A large number of electrical appliances are concentrated in the kitchen, for which a connection point should be considered. When installing, you must also pay attention to the layout. Corner outlets for the kitchen are appropriate in large and small spaces, are compact and easy to self-install.
Features of corner outlets
The corner type of outlets is available in a sturdy plastic case. Double, single, combined modules are suitable for placement between the countertop and the wall, under the cabinets, at the joints. Products look elegant and do not take up much space.
Device design:
- a base made of plastic or ceramic with fasteners in the form of paws or ears;
- front panel - selected by color;
- current-carrying elements - terminals (self-regulating or screw), grounding contacts.
The socket is intended for integration with hidden or open wiring. In the first case, it is placed in a shtroba, in the second - in a stalk.
Advantages and disadvantages
The benefits of corner devices include:
- elegant appearance;
- saving space in the kitchen;
- the presence of several modules for ease of use;
- compliance with European standards and Russian GOST;
- good dust and moisture protection;
- equipped with a timer, power meter, backlight.
When operating and installing outlets in the corner, there are some disadvantages:
- with poor-quality fastening to drywall can come off;
- high power - not always suitable for houses of Soviet construction;
- connecting no more than two devices - the rest of the plugs will interfere;
- the inability to use for power lighting.
Despite a number of drawbacks, angle-type electrical fittings are a functional and safe solution for the kitchen.
Rules for placing outlets in the kitchen
When planning to place corner kitchen outlets, be guided by building codes:
- the outlet is removed from the side of the equipment by 15-20 cm;
- the distance from the device to the device built into the headset is not more than 1 m;
- installation near a sink of products with moisture protection from IP44;
- removal of the block from the hood by 20-30 cm;
- connection of an electric stove, washing machine, oven, refrigerator, PMM to separate power sources;
- the total power of electrical appliances must not exceed the allowable for the power line;
- There are two types of power sockets: 10 A (2.2 kW) and 16 A (3.5 kW).
Products adjacent to the pipe should be equipped with caps and rubber bands to protect against pipe breaks.
How many outlets do you need
Plan the number of outlets at the design stage of the space. In the classical scheme, the number of connection points equals the number of household appliances. This is not entirely true:
- portable gadgets are used in the room - a vacuum cleaner, laptop, mobile phone;
- users acquire additional equipment for which there will be no place;
- there is a need to use an extension cord.
To avoid inconvenience, you need to add another 25% to existing devices. When calculating, consider stationary equipment, temporary equipment. The best option would be:
- 2-3 devices near the apron;
- 1 - in the countertop or near the food intake area;
- 1 - next to the entrance.
Using a corner stationary unit with the right number of outlets, you can solve the problem of organizing space for the kitchen.
How to position
In the kitchen, you need to hide communications as much as possible, so be guided by the principles of vertical zoning. The space will need to be divided into three levels:
- Upper - extractor hood, TV, furniture lighting. The location of the outlet at a height of 5-10 cm from the edge of the upper cabinet will be optimal.
- Medium - low power devices. For ease of access, the sockets are placed 20-10 cm above the countertop, and 60 cm removed from the edges of the stove and sink.
- Bottom - kitchen appliances can be built in here, placing outlets at a height of 30-60 cm from the floor only in cabinets or in niches of the rear walls of the cabinets.
Installation behind a stove or dishwasher eliminates direct access to the units.
What to look for when choosing
Before buying corner outlets, you should pay attention to several parameters:
- Mounting type - can be built into the headset or placed “in one frame” on the wall surface.
- Power - 16 A models are suitable for old apartments, 25-32 A devices are justified in houses
- Type of plug - in the territory of the Russian Federation European S-type sockets are used. Their contacts are 10 mm from the center.
- Protection - for the kitchen, it is worth choosing appliances with moisture protection from IP44 to IP55.
- Application conditions - NEMA2 marking permits the installation of products in rooms with low levels of humidity and dust.
Manufacturers equip sockets with additional functions:
- child protection - sliding holes for plugs;
- timer - current supply cut off after a certain time;
- wattmeter - the consumed voltage is displayed;
- indicator - shade change depending on power;
- combination with a switch - an economical and energy efficient option;
- backlight - convenient for the cooking area;
- USB connector - for charging gadgets.
Portable products are most often double and triple.
Production material
Several types of dielectric materials are used to make the case of corner outlet blocks.
- Ceramics. The housing withstands high temperatures during overheating of the element contacts. A landing nest is one or more. Holes for fasteners and threaded niches for a plastic cover are provided. The minus of the material is fragility, when pressed, the electrical accessories can break.
- Plastic. The outer plastic housing is non-combustible and is a dielectric. The base retains strength when exposed to temperatures, does not burn, has good moisture protection. Cons - flammability of low-cost polystyrene models.
