How to install and why you need sockets in the floor: pros and cons, features of operation and care

Sockets on the walls do not always meet aesthetic criteria. And from a practicality point of view, wall fittings are not the right solution when there is a large amount of electrical or office equipment in the room. In this case, the wires will creep along the floor, which is inconvenient and unsafe.

The solution to the problem is a floor socket, which is installed in the floor and masked with special hatches. The cover protects the nest from the penetration of water and foreign objects.

From an aesthetic point of view, floor fittings are preferable to a classic wall rosette, as they are installed flush with the surface and match the interior thanks to the decorative overlay.

What it is?

Floor sockets are special products designed to connect equipment in the workplace. The installation of such devices allows you to optimize and secure connection points for electrical appliances in the interiors of houses, apartments or office premises.

Special hatches in the floor allow you to place connectors for a TV, telephone, computer and other equipment.

Sockets and hatches built into the floor are practical and easy to use. They have a modern appearance and easily fit into any interior.

In addition, they are ergonomic and fully meet safety requirements. But first things first.

Installation and connection of sockets in the floor.

If you don’t know how to install a floor socket, then this article is just for you. But I would also like to note that in the absence of experience in installing sockets and electrical equipment in general, ElectroManual.ru does not recommend carrying out such work (it is better to trust the specialists), since installing sockets in the floor is a more complex process than wall sockets.

How to install a socket in the floor.

It is necessary to plan this work at the stage of installing the floor, since in the future it will not be so easy to install an outlet, because you will have to make a hole in the floor, which is not always possible without serious time and material costs.

Features of floor sockets

Floor sockets have the same electrical characteristics as conventional products (those mounted on walls). Here, a voltage of 220 Volts is also required, after which electrical equipment is connected to the outlet.

The main feature is the design and auxiliary fittings required for installation.

The floor socket kit includes:

• Housing with lid;
• Special supports for snapping;
• Cable clamp;
• Partitions, clamps and other accessories.

This configuration is sufficient to properly install the product and ensure the safety of its use. At the same time, the hatch in the floor for sockets reliably protects against mechanical influences, ingress of water or dirt.

The advantage of the designs is that other connectors can be provided inside - for connecting a telephone, Internet cable and other wires.

Everything you need is in one housing, which saves space in the room and simplifies the installation process.

Installation

A floor socket is usually sold as a kit, which includes all the necessary parts for installation:

• installation box;
• box;
• hatch box with lid;
• hatch clamps;
• mounting supports;
• cable clamps;
• partitions for sockets;
• sockets

The kit may include supports for sockets. These devices are placed at a depth of 7–10 centimeters (plastic fittings) and 8–11 centimeters (metal models).

DIY installation instructions

Self-installation of fittings is carried out in the following order:

1. We bring the wires in the cable channels to the area where the outlet will be installed.
2. If a screed is planned, install a filler box. We direct the conductors into the grooves of the box.
3. When the screed is filled, remove the box. You need to act carefully so as not to disturb the edges of the formed niche.
4. If the socket is installed in a wooden floor, a niche is created by cutting the desired socket on the surface.
5. We install the housing in the niche. We fix the case using the fasteners included in the kit.
6. We connect the socket terminals and mount them on the guides.
7. We install the fasteners on the hatch cover.

When the installation work is completed, we test the system for functionality. Particular attention should be paid to the tightness of the hatch.

According to version

The products in question also differ in their design options. They are:

• Made of plastic;
• Metal (using brass, steel or other alloys);
• For installation in the floor (subject to ceramic tile cladding);
• For installation in the floor with subsequent use of laminate, parquet or carpet;

• With increased resistance to moisture (IP66, IP44);
• With different installation depths;
• To accommodate one socket;
• To accommodate from two to twelve sockets.

Also, sockets (hatches) in the floor may vary in color. The following options are possible here - gray, beige, white, graphite, brass, steel or aluminum colors.

