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Features and installation rules

Gone are the days when each room had one or two sockets, and electrical appliances were connected through a tee or purchased or homemade extension cords snaking along the floor and walls.
General rules for using electrical appliances, especially high-power ones, do not recommend using extension cords or tees to connect them. Not all of these devices are high quality. In addition, some of the power is lost in them; excess contact can cause sparking and overheating. Wires snaking across the floor make it difficult to walk around the room, and can also cause falls and more or less serious injuries. It is best to connect devices directly to an outlet.

To do this, when designing, you should consider the location of electrical outlets in the bedroom so that extension cords are not needed for constantly connected devices. In addition, you should leave some reserve in case you buy a new electrical appliance.

Recommendations for placing connection points in the bedroom are somewhat different from the standards for other residential and non-residential premises (20 cm from the floor). In the bedroom, most of them are located according to the principle of maximum accessibility, at arm’s length from the place where one or another electrical appliance is used. They also try to avoid lower placement, since the risk of getting wet during wet cleaning increases.

What is the best way to arrange sockets in the bedroom? There is no strict standard for the placement of sockets in the bedroom; it is subject to the following basic principles:

reasonable sufficiency;
safety (no extension cords or tees);
ease of use and consumer comfort.

Sockets in the bedroom must be located at the bedside tables.
The actual norm has become the location of sockets at the bedside tables a few centimeters above the surface and at least 20 cm from the bed. Sometimes a couple are mounted above the countertop for chargers and gadgets, and one or two are placed below, for constantly connected consumers, for example, sconces.

They also provide a separate socket next to the wardrobe to connect internal lighting. The placement of furniture will also have to be thought out in detail at the design stage in order to provide connection points in close proximity to each possible consumer. Otherwise, you will have to either drag the cabinet to the outlet, or cut a channel for the wiring for the just completed repair.

Sockets and switches in the bedroom: How to place them correctly

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To prevent wires from hanging from the walls, and to prevent you from tripping over an extension cord at night, you definitely need an electrical wiring plan during the renovation phase. This applies to any room in the house, but in this article I will talk about where to place outlets in the bedroom and what to consider when developing an electrical plan.

What is an electrical plan?
The electrical wiring design determines the lighting scenarios for an apartment or room: exactly how the lamps and switches are located, where electrical appliances will be connected. Thinking over a convenient location of sockets, electrical circuit and lighting for the bedroom is a fascinating and quite feasible task; it is not at all necessary to contact a design bureau (I will only note that if you order an interior design project, the set of drawings will definitely include an electrical wiring plan ).Why plan anything at all? Did the builders really not have enough sockets? - Most likely, that’s exactly it. The fact is that the number and location of sockets determines not only the purpose of the room (and the builders do not know whether you have an office or a bedroom here), but also the scenarios for its use. Imagine for a moment that in the room in the photo the existing number of sockets will remain in their current places - will it be convenient?

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Electricians always make plans after the interior layout has been approved. Why? — Because the location of sockets and switches is related to the scenarios for their use: it should be convenient for you to turn off the lights while lying under the blanket. If the bed is “about here plus or minus twenty centimeters,” there is a high risk that the socket will be blocked by the bedside table, and you will have to reach out from the warm bed to get to the switch.

Adjustment for habits

How many sockets do you need in a bedroom? — To determine their number, there are recommendations from designers and the ergonomics of space, and there are your habits and lifestyle: make allowances for them. Most people, as soon as they wake up, check their email, and before going to bed, they go to social networks, surf the Internet, and play a couple of games in online games.

And finally, logically, they charge all sorts of gadgets - phones, tablets, laptops. Therefore, there should be sockets for them somewhere at arm's length from the sleeping place.

If you don’t have the habit of falling asleep with your phone on, and your alarm clock is analog—not on your smartphone—the charging socket in your particular bedroom doesn’t have to be by the bed.

