At what height from the floor do you need to install sockets in residential premises and common areas - kitchens, corridors, bathrooms? There are no clear guidelines on this topic in Russian building codes. It contains only recommendations that it is advisable to follow in order to use the sockets was convenient and safe.
How to determine in which places it is better to attach sockets
There is a document "Departmental building codes" containing the section "Electrical equipment of residential and public buildings." It states that sockets must be fixed in places convenient for use, taking into account how the furniture will be arranged. That is, the location of the outlets, as well as the height of their installation is not regulated.
In some countries, the height for installing outlets is prescribed by law. For example, in the UK, sockets should be attached no lower than 45 centimeters and no higher than 120 centimeters above the floor.
However, there is an exception provided by the PUE (Electrical Safety Rules). According to them, sockets, as well as switches, should be located further than 50 centimeters from the gas pipeline, and further than 60 centimeters from the bathtub, sink, shower.
This distance is calculated starting from the external dimension of the sink, bathtub or cabin doorway.
In Soviet times, circuit breakers were traditionally installed at a height of approximately 160 centimeters from the floor, and sockets at a height of about 100 centimeters. However, electrical equipment according to the European standard is much more popular now, according to which it is recommended that the switches be installed no higher than 100 centimeters from the floor, on the wall from the side of the door handle. And sockets - at a height of 15 to 100 centimeters, depending on their type and frequency of use.
Before installing the sockets, draw a diagram of the room and accurately indicate on it the arrangement of furniture, as well as equipment that will be connected to the general power supply and to low-voltage networks (for example, in the kitchen).. Based on this, you can determine exactly where at what height it is better to attach the sockets.
