Electrical skirting board

Electrical communications in an apartment are one of the most important conditions for comfortable living in it. But at the same time, I want all the wires that supply energy to electrical appliances not to be lying around everywhere, but to be securely hidden behind the walls, in niches, so that they are not conspicuous. An excellent option for laying wiring is an electrical baseboard, which will make all the wires invisible to the eye. How to choose the right baseboard with cable duct? Are there any special features in installation? Read about this in detail further in our article.

Electrical plinth - a solution to the problem of laying cables in an apartment

The problem of masking wires remains relevant not only for new buildings, but also for old houses. During a major overhaul of a secondary home, there is often a need to replace outdated, worn-out wiring that cannot withstand the load, because every year more and more different technical devices appear in the apartment.

Wires in the room must be hidden

Often indoors, wires are placed along the walls, which looks extremely unesthetic. In addition, such wires can become a source of danger, because they are easily damaged. And children and pets do not realize the dangers posed by wiring, which is why they can become victims of accidents. Fortunately, there are now several basic methods that allow you to insulate wires, keep them out of sight and protect others from contact with them.

Table. Methods for masking electrical wires.

Method	Advantages and disadvantages
Laying inside walls	This is the most difficult, but also the most reliable way to disguise wires. It is usually carried out during the construction of a building or major renovation of a building. In order to hide the wires inside the walls, it is necessary to make special channels, and this is a labor-intensive, noisy task that creates a lot of debris. After laying the wires in the channels, they (the channels) are concreted. The main disadvantage of this method is the lack of access to the wires and the impossibility of replacing them if damaged. To eliminate the faults, the walls will have to be hammered again, and this will entail the need for cosmetic repairs.
Corrugated pipes	Corrugated pipes are plastic ribbed casings inside which wires are placed. The tubes themselves are usually laid along the walls, less often - in the floors. But they look unpresentable, although they allow you to easily restore a damaged section of the power system quite quickly and without much expense. Corrugations have an affordable price and are often used on industrial sites and in utility buildings.
Cable channels	Neat plastic casings are easily attached to the corners of walls, along floors, even directly on the wall, and wires are laid inside them. These are, of course, visible details that do not always decorate the interior, but in any case they look much better than corrugated tubes. Likewise, they provide easy access to wires if necessary.
Skirting boards with cable channels	Perhaps the best option for laying wires along walls. At least the cables will no longer be lying around the perimeter of the room, but will be securely hidden in small cavities, which are provided in such skirting boards and are covered with a decorative strip. Affordable, beautiful skirting boards are not in vain considered one of the best options for laying electrical wiring.

cable channel pvc

Installation Tips

Now let's find out what is needed to do the baseboard electrical wiring with your own hands.

Tool

What tools do you need to prepare before starting work?

The author uses the following set for installation:

Image	Description
Rotary hammer with drill and limiter	Hammer. It is needed for drilling holes for dowel-nails that secure baseboards and sockets.
Grinder - the best tool for cutting plastic	Grinder with an installed cutting wheel for stone or metal. It is an ideal tool for cutting PVC skirting boards: the cut is smooth and free of burrs.
The hammer will help you hammer in dowel nails without crushing the plastic	A hammer with a hammer for fixing baseboards and sockets with dowels and nails.
Tool for marking cutting lines	Pencil and square for marking.
Universal wire stripper	A special stripping tool or, in its absence, scissors or side cutters - for stripping wires.
Phillips screwdriver with magnetic tip	Screwdriver for tightening terminals.

Materials

How is baseboard wiring installed?

We will need:

Image	Description
Typical size and section shape	Skirting board with cable channel. Its standard dimensions are 55x22 - 70x22 mm, but plinth boxes with a larger cross-section can also be found on sale.
Caps, corners and connectors	Caps for the ends of the plinth (they are placed at the junctions with the openings), connectors, internal and external corners.
Three-core cable VVGng (in a flame-retardant sheath)	Three-core (in the absence of a grounding line - two-core) copper single-wire cable with a cross-section of 2.5 mm2 (VVG 3x2.5 or 2x2.5). The price of a meter of cable is 25 - 40 rubles.
Baseboard socket: rear view	Socket for baseboard or regular outdoor. The first is mounted with full or partial overlap of the plinth cable channel, the second - directly above it.

Technology

Are there any special features to installing baseboard wiring?

