You can change the wiring in only one room. The nuances of replacing electrical wiring in an apartment with your own hands
If the apartment was purchased in a new housing stock, then there is no need to talk about replacing the wiring. But in the case when the purchase of an apartment is carried out from the secondary housing market, in order to reduce the fire hazard, it is still recommended to carry out a complete replacement of the electrical wiring in the entire apartment. Thanks to this, it will be possible to safely connect modern household appliances to the network and not be afraid of heavy loads on it.
Where do you start replacing the old electrical wiring?
First you need to decide on the choice of wires for the main electrical cable, that is, what type of wiring will not spoil the interior of the room, and at the same time ensure sufficient reliability of use.
Open wiring in retro style
If the overall interior design of the apartment is made in a rustic style, then modern electrical wiring will be striking and disrupt the entire composition of the style. Therefore, in this case, preference is given to an open type of wiring. Its essence lies in the fact that the electric cable is not hidden in the wall, but placed on its surface.
But the wires are not fixed to the wall itself, but small rollers are installed under them. In appearance, the rollers resemble small weights for Soviet scales. These rollers are made of glass or ceramic.
When installing electrical wiring in this style, the cable is suspended in a small space from the wall surface. This creates visually additional comfort in the apartment.
Usually, for open-type wiring, single-core copper wires are chosen. These wires are twisted and attached to the rollers, through a small uniform gap, using a thin wire.
Replacement of open electrical wiring is carried out without gating, which is convenient and easily accessible.
Installation of wiring in cable channels
For a modern interior, installation of an open type of wiring is possible. But so that the wires do not hang down in a common pile, they are placed in special cable channels. Cable channels are not a wide plastic box where wires are laid. The top of the box is closed with a lid, which prevents moisture and dirt from getting inside.
The appearance of cable channels is produced in a wide range of colors.
To date, they produce decorative skirting boards for the floor, in which there is space for placing electrical wiring.
With this type of wiring, it is easier to access it for connecting switches and sockets, as well as for subsequent replacement of wiring in old cable channels.
Hidden wiring installation
But sometimes the design of the room does not allow open wiring. And then they use hidden wiring, that is, the cable is laid inside the wall.
- Inside the concrete slabs from which high-rise buildings are built, for hidden wiring, there are special steel pipes and open junction boxes.
- If you decide to replace the hidden wiring with your own hands and do not know the location of the old wires, then you can gouge the channels yourself.
- Hardware stores sell electric wall chasers that can be used to make these channels.
- Wires are laid in the resulting channels. They are best placed in open cable channels or corrugated plastic tubes. From above, everything is covered with plaster and level the surface of the wall.
Instructions for replacing the old wiring
The replacement of the old wiring is carried out completely: from the machines in the shield to all sockets and switches. When installing concealed wiring, old cables must be removed. When laying an open-type electric cable, it is enough to de-energize the old wires and cover them with plaster.
All upcoming work can be divided into five main stages:
- The first step is to develop a diagram of the electrical organization of the apartment.
- Then they draw up a wiring plan, approve and register along with the power supply scheme.
- Arrangement of time for repairs.
- Installation of electrical wiring.
- Connection of levers of influence on electricity, sockets, overall electrical appliances.
Before starting all work, you need to conduct a ground wire.
Drawing up a project for the replacement of electrical wiring
Prior to the start of all work, it is necessary to develop a wiring restoration project. It is usually applied to the plan of the apartment.
On this project, the location of electrical components is noted, and the required cable length is also calculated. The choice of wire type is carried out based on the total load on the power grid. For this, it is taken into account that when household appliances with motors are turned on, the load on the network may increase for a short time. Therefore, machines should be selected taking into account power surges.
Incoming switches are installed taking into account the total power of the total number of electrical devices that are supposed to be used in the apartment.
A common set of cables and switches for an individual working circuit is selected separately, depending on the expected load on it.
In the working structure, 2 zero cables must be provided. Functional zero cable and safety zero cable (for connecting metal lighting fixtures and neutral contact of sockets). Sample projects for the replacement of electrical wiring can be found in photographs from the Internet.
Distinctive points when replacing open type wiring
The initial steps, when replacing this type of wiring, are overhead electrical assemblies. The beginning of all nodes is attached to the wall with dowel-nails. Then, along the course of the electrical network, cable channels are laid.
The wire for the electric stove must be complete, without connecting nodes. An exception is possible if it is planned to carry the stove over a long distance.
