ᐅ Electrical Planning / Lighting Design / Networking for New Construction – Experiences?
Created on: 20 Sep 2023 17:50
G
Gregor_K
We recently had the electrical planning meeting. During this process, the following plan was created. Unfortunately, no furniture is shown, so I have also included a floor plan with furniture. This is our first time doing something like this. I would appreciate your feedback, as I am sure you can provide valuable advice and some helpful suggestions.
I am particularly uncertain about the kitchen, main bathroom, and staircase areas.
About the house:
- 3 floors: basement + ground floor + upper floor
- approximately 258 sqm (2773 sq ft) of living space on each of the 3 floors
- ceiling height on ground and upper floors: about 2.55 m (8.4 ft)
- ceiling height in basement: about 2.38 m (7.8 ft)
Questions:
Should I really install 5 ceiling light outlets in the kitchen? Although a lot of light is needed, I wonder if this might be too many.
What do you think about the wall outlets in the staircase area?
For rooms of at least 16 sqm (172 sq ft), I have always planned two ceiling outlets. Do you think it is also necessary if the room is, for example, 16.5 sqm (178 sq ft)?
Should I run a cable for illuminated washbasins?
Is a 50 mm (2 inches) empty conduit sufficient for photovoltaics?
I am particularly uncertain about the kitchen, main bathroom, and staircase areas.
About the house:
- 3 floors: basement + ground floor + upper floor
- approximately 258 sqm (2773 sq ft) of living space on each of the 3 floors
- ceiling height on ground and upper floors: about 2.55 m (8.4 ft)
- ceiling height in basement: about 2.38 m (7.8 ft)
Questions:
Should I really install 5 ceiling light outlets in the kitchen? Although a lot of light is needed, I wonder if this might be too many.
What do you think about the wall outlets in the staircase area?
For rooms of at least 16 sqm (172 sq ft), I have always planned two ceiling outlets. Do you think it is also necessary if the room is, for example, 16.5 sqm (178 sq ft)?
Should I run a cable for illuminated washbasins?
Is a 50 mm (2 inches) empty conduit sufficient for photovoltaics?
Gregor_K schrieb:
If necessary, I would say to connect the installation cable directly to the access point. Of course, that's not very neat. How would you solve this? You just need to find the shortest possible connector suitable for installation cables, and the access point must have enough space on the back. If that’s not possible, you have to look for alternative solutions.
I would skip the network outlet outdoors unless you permanently have a computer outside that requires LAN. I would definitely rely on good Wi-Fi coverage outdoors. LAN outside the living area would only be considered for the garage/charging station, possibly a garden shed, and a hobby room.
Regarding task lighting in the kitchen: it should always come at a slight angle from the front to avoid shadows, for example when cutting.
NatureSys schrieb:
Two wall outlets should be enough for the staircase. However, I would position them more to the side rather than straight ahead. That way, the lighting is better.Don’t you think it’s already optimal that way? We also have the stair step spotlights.
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xMisterDx28 Sep 2023 21:40Hmm. Did you plan the electrical outlets together with the furniture? It doesn’t seem like it to me.
Example child 1:
Desk in the top left corner, sure, that fits. The bed will probably go upright against the right wall? Then the sockets in the middle of that wall will be blocked and no one will be able to reach them. The same applies to the wardrobe, which will probably be along the bottom wall. The children will also need a shelf or a bookcase, which for child 1 can really only fit in the niche where the bed is. So that area will be completely full and, in the end, all the sockets there will be blocked?
For me, there should be a socket below every light switch for the vacuum cleaner... especially if you put all the sockets behind furniture, cabinets, under tables, etc., having a socket at a convenient height for the vacuum cleaner is really important.
Otherwise, in the end, you’ll just be using multiple power strips behind the furniture everywhere... then a single socket would have been enough.
Example child 1:
Desk in the top left corner, sure, that fits. The bed will probably go upright against the right wall? Then the sockets in the middle of that wall will be blocked and no one will be able to reach them. The same applies to the wardrobe, which will probably be along the bottom wall. The children will also need a shelf or a bookcase, which for child 1 can really only fit in the niche where the bed is. So that area will be completely full and, in the end, all the sockets there will be blocked?
For me, there should be a socket below every light switch for the vacuum cleaner... especially if you put all the sockets behind furniture, cabinets, under tables, etc., having a socket at a convenient height for the vacuum cleaner is really important.
Otherwise, in the end, you’ll just be using multiple power strips behind the furniture everywhere... then a single socket would have been enough.
xMisterDx schrieb:
Hm. Did you plan the power outlets together with the furniture? It doesn’t seem like it to me.
Example Child 1:
Desk in the top left corner, sure, that fits. The bed will probably be placed upright against the right wall? Then the outlets in the middle of the wall will be blocked and no one can reach them anymore. The same applies to the wardrobe, which will surely go along the bottom wall. The children will also need a shelf or a bookcase, which for Child 1 can only really fit in the niche where the bed is. So that space will be completely full and in the end all the outlets there will be covered?
For me, there should be a power outlet under every light switch for the vacuum cleaner... especially if all the outlets are blocked or hidden behind furniture, cabinets, under tables, etc., then having the vacuum outlet at a convenient height would be great...
Otherwise, in the end, you will again be using multiple power strips behind the furniture everywhere... then a single outlet would have done the job as well. Thank you for your feedback.
But I did plan the power outlets together with the furniture. My basic idea was also to install outlets everywhere even where I don’t immediately need them. Whether the six outlets on the interior right wall are really necessary is another question. I agree with you, in the worst case four outlets may get blocked. Plus the two by the wardrobe. Any ideas on how to solve this better? For example, one outlet could be moved closer to the window. See also the OG floor plan image.
The electrician told us that power outlets below a light switch are hardly needed anymore, since vacuum cleaners are mostly battery-powered now. We also have a cordless vacuum.
Much better with the ceiling outlets.
You must have had a reason for the kitchen.
I don’t understand the bathroom either.
They can even be dangerous when trying to find the light switch in the dark by touch.
I would only plan them centrally in the hallway, not at all in the rooms. For example, that’s how I planned it in our house. Unfortunately, the symbol in the plan was misread, so I placed all of them low, but the electrician installed them all under the light switches. We noticed this too late.
You must have had a reason for the kitchen.
I don’t understand the bathroom either.
Gregor_K schrieb:
The electrician told us that power outlets under a light switch are hardly needed anymore since vacuum cleaners are mostly cordless now. We also have a cordless vacuum.
They can even be dangerous when trying to find the light switch in the dark by touch.
I would only plan them centrally in the hallway, not at all in the rooms. For example, that’s how I planned it in our house. Unfortunately, the symbol in the plan was misread, so I placed all of them low, but the electrician installed them all under the light switches. We noticed this too late.
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