Electrical wiring in the apartment - what is hidden in your walls? Tips for replacing wiring in an apartment with your own hands

We all know very well that nothing is eternal and everything must be replaced sooner or later. Electrical wiring, unfortunately, is no exception. And if it is necessary to change the pipes in the house after a fairly long period, then the electrics need to be changed no later than after 15-20 years. The thing is that wiring has a service life - aluminum connections age and become fragile, as a result the metal spreads in the contacts and becomes unreliable. What should be the replacement of electrical wiring and how to carry it out?

Replacing electrical wiring in the house: key points

Whatever one may say, it is impossible to escape from the need to change all the electrical wiring in the house at least once every 20 years. Failure to make the replacement on time will simply mean that the replacement will have to be made at a less opportune time. It is best to change the wiring during repairs, and even if it serves reliably for now, do not put off the work until later. Replacing the wiring when the repair has already been completed will negate all efforts and the wall cladding, as it turns out, was done in vain. You will have to destroy the walls and cover everything with dust again, so it is better not to put off this difficult task for later and replace the wiring during the next renovation of the room.

In a private house, especially a wooden one, it is better to replace the wiring every time you update the walls. It is better to carry out the work before plastering and plan in advance. Determine where household appliances and the most energy-consuming appliances are stored. On the plan, consider the location for each cable before making repairs, taking into account the locations of electrical consumers.

A washing machine, a boiler, a microwave oven, a kettle - each device is demanding of electricity in its own way and needs a separate outlet. Provide electricity to all corners of the house, sockets will not interfere in the bathroom, and even on the balcony there should be at least two of them.

In rooms such as the living room, you should not leave a single wall without an outlet. When rearranging furniture, it may simply turn out that the wiring does not allow connecting all the necessary electrical appliances to the network.

Do-it-yourself electrical wiring in a private house

If you decide to renovate your apartment and want to completely replace the existing wiring, then you should think through every detail.

Special wiring for suspended ceilings. So, for example, if as part of the renovation it is planned to install a suspended ceiling, then it is necessary to think through the entire layout in advance lighting fixtures and their management system. The fact is that suspended ceiling– this is an opportunity to make modern spot lighting, but we must not forget that it also requires special wiring.

Do not replace wiring in “pieces”. If in old apartment in a panel house you need to change the electrical wiring, but you decide to do repairs in only one room, then you should not be tempted to save money in the form of replacing the wiring in only one room. Extra connections on the wiring are very undesirable and it is in such places of previously unplanned connections that breakdowns often occur. Even if you decide to partially replace the wiring, all connections should be placed in separate protected boxes. Under no circumstances should the joints be simply hidden under wallpaper and a layer of plaster, otherwise, if something happens, you will have to completely rip out the wall.

Don't skimp on wiring. Aluminum wiring is cheaper, however, it leads to a number of completely unnecessary problems. Firstly, it lasts less than copper. Secondly, aluminum connections fail in a variety of situations simply due to bending. Sometimes you have to change part of the wiring simply when replacing the socket. If you don't want unnecessary problems, then don’t skimp on wiring.

How to do electrical wiring in a house with your own hands

Today, many schemes are available on the Internet that suggest replacing electrical systems in apartments entirely with your own hands. Moreover, you can easily find detailed videos with instructions that describe each step of any introductory action. If you are not at all friendly with electricians, then it is better not to take risks. However, if you have some experience working with wiring, then you can take on replacing it in the house, if not completely independently, then at least in collaboration with a more experienced specialist.

In general, the first step in replacing electrical wiring is to create a detailed plan for the new wiring. Perhaps during the renovation process you want to change the current distribution of electricity in the house.

Preparing the apartment for work. At this stage, furniture is removed from the housing, and the premises are disconnected from electricity.
Marking. In order not to get confused while performing the work, it is better to initially apply markings on the walls, which indicate the locations of all electrical installations and connecting lines.
Wall chipping. Now the time has come for action. Recesses are made in the walls for wiring and all electrical installation elements.
Laying cables. When all the recesses and places for electrical installation elements are prepared, it is time to directly lay the wiring, first to the distribution boxes, and from there to sockets, switches, etc.
Connection. When everything is ready, all that remains is to connect the electrics and test it in operating mode.