Conclusion

Thus, recessed sockets in the floor will help solve not only design issues, but also problems with connecting household appliances installed away from the walls. However, it is important to carefully plan the wiring before you start renovating and pouring floors - and then bundles of wires will no longer get tangled under your feet. To study the installation process of the described devices more clearly, we recommend watching the video in this article.

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Other types of device

The main characteristics by which products can be classified include the possibility of regulation, the number of sockets in one housing, as well as the material of manufacture. The last two signs are discussed above.

As for adjustments, there are two options:

• Stationary models are floor sockets that are installed on the floor without the ability to move.
• With the possibility of fixation - devices that, if necessary, can be adjusted in height and position.

The number of sockets in a special hatch varies from 1 to 12 pieces. The material used is plastic or metal.

Preparatory stage

Before you begin installation, you will first need to complete the preparatory step:

1. First you need to lay the wire to the place where the socket will be installed in the future. The wire should be taken with reserve, as unforeseen circumstances can always arise.
2. Many experts recommend laying the cable in a plastic or steel pipe. This ensures reliable protection against further damage.
3. For an outlet in the floor, you should select the optimal cross-section that can withstand all the loads.
4. After laying the flooring, you will need to mark the place where the outlet will be laid in the future.

Floor hatches for sockets - selection criteria

Floor hatches are the best solution when organizing a workplace if information and power cables are laid under the floor covering.

To install sockets, special hatches are used in which various types of products are mounted - 220 Volt sockets, connectors for connecting a TV, computer or telephone.

Depending on your preferences, you can choose a hatch with different depths. If necessary, it is possible to install an open socket in the floor (without a cover).

When choosing the appropriate option, it is important to take into account the operating conditions and purpose of the room. For example, when installing a floor socket on a terrace, it is necessary to install special hatches that reliably protect against moisture and dust (IP66).

In order not to make a mistake in choosing, it is worth considering the following characteristics:

• Type of flooring - raised floor or concrete. In the first case, the height of the floor is taken into account, and in the second, the thickness of the hardened mortar.
• The number of modules is 45x45, the number of different sockets (information and power), as well as other products.
• Color. There are many options to choose from, which were mentioned above (gray, beige and others).
• Terms of Use. When choosing, you should focus on the requirements for protection from moisture and dust (IP level).
• Type of material. Floor sockets can be made of various materials - plastic or metal. In the latter case it is aluminum, brass or steel.
• Delivery terms.

To avoid dismantling the hatch in the future, it is recommended to immediately decide on the principles of using the device. If over time you plan to expand the functionality of the structure, it is advisable to install a frame module in the raised floors.

If you need to power one or two electrical appliances, a small device recessed to a minimum depth will suffice.

An equally important point is the protection of the wire that goes to the outlet in the floor. Corrugated tubes are supplied with some products. Their use is desirable if there is free space between the main floor and the raised floor.

Rules for choosing floor sockets

Currently, a fairly large number of electrical installation products for floors are used. They are used to connect various devices: phones, computers, television equipment, etc. They are made from a variety of materials. To purchase the most suitable model, you need to check it according to several criteria:

• The degree of moisture protection - the higher it is, the better the device is protected from water penetration. For dry rooms, devices with a low index are suitable; for wet rooms, you should choose maximum protection.
• The required depth of the cover can vary from 6 to 26 mm. This parameter depends on the height of the pouring or false floor and the finish used.
• Required number of sockets. There can be single and paired modules, and there are also combinations of 4, 6, 8 and 12 devices.
• Accounting for socket type.
• Color - usually matched to the floor finish or the interior of the entire room.
• Modification - a simple floor socket, hatch, column, mini-column.