Around the bed
When you're packing your suitcase for a long trip, yes, you need a bright overhead light from a chandelier. In all other cases, it is more comfortable to use local lighting in the bedroom. The number of light sources is planned according to the number of sleepers - each side of the bed has its own lamp. Which one is not so important: a lamp on a night table or bedside table, a wall sconce above the bed or a ceiling lamp on a long pendant will perform this role equally well. Another thing is more important: you must accurately plan the location of the bed in the bedroom, and in relation to it - the location of the hidden wiring for installing the sconce (and the switch for it) or the outlet on the ceiling for pendant lamps; or sockets at a convenient height - for table lamps.

ON THIS TOPIC…

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Sockets above the bedside table and nearby

There are several classic options - choose the one that suits you.

A block of two sockets above the bedside tables is 15 cm higher. Consider the height of the finished floor. If you don’t know the exact dimensions of the bedside table and the height of the bed, choose another option.
A block of two sockets between the bed and the bedside table in the bedroom, if they are not located back to back.
A block of two sockets next to the bed on the wall - at a height of 30-90 cm from the floor, if there are no bedside tables.
A block of floor sockets for a bedside table with high legs.

Advice:

The option of locating sockets inside a drawer or behind a bedside table in the bedroom, in my experience, is not the most convenient.

In the photo: sockets do not necessarily mean a 220 V power supply - in the usual frame you can display USB ports for charging a smartphone, fitness bracelet and other devices.
Pay attention to the location of the socket in the photo - window slope. Duplicate switches

You've probably come across such convenient keys in hotels - next to the bed, on at least one side (ideally, two) there is a switch for the overhead light. So, by entering the room and turning on the overhead light at the door, you can turn it off while lying in bed.

Advice:

use paired switches in one frame - one key to turn off the sconce, and the other to control the chandelier (that is, the chandelier is controlled from three points - from the door and from each bedside table).

Or you can play the game “last one out” every evening.

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Sockets in functional areas
What else is supposed to be in your bedroom besides the bed?

Workplace.
You need two blocks of paired sockets: one on the wall at a height of 30 cm from the floor - for a surge protector, computer or laptop. The other - at a height of approximately 15 cm from the surface of the table (its height is 73-75 cm from the floor) - are sockets for a table lamp and as a reserve. Depending on the technology, the block can be adjusted - USB, telephone and Internet cable leads are added. In the photo, an additional block of sockets is placed in the niche of the cabinet - it is convenient to charge devices here.
TV.
On the intended wall (usually opposite the bed) there should be a block of 5 outlets for the TV, which will be hidden by the TV panel. The height of the TV outlets in the bedroom is 130 cm from the floor level. We place at least three electrical outlets in the block - for a TV, a digital set-top box and a router - as well as TV and Internet outlets.

Dressing table with mirror.
You need separate lighting - these can be table lamps, sconces or floor lamps, which are placed in pairs, on both sides of the mirror, at an equal distance from its center and at face level. As in the case of a computer desk, it is necessary to place a block of several sockets at a height of 30 or 90 cm from the floor. There are also mirrors with built-in lighting - to power them, plan an outlet behind the mirror canvas, like for a TV.

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Wardrobe.
Sockets for internal lighting are located near the cabinet, if we are talking about LED strip lighting. The same problem can be solved with directional spotlights. The optimal algorithm for the lighting in the closet is as follows: the light turns on when any of the doors is opened, and turns off when closed - everything happens automatically using a motion sensor.

In addition to the overhead light switch, I advise you to place another block of sockets at the entrance to the bedroom - for a vacuum cleaner or humidifier. The standard height of electrical sockets is 30 cm, the height of switches is 80-90 cm, but these heights can be changed (for example, raise the sockets to the height of the switch).

Required number of sockets

The shortest list of electrical connection points in the bedroom looks like this:

bedside tables: 2 points each;
TV receiver installation location: 3 points;
near the vacuum cleaner entrance: 1 high power point;
at the free wall for the iron: 1 point of increased power;
above the dressing table: 2 points.