DIY house wiring for beginners

If you have little experience with electrical wiring, the task of completely replacing your home can seem extremely daunting. However, this is by no means true; one should not judge the work without actually doing it. If you create a clear step by step plan work and strictly adhere to it, then you will probably succeed. True, even with an optimal work plan, experience and motivation, one more thing will be required to successfully complete the task - a high-quality, reliable tool. What do you need?

For complete replacement of electrical wiring in the house with my own hands First of all, you need to prepare a hammer drill for many holes in the walls. You may also need a grinder, which can be used to cut out channels for electrical wiring. Among electrical elements do not forget about the input shield, cables, breaker cord, terminal blocks and socket boxes.

The most crucial moment in the task will be the competent connection of all elements; the most difficult task will be gating. In order to make smooth channels for wiring, it is recommended to use not a grinder, but a wall chaser for concrete.

Professional tools are expensive, but they can be rented. Without it, gating will take a long time and will require both a lot of effort and a lot of nerves.

Do-it-yourself electrical wiring in a private house (video)

The electrical wiring in the house should be changed at least once every 15-20 years, as it wears out and works less and less reliably every year. Timely replacement of wiring is a guarantee of peace of mind, because emergency repairs will require damage to the walls, even if we are talking about new repairs. You can replace the electrical wiring on our own, however, to do this you should have at least a little experience working with electrical equipment and a clear, step-by-step work plan. To begin, draw a diagram of the new electrical wiring, then disconnect the house from the light and use the markings to cut out recesses for the new wiring. If you want to save money at all costs, you can partially replace the electrical wiring, for example in one room. However, in this case, all connection points should be placed in separate boxes, access to which should be simplified. In no case should the junctions of old and new electrics be hidden deep under a layer of plaster and wallpaper, since it is in such places that breakdowns most often occur that need to be corrected.

There is no point in delaying the repair of such a plan, since if there is already visible signs problems, the situation is no longer safe. Most structures still use aluminum wires, which were installed in the 80-90s, but are now prohibited for use in residential premises. They have a short shelf life and with constant use they become brittle, break through to ground, and cause short circuits.

Therefore, by delaying the time before repairs, you significantly reduce fire safety your premises, you risk being electrocuted, or endangering all household appliances that are in the house or apartment. Let's take a closer look at when it's time to “dry your oars” and take up a hammer and chisel:

Sockets spark when turned on different types electrical appliances. The load on the network is too high, and the contacts are already burnt out. To prevent voltage surges, you need to change sockets, as well as the wires that go to them.
“It smells like it’s fried.” If you smell melted plastic or rubber when you turn on several electrical appliances, you must immediately reduce the load. Replacement of electrical wiring in the apartment should be carried out as quickly as possible, otherwise there is a risk of the braid igniting.
Increased fragility of aluminum cable. If you take a socket, a machine, and all the wires that go to it break off like dried branches, you should immediately replace them with copper ones, which have an unlimited service life and increased conductivity.
Power is lost. Have you inserted the plug into the socket, but there is no light? Don’t be sad, just a few days with a hammer, chisel, grinder - everything will return to its place, at the same time “refresh” the repair.
The walls, floor, ceiling are electrifying - the first sign that there is a leak from the electrical network; for your safety, you need to eliminate it as quickly as possible by replacing it.

Replacing electrical wiring is not as scary as it is made out to be. In fact, it will only take you one day, the only big inconvenience that will be is that you will have to seriously spoil the renovation of the house, since most of the strobes are installed in the wall vertically above the socket upwards, then parallel to the ceiling towards the switch.

We remove old electrical wiring “without noise and dust”

The first and most important rule of a novice electrician is to turn off the power to the apartment. Never carry out work with the package switch on, as there is a risk of electric shock, and in places where you would not even expect it. In every apartment or house, cables are laid in different places and even when working with a grinder or a chisel (knocking down plaster, making grooves), you can run into a powered cable. The result can be imagined.