USEFUL INFORMATION: How to connect a telephone socket to a wire: wire color scheme

• The material from which the socket is made. The most common materials are steel, plastic, brass, and aluminum. In order not to overpay for unnecessary functions, you need to know several features of the device. Thus, plastic models are not much inferior to their metal “brothers” in terms of strength and wear resistance: they can withstand loads of up to 300 kg. At the everyday level, this is an almost imperceptible difference. But when arranging offices and passageways, preference should be given to metal devices: they are more durable and durable.
• Ease of opening the device cover, tight fit.
• The required quantity is 1, 2, a small socket block or column.
• Terms of Use.

Important! When purchasing, be sure to check the package contents of the device. If any part is missing, it will no longer be possible to install the socket.

Mounting housings

Before carrying out installation work, it is worth preparing free space. With frame kits, you need to secure the product using self-tapping screws or screw-type clamps.

The set of fasteners directly depends on the material from which the base for fastening the structure is made.

In the case of using a poured coating, it is possible to install an inexpensive plastic housing to a depth of about 8 cm or a galvanized kit with a immersion of 20-30 cm. The latter solution is suitable for industrial premises.

As an example, a galvanized kit is often used for output from special-purpose cable routes.

The greatest difficulties are associated with installing sockets in a concrete floor. The reasons are as follows:

1. The installation niche will have to be knocked out, which requires considerable effort and time.
2. During the work, you cannot do without an impact drill or hammer drill, with the help of which you can create the necessary mounting holes.

At the final stage of installation, the cover is attached using brackets and clamps.

Schneider floor hatches - solutions for organizing workplaces in offices

Often, when laying cable routes in open-plan office spaces, the question arises about the use of floor-mounted switching hatches to organize workplaces. The market for these products is not very saturated with high-quality, well-thought-out offers at an affordable price and is limited to offers from one or two manufacturers. Yes, and they have their drawbacks.

Installers always actively respond to new products in this segment, especially when world-famous manufacturers enter the field.

Let's try to satisfy the hunger for information and provide some bread and circuses! The article will focus on switching hatches from Schneider Electric, which are part of the new Optiline 45 product line for commercial buildings.

Hatches are presented in three modifications: for 4, 6 and 8 mechanisms of the popular standard size 45x45mm (Fig. 1), (Fig. 2). Rosette supports are compatible with any products from other manufacturers of this format. But there is no need to look for them separately because... As part of the same Optiline 45 line, Schneider Electric offers a wide selection of affordable power and low-current sockets, combined into the Altira series (Fig. 3).

Rice. 1 Plastic hatches

Rice. 2 Stainless steel hatches

Rice. 3

As for the sockets, they differ from analogues from other manufacturers in their reasonable price, ultra-fast and safe installation method due to the use of self-clamping terminals. The speed of connecting one socket is no more than 10 seconds, a block of 2 sockets with pre-prepared jumpers is 15 seconds.

And so, back to the review of hatches. A distinctive feature of hatches (I have not seen anything similar from other manufacturers) is that the same models are made of both plastic and stainless steel and have almost identical dimensions.

Rice. 4

Models made of plastic have high quality materials from which they are made, as well as precise fit of all parts of the body. The design is simple and convenient. Nothing superfluous, everything is thought out, neatly, which is quite expected (Fig. 5).

Rice. 5

Rice. 6

The stainless steel hatches (Fig. 7) were a revelation. Similar solutions from other manufacturers are 2-3 times more expensive. Thanks to this, they can compete with plastic solutions.

For those who have never encountered the operation of such products, I will share my experience. The life cycle of hatches made of plastic during active use and constant physical impact is relatively short. Over time, they are subject to deformation, can fall apart, and take on an unpresentable appearance. Although the manufacturer claims the permissible load for plastic and stainless steel models is the same and equal to 300 kg.

Rice. 7

At the same time, hatches made of metal in “office” conditions have an almost unlimited resource. And if you don't want to pay twice, this is the only right solution for high-traffic areas.

I would note the following advantages of stainless steel hatches: - almost unlimited resource; — a fairly large thickness of the coating inserted into the lid.

Separately, it should be noted that the depth of the lid allows you to install not only carpet, but also tiles up to 15 mm thick.