This is a very modest list. With some thought the following are added:

media center connection location: at least 3 points;
if the bedroom area is large, you will need another point for the vacuum cleaner;
a powerful outlet next to the window for a portable air conditioner, humidifier, air filter.

Depending on the quantity and placement of furniture and electrical consumers, the list may be expanded. It’s better to spend money on installing a few extra sockets; these are one-time costs. Otherwise, you will have to endure constant inconvenience, or re-arrange the arrangement of furniture and household items, or redo the wiring after just made repairs.

Optimal electrical circuit for the bedroom

There is no universal electrical wiring diagram for a bedroom. Its correct option should be developed for each specific case, taking into account the location of the bed, dressing table, wardrobe, TV and air conditioner.

The optimal electrical circuit for the bedroom, thought out in advance and agreed upon with its potential inhabitants, will make the use of electrical appliances rational and comfortable.

It is recommended to place pass-through switches for the main lighting near the door and near the sleeping places, so that when entering the room you can turn on the light and turn it off without getting out of bed.

Layout of sockets in a bedroom for two

For local illumination of the dressing table, a switch is provided in the case of using sconces mounted in the wall on both sides of the mirror. If the lighting source is table lamps, they need two sockets hidden behind the table.

If wall lamps provide a hidden supply of electricity, you need to think about the location of the switches in advance

In the bedroom, functionally combined with an office, there is a workplace where, as a rule, there is a computer: a system unit, a monitor, speakers and, most likely, a Wi-Fi router. Here are at least four more electrical points that should be included in the circuit.

What criteria determine the height of the outlet in the bedroom?

The most important indicator is convenience. Therefore, first determine what purpose the outlet will be used for. If only for a lamp, then maybe it would be better to place it behind the cabinet? But if you are considering the option of placing it above the bedside table, then there should be a convenient approach to the connector.

The product should be positioned so that it is convenient to reach it. This is the most important indicator. Think in advance about what will be on the cabinet and whether objects will block access to the power supply.

Important! The socket should be at such a height that it is convenient to reach it.

The second criterion is the organic fit into the interior . If you do not plan to hide this device, make sure that it fits seamlessly into the room. Agree, a white spot with holes in the middle of the wall looks out of place, and even more so with a connected wire. It is good if the socket is at the level of the head of the bed.

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Height detection

Today there is no single standard indicating at what height to mount sockets. To do this, experts recommend following several basic factors:

Safety. When installing sockets, you should use only high-quality products that can withstand high loads. This must be done while observing all the rules for laying cables and connecting them to the main electrical network.
Practicality. All sockets must be located in such a way that a person can quickly and easily access them. In this case, height does not play a role, nor does their number. Many points can be used to connect different sources. This must be taken into account in order to calculate how many sockets are needed for this room.

As for height, experts recommend placing the points slightly higher above the surfaces where the devices will be used (25 cm above the bed, etc.). If these are general-purpose sockets, then it is advisable to mount them at a distance of 50-100 cm from the floor. You should not mount the devices very low to the floor, as during wet cleaning there is a risk of moisture getting inside. It is also not practical, as it forces a person to bend over to turn on a frequently used appliance.

How to correctly arrange sockets and switches in an apartment according to European standards?

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13.08.2018

Rules for placing switches

Soviet standards for the location of electrical fittings provide for the installation of sockets from the floor surface at 90 cm, switches are mounted at a height of 1.5-1.6 m from the covering. These rules remain valid now, because they have their own advantages:

a small child does not have access to the electrical connector due to the device being at a high altitude for him;
sockets are convenient for connecting equipment that requires frequent connection to the network;
The connectors are in the field of view, adults do not bend over to connect the plug.

Western standards, which developers adhere to, define a height above the floor level of 30 cm for sockets; according to the European standard, switches are provided at 90 cm (at the level of the lowered hand). In this case, the connectors are hidden behind the furniture. When entering a room, you do not need to raise your hand to turn on the lighting, which is also convenient.

The devices are produced for three-phase and single-phase networks, have different protective degrees, and do not allow accidental penetration or ingress of moisture.