A batch switch, as a rule, is located at the entrance to the apartment; it can be for one room, or for several at once, depending on the layout. Sometimes you have to cut off power to your neighbors, so you need to coordinate your actions and choose the most appropriate time.

Next, we work quickly and confidently: we use a pry bar to pry out old switches and sockets, after which we take the wire that fits them and pull it tightly. You will see the general direction where he is going - hammer the wall straight at him. As a rule, the network is located immediately under the plaster, so it can be plucked out with a regular screwdriver, even without the dreaded hammer drill, the operation of which can be heard 10 floors away.

Are looking for junction box. Professional and sober electricians install them, as a rule, right under the ceiling in a corner, so that it is easier to replace the wire later. If the installation was carried out in a “bugger” manner, then you will have to look for a distributor for a long time; it is better to follow the wire from the outlet to the box itself. Sometimes there may not be any; 1 distributor is installed per room, for example, in log houses, but this is rare.

Cutting off input cable, we isolate each core. If you need to change it too, pull it out, install copper, and to be sure, insulate each core. After this, we remove all the “layers”, if it is impossible to pull them out or pick them out (depending on the layout), again we cut off and reliably insulate the cores.

Replacing the wiring in the apartment with a new one and a detailed description of the process

The main thing is calm. No one is pushing you (and even if they are, don’t pay attention), you need to do it carefully, efficiently, so that in a year or two you don’t have to destroy repairs that cost money again. The whole process can be divided into several stages.

Job cutting tool. Depending on the available financial resources, you can chisel a wall with the following tools: a hammer and chisel, a grinder with a special disk for stone, a drill with a special attachment, a wall chaser. Most suitable option in terms of price and quality - Bulgarian. You need to draw on the wall the place where the cable will lie, then cut 2 parallel strips to a depth of 3-4 centimeters, pick out the middle with a chisel.
Installation of distribution boxes, sockets, switches. Make recesses of appropriate sizes in the wall, then install the above devices. It is necessary to think in advance about the geometry of the room, the number of switches, sockets, and their location. As a rule, they rise to a height of 120 centimeters. All space that will be superfluous around the socket or switches should be plastered.
General network check. Everywhere we check the contacts by connecting any device or simply going through it with an indicator screwdriver. We will use a tester to check the possibility of short circuits, turning on the network, wearing protective gloves and connecting the device to each wiring to “ring” the line. Once everything works, you can complete the installation.
Plaster the walls where you made the grooves. You need to level everything to zero, and do it beautifully, so that after finishing with plaster or gluing wallpaper, the characteristic stripe will not be visible.

Important: always make vertical grooves that will go right next to the wall, since you can damage the wiring after a while when you hang a picture on the wall, for example, or run an Internet cable.

Before you begin the work, you need to know a few rules and follow the recommendations of experienced electricians who have been installing networks for many years. Let's consider the basic advice of experienced craftsmen.

Never install new wiring unless you have accurately measured the distance to outlets and appliances. The distance to the grooves and after cutting them can vary greatly; purchased cables may not be enough just a few centimeters.
Never make a cable from two or more pieces. As a rule, such connections do not last long; they will heat up, spark, and oxidize.
Use a cross-section that is 15-20% larger than the total power of all electrical appliances, this will increase the service life of the electrical wiring and also protect against overheating. In order to calculate correctly maximum power, you need to add the energy consumption of all electrical appliances that can theoretically work, and then divide by 220. This will be the number of squares of cable.
Waterproof areas high humidity, for example, in the bathroom, kitchen, toilet, since over time the wire can pierce the wall, it will be unpleasant to “pinch” or even cause an electric shock.

Remember, haste is only needed when catching fleas, while laying new electrical wiring requires consistency, attention and precise measurements. If everything is done according to the recommendations, the repair will bring you only positive impressions.