Here are the basic installation rules:

Attach the plinth in increments of no more than half a meter. On uneven walls, the pitch should be reduced, otherwise there will be a gap at the junction;

On uneven walls, use additional fastening points

Drill holes in the wall and drive plastic dowels directly through the baseboard with the cable channel cover removed. This instruction will allow you to get rid of the time spent marking holes;

The dowel is inserted into the drilled hole directly through the back wall of the baseboard

Do not fill the cable channel with wires to more than 40% of the cross-section, otherwise you will get overheating of the wiring during consumption peaks;

Avoid dense filling of the cable channel

Lay the cable with excess (with at least 5 centimeters of slack on each wall). The supply will be useful to you when installing additional sockets not provided for in the original design;
If you use regular overhead sockets, use a grinder to make cutouts in the baseboard for them up to the top of the cable channel. This way you can completely hide the wires and make the connection quite neat.

In the photo - an outlet in the children's room in the author's house

What are skirting boards with cable channels?

A plinth with a cable channel or an electrical plinth is a special type of finishing floor plank, which is designed not only to hide deformation gaps when installing the floor, but also to disguise wires for various purposes.

On a note! Even cables such as Internet cable, optical fiber, local network wires, telephone and much more can be laid in the cable channels inside the baseboard.

Skirting board with cable channel

Within the apartment, an electrical plinth will allow you to lay wires without much effort so that they are invisible to the eye. At the same time, the decorative element also provides a high level of security, because access to the cables will be limited.

Advantages of a plinth with a cable channel

Installation of ceiling plinth

Ceiling plinths are not just another decorative element. Its main function is to prevent peeling of wallpaper at the places where they meet under the ceiling, masking minor errors and imperfections in the finishing, giving the interior a finished look, neatness and style. All this can only be obtained if the installation of the ceiling plinth is carried out according to all the rules of the genre, which is not as simple as it might seem at first glance.

Types of ceiling plinths

It’s worth starting with the fact that these finishing elements can be called differently:

foam molding;
fillet;
stucco molding made of polyurethane, plastic or polystyrene.

Depending on what material the plinth is chosen from, it can be glued to the ceiling or attached with self-tapping screws.

Don't go wrong when purchasing

Ceiling plinth

Before attaching the ceiling plinth, you need to purchase all consumables, in the right quantity and quality. To do this, you need to measure the perimeter of the ceiling and divide it by the length of one stick of finished stucco, which is usually equal to two meters. It is better to buy fillets with a small margin, since if installation rules are not followed, they can crumble, break, or you simply make a cut in the wrong place. Since similar products made of polyurethane or foam are relatively cheap, you shouldn’t skimp on stock.

It is important that the plinth is of the correct width and does not cause the feeling of a foreign body in the interior. Too wide, they will visually make the room lower, while narrow ones will “get lost” on high walls. Through trial and error, it was possible to establish the following pattern: for ceiling heights of 2.5 meters or more, it is recommended to take fillets 0.45 mm wide.

Please note that carved and relief products tend to accumulate dust, which will have to be removed frequently, which is not entirely convenient. If you do not have such a desire, take ordinary skirting boards, elegant, and without frills.

Installation methods

Ceiling plinth with cable channel

A ceiling plinth with an additional cable channel, or without a cable channel, can be attached using one of two technologies:

The walls and ceiling are leveled and primed, after which the fillets themselves with a channel for the cable are attached to them, for which putty or sealant is used. After this, you can start gluing wallpaper or other decorative material;
Installation of foam or polystyrene ceiling plinths with a cable channel can be done after pasting the walls with wallpaper or tiles. In this case, you need to use a special sealant or glue such as “Dragon”, “Moment Installation”.

Note that it is better to use the first method, although it is more labor-intensive than the second. In the latter case, when changing the old wallpaper, you will have to tear off and re-attach the stucco molding. In addition, if the surfaces are not level enough, gaps will definitely form between the wall/ceiling and the fillets.

How to cut a baseboard?

Correct placement of the plinth in the miter box when cutting corners

To complete the task you will need the following equipment:

miter box;
sharp knife or hacksaw for metal;
small spatula;
buckets in which the putty will be mixed;
the adhesive mixture itself.

In principle, you can buy a miter box in any store, or you can build it yourself in such a way that you have to cut products at angles of 90 and 45 degrees. The plinth must be positioned in the tool in such a way that it will then be glued to the wall. It is better to cut fillets with a channel for the cable with a hacksaw, but do it without force, otherwise chips may appear at the cut points.

Description of the installation process

The process of installing ceiling plinths

If we talk about how it is more convenient to attach the ceiling plinth, then it is better to start its installation from the corners of the room, gradually adding whole pieces. In general, it is recommended to make preliminary markings, and on paper to calculate and draw a diagram of how to join the ceiling plinth, so that there are fewer cut elements, and only whole sticks are visible. At the same time, you need to try to position the fillets so that they fit together with smooth factory edges. You also need to plan in advance where the cable will be laid.