To secure the hatch frame itself, a spring-loaded latch is used, which allows you to snap the frame into a floor with a thickness of 10 mm or more without the presence of tools.

Rice. 8

So-called access hatches can be purchased separately (Fig. 8). They are a hatch body with a cover without rosette supports. The low cost justifies the rationale for their use. Permissible load 300 kg.

Dimensions and contents

The dimensions of the hatches in the horizontal plane are 199x199 (for hatches with 4 mechanisms 45x45) and 199x276mm (for hatches with 6 and 8 mechanisms 45x45).

Rosette supports can be placed at a depth of 70 to 100 mm in plastic hatches and from 80 to 110 in steel hatches, the depth adjustment step is 5 mm. A special adapter allows you to place circuit breakers and RCDs in the hatch.

Installation

OptiLine 45 floor hatches are suitable for installation in all types of floors, both raised floors (socket outlets and access hatches are installed directly into the prepared hole of the raised floor panel) and concrete floors. A special fastening kit in the form of two screw clamps is provided for the raised floor. For poured floors, two types of installation boxes can be used (Fig. 9). Inexpensive plastic with adjustable depth 75-95 mm and galvanized with fixed depth 250 or 350 mm. The latter are supplied as part of a single solution for organizing underground cable ducts for poured floors. Both types of boxes are equipped with protective covers made of chipboard to protect against the ingress of cement mortar.

Rice. 9

The relevance of using galvanized steel ducts for laying cables in a concrete floor can be debated for a long time. The prices for these boxes often force you to use something cheaper. But in any case, the range of the OptiLine 45 line includes such boxes (Fig. 10). Let me clarify that they are compatible with OptiLine45 hatches and installation boxes, it cannot be otherwise.

The boxes are supplied in pieces of 2 meters and are available in eight standard sizes: - two-section boxes: 150x28mm, 150x38mm, 200x28mm, 200x38mm; — three-section boxes: 250x28mm, 250x38mm, 350x28mm, 350x38mm.

The box system consists of the tray itself, the cover, fastening brackets and transitions for transferring the box from the horizontal plane to the plane of the wall.

Rice. 10

Equipment and nuances

The hatch delivery set includes: - hatch frame with cover; — mounting supports for direct snapping of mechanisms 45x45 (height adjustable); — cable holder/organizer (located next to the cable outlet in the hatch cover); - two partitions; — six cable clamps.

Rice. eleven

Among the necessary additional accessories, the caliper cover (shown in Fig. 11) should be noted. The need for its use can be debated for a long time, but as electrical safety it is a necessary protection.

Summing up

The new product line from the global manufacturer Schneider Electric will still have to prove in practice its undeniable advantages over analogues from third-party manufacturers.
But now, taking into account the presence of all the necessary accessories in this line, practicality and quality, we can confidently say about the “freshness” of this product on the market. UPD: where can this be installed?

Contact information Questions about products/product prices can be written to: sс [email protected] MUK-Service - all types of IT repairs: warranty, non-warranty repairs, sale of spare parts, contract maintenance

What the market offers - main manufacturers

When choosing floor hatches, you should give preference to well-known manufacturers - Legrand (France), Ecoplast (Russian Federation), Simon (Spain), IEK (Russian Federation), Bticino (Italy), as well as GIRA (Germany). Also popular are companies such as Vergokan, Efapel, DKC, JSL and ABL-Sursum.

If a floor socket is required, you can use products from the following brands - JUNG, GIRA, Siemens, RENA and Berker (all Germany), Bticino (Italy), Schneider Electric (France) or Simon (Spain).

Legrand

Today, the manufacturer Legrand is a leader in the production of electrical devices. So it is not surprising that the products of this brand are in greatest demand. The main difference is the large equipment.

It was previously noted that floor-mounted cases can contain up to 12 sockets, but in the case of Legrand, up to 24 different sockets are available to users.