When assembling a structure without a distribution box, it is better to stay on plastic outlets.
Socket current rating
GOST R 51322.1-2011 sets a limit on the rated current of models with screwless mounting to 16 A. The maximum for a Soviet outlet is 6 A. A number of manufacturers produce devices that can withstand 25 A, but they are extremely rare. Under the hob or electric stove, it is recommended to install power sockets withstanding up to 32 A.
The maximum power of the connected equipment depends on the number of amperes and is presented in the table.
| Current strength at the outlet | Power Engineering |
| 6 A | 1.3 kW |
| 10 A | 2.2 kW |
| 16 A | 3,5 kW |
| 32 A | 7 kW |
Standard household appliances connected to a network with a voltage of 220 V has a total power of up to 3.5 kW.
Grounding
For the kitchen, only the corner block of outlets with grounding is suitable. You can determine the presence of "earth" by the antennae opposite each other on the body. They are located near the side openings for the plug.
The antennae are connected to the grounding system and are additionally protected by plates, which, in contact with the mating elements of the plug, ground the device. When connected, the antennae pops up to the ground - on the right is zero, on the left is the phase.
The way to fix the wires in the terminals
Grounding sockets are connected to a yellow-green three-wire cable. The appliance already has an earth terminal marked with the appropriate marker. Corner modifications are equipped with similar grounding terminals; a loop or parallel connection is located in the unit. The wiring in the terminals is fixed as follows:
- nearby elements - parallel connection by input and output cables to the outlet;
- with removal of the insulating layer - 10 mm of the upper layer is cut off, a ring is made and tightened with an engraving screw until the first device is connected, the wire is cut off after the last element is installed.
With any method of fixing, calculate the cross-section of the wire.
Availability of protection
The kitchen block of the corner outlets is marked according to the degree of protection.
From getting inside solid objects is indicated by numbers:
- 1 - parts 0-50 mm in diameter can penetrate;
- 2 - objects 12.5 mm in diameter do not fall;
- 3 - small objects up to 2.5 mm in diameter do not penetrate into the body;
- 4 - objects with a diameter greater than 1 mm do not fall.
Dust protection is indicated by the numbers 5 (dustproof) and 6 (dustproof).
The letter H denotes compatibility with high-voltage devices, M - the ability to work when water jets hit, S - the lack of work with moving water particles. Outlets with index W are weatherproof.
Touch protection is also indicated by the letters: A - with the back of your hand, B - with your fingers, C - with an electric tool, D - with a wire.
Digital marking indicates that the product does not interfere with the operation of:
- 1 - vertical drops;
- 2 - drops at an angle of 15 degrees;
- 3 - splashes falling at angles of 60 degrees;
- 4 - drops in any direction;
- 5 - a stream of water in any direction;
- 6 - sea water jets.
Products with moisture protection 5 and 6 are designed for outdoor installation.
The presence or absence of a push mechanism
In the absence of a push-out mechanism, the sockets become loose and interfere with normal operation of the equipment. If there is a push, the user simply presses a button and the plug is automatically removed from the outlet. The extraction force is 9-54 N.
If the plug is stuck in the device when the ejector mechanism breaks down, it can be reached with only two hands.
Standards for installing outlets
During the installation, follow the rules specified in GOST 7396.1-89, 7397.0-89, 8594-80 and SNiP 3.05.06-85:
- according to European standards, you need to install outlet groups at a height of 30 cm from the floor;
- in large rooms, remove products 50 cm from heating, water pipes and sinks;
- When planning to embed a socket in a panel, select only the factory mortgage box;
- grounding of all connection points of electrical appliances and the installation of RCDs are mandatory measures;
- sockets for powerful consumers are placed behind them - for a refrigerator 60-80 cm from the floor line, for a washer - 30 cm;
- constantly working equipment can be connected to group corner devices;
- the optimal number of socket outlets is 3;
- the corner device is placed 10-20 cm above the countertop;
- sockets for hoods are equipped at a height of 1.8-2 m and are powered by furniture lighting.
To prevent the corner socket from catching the eye, use the overhead mounting method behind the cabinet door.
Choosing a place to install outlets
The selection of the location is carried out before the start of the grounding line. Most often, the device is installed at a distance of 30 cm from the baseboards or oriented to vertical zoning.
To maintain the finish, the sockets are placed near the baseboard and then the cable line is launched. For a medium-sized kitchen, 3-4 nests with convenient access will be enough. The outlet is placed externally (above the surface) or internally (recessed) in a way.
Installing the power outlet during repairs will prevent dust and dirt from entering the enclosure.
Corner outlet groups will ensure the safe operation of electrical appliances.Having put them together correctly, you can get a harmonious and functional design.