To improve the quality of setting and the necessary drying conditions for the putty, before installing the ceiling plinth, the area under it should be slightly moistened with plain water. Then we dilute the putty to the required consistency, apply it with a small spatula to the places where the fillet touches the wall and ceiling, press firmly, and either remove the excess adhesive or seal the cracks and joints with it. Using a wet and clean rag, putty residues are removed, and dried joints should be re-sealed.

Alternative options

To install ceiling skirting boards, you can use white acrylic sealant, special panel adhesive, or a polymer-based adhesive. The use of such consumables greatly simplifies the installation of ceiling plinths, but is not profitable from a financial point of view. So, for example, for a room of 24 square meters. m. you will need 2 tubes of sealant and a special construction gun. The process of attaching fillets to a channel is similar to that where putty is used, only the joints will need to be sealed with wet hands, and excess or remaining glue/polymer should be pushed in there.

potolokexpert.com

Design features of floor skirting boards with elements for electrical wiring

Skirting boards with cable channels, depending on the purpose and manufacturer, can be of different types, shapes and sizes, but at the same time they have a similar structure. The main element is a mounting strip, thanks to which the decorative element is firmly fixed to the wall.

Fastening the baseboard with cable duct

On a note! The plinth along the wall can be secured in different ways, including using self-tapping screws, dowels, and adhesives.

The mounting plate on the outside has a special shelf or groove into which the wires that need to be hidden are placed. For some types of products, the groove may be located behind the baseboard itself. Cable cavities can have different parameters, which often depend on the manufacturer and size of the decorative element. This determines the number of wires that can be laid inside the baseboard.

Plastic plinth with cable channel

Fixation of the wires inside the baseboard is ensured by a thin decorative strip, which, after laying the wiring, snaps over them. The element does not require additional fasteners. Interestingly, the bar can also have different dimensions.

Features of installing a plinth with a cable channel

Also, skirting boards can be either single-channel or have several channels at once. In a single-channel, depending on its dimensions, up to 5 wires can be laid at once. Multi-channel skirting boards have a compartment with a decorative strip, as well as a place for cables behind the skirting board itself.

Important! There is another type of electrical skirting board. This decorative element is solid, but with a recess for wires in the back. In this case, the cables will be fastened along the wall using special clips, and then carefully covered with a plinth, which snaps onto these clips.

The plinth is attached using clips

But for proper installation of electrical skirting boards, you may also need other elements - special components:

external and internal corners for connecting individual plinth strips in the corners of the room;
connectors for plinth strips , necessary when installing two pieces of plinth along a long wall;
stubs;
mounting boxes for wiring.

Electrical skirting boards, like regular ones, can be easily matched to the color scheme of the interior and its style. They can be made to match the color of wood, stone, white, gray or any other color. Certain categories of products can be easily painted with special acrylic paint.

Socket box on the baseboard

How to lay electrical skirting boards

Before starting work, you should calculate the required length of wires. It is better to purchase them with a margin of 10-20%. Then the type and length of the baseboard itself is selected. In this case, it is worth paying attention to how many and what cross-sectional conductors will be laid in it. At the same time, it is important to take into account color and design.

Preparation of the workplace

Before installing a new electrical skirting board, it is necessary to disassemble the old one. Crude tools such as a pry bar or a heavy-duty screwdriver are suitable for this. The workplace is cleared of debris, dust and dirt. If necessary, the defects in the corner between the floor and the wall are covered with putty.

Next, the new channel is applied to the installation site. It is more convenient to do this together. Mark the mounting holes on the wall with an awl or pencil. They must be done with a hammer drill in impact mode.

Removing the old baseboard

Installation of cable channel

A plinth with a channel for wiring can be easily installed even by a person without experience. There are several important points to consider:

To determine the required length, you need to calculate the perimeter of the room. You need to subtract the width of the doorway from the obtained value, because the corner tray will not be laid in it.
It is better to fasten the dowel using nails or self-tapping screws, since the glue is too demanding on the materials it holds together.
Corners and various adapters. If you forget to install at least one, the structure will have to be disassembled and reinstalled.

Installing the Removable Cover

The cover is installed with latches. This method is convenient and does not require third-party tools. The successful closing of the lid can be judged by a characteristic click. It is important to ensure that there are no gaps left. Therefore, after snapping the cover into place, its correct position is checked visually or by touch.

Plastic skirting board with snap-on lid

Skirting board with separate front part

This type includes products made from MDF. The fastening strip is installed strictly parallel to the floor. It is better to monitor the accuracy of measurements using a level. Or you can resort to a life hack. Cut two small fragments from the front part and use them as templates (samples, standards) when installing the mounting strip.