Placement methods

It is very difficult, if not impossible, to draw up a diagram of a universal arrangement of points, in which it will be possible to rearrange furniture and change the decor in the bedroom without compromising comfort. This means that we must act according to the situation.

Electrical socket at the bedside table

The purpose of the “point” near the bedside table is obvious - connecting a small lamp or sconce used as a night light.

However, it would be nice to place a second outlet near the bed to connect a charger for a tablet or phone.

A third “point” would also be useful - for a laptop computer , electronic watch or similar electronic device powered by a 220 V power supply. Of course, for a double bed, everything mentioned is doubled.

TV sockets

TV in the bedroom today is a very common phenomenon. Only one of them functions very rarely - the number of on-air channels and the poverty of their programs do not satisfy all the requirements, even in large cities. Basically, the TV functions as a monitor connected to a digital or satellite TV tuner, as well as for viewing software products via the Internet. You also need to install and connect the socket for the TV antenna.

Consequently, the number of sockets for a television zone is rarely limited to one. As a rule, 2 “points” are mounted (TV + TV tuner), but this is not an ideal solution. Much more often, a full-fledged “node” of 4-5 sockets is installed in the bedroom , making it possible to connect not only a TV, but also video and audio equipment without worries.

Workplace

In small apartments, where the vast majority of our fellow citizens live, it is practically impossible to create an individual office for work, which is why the workplace in almost every family is located in the bedroom. And the first thing you need to do here is to power the computer. If you have a laptop, one socket is enough. And if it’s a stationary personal computer, then the smallest thing is 2 sockets for the system unit and monitor, as well as one more for speakers. Also, don’t forget about a Wi-Fi router and a table lamp. In general, you will need 3-4 pieces.

General purpose sockets

The need for an electrical outlet near the entrance door to the sleeping area is not very clear, however, time has shown that its purpose is to connect high-power household electrical appliances such as a heater or vacuum cleaner.

Of course, in rooms with a small square footage of an old apartment building, you can, in principle, live without it, but in spacious bedrooms it is simply a must.

Moreover, in spacious rooms it is necessary to have 2 similar sockets located in diagonally opposite corners of the room. It’s also a good idea to take into account a third “powerful” electrical outlet near the window - if necessary, you can connect a mobile air conditioner or heater to it in case of frost.

Socket at the dressing table

An outlet next to the dressing table is needed to connect a hair dryer and other electrical appliances that any woman needs. The matter practically does not end with one socket - as a rule, a block of 2-4 devices is installed. They are mounted a few centimeters above the table top.

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At the doorway

A power point near the door is required to turn on the vacuum cleaner. According to European standards, it should be 30 cm from the floor so that water and detergents do not get into it during cleaning, and the cord of an electrical appliance does not hang down the wall.

It would be a good idea to provide an outlet for a vacuum cleaner next to the switch located at the door of the bedroom.

For other devices

This category includes a vacuum cleaner or heater that is used with low frequency or for a certain period. Often, sockets for these devices are placed near the door in an accessible place. Some experts recommend using multiple general-purpose outlets. It is advisable to place them at opposite ends of the bedroom to optimize their use. Please note that this approach is not at all necessary for small rooms, where one outlet can be used for various tasks.

One small nuance should also be noted. If you are planning to install an air conditioner in the bedroom, then you should first prepare an outlet for it. It should be located near the place where the structure is attached. At the same time, the product must withstand a large electrical load, since almost all air conditioners are very powerful.

Experts recommend using a separate line for such purposes, which is connected directly to the meter or power panel. Failure to do this may result in the failure of the entire network.

Functional areas in the bedroom

A place to sleep, that is, a bed or sofa, a dressing table, a closet and perhaps a small work space are the functional areas of the bedroom. Each of them must be equipped with one or more plug connectors.

Sockets must be above the desk if there is one in the bedroom

If the apartment is small and additional zoning is needed, in which the room is divided into bedroom and living room areas, more plug connectors will be required.