During major renovations, many decide to immediately change the wiring in the apartment. There are many reasons for this. Firstly, if your house was built a long time ago, then the entire electrical network that was laid in it is already outdated, both physically and morally. Secondly, earlier for wiring in Khrushchev or Stalin's houses Mostly aluminum wires were used, and this metal, as is known, is highly susceptible to corrosion and becomes very brittle during operation. Thirdly, modern electrics are characterized by high power household appliances. About 20-30 years ago, each apartment was projected to have a load of about 3 kW; now this figure has increased significantly.

So, as you can see, replacing wiring is not a whim or a whim, but an urgent necessity. Let us consider in detail how to carry out this process, where to start, which part of the old wiring must be changed, and in which cases it can be left.

Main stages

You need to decide right away whether you can replace the wiring in the apartment with your own hands or whether you will invite professional electricians. Please keep in mind that when major renovation In a residential area, work related to electricity constitutes the most complex and voluminous part.

Accordingly, material costs will be high. If you have no restrictions on funds, then it is better to invite specialists.

Replacing electrical wiring in an apartment with your own hands is based on three main components.

Definitely all aluminum wires must be replaced with copper ones. We have already mentioned that the metal is susceptible to corrosion, moreover, it has a soft structure, it is squeezed out from under the screw terminals, its soldering is a complex and expensive process, and aluminum strands weaken over time. All this can ultimately lead to unreliable contact connections.
It will be necessary to switch from the previously used scheme with a solidly grounded neutral (TN-C) to a scheme with protective grounding of consumers (TN-C-S). Electricity supply according to the previous TN-C scheme was used in the Soviet Union involuntarily, because mass electrification was underway, the electrical networks were very extensive and, in addition, there was an acute shortage of non-ferrous metals. Since the late 90s, the transition to power supply according to the TN–C–S scheme began, which ensures safe operation of consumers regardless of general condition networks.

It will be necessary to install a group connection of consumers using separate branches, whereas previously branched wiring from the main apartment panel through distribution boxes was used.

By new scheme you will have a separate branch from the common panel, made as a single piece of cable, for each group of consumers.

Drawing up a diagram

On initial stage All work will be of a theoretical nature, that is, it will be necessary to clearly determine the scheme and the amount of materials.

Before changing the wiring in the apartment, draw up a diagram showing the layout of the living space. It will be most convenient to take it from the technical passport and redraw it on paper in a box.

An example of drawing up a diagram and further editing on video:

In this drawing, show where all large-sized furniture will be located (so as not to plan the installation of sockets behind it) and household appliances (in this case, on the contrary, sockets should be mounted next to each other). Determine the installation location of the switches; as a rule, they are mounted near front door into the room. Mark where you will need sockets, except for the places where stationary household appliances are installed (refrigerator, oven, air conditioner), that is, it is advisable to decide in advance where you will place or hang the TV, stereo system, computer.

Draw the locations of lighting elements - sconces, bedside lamps, floor lamps.

Keep in mind that powerful household appliances such as a water heating boiler, electric stove, washing or Dishwasher, “warm floor”, should be connected to the electrical network not through sockets, but by a separate line from an individual circuit breaker.

Transferring the layout plan to the walls

Now transfer the drawn up diagram to the walls of your apartment, you will still be doing renovations, so you can still draw on the wall surfaces. Mark the installation locations of sockets, switches, lighting fixtures and distribution boxes (they are usually installed at the entrance to the room). There are no strict sizes for their placement, but try to adhere to the following recommendations:

Switches are located at a height of 0.8 to 1.5 m from the floor level.
The same parameter for sockets varies from 0.3 to 1 m, here everything will depend on your interior. The main thing is that you feel comfortable using them later.

In the bathroom, it is advisable to do without installing sockets. If there is an urgent need for this, then it must be connected through a residual current device (RCD). The distance from the socket to the bathroom elements (sink, bathtub, shower) must be at least 0.6 m.
Distribution boxes are placed at a distance of 15-20 cm from the ceiling surface. Do not forget to take this into account if in the future you plan to lower the ceiling (make it suspended or from plasterboard sheets).

From boxes to switching devices, draw the routes for laying wires.

These routes must be strictly vertical or horizontal; no zigzags or oblique lines are allowed; do not try to save on materials like this.