How to start and remove wiring

To remove the cable from the baseboard, you can use one of three methods:

Carefully cut the groove in the required location. The method requires skill and is dangerous to perform, because the knife blade can easily slip off your fingers.
Drill a hole. It will turn out neatly. But it can only be done if you have a thin drill of the required diameter at hand.
In the place where the wire is removed, slightly heat the plastic with a lighter and carefully press the groove under the wire. This method should be used only with knowledge of the matter and some experience. However, the end result is the most aesthetically pleasing.

Cable pulling in the baseboard

Installation of sockets

Expensive manufacturers often produce sockets that are sized specifically for their electrical baseboards. In this case, installation is the simplest. There is no need to cut anything or adjust it to fit. Universal sockets are also available for sale. For them, you will have to cut off part of the baseboard and carry out more complex work. In terms of money, the second option will be cheaper.

Box for socket on baseboard

Materials

The plinth can be made of several materials. However, not all of them meet certain requirements and some may not be suitable for wiring.

Table. Types of skirting boards depending on the material.

Material	Description
PVC or polyvinyl chloride	The most commonly used type of skirting boards, as it has many advantages. This material meets all fire safety requirements. PVC skirting boards are inexpensive, but at the same time they are durable, elastic and strong, and are not afraid of exposure to moisture and a number of chemicals. However, under strong mechanical stress, PVC skirting boards can easily break. There are also special skirting boards for laying high-voltage cables - they are made of a special type of PVC, which has maximum fire safety.
Tree	It is undesirable to use skirting boards made from this material as electrical equipment, since their fire hazard is quite high. However, wooden skirting boards are highly environmentally friendly.
MDF or fibreboard	Such skirting boards are usually solid and require fastening of cables using clips. According to manufacturers, MDF is a non-flammable material, but it still does not have the same fire safety ratings as PVC skirting boards. That is why it is recommended to use it only for laying communication wires.

Veneered plinth

Expert opinion

Afanasyev E.V.

Chief editor of the pol-exp.com project Engineer.

It is best to use PVC skirting boards for laying wires in an apartment or private house. They have a presentable appearance and are not prone to fire even if the wires are shorted.

Plastic floor plinth with cable duct

Installation of PKK from MDF

The procedure for installing MDF skirting boards, which have cable ducts, is somewhat different from working with plastic analogues:

The MDF plinth is attached to the wall using special clips.
Holes for fastenings on the wall are drilled in increments of 60-70 cm.
Screws secure the clips to the wall.
Depending on the design of the plinth and the clip used, there are two options for laying the wires:

using wiring clamps;
a method of conventionally laying wires behind the baseboard and then snapping the clip latches into place.

Installation of MDF plinths

Skirting moldings equipped with cable ducts are becoming increasingly popular among craftsmen and finishers due to the ease of installation of the finishing route and the absence of the need to maintain the baseboard after its installation.

Electrical wiring in baseboards - pros and cons

Of course, laying wires inside baseboards has its advantages and disadvantages; So, the advantages include:

the ability to lay electrical wires without destroying walls or damaging their finish;
the ability to hide communication cables (Internet and telephone, as well as TV antenna) from prying eyes;
if necessary, it is easy to open the plinth and gain access to the wires for their replacement or repair;
a large selection of colors and shapes, which allows you to choose exactly the type of plinth that will look perfect in a particular interior;
you can choose a plinth with one or more cable channels;
ease of installation - no special skills required;
ease of care.

Fastening the baseboard with cable duct

The disadvantages of skirting boards with cable ducts are usually associated with some features of specific models:

skirting boards with flexible edges lose their elasticity over time, which is why gaps may appear between the floor covering and the decorative element itself;
opening certain types of plinth is quite difficult without the risk of damaging the fasteners;
Skirting boards made from cheap PVC are prone to fading, are very fragile, and can crack during installation.

Such skirting boards have their disadvantages

Installation technology

What is needed for this

To install wiring in this way, you should prepare:

Product type	Peculiarities
Skirting board with cable channel	As a rule, profiles with cable channels are made of PVC, since this material does not burn, does not fade, is resistant to mechanical stress, and also has a low price. The surface can be laminated, for example, imitating wood, stone or other materials. Depending on the method of fastening, there are two types of skirting boards: mounted directly to the wall - they have an external cable channel, which is hidden by a decorative strip-plug; on clips - they are a collapsible structure, which consists of a mounting strip and a profile. The cable channel is located in the space between the wall and the profile.
Socket box	It is a box that allows you to fix the unit on the baseboard and connect it to the wiring. At the bottom, the box for the socket on the baseboard is an adapter that connects two fillets. Depending on the model, the socket box can be attached to the wall or directly to the box with the cable channel. As a rule, boxes are made of the same material as the profile itself. Moreover, you can install both electrical and telephone sockets in them.