To ensure greater security, dividing panels are used that separate the functional points from each other.

The differences between the brand’s products include a number of stylistic features. Thus, a socket in a Legrand floor can have a decorative design and be made to match various textures - mosaics, carpet, stone or wood.

Legrand metal hatches:

• Round metal hatch with one module 45x45 mm. The device has an IP protection rating. Color is stainless steel.

• Metal hatch with one module 45x45 mm. The product has a degree of protection IP44 and is made of metal. Color: stainless steel. The shape is rectangular.

• Metal hatch with two modules 45x45 mm. The degree of protection from moisture and dust is IP44, the device is made using metal. Color: stainless steel.

• Metal hatch with one module. Has dimensions 45x45 mm. Degree of protection - IP The product has a round shape, is made of metal, has a bronze color.

• Metal hatch with one module. Dimensions - 45x45 mm. Moisture and dust protection level IP The product is made of metal, color - “bronze”.

• Metal hatch with two modules. The dimensions of the device are 45x45 mm. Degree of protection - IP The product is made of metal and has a bronze color.

Legrand plastic hatches:

• Floor hatch for 3 modules. The product is made of gray plastic. There is one mechanism for connecting electrical receivers. Dimensions - 45x22.5 mm.
• Floor hatch, 6 mechanisms. The features of the model include the presence of a plastic case and a lid made of stainless steel. Number of mechanisms - 6. Module dimensions 45x45 mm. The installation depth is 7.5 to 10.5 cm. The cover has an anti-corrosion coating.
• Floor hatch, 6 mechanisms. The dimensions of the device are 45x45 mm. Installation is carried out to a depth of 7.5 to 10.5 cm. The product is made of plastic and has a gray color.

• Floor hatch, 9 mechanisms. The dimensions of the device are 45x45 mm. The box is installed to a depth of 7.5 to 10.5 m. The material used is plastic, the color is beige.

• Floor hatch, 12 mechanisms. Like most of these models, the dimensions of the device are 4.5 by 4.5 cm. Installation is possible at various depths in the range from 7.5 to 10.5 cm. The material used is plastic. The surface is beige.
• Floor hatch for 4 mechanisms with dimensions 45x45 mm and two mechanisms for 45x22 mm. The installation depth is 6.4 m. The product is made of plastic and has a gray color.

Types of sockets

In terms of design type, there are two types of floor sockets:

• fittings with lid;
• hatch (built-in model).

Based on the number of connectors, models are divided into three types:

• with one connector;
• for 2 – 3 connectors;
• multifunctional models (up to 10 - 12 connectors, network connections, fuses).

The floor socket can be made of the following materials:

• plastic;
• metal (stainless steel, aluminum, steel);
• any of the above materials with decorative cladding (marble, parquet, linoleum, etc.).

In apartments and private houses, plastic fittings are most often used. Such devices are cheaper than metal ones and have a sufficient margin of mechanical strength.

Stainless steel hatches are distinguished by their high cost and almost unlimited service life. Stainless steel models are preferable for high mechanical loads and intensive use (this condition is typical for office premises).

Another important characteristic that distinguishes one model from another is the depth of the insert. When choosing a device, you should pay attention to the correspondence of the insertion depth to the floor level.

Note! Floor fittings and wiring can be hidden under a collapsible baseboard. Up to three cables can be placed in the baseboard, and therefore up to three connection points can be placed in one room. The socket is mounted directly into the baseboard or installed close to it - in the wall.

Security level

When choosing sockets for the floor, it is recommended to pay special attention to safety:

1. In terms of strength, models made of steel and aluminum take the lead. Such fittings will not lose functionality under loads of up to 4 - 5 tons.
2. Another security criterion is the IP rating (intrusion protection rating). This rating shows the degree of protection against liquids and foreign objects entering the outlet. For household fittings, the minimum IP rating is 22. But for a floor-standing model (taking into account all the risks of operating such a device), the IP rating should be higher - from 44 to 67.