The connection must be made securely and closed with a sleeve or heat shrink tubing. Otherwise, during the operation of the stove, the connection point may become hot and lead to a fire hazard. The 3rd core of the wire goes to connect the plate to the ground wire of the apartment.
Special points when replacing closed-type wiring
If it is necessary to replace closed-type wiring, it doesn’t matter completely or partially, work begins with the preparation of new channels for laying hidden electrical components.
Chasing is carried out using a perforator and a set of drills for concrete, round in shape. You can use a special wall chaser, but after it you get tight channels. If the channels are needed wider, then a perforator with a chisel is used.
Distribution boxes are fixed in the received channels. For fixing, it is better to use quick-drying solutions. The same solutions fix the cable in the channels, which are laid to the connection nodes.
Inside the junction box, the wires connected are fastened with any twist option. Then they are either soldered or crimped, and necessarily covered with insulating tape.
As a result, if the wiring replacement process is correctly divided into stages and carried out step by step, then the procedure for installing a new electrical cable will be successful.
Photo of the wiring replacement process
Homeowners face this issue quite often.
It should be clarified that partial replacement here means not only the replacement of electrical installation products - old sockets, switches with new ones, but the replacement of the mentioned electrical accessories and wires only in certain rooms.
Of course, in many respects, the option of completely replacing the wiring in an apartment or house is more preferable, which, probably, any competent electrician can confirm.
Technically, the obvious advantages of installing new electrical wiring in a house are primarily due to the possibility of creating high-quality reliable connections - switching power wires.
About the disadvantages of partial replacement
Having chosen a phased method and laying new wires in a certain room, we, faced with the need to connect the power supply, will be forced to power new sockets and lamps from the nearest existing old distribution box.
Here we must take into account that the old wiring is most often done aluminum wires and their direct compound with new copper due to the electrochemical incompatibility of these materials is unacceptable.
Of course, this is quite fixable using special connecting terminals - on the electrical market, modern manufacturers have provided a fairly wide range of these products. However, one cannot ignore the possible difficulties associated with their use.
It should be taken into account that the lack of free space or a large number of old connections in the box can cause certain difficulties, requiring reconnection of brittle aluminum wires.
However, if the performer has sufficient experience in carrying out such electrical work, this situation is quite solvable. What can not be said about the uniform distribution of the load and the compliance with it of the cross sections of the electrical wiring.
As an example, replacing the old wiring in one room (increasing, as a rule, the total number of “points” in it upwards) with a new one and connecting it to an existing box, most often we have a current overload on the wires feeding this box.
The fact is that the old wiring of the vast majority of our apartments and houses is made by one electrical supply group, the material (aluminum) and the wire cross section of which do not correspond to the power consumption and the number of modern household electrical appliances.
A good solution here would be to power this room, bypassing the junction box - by connecting directly to the circuit breaker of the distribution board.
But even this solution cannot be called universal. For most homeowners, such a change in the interior is unlikely to be acceptable: wires laid through the entire apartment along the wall or ceiling to the electrical panel, even if they are laid in a cable duct, are a very doubtful decoration.
Especially in those cases when repairs are not planned in the premises through which the "transit" supply cables will be laid and there is no possibility to hide them in the strobes.
Summing up
Of course, it is better to make a choice in favor of the complete replacement of all old electrical wiring. But, not always our desires coincide with the possibilities. For various reasons, the most common of which is lack of funds or lack of time, we are forced to resort to phased repairs and not only electrical wiring.
Given the listed disadvantages of partial replacement, its choice should be justified - for example, if such a phased repair is planned to be done in the entire apartment and the mentioned supply wires are laid temporarily and will be hidden during the repair of the following premises.
Electric installation work. Complete or partial replacement of wiring in the apartment, what to choose? Anton Maslov
Partial replacement of electrical wiring in a 3-room apartment. Electrician services Togliatti.
This is due to material possibilities, as well as the specifics of the repair. For example, if the owner of the apartment decided to make repairs only in the bathroom and in the kitchen, there is not always a desire to change all the wiring in the rooms. However, leaving the old electrical wiring in the rooms where the renovation will be done is not the right solution. It is better to overpay a little and replace the cable, as well as electrical accessories with a new, safer and better one. In this case, just a partial replacement of wiring in an apartment or a private house is applied. Features of the work, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this method will be outlined below.
Is it worth it to change the wiring in parts
To make it clear, it is rational to change the electrician in parts and whether it is possible to do this at all, first we list the advantages of this type of wiring:
- Lower costs.
- The speed of wiring several rooms (or individual lines) is higher than a complete rewiring.