Universal plinth box for sockets
The procedure for laying wires and installing sockets is quite simple, so you can do it yourself. The only thing is that before you start work, you need to make sure that the power in the house is turned off.

Installation diagram of a profile with a cable channel to the wall

So, the instructions look like this:

first of all, you need to measure the walls and also mark the locations of the sockets;
then you need to cut the profiles into strips of the required length;
after this, the mounting rail or the baseboard itself for the sockets, depending on the model, is fixed to the wall. To do this, you need to use self-tapping screws or dowel nails;
then the cables are laid and the contacts are removed. They must first be connected to junction boxes. To bring wires to the fillet, they can be hidden in grooves or run over the wall;

Example of installation of a socket box

Next, a box is installed under the socket for the baseboard. It should hide the ends of the two baseboards, which must be taken into account when marking the planks;
then the contacts are connected to the sockets;
To complete the work, you need to insert the connected sockets into the socket boxes.

Here, in fact, are all the main stages of installation. As we can see, this procedure does not present any difficulty.

Preliminary measures before installation

Before you begin installing electrical wiring inside the baseboards, you will have to carry out a number of preparatory measures. They should not be neglected, because through them it will be possible to ensure the fastest and most correct installation, while also taking into account decorative aspects.

First you need to decide on the color and size of the skirting boards. It will help you with this our article. Here everything will depend on the wishes of the apartment owner, as well as on the interior of the rooms and their dimensions. So, in a room with high ceilings you should not install narrow baseboards. In dark rooms, radically light or dark finishing strips are not used unless they are combined with other interior elements.
Light floor plinth in the interior
Even before you begin installing the baseboards and laying the wires, you should decide where the various electrical devices will be located. This will allow you to choose the correct location of sockets and lay the cables as secretly as possible. It is best to immediately draw up a diagram of where and how the wires will be laid.
It is important to calculate the amount of plinth - it will depend on the perimeter of the room. Do not forget to take into account the amount of possible waste that is generated during cutting of the material. This is about 5-10%.
At the design stage, the size of the cable channel is also calculated. Here the choice will depend on how many wires will be laid in it.

The procedure for performing work when installing skirting boards

Attention! You should not lay many cables inside one cable channel. In this case, it is not recommended to lay electrical wires inside the same channel together with communication wires.

At the preparatory stage, it is important not to forget to calculate and purchase components in the required quantity. They will not only facilitate the installation process, but will also make the entire structure beautiful and neat. In this case, the components must match the color and size of the baseboard itself.

Accessories for plastic skirting boards

Preparation for installation

After choosing the type and model of the ceiling plinth, a number of preparatory works are performed:

A diagram of the laying and distribution of wires around the room is drawn up to connect electrical devices: lighting devices, TV, music center, video cameras, fire or burglar alarms, etc.
A calculation of the required materials is made: the perimeter of the room and the length of the bends are measured. Everything is summed up and the resulting figure increases by 5-10% (including waste during fitting).
The number of internal and external corners, connecting elements, corner brackets, bends, plugs (separately left and right), boxes, sockets, switches and other fittings that will be needed for installation of baseboards and wiring is determined.
The amount of fastening materials is calculated: self-tapping screws and dowels 6x40 mm (every 40-50 cm plus 20% for uneven surfaces), glue, plinth strips, electrical clips, if wires are to be fastened to the wall or ceiling.
Tools are being prepared:
pencil;
ruler;
level;
miter box;
perforator;
screwdriver or screwdriver;
hammer;
hacksaw;
sharp knife.

Sequence of installation work

To install a plinth with a cable channel and lay electrical wiring in it, you will need various tools. This is a hammer drill, a hammer, a screwdriver or screwdriver, a tape measure, a level, a pencil, and a tool for cutting plinths.

Step 1. First you need to cut the baseboards into pieces of the required length. For example, the length of one section of the wall is measured using a tape measure, and then the same length is laid on the baseboard strip.

The length of the wall section is measured

Dimensions are transferred to the baseboard

Step 2. The plinth is cut into the required lengths.

How to cut a plastic skirting board correctly so that it can be neatly joined in the corners? Read in the special article.

The plinth is cut

Step 3. The decorative strip is removed from the plinth sections.

The decorative strip is removed

Decorative strip removed

Step 4. The plinth is placed in its place against the wall, holes are drilled in it inside the groove for the wires.

Drilling holes in the baseboard

Advice! It is best to start installing the plinth from the inner corner.