Necessary materials

Now, based on all the work done, you can determine the amount of materials you will need to change the wiring in the house. Count how many junction boxes, sockets and switches you have marked. If the wiring is of a hidden type, then you will also need a socket box for each switching device. Measure the amount of wire needed along the drawn routing routes using a tape measure. Be sure to take it with a margin for cutting at the joints (6-10% of the total length).

To do the wiring yourself, choose a three-core wire or copper cable. A cross-section of 1.5 mm 2 will be sufficient for a lighting network, for socket groups - 2.5 mm 2, for powerful electrical consumers - 4 mm 2.

We advise you to purchase a high-quality German conductor marked NYM, with polyvinyl chloride insulation. Among domestic cable products, the VVG brand conductor is in greatest demand. Also, for laying conductors you will need a corrugated pipe, and in case open type wiring cable channels. It is better to buy metal corrugation, since in case emergency situation Polyvinyl chloride can decompose and release toxic substances.

Selecting cables and machines on video:

It is imperative to protect your home electrical network from overloads, short circuits and current leaks, so you can’t do without automation. It will be necessary to install an RCD and circuit breakers(or combined options - differential automatic machines). They are selected by rated current depending on the load that will be present on the protected line. Let us give you an example of approximately what machines will be needed for an ordinary three-room apartment:

general input circuit breaker - 40 A;
for the socket group - 25 A;
for lighting - 16 A;
for powerful consumers - 32 A.

When choosing machines, give preference to the leaders in the electrical products market - Legrand and ABB.

There are two types of distribution boxes and they differ from each other only in design.

Square and rectangular boxes are more spacious, while round boxes are much more convenient to install.

Drill for a box like this round hole in the wall is much easier than chiseling a square or rectangular niche.

Be sure to choose sockets with grounding. If there are small children in the house, you will need special devices with protective curtains (so that the child cannot pick around with foreign objects inside). Special attention pay attention to the rated current for which the switching device is designed, otherwise problems may arise when connecting powerful consumers.

Tools

Before you change the wiring in your apartment, you will need to stock up not only on materials, but also on a fairly large number of tools. If you don’t have all the necessary equipment, then it might make sense to turn to professionals. Check out the list of everything you will need to install new wiring, and then make a decision for yourself.

The ideal option is to rent a power tool.

A hammer drill and a set of drill bits for concrete (as well as a concrete drill, a core drill and a chisel). This tool is necessary for installing holes for sockets, switches and boxes.
Level, plumb line and cord for marking the laying of wires.
A grinder (and a stone circle for it) or a wall chaser for making grooves in the walls for wires.
A spatula and plaster (or alabaster) for filling the grooves after the wires are laid in them.
Assembly knife or special device for removing the insulating layer on wires (stripper).
Pliers, a set of flat and Phillips screwdrivers, side cutters.
Soldering iron with solder and rosin for connecting wires.
Indicator screwdriver for determining phase and zero.
Long carry. During repair work To power the power tool, you will use a temporary shed, and its length should be enough to reach the most remote rooms and corners.

Removing old wiring

Replacing the electrical wiring in an apartment with your own hands begins, first of all, with completely de-energizing the room. Turn off the input circuit breaker for the apartment and make sure that there is no voltage.

The easiest way to dismantle old wiring is to start with switches and sockets; remove them, thereby freeing the ends of the wires. Open the covers of the distribution boxes and disconnect all switching units. Now, carefully pulling the old cable, release it from the putty grooves. A special device - a pointer - will help you find wires in wall surfaces. hidden wiring, some in this case even use a metal detector.

If in some place it is not possible to dismantle the cable, then don’t try too hard, don’t destroy the walls. Leave the problem area of the wiring in the old furrow, just carefully insulate its ends on both sides.

Installation of new wiring

It’s worth saying right away that it is not recommended to partially change the wiring. If you decide to renovate again, then do it everywhere. The only case when it is allowed to replace only part of the home electrical network is if a wire has broken somewhere and needs to be repaired.

