric vehicle?
B
boxandroof20 Feb 2019 14:32During the planning phase, we completely forgot about the charging cradle for the cordless phone. There is no suitable spot with power nearby.
Otherwise, we have about 90 outlets for 150m² (1,615 sq ft), including outdoor areas.
Of these, 20 are in the kitchen, 9 of which are above the countertop.
I could do without around 25 outlets without much trouble, if necessary.
The TV area has three outlets, but we currently only use one.
LAN cabling was omitted from hallways, kitchen, and bathrooms due to cost reasons.
Otherwise, we have about 90 outlets for 150m² (1,615 sq ft), including outdoor areas.
Of these, 20 are in the kitchen, 9 of which are above the countertop.
I could do without around 25 outlets without much trouble, if necessary.
The TV area has three outlets, but we currently only use one.
LAN cabling was omitted from hallways, kitchen, and bathrooms due to cost reasons.
So one electrical outlet per m² (square meter) seems a bit excessive to me. In our case, that would mean 160 outlets. Where exactly would all of those be installed?
A good point is the electric vehicle charging connection. For that, I would even consider planning a high-voltage outdoor power supply.
A good point is the electric vehicle charging connection. For that, I would even consider planning a high-voltage outdoor power supply.
N
nordanney20 Feb 2019 15:21dome27 schrieb:
So one outlet per square meter seems a bit excessive to me. In our case, that would be 160 outlets. Where are they supposed to be installed?To be honest, it’s not as difficult as you think. Of course, the number of outlets becomes relatively lower as the size of the apartment or house increases.Just take your house plan and consider where an outlet (or perhaps a double outlet instead of a single one) would be needed.
In the house we had before our current apartment, with 250 square meters (300 square meters floor area), there were also about 170 outlets.
Just when my wife started thinking about where she wanted outlets for decorations, it was overwhelming (all window recesses, entrance areas, stair landings, etc.). The first 20 "decoration" outlets were already accounted for.
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