Step 5. Decorative inner corners are placed on the edges of the plinth strips. Holes are drilled with their (corners) taken into account.

A decorative inner corner is put on

Hole drilling process

The holes are ready, the elements are connected with an internal corner

Step 6. While forming the holes on the baseboard, marks remained on the wall for drilling for dowels. Holes in the walls are made using a hammer drill.

Holes are drilled in the wall

Step 7. Plastic dowels are inserted into the prepared holes in the wall.

A plastic dowel is inserted

Step 8. The plinth is installed in its place and screwed to the wall with self-tapping screws.

The plinth is screwed to the wall

Another photo of the process

Step 9. The cable is laid in the channel.

The cable is laid in the channel

Step 10. Then the cable channel is closed with a decorative strip.

The channel is closed with a decorative strip

Step 11. The cable in the outer corner area is pulled through the outer corners. The corner is installed in its designated place.

Outer corner

Installation of the corner

Step 12. Install the remaining decorative strips.

Laying decorative strips

Another photo of the process

Step 13. Install plugs for the edges of the baseboard.

Installation of plugs

Step 14. If necessary, install a socket box. To do this, holes for dowels are made in the wall where it should be. Then the dowels are inserted and this element is screwed onto the screws.

Holes for dowels are drilled

Photo of the installation process

Installation of a socket box

Video - Installation of plinth with cable duct

Electrical wiring inside the baseboard is a different idea even if the main wiring inside the walls has failed. In this case, there is no need to groove them and change the wires; it is much easier to use these decorative elements. An electrical baseboard will reduce labor costs and even save your wallet from unreasonable expenses for repairs, which will not be needed at all if you decide to lay wiring inside the baseboards.

Dismantling the baseboard must be done in order to be able to properly lay the new floor covering, as well as in order to replace old products. The procedure is quite simple, and therefore you can do it yourself. Instructions can be found in our special article.

Installation of plastic PKK

Do-it-yourself installation of PKK made of plastic is carried out in the following sequence:

PKK panels are laid on the floor and installation sections are marked along the entire route.
Strips of skirting boards are cut in accordance with the markings.
Disconnect the outer decorative profile strip and the cable channel box.
Mark the centers of the holes at a distance of 40-60 cm to which you need to attach the base of the baseboard cable channel box to the wall.
Holes are drilled in the wall and base.
Plastic dowels are installed in the holes.
The base of the cable channel is fixed to the wall with screws.
The wires are laid in cable duct boxes.
Place the outer profile on the cable channel and snap the locks around the entire perimeter of the installation.

Important! The elastic edges of the plinth should fit snugly against the wall and floor, protecting the internal cavity of the PKK from dust and moisture.

Laying plastic PKK

Installation principles

Grinder for cutting skirting boards
To carry out the work, the master will need:

Perforator for forming holes for dowels.
A hacksaw or grinder for cutting baseboards. The grinder makes a more even cut.
A hammer equipped with a hammer.
Tape measure/ruler and construction pencil.
Side cutter for removing the braid from the cable.
Screwdriver.

Also, to install hidden wiring, the master will have to prepare the following materials:

Wall border (aka plinth), equipped with a cable channel. Its color and height can be arbitrary.
End caps in the required quantity.
Cable (three-core for grounding or two-wire - without it).
Skirting socket (multibox).

Multibox

The socket box is a box with an adapter at the bottom

This is a special plinth overlay that has cutouts for the profile of the wall border. It fits tightly on it. There are different modifications of profiles on sale, so you can choose any multibox for any skirting board.

More often, the cover plate is used to install a regular socket. But it can accommodate outputs for telephone, Internet cables, etc. The multibox is installed as simply and quickly as possible.

Cable channel

Despite the fact that PVC skirting boards often already have a built-in channel, some craftsmen prefer to use separate plastic U-shaped boxes for cable laying. Externally, the channels vary in depth and height, which allows you to lay from 2 to 5 wires in them simultaneously. The top of the box is closed with a decorative lid. The cable channel is laid under the baseboard (except for wooden or frame houses).

Sockets internal and external

Built-in power points are mounted in a multibox, and external ones are used in tandem with a cable channel when laying wiring in wooden houses. If the internal power point can be used on any walls except wood, then there are no restrictions on the use of an external outlet.

Installation principles

Grinder for cutting skirting boards
To carry out the work, the master will need:

Perforator for forming holes for dowels.
A hacksaw or grinder for cutting baseboards. The grinder makes a more even cut.
A hammer equipped with a hammer.
Tape measure/ruler and construction pencil.
Side cutter for removing the braid from the cable.
Screwdriver.