- There is no need to make repairs in all rooms.
On this, the advantages of partial replacement of electrical wiring end. If we talk about the shortcomings, there are many more:
- it is possible by far not in all ways, and in any case, such a connection is dangerous. As we know, before all the wiring was carried out with aluminum wire, now you need to use. Therefore, it is impossible to avoid the connection of aluminum and copper with a partial replacement of the electrician.
- Difficulty connecting new lines in old junction boxes. Firstly, there is not enough space for wire switching in old distribution boxes. Secondly, they are quite fragile and can break when laying a new line.
- Increased load on old wiring. If you simply decide to partially change the wiring in an apartment or house, while connecting a new cable to the old one in the junction box, an overload may occur. It is connected with the fact that an old aluminum wire of small cross section will go to the box from the shield, which most likely will not withstand the new load. As a result, you will have to pull the new cable directly from the shield, bypassing the junction boxes. And this is not only problematic, but also complicates the wiring diagram.
- Greater consumption of materials. Due to the use of “bypass circuits”, more cable will be spent on the wiring as a whole. And the work itself will be more difficult and more expensive (if you use the services of specialists).
As you can see, partial replacement of electrical wiring in an apartment and house is possible, but it is more problematic and unsafe. The low reliability of the connections, as well as the high probability of occurrence, are quite significant disadvantages.
Nuances of partial replacement of wiring
In some cases, it is not at all necessary to completely change all the wiring to a new one, even before a major overhaul. To save on replacing wiring, you can leave aluminum wire for lighting, and lay copper for sockets and individual lines. If the old aluminum wire is in good condition, it must withstand a group of fixtures. their power is not very high, besides, new LED and energy-saving lamps consume less electricity than old incandescent bulbs. In total, the replacement of only the power line can also be considered as a partial replacement of the electrical wiring with copper.
With sockets and separate lines for powerful electrical appliances, such a trick will not work. This is due to the fact that the power line must have, and for this a three-core wire is laid instead of a two-core one. Therefore, if you decide that, by analogy with lighting, you can partially change the wiring to connect sockets, you should know that this option is unacceptable.
Work performance rules
In order not to repeat and describe the process of replacing wiring several times, in this article we will provide only the key points that you need to pay attention to. So, if you want to change the wiring in parts in a private or panel house, consider the following recommendations:
- The cable must be three-core, copper, double-insulated. In an apartment and a house, we recommend that you run the VVGng-LS cable either. For sockets, select a cross section of 3 * 2.5 mm2, for a lighting group it will be enough to lay a conductor with a cross section of 3 * 1.5 mm2. A cable with a cross section of 4 mm2 can be brought out to the electric stove. In any case, you need to choose the appropriate size based on the ready-made values.
- Replace sockets and switches with new ones in any case. Sockets must be rated at 16A. In the bathroom and in the kitchen (next to the sink), put sockets with covers to protect the contacts from moisture.
- It is necessary to connect wires of different metals with special terminal blocks or by crimping with appropriate sleeves. Ordinary insulated twists should never be done.
- It is necessary to protect the line from overloads and short circuits with a circuit breaker. RCD will protect against current leakage. We talked about that in a separate article, we also talked about it. It is also possible, which will protect both from overloads, and from short circuits, and from current leaks.
- In a private house, a must. It is not always possible to organize a ground loop in an apartment. In this case, the installation of the RCD and the organization will save.
- Definitely necessary, as well as an old induction meter, if its accuracy class is 2.5.
- All work must be carried out with the power off. If you need an outlet to connect a power tool, you can power it directly from the shield, be sure to turn off all other lines.
- Before proceeding with the electrical installation, be sure to study the described by us, as well as. The information is quite useful and will allow you to avoid the most popular mistakes made by home craftsmen and self-taught electricians.
- In order not to overpay and not to change the machines and the main power lines several times, we recommend that even before performing a partial replacement of the wiring, be sure, and not a specific room, but a complete one.
- Before carrying out work, be sure to prepare all the necessary tools, as well as draw up an estimate for electrical work. The more thoroughly the preparation is done, the faster the main process will be carried out. All the necessary tools are shown in the photo:
By following all the tips above, you will be able to safely and correctly perform a partial wiring replacement. Nevertheless, after completing the work, before finishing the walls, we recommend inviting an electrician to check everything again and ring the circuit.
Replacing electrical wiring is one of the very first and most important stages in the overhaul of an apartment.