And now the process of installing the new wiring itself. Perhaps in some of the rooms the path of the wire from the box to the sockets and switches will remain the same. This is good, you won’t need to drill new grooves.

In the case when you planned to do everything completely differently, start with the holes for switching devices and distribution boxes, and make grooves between them for laying wires.

Note! Since you have already dismantled the old wiring and are just installing new wiring, there will be no voltage in the apartment at all. To connect a power tool, use a temporary shed that can be thrown from the input panel, or negotiate with your neighbors to supply power from them through a carrier.

Cut the necessary pieces of conductors and corrugated pipe. Tighten the wires into the corrugation and place them in the grooves made. Don't forget to leave ends on both sides for connection. Install the socket boxes into the holes made, tighten the wires into them and now you can fix them with alabaster mortar.

The grooves do not need to be covered with a continuous layer of alabaster; it is enough to grab them every half meter.

Connect the wires to sockets and switches, install switching devices in sub-sockets. Now make all the necessary connections in the junction boxes.

Keep in mind! If you want to make lighting on a balcony or loggia, then you don’t need to pull a whole branch there; the lamps are connected through the sockets of neighboring rooms.

Be sure to test new wiring before starting finishing works in the apartment.

If there are doubts between partial and complete replacement of electrical wiring, then the answer can be found in the video:

We explained to you how to replace the old wiring; there are no particular difficulties here. Those who have at least once done electrical work and are well versed in electrical engineering can handle it on their own. But sometimes it’s better not to take risks, and at least consult with professionals.

Old-style apartments, called “Khrushchev-era” apartments, have many problems with electrical wiring:

Single Insulated Aluminum Wires

Lack of grounding

Lack of residual current devices

Insufficient number of sockets in living rooms and kitchen

The wiring was done using the branching method.

All this does not suit the needs at all modern man and his apartment, where several electrical appliances are located and often work simultaneously (stove, microwave, electronics, washing machine, boiler, air conditioner, etc.).

Stages of replacing wiring in an apartment

Chaotic behavior when replacing wiring is not welcome, so you need to adhere to a strict plan:

Draw a wiring diagram

Select machines and wires

Prepare a wiring plan and have it approved by the energy service

Triple the makeshift

Route the wiring

Install RCDs, sockets, switches and electrical appliances

Important! Before work begins on replacing the wiring, it is necessary to arrange protective grounding.

How to make a wiring diagram

This diagram is a special drawing of an apartment, which indicates:

Location of sockets and switches

Lighting sources

Electrical appliances

Distribution boxes

Electrical panel

All wires

IN modern apartments ah, each group of energy consumers has its own cable. Thanks to this, in the event of a breakdown, the electricity is turned off only in the problem area, while the rest of the apartment remains operational.

There are separate requirements for the bathroom - there must be an RCD here, since this is a room with high humidity.

The wiring diagram looks something like this (naturally, individual for each apartment):

Selection of machines, wires, drawing up a diagram

For modern apartments, it is necessary to replace the input circuit breakers and install an RCD.

The selection of machines is carried out in this way:

For the entire apartment: standard rating from 25 to 32 A, RCD - 50 A and 30 μA

For the kitchen: 25 A, RCD 30 A and 30 µA (wire cross-section - 4 mm2)

For air conditioner: 16 A, RCD - 30 A and 30 μA (cross section - 2.5 mm2)

For lighting: type B, nominal - 10 A

For sockets: nominal - 16 A

Aluminum wires must be replaced with copper ones, which conduct current much better and last longer due to their flexibility and strength.

Attention! Under no circumstances should copper wires be connected to old aluminum ones, as an oxidation process will begin at the junction, which will lead to destruction of the contact.

The most commonly used wires in apartments are VVG and VVG NG (non-flammable wire).

For sockets, a 3-core cable with a cross-section of 2.5 mm2 is selected. For lighting devices, a 2-core cable with a cross-section of 1.5 mm2 will be sufficient. But for a fairly powerful electric stove You need a 3-core cable with a diameter of 4 mm2.

In accordance with the selected machines, another diagram is drawn up - power supply.