Also, to install hidden wiring, the master will have to prepare the following materials:

Wall border (aka plinth), equipped with a cable channel. Its color and height can be arbitrary.
End caps in the required quantity.
Cable (three-core for grounding or two-wire - without it).
Skirting socket (multibox).

Multibox

The socket box is a box with an adapter at the bottom

More often, the cover plate is used to install a regular socket. But it can accommodate outputs for telephone, Internet cables, etc. The multibox is installed as simply and quickly as possible.

Cable channel

Sockets internal and external

Characteristics of the installation box

To install the installation box, you need socket boxes (boxes) and the sockets themselves. The design of the socket box consists of a box with an adapter at the bottom.
The electrical box is made of polyvinyl chloride laminated with a film that can imitate any texture (stone, wood, etc.). The material of the socket box has greater rigidity than that of the baseboard, as this is necessary for stable fixation during installation.
Two types of socket outlets are available - floor-mounted, tightly adjacent to the floor and baseboard, and wall-mounted, which is attached to the wall and baseboard, it does not touch the floor.
The design of the installation box is made universal for placing an electrical outlet, as well as for a telephone connector, network cable or antenna, etc.
To ensure that the configuration of the installation box is completely suitable for the baseboard, it is better to purchase them from one manufacturer.

Related article: Decorating room walls with plasterboard

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Types of skirting boards

Backlit

Manufacturers do not stand still and offer various options for their products. One of them is transparent. Made from PVC, MDF. This type of skirting board is used for lighting in rooms where lighting is not a priority - for example, in corridors. LEDs are inserted into the fittings, which create a certain lighting, and at the same time are a design solution. The price is quite reasonable.

Ceiling

Sometimes the floor surface does not allow anything else to be attached to it. In this case, use the ceiling type of plinth. Another – and more correct – name is fillet. It also comes from various materials, for example, MDF (laminated). Plastic panels are most often used. The best option is made of foamed PVC. With high quality, these plinth cable channels have a reasonable price and are not afraid of ultraviolet radiation.

They are placed in the same way as those discussed above. The only difference is convenience: it is more comfortable to work on the floor than under the ceiling, which means that the dimensions must be maintained more accurately. And one more tip: it is advisable to attach the fillets before wallpapering the room. The joints will be very difficult to eliminate. Using putty or sealant, it is very easy to damage the wallpaper irrevocably.

Manufacturers offer a large selection of different skirting boards: laminate, PVC, natural materials. Price and quality also vary greatly. Thus, anyone can choose whatever they want: the modern market fully satisfies the demand in this segment.

Wiring covers

Approaches to concealed installation

When carrying out major repairs, we often encounter the problem of masking wires.
This is due to the fact that the energy consumption of apartments and houses is constantly growing, and outdated cable products cannot cope with the load. In addition, additional sources of energy consumption appear, and separate wires have to be drawn to them. Hidden installation in walls: reliable, but labor-intensive

Leaving the cable lying on the floor is not the best solution, both from a comfort and safety point of view. So you should take care of protecting it from external influences.

Note! If you have small children or pets in your home, then the recommendations below become mandatory!

There are several ways to disguise a cable:

The first, and most reliable, is installation inside the wall . True, in addition to its reliability, this method is also impressively labor-intensive, since to implement it we need to cut grooves in the walls, into which we will then lay the wires.
Another disadvantage of this method is difficult access to conductors . If the contact is broken somewhere, it’s goodbye to repairs: you’ll have to “bite into” the partition again, fix the problem and restore the finish.

Corrugated tubes

An alternative is to lay the wires in corrugated pipes . Plastic tubular casings are very easy to use, and their price is quite affordable. However, their appearance leaves much to be desired.
It is for this reason that corrugated pipes for laying cables are used mainly in industrial and utility buildings, as well as where wiring runs behind plasterboard or lining cladding.

Cable channel system

Well, the third option is special skirting boards for electrical wiring. They are placed on the floor along the walls of the room and hide the laid cable. This type of finishing materials is preferred for use in residential and public buildings.

Skirting design

What is an electrical baseboard?

The design of this device is quite simple:

The main elements of the plinth are made of polyvinyl chloride - a fairly durable plastic that is inert to most chemical influences. Most models are made from PVC with a high content of plasticizer, which prevents parts from becoming brittle and provides sufficient elasticity.

Note! Casings for laying high-voltage cables, which are used in production, are made from special varieties of polyvinyl chloride, characterized by reduced flammability. As for ordinary household models, they are also quite safe from a fire safety point of view, but can still melt when exposed to high temperatures for a long time.

Most models of electrical skirting boards on the market have a similar design. Their main element is the main mounting strip - a plate that provides direct fastening of the part to the wall.
On the outside of the mounting strip there are straight or L-shaped shelves designed for laying wires. There are also simpler varieties in which the cable channel is represented by one common recess in the mounting plate body.