Sometimes it is the need to replace outdated wiring that becomes the main argument in favor of radical changes in the appearance of living space.
In this article, we will analyze in detail how to replace the wiring in the apartment with our own hands.
In houses and old apartments built more than 20 years ago, where old-style wiring is still preserved, morally and physically obsolete, it is necessary to replace the electrical wiring. In the last century for the organization of internal electrical networks used aluminum wires.
Aluminum is highly susceptible to corrosion, in addition, during operation, the structure of the metal undergoes irreversible changes, the network becomes very fragile. Insulation deterioration increases the risk of fires due to short circuits.
Among the typical problems of old wiring, mention should be made of:
- Solidly grounded neutrals instead of the currently accepted protective grounding;
- Wiring by branching method;
- Lack of automatic protective shutdown devices;
- Too few outlets.
In addition, the load on internal power networks over the past 15-20 years has increased significantly compared to the design values. Combined with the technical imperfections of older networks, this poses a serious risk of an accident with a possible fire.
- the house was built over 20 years ago,
- sockets sparkle in the apartment,
- outlets fail,
- when turning on electrical appliances, there is a smell of burnt insulation,
- wires break easily
- current flows through the walls,
then the wiring needs to be changed immediately. And the more signs of wear, the less time you have to think.
How to make a competent replacement of the old electric wiring in the apartment with your own hands, see further in the video review:
Sequencing
Let's try to figure out in detail how to properly replace the wiring in the apartment with your own hands. Do-it-yourself step-by-step replacement of electrical wiring in an apartment:
- internal circuits.
- Drawing up a distribution plan.
- Approval and registration of the plan and scheme in the energy inspectorate.
- Temporary device.
- Wiring laying.
- Installation of protective mechanisms and connection points.
Then the power must be turned off, the wires must be routed through the terminal blocks. After that, it is necessary to carry out another check for a short circuit with the machines turned off, and then with the machines turned on, after which you can connect the main machine.
Safety regulations
All work is carried out with a tool with insulated handles, rubberized gloves. For chasing walls at a height, it is best to use goats or a stepladder with a horizontal stop. An ordinary ladder is not reliable enough.
Do-it-yourself wiring replacement is a rather difficult task, but doable if you know how to draw up and read power supply diagrams. Otherwise, it is better not to take risks and contact professional electricians.
In conclusion, we suggest watching a video review on how to choose the right material and do the wiring yourself:
We can: change the old wiring to a new one, at any facility and in any volume; build everything from scratch electrical and low current; partially change the wiring in one room; completely assemble or sort out the electrical panel. Our work complies with all building codes and safety regulations. The features of each object, and the individual wishes of the customer are taken into account. We successfully coordinate all our activities with architects, designers and builders. Knowing all the specifics of finishing the premises on a turnkey basis, we will comply with all time regulations, and always deliver all objects on time. Read our reviews.
How do you know when it's time to change the wiring?
The first sign that something is wrong with the wiring is if you periodically electric shock. The second sign is the frequent or arbitrary operation of automatic machines or the burnout of traffic jams (the presence of traffic jams is already a diagnosis!) And the third sign is the smell of burning, crackling and blinking of light.
You can see what unusable old wiring looks like, and how dangerous it is.
The cost of electrical wiring
2-room apartment
3-room apartment
4-room apartment
Electrical wiring in the cottage
Minimum cost of wiring replacement including material! Price without gating, without a shield, cable in boxes or under the plinth)
The cost of replacing wiring in an apartment with material
1 room apartment
2-room apartment
3-room apartment
Wiring in the cottage
Minimum cost including material! At the rate of 2-3 sockets and 1 light source per room, a shield in the apartment.
Materials needed for the 1st apartment
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Design
At the first arrival of the master (full-time engineer) to the object, all the details are discussed and an estimate is drawn up. After receiving an advance payment (an advance payment is necessary for the purchase of material and usually does not exceed 50% of the cost of work, a start is also possible), a project is drawn up and drawn wiring diagram.
A wiring diagram is included with each project and is free of charge.
Cable laying
After the conclusion of the contract, a team of electricians starts laying the cable. If necessary, the old floors are opened and the ceilings (not the main walls) are broken.
It is worth recalling that the site’s team of craftsmen are, first of all, professional electricians with professional tools! And we're doing ONLY ELECTRICITY and weak point, and do not undertake anything else. We don't do plumbing, we don't level walls, we don't lay tiles, we don't install windows! Our team has been dealing only with electricity and electrical wiring for many years!