Socket by the bedside table

How to properly place sockets above the bedside table in the bedroom? Typically this room has a bedside lighting source - a floor lamp or table lamp. Also, the sleeping area requires a power point to recharge mobile devices.

To charge a phone or work with a laptop, a modern person cannot do without an outlet near the bed. It's better if there are several of them

To recharge gadgets, you can install USB sockets, which are available with one or more connectors and combined with an input for a regular plug.

Based on such data, the number of outlets in this location should be determined.

A socket with a USB socket will solve the eternal problem of finding a charger

It is advisable to place sockets above the bedside table in the bedroom at a height of approximately 70 cm from the floor, since the standard height of a bedside table is 55-60 cm.

At the doorway

It would be a good idea to provide an outlet for a vacuum cleaner next to the switch located at the door of the bedroom.

For other electrical appliances

However, there are no official standards for the height of placement of electrical elements; they can be placed higher by combining an overhead light switch and several sockets for connecting a vacuum cleaner, iron or fan in one unit.

Sockets for fans and other household appliances should be located in convenient places where electrical devices will not be obscured by furniture

The entrance for the air conditioner is made under the ceiling, and the sockets for the television system are hidden behind it, since these devices do not require frequent shutdown.

The TV area needs several sockets. Minimum – 2 electrical outlets and antenna cable socket

Examples of socket layouts in the bedroom

Immediately, of course, you need to think about the correct layout of all sockets in the bedroom. It is necessary to depict the preliminary placement schematically on paper. In total, you may need to install 8 power supplies (average).

Depending on your needs, options can be varied. The main thing is that they do not violate safety rules.

Consider carefully what are the approximate layouts of electrical sources in the bedroom. You'll probably find one of these to suit your needs, then you can easily recreate it in your nap room.

Sockets in the bedroom: choosing a location and calculating the optimal number

This can be achieved by analyzing the situation and answering several questions step by step.

The number and location of sockets depends on the size of the room and the needs of the person

How many sockets are needed in the bedroom?

The minimum sockets in the bedroom for one modern person using a mobile phone and household appliances is five:

Two near the bedside table for a gadget and a lighting fixture.
Two for the TV and an accompanying device, such as an antenna or set-top box.
One for the vacuum cleaner near the door at a small height from the floor.

If the bedroom is designed for two people, their needs and habits will determine how many outlets are needed in the bedroom.

Electrical outlets must be present in every functional area of the bedroom

Practice tips

A socket does not always mean a 220 V power supply. If you plan to use gadgets, you can use a USB port built into the usual frame to recharge them.

By “hidden” we mean connection points that are hidden from view. For computer equipment, these are connectors at a height of 15-35 cm from the floor. For TVs and accompanying multimedia devices - about 130 (so that the socket is hidden behind them).

For periodic use, a connection to the electrical network is provided at a height of 90-100 cm. This rule works even if the outlet is designed without connection to furniture.

And most importantly, when planning your electrical layout, you need to take into account the likelihood of all outlets being used at the same time. For this reason, you should not try to get by with a minimum number of them. Otherwise, a situation may arise when you need an extension cord or tee again.

Original ideas for decorating sockets and switches (photo)

Standard power socket covers sold in stores have a flat rectangular or square shape. This means that you can decorate them in a variety of ways. If you don’t want ordinary boring electrical sockets, but instead have elements that complement the interior, then check out the design variations.

How you can decorate power sources:

choose an unusual shape of the lining;
purchase a lid covering the holes with a ready-made, beautiful decor or create it yourself;
build the socket directly into the wall;
Paste the overlay around with any decorative material.

Look at the photo of creative design of sockets. There really is a lot to be inspired by here.

As you can see, a bedroom is a room in which it is necessary to install several electrical outlets. They come in a variety of varieties, ranging from power holding to decorative design. And now you know how to correctly distribute power points throughout the sleeping room, and most importantly, do it safely and, of course, conveniently. Visual examples help to better navigate.