Electrical wiring in the apartment: types, materials, pros and cons

The structure of electrical wiring in the apartment is about the same for different types of layout. From the meter, a powerful wire enters the apartment. If a distribution board is installed, it passes through it, then splits into thinner wires and goes into all the rooms to the junction boxes. From there, the wires go to the sockets and where the light fixtures are installed.

Types of electrical wiring in the apartment

Electrical wiring can be done in two ways: hidden and open. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages. The cost of electrical work also depends on the type of wiring.

Wiring of the hidden installation

The peculiarity of concealed wiring is that the wires are laid in the walls and covered with plaster, finishing materials. For this purpose, grooves are made in concrete walls even at the stage of preparation for finishing.

Wires are placed in special PVC pipes for insulation and then pulled through the grooves in the walls. On the surface there are places of wiring and exit points of wires to the sockets and lighting fixtures. If suspended ceilings are installed, part of the wiring is placed underneath.

The pluses of hidden wiring:

• Wires do not spoil the aesthetic appearance of the walls and ceiling.
• If necessary, it is easy to replace the decorative trim, you do not have to remove the wires from the walls beforehand.
• Increased safety: electrical wires are inaccessible to children and animals. A child can cut the wire, and an animal can bite, which is dangerous for their health and life.

Minuses of concealed wiring:

• Requires an accurate calculation of all points of exit wiring, because then it will be difficult to add something.
• If you need to replace a section of wiring, you will have to remove the wall finish, and then restore it.
• The site of the breakdown in the electrical wiring is not easy to find, because the wires are not visible there is a risk of removing the wall covering in the wrong place.

The open method of installing electrical wiring

Wires are laid on top of the wall finish. They are placed in PVC pipe, boxes, special insulated metal pipes or choose wires with several layers of insulating coating.

The advantages of the open method of installation of electrical wiring:

• Easy installation, no need to prepare the wall, make grooves.
• In the case of damage, it is easy to detect and repair that section.

Cons of open wiring installation:

• Open wiring is easy to damage.
• It spoils the look of the interior of the rooms. However, for loft style, this is the perfect option.

Materials for electrical wiring

Each project will require different gauges of wires. For the line from the electrical switchboard, you need high-quality wire with a cross-section of 6 mm or more. The cross-section of other wires is chosen depending on the expected power consumption of the appliances. This also affects the final cost of the project.

Wires can be aluminum or copper. These metals have different properties. Copper conducts current better. Accordingly, a smaller cross-section of copper wire is required than aluminum wire. Copper wire is less bulky. It is slower to oxidize, stronger, and lasts longer. Copper gives off heat faster and the wire overheats less. Aluminum is several times lighter than copper. Wire made of this metal costs much less than copper wire.

Of the materials needed is wire insulation in the form of PVC pipe or other products, junction boxes, circuit breakers, etc. What set of materials you need depends on the individual wiring project in the apartment. For each product, it is worth studying the characteristics that are important to pay attention to when choosing.