All related services: garbage removal, opening floors, dismantling ceilings, etc., — paid separately. The wiring replacement service includes only such works as: purchase of materials, wiring replacement work, commissioning and cleaning after work.
All noisy works: chasing, chiselling, drilling, are carried out only at the time established by law, for each region this time is different. It is allowed to make noise in Moscow from 9.00 to 19.00, with a break from 13.00 to 15.00. On weekends and holidays, only low-noise work is performed.
After laying all the electrics, including low-current cables: audio, video, internet. Socket boxes and junction boxes are being installed (if absolutely necessary). The laying of the socket boxes is agreed with the customer or the finishers. it is more convenient and best to produce after a rough finish (for example, plastering walls)
Mounting and assembly of the shield
The installation of the switchboard can be rescheduled at any time interval during the replacement of the wiring. It is best to install the shield after a rough finish (for example, plastering walls). The shield is assembled at any time, but before installing sockets and switches, for the convenience of commissioning.
Assembling the shield licensed qualified electrician. For the switchboard, we use only high-quality certified materials (automatic devices, RCDs, differential automata, voltage control relays, knife switches, counters). At the request of the customer, cheaper domestic analogues can also be used. Also, for an additional fee, it is possible to connect a voltage stabilizer to the switchboard (the stabilizer requires additional space next to the switchboard).
Installation of sockets and switches
Installation of all electrical installation products is carried out only for finishing. That is, after painting, wallpapering, laying tiles, etc. If necessary, temporary sockets and switches are installed.
In wet rooms, special moisture-proof sockets are installed. In children's rooms (or in the whole apartment) - sockets with internal shutters.
The installation of switches is combined with the installation of temporary lighting sources (Ilyich's bulbs) to check the stability of the entire system.
Switches are selected depending on the wishes of the customer or the project. Since there are various modifications of switches: walk-through, string, illuminated, dimmers, radio switches, non-contact, etc.
All LED strips, transformers and installations using diodes are also mounted on a fine finish.
Partial wiring replacement
Partial replacement of the wiring in the apartment will cost much less than the replacement of the entire electrical wiring (logically, isn't it?). Such a procedure will save on large-scale repairs, and will keep the electrician of the apartment in good condition.
Simple wiring improvement in one room in the first place reduce the load on the rest of the apartment, and secondly, it will allow to make partial repairs in the apartment. Most of all, this is suitable for residents of Khrushchev, communal apartments, hostels and Stalinist houses. As well as several families living in the same living space. If it is not possible to replace all the wiring, first of all you need to think for a partial replacement.
Work priorities to improve the condition of existing or emergency wiring:
- RCD installation
- Laying separate lines from the shield
- Bulkhead junction boxes
- Replacing sockets and switches
- Replacement of lighting fixtures and lamps
How much does a partial replacement cost?
Some companies or private craftsmen take the number of points as a basis. (For example, 500 rubles point). Let's explain why this is wrong. There can be 10 points, but there can be 2 times more lines laid to them (through switches, lines for individual devices, etc.). Therefore, it is always necessary to accurately calculate and understand what these points are. You can simply replace the traffic jams with automatic machines, and in some situation this will be enough. You can change the cable with sockets in the room, or install an RCD. In any case, any of the listed actions improves fire safety and safety of the wiring as a whole.
Prices for our services
website offers 2 options for work:
Low-current system
Everyone knows that when laying rough electrics, it is also necessary to think over and lay all the associated low-current cables in advance.
Exist various low current systems and to the electrical wiring in the apartment, they have nothing to do, since the wiring will work without them. BUT, today, without some of them (and this is at least the Internet), it is not possible to understand modern and comfortable housing.
The main low-current systems in order of demand for them:
- Internet
- TV, telephone
- Fire alarm
- ACS systems (remote access)
Deadlines, guarantee
The duration of the replacement work depends on a number of factors. Usually, all work is divided into draft BEFORE, and finishing AFTER. In such cases, the terms of work directly depend on other craftsmen (plasterers and painters) who make repairs in the room.
Draft laying of communications, this is an average of 1 day / room, installation of sockets and switches for finishing, this is an average of 1-3 days for the entire apartment, as well as the assembly of a switchboard can take 1-2 days.
All terms of performance of work, as well as the guarantee and payment are prescribed in treaty. Prepayment is required only for materials, it is also possible to divide the prepayment in stages by the stages of work performed.
Warranty for all turnkey electrics (maintenance and warranty repair) from 5 years, the warranty period directly depends on the stages of work (turnkey or partial) and the materials used.