Its graphical appearance:

And schematic:

You need to start drawing it with the meter (in the diagram - kWh), then comes the RCD and all other elements of the electrical network.

Info! In the diagram, the wires are crossed out with slashes - this means that there are only two wires: neutral and phase. If grounding is still present, then there should be 3 dashes.

The letters L, N and PE are the foreign designation for phase, neutral and ground wires. In the diagram, the ground wire (PE) goes separately.

To clarify what certain designations look like, you need to refer to the Rules for the Construction of Consumer Electrical Installations (PUE) or GOST 2.755-87.

How to set up an electrical wiring plan

The most scrupulous and important point drawing up an electrical wiring plan is considered. After all, it is this document that will be sent to the energy service for approval.

He looks like this, already quite serious:

To do it quickly and correctly, you need to take the plan of your apartment from the BTI and redraw it on Blank sheet appropriate size. In this case, there is no need to transfer any old designations - the contours of the rooms, the area and everything that does not concern electrical wiring, the placement of electrical appliances, lighting, and sockets should remain. All this will need to be applied independently, in accordance with what is planned when replacing the wiring.

There should not be any blots on the sheet; it would be better to redraw everything completely later.

After this, if everything is drawn up correctly, the plan will be approved and you can begin to dismantle the old wiring and install the new one.

Wiring installation

Before you begin dismantling and installing wiring, you need to collect all the necessary tools:

A hammer drill with a drill size of at least 16 mm

Core drill (90-100 mm) and chisel (25-30 mm) for concrete

Grinder with a circle for cutting stone

Phase indicator and multimeter

Soldering iron

Assembly knife

Screwdrivers, side cutters and pliers - all with insulated handles

Flashlight and electric portable lamp

Alabaster and chapelle

Level and cord for checking the accuracy of punching grooves

As well as devices and materials:

Socket boxes

Electrically conductive lubricant

Corrugation for cable
Switchboard

Temporary structure

When working with electrical wiring, you will definitely need electricity to operate the hammer drill, grinder and light supply. To do this, you will need to arrange a temporary shelter, which is the structure of their wooden or plastic timber, sockets and extension cord. All this is removed from the apartment and is powered by an external meter.

Removing old wiring

Important! Before any work (even at the stage of setting up a temporary shed), you must turn off the electricity, check its absence with a multimeter, and only then begin dismantling the wiring.

Dismantling begins from the distribution boxes, which are usually located under the ceiling. Having opened the box, you need to find the input wire and remove it or cut it and insulate it. Then you can remove all other wires.

Wall grooves (when laying wiring in new grooves)

Walls can only be tapped in two directions: horizontal and vertical. Any curvature will then come out sideways and lead to emergency situations.

Using a hammer drill, the boundaries are determined: the width and length of the groove, which are then gouged out manually with a chisel. If you need to make a corner, you will have to make an oblique cut using a grinder and knock out a hole, then the corrugation with the cable will lie flat and without sharp bends.

To hollow out a hole for the socket box, you need to use a crown that fits onto the hammer drill.

Important! The crown is only suitable for walls made of brick; for concrete walls you will need to use a chisel, since the crown will simply crumble when it hits the reinforcement.

All holes for socket boxes are made at the distance at which it will be convenient to use them.

Advice! The outlet for the air conditioner should be placed higher than all the others so that the cord from the equipment does not dangle in plain sight.

Wiring

Before you start laying the wires in the grooves, you need to prepare their corresponding sections, and the corrugation for them. Then, on the floor, the wires are pulled into a corrugation, and all this is placed in the grooves, and the ends of the wires are inserted into the socket boxes.

The socket boxes and grooves are covered with a solution: the socket boxes - around the entire circumference, and the grooves - in separate sections every 0.5 meters.

As soon as the installation is completed, you need to insert the input wire into the electrical panel and lubricate it with thermal conductive paste. All this is well secured and connected to the grounding terminal, after which the shield is secured with dowels to the wall.

Next, you need to turn off the temporary structure, insert the wires from the meter and the grounding wire into the panel, which must be connected to the panel body. The drive from the meter is isolated and placed in the incoming electrical panel.