Basic elements of a household plinth with cable duct

The configuration of shelves or channels depends on the brand of baseboard and determines the maximum number and size of wires that can be placed in it.
An external protective panel is used to secure the wiring in the casing and protect it from external influences. As a rule, it is equipped with a clamp-type fastening, which ensures fixation on the mounting plate without the use of additional fasteners.
The protective panel is made of more elastic plastic, which greatly facilitates manipulation during installation and removal. The design of the panel can also be very different: in some models it completely covers the base bar, while in others it only covers its central part.

Household model with laminated body

To ensure an aesthetic appearance, the outer parts of mounting strips and protective panels are often painted in different colors. There are also options for electrical skirting boards with a laminated film applied. The pattern on this film imitates the color and texture of natural wood, stone, etc.

Advantages

Electrical skirting boards have a number of undeniable advantages:

Installing the casing allows for hidden installation of electrical wiring without opening the walls or dismantling the trim or cladding.
In addition, using a similar plinth, you can hide wires from portable electronics, antenna and network cables - i.e. those conductors that cannot be walled into a wall by definition.
The design of most skirting board models provides unobstructed access to their contents for maintenance, repair, replacement, etc. At the same time, the protective panel can be easily removed and returned to its place without the use of tools.

Industrial multi-cable model

The range of these products is very extensive: you can choose models designed for laying a single conductor, as well as boxes designed for multi-wire wiring. Particularly convenient are plinths with several shelves, which allow you to divide conductors into groups: telephone cables, electrical wiring, power cords, etc.
As for appearance, industrial multi-cable varieties are most often produced in white. Household models are characterized by a greater variety of designs, and therefore choosing an electric skirting board, the color and texture of which will harmonize with the decoration of the room, will not be difficult.

Photo of the installed cable channel

Note! The glossy plastic surface is another plus: it makes it easy to clean the baseboard from dust and other contaminants.

Flaws

If we talk about the disadvantages, they relate, rather, not to the very concept of a plinth with a channel for wiring, but to specific models:

Cheap products are often made from PVC with insufficient plasticizer. The result is an increasing fragility of the material and an increased risk of cracking during installation or operation.
The flexible edges of the mounting strips lose their elasticity over time, and a gap forms between the baseboard and the floor, in which dust and small debris collect.
This also applies no less to the locks of protective panels: some structures are almost impossible to open without a tool, and when snapped into place, fragile latches can break
The configuration of the shelves in some varieties of such skirting boards does not ensure rational use of space. However, this may also be due to our subconscious desire to place as many cables as possible in one channel instead of one or two provided by the designers.

You can place a lot of wires, but you shouldn’t overdo it!

Also, inexpensive models are susceptible to ultraviolet radiation, and when exposed to bright sun for a long time, they turn yellow or fade, losing brightness.

Features of the plinth

They are mostly made from synthetic materials. This makes it both simpler and cheaper. As a rule, the price of wooden plinths is much more expensive. But in the case of PVC, everything is much simpler, and even a non-professional can install such a product.

The channel itself is covered with a special panel that hides both the wires and the fastening means (screws or nails). It also helps to beautifully join the plinth itself in a straight section. There are sealing rubber bands at the top and bottom that hide uneven floors.

What is an electrical skirting board and its functions

Wiring is a serious matter, so if you want to hide wires in the baseboard, then it is better to take care of the safety issue prematurely. In principle, you can lay the wire in any baseboard. Moreover, you can hide a lot of wires in the baseboard and get a real cable hub. But this is not entirely safe, since in the event of a short circuit, the baseboard could theoretically catch fire, causing a fire. Of course, it’s not easy to take the frames in the house and burn them down, but the baseboard, for example, can begin to melt and ultimately cause at least trouble.

Today, fortunately, in addition to traditional ones, you can buy so-called electrical skirting boards on the market. They differ from ordinary ones primarily in that they have a special box that serves as a channel for wires. An electrical plinth in such a box allows you to hide from 2 to 4 wires and use the wiring safely. All you essentially need to do is open the baseboard and lay the wires into it.

But in fact, sockets in the baseboard are extremely popular and in many home cases allow you to:

Hide the sockets by merging them with the baseboards. In this case, the sockets do not spoil the interior, but become part of it.
It is convenient to use any electrical appliances, no matter where they are located. You don't need to worry about the wires getting tangled or something being damaged, since the outlet is located in close proximity to the equipment, and there is no need to use additional tees and extension cords.
Hide electrical wires from children and animals. A baseboard socket is safer than an extension cord.