ᐅ Electrical outlets: Always prepare in groups of five? What is the best approach?
Created on: 31 Jul 2019 12:52
C
Christian K.
Hello everyone,
We are doing the electrical installation ourselves, and I had planned to drill boxes for five outlets each, but only use, for example, two of them. The rest would be covered and plastered over. The advantage would be that if I later need more outlets, I can remove the plaster and expand the outlet.
Now I’ve heard that making this flush with the wall is problematic. I would have to use spacer rings or similar. Also, the effort to simply drill new boxes later wouldn’t be any greater. In other words, the effort is higher if I drill more boxes in advance.
What do you think?
One more point that came up later: We are running NYM 7x2.5mm² cables per room for the outlets. The idea is to be able to measure and switch five outlets, and the rest are constant power. The problem is that connecting a 7x2.5mm² cable inside a device box with an outlet is not possible due to limited space. My idea is therefore that if, for example, I have a double outlet, I will install at least one additional empty box nearby to make the cable connections.
So more specifically, my questions are:
a) Is it worth pre-drilling?
b) What should I keep in mind during installation so that it is not visible later?
c) Do you have a better solution for cable connections in an empty box?
Cheers
We are doing the electrical installation ourselves, and I had planned to drill boxes for five outlets each, but only use, for example, two of them. The rest would be covered and plastered over. The advantage would be that if I later need more outlets, I can remove the plaster and expand the outlet.
Now I’ve heard that making this flush with the wall is problematic. I would have to use spacer rings or similar. Also, the effort to simply drill new boxes later wouldn’t be any greater. In other words, the effort is higher if I drill more boxes in advance.
What do you think?
One more point that came up later: We are running NYM 7x2.5mm² cables per room for the outlets. The idea is to be able to measure and switch five outlets, and the rest are constant power. The problem is that connecting a 7x2.5mm² cable inside a device box with an outlet is not possible due to limited space. My idea is therefore that if, for example, I have a double outlet, I will install at least one additional empty box nearby to make the cable connections.
So more specifically, my questions are:
a) Is it worth pre-drilling?
b) What should I keep in mind during installation so that it is not visible later?
c) Do you have a better solution for cable connections in an empty box?
Cheers
I don't quite understand the desire for a junction box. Do you want to install it before plastering? Or are you planning to cover or fill the boxes again afterward?
IF boxes are to be pre-installed, I would set them almost flush with the wall, as already mentioned, cut off the flaps from the covers, and if they’re ever needed, work with spacer rings. But I don’t understand why your acquaintance is already suggesting using spacer rings at this stage.
My opinion, by the way: I would retrofit only when necessary and invest your effort now in planning exactly where something is needed instead of overpreparing everywhere in advance.
IF boxes are to be pre-installed, I would set them almost flush with the wall, as already mentioned, cut off the flaps from the covers, and if they’re ever needed, work with spacer rings. But I don’t understand why your acquaintance is already suggesting using spacer rings at this stage.
My opinion, by the way: I would retrofit only when necessary and invest your effort now in planning exactly where something is needed instead of overpreparing everywhere in advance.
U
Ulrike196931 Jul 2019 20:47Hello Christian,
I am currently doing a complete renovation—in the literal sense of the word.
Why don’t you plan it “properly” from the start?
I know how it is... you always end up with too few electrical outlets.
For my kitchen, for example, I have now planned 12 outlets, and they will be installed and properly finished right away.
Do you really think you want to create dust and have to break into the plaster again at a later stage?
Ulrike1969
I am currently doing a complete renovation—in the literal sense of the word.
Why don’t you plan it “properly” from the start?
I know how it is... you always end up with too few electrical outlets.
For my kitchen, for example, I have now planned 12 outlets, and they will be installed and properly finished right away.
Do you really think you want to create dust and have to break into the plaster again at a later stage?
Ulrike1969
C
Christian K.31 Jul 2019 21:33Ulrike1969 schrieb:
I know how it is... in the end, you never have enough sockets. Hey Ulrike, this is a common statement that often raises the question... will it be enough? I think I read somewhere online that someone planned this way and can now easily expand without issues. We have planned generously and it should actually be sufficient. Every wall has at least one socket, and we planned mostly 4-gang boxes. But we are reconsidering that now. The reason was that frames for 5-gang boxes are disproportionately expensive compared to the 4-gang ones. Now that I’m looking at specific products, you can see that, for example, the Busch-Jäger 5-gang cover frame is a bit more than 50% more expensive than the 4-gang frame... but (!) it’s just about 5€ (approx. $5.50). Let’s say 20 large frames, that adds up to 100€ (approx. $110).
Currently, we have 12 sockets in the kitchen, though it will likely be a few more. It’s difficult to estimate. Is a 2-gang box enough in a discreet spot, or do you go for a 4-gang simply because there is space? Hence the idea to add more later if needed. But as I said, I’m no longer worried about that.
Now, I just need to research more about deeper boxes and related details.
Just use deep boxes, and you'll always be on the safe side.
When arranging them horizontally, always insert the cables at a 45-degree angle so they enter diagonally. This way, the clips on the sockets won't damage the cables, and the socket base remains free for retrofitting.
When arranging them horizontally, always insert the cables at a 45-degree angle so they enter diagonally. This way, the clips on the sockets won't damage the cables, and the socket base remains free for retrofitting.
T
tamtamtam1 Aug 2019 10:49Another idea: install the 5-way strip, cover the unused flush-mounted boxes with signal caps, and plaster over them. Cut off the nipples beforehand.
Then everything is installed, and later you only need to chip off the plaster.
Then everything is installed, and later you only need to chip off the plaster.
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