Then the entire structure is secured and you can begin plastering the walls.

Important! Before plastering, you must first push rags or foam rubber into all the grooves and cover the shield with film.

The final stage of wiring replacement

When everything is plastered and painted, all that remains is to clean the socket boxes and install sockets, switches and lamps.

Now the most important thing: each branch of the wires must be checked for a short circuit by a tester. To do this, you need to apply current for a while and use the indicator to find the zero and phase that come from the meter. And only after they have been determined can you enter necessary wires to the appropriate terminal blocks.

Important! Even after the wires are inserted into the terminal blocks, you need to check them all again for a short circuit, and only then turn on the main circuit breaker and supply current to the apartment.

After the control check, you should check the operation of sockets and lamps.

Convenience of repairing new electrical wiring

After installing new electrical wiring, you don’t have to worry about its serviceability for a long time. But if problems arise for some reason, then it will be enough to use the wiring diagram drawn up earlier, find the area where the problem arose, and check each junction box for proper connections and, using a “test,” identify the damaged wire.

Advice! A dialer is a very useful device for every home craftsman and owner of hidden wiring. It consists of a regular battery, a light bulb, connecting wires and clamps.

Independent replacement and repair of electrical wiring is the most difficult and important stage of apartment renovation. They require a careful approach to everything: developing a wiring plan, laying wires, connecting energy consumers. It often happens that just one mistake can cause a fire.

Training video on replacing wiring

Electrical wiring can last a maximum of about 20 - 25 years. Then it becomes unusable and needs to be replaced. IN modern conditions replacement is required much earlier because the wiring is subject to a very high load. In Khrushchev and panel houses These works are performed approximately the same. In this article we will talk about how to replace electrical wiring in an apartment, we will give step by step instructions, and we will also accompany all photos and video materials.

Signs of destruction

Electrical wiring begins to deteriorate over time. However, it can burn out much earlier. The reason for this today is various electrical appliances that require a lot of energy. A particularly “gluttonous” unit is the heater. Such devices can consume 7 times more energy than a TV.

If you connect a computer, a refrigerator, a heater, as well as household appliances like microwave oven, then soon either the electricity will go out or irreversible processes in the wiring will begin.

There are several signs that signal that it is time to begin a major replacement:

when you turn on the devices, the sockets spark;
there is a distinct smell of burning;
the wiring easily breaks off, like a dried twig;
some outlets no longer have power;
current leaks through the walls.

Already the first three signs indicate that there is no need to hesitate any longer.

Preparation

Bulgarian;
perforator;
screwdrivers;
soldering iron;
pliers;
terminal blocks;
putty knife;
level;
phase indicator.

The wiring is purchased after the length of the route along which the cable will be laid has been measured. It is necessary to make allowances for this length so that the wire is exactly enough.

In addition, we must take some Consumables. For example, you will need rag tape.

Power consumption

Replacement of electrical wiring must be carried out in such a way that failures and overvoltage do not occur. To do this, you need to have enough power for each device.

The power depends on the cable cross-section. To do right choice, you need to do a little calculation.

It is necessary to add up the power of all devices that will be connected to the network.
An additional 100 watts should be added to each device.
Now the resulting number must be divided by 220.

If the final number is between 12 and 15, then wiring with a cross-section of 1.5 mm2 will suffice. This is the most common indicator. However, sometimes the result is higher.

If, as a result, the amount turns out to be higher than the specified interval, then the master has two ways out of the situation.

Wiring with a larger cross-section can be installed.
It is necessary to make two or three cable lines from the shield.

The second option is preferable because a thicker cable makes the system unreliable. There is a high probability of failures.

Now that everything is ready, all that remains is to figure out how to replace the electrical wiring.

This is where the work itself essentially ends. All that remains is decorative finishing surfaces. If we are talking about wooden house, then internal cable routing is practically impossible here. That is, theoretically it can be done with the help of professionals. But it’s better not to take on such work on your own. In wooden structures, cables are routed externally using different sleeves.