It is no secret that one of the main possible causes of fires and fires is an old or low-quality new email. wiring in the apartment. We will tell you in this article about whether it is worth saving on replacing electrical wiring and how to protect your home from fire.

Old wiring - how to protect yourself from surprises

The electrical wiring in the apartment is a kind of circulatory system of every house, which makes it possible for a modern person to enjoy all the household benefits of civilization. However, in apartment buildings built 20 or more years ago according to the standards of that time, the wiring was designed for loads in the power supply network of up to 1 kW for cities with a population of up to 1 million inhabitants, and 1.5 kW for cities with a population of one million.

Nowadays, a modern house or apartment is difficult to imagine without an iron, microwave, refrigerator, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, boiler, air conditioner, etc. The power consumption of all this equipment often exceeds 1.5 kW. And if you add to them an electric fireplace, a heated floor or an electric stove, which can often be turned on at the same time, then the energy consumption will increase to 10 kW. This is the reason for the seemingly “unexpected” power outages in the house at the most inopportune moment - the apartment wiring is outdated and not always able to withstand such loads.

Moreover, in the recent past, for electrical wiring in apartment buildings, according to the USSR GOSTs, aluminum wire with single insulation was mainly used, with a warranty period of up to 20 years. Then its insulation cracks and crumbles, which, as a result, often causes a short circuit and fire.

What is the best wiring for an apartment - the best choice!

If you have made the final decision to make repairs in your home, then the choice of new wiring will be the first and most important stage of this process for several reasons:

• First, old aluminum wiring has a relatively short lifespan. The weakness of the wire is especially noticeable in cases where it is necessary to replace a switch or socket. The wire often breaks off, which does not allow for a quality replacement. Over time, aluminum wire often oxidizes at the joints, which leads to an increase in resistance and, as a result, overheating, which, of course, is very dangerous and causes the insulation to melt and burn.
  
• Secondly, it is recommended to replace all wiring with three-core copper with a single wire of a certain section, calculated in advance, depending on the expected amount of energy consumption. It would be most correct to make a replacement at the first stage of the repair, when the room is free of furniture and other interior items, since the replacement process involves grooving (cutting grooves) of the walls, drilling additional holes for sockets, junction boxes and switches. Therefore, a lot of dust and dirt in the apartment at this time is guaranteed to you.
  
• Thirdly , replacement of wiring must be carried out entirely and all at once, since the interconnection of copper and aluminum wires is highly discouraged. Due to the difference in the chemical properties of these two metals, this will inevitably lead to the fact that in the places of their contact with each other, the oxidation process will begin and, as a result, to the loss of contact. Also, circuit breakers, and possibly an electric meter, are subject to replacement. It will also not be superfluous to replace your old switches and sockets with new, more reliable ones.

Wiring in the apartment: what kind of wire and tools do you need?

First of all, you need to draw up a project with an accurate indication of the location of the main electrical appliances and sockets for them in each room. It is important to determine how far from the floor they will be, so that it does not interfere with your furniture. Think about how you see the lighting, where and at what height each switch will be located. It is recommended to plan the installation of outlets with a margin in order to minimize the use of all kinds of extension cords and carriers. Don't skimp on this. Put a few extra ones. Will come in handy.

When all the old wiring has been removed, you can start laying the new one. As a rule, for laying in apartments, the so-called "hidden" wiring method is used, for which you will need in the walls, using a grinder with a diamond wheel or a hammer drill with a drill for working on concrete. This stage of work is the most dusty and dirty, so take care of personal protective equipment in advance, such as:

• protective glasses;
• protective mask for the respiratory tract;
• thick construction gloves.

Sometimes it happens that unfortunate masters, in order to save money or for other unknown reasons, lay the wiring at random, including diagonally.

It is imperative that the grooves be made only parallel or perpendicular to the floor level, under no circumstances should the wiring be routed diagonally!

Imagine that you are moving into an apartment where such a self-taught electrician lived before. Naturally, you will want to equip your home to your taste - hang a picture, a new curtain rod, nail a shelf or wall cabinet. To do this, you will have to make several holes with a drill in the wall, or just hammer in a nail. In this case, the probability is quite high that you can stumble upon that very wiring, and God forbid that everything ends well for you.

When the question of replacing the old wiring with a new one is raised, try not to save on this very crucial moment! Indeed, your life and the lives of your loved ones may directly depend on the quality of the work performed and the materials that you acquire for this. And the point in this case is not at all about buying designer fancy branded sockets or switches, but it is also not worth giving preference to products made in China.

Do not stretch the installation for several days. This work can easily be done in one day after careful preparation and planning. Buy everything you need in advance. Start execution only after all the main construction stages, but always before the start of finishing and finishing work. Proper planning can help you save money and significantly reduce repair times.

Try to make as little wire connections as possible. Fewer joints - higher reliability and durability of service. Use solid wire as much as possible where possible. First, run the cable across the floor to outlets and switches, and only then cut off the required piece.

Replacing electrical wiring is one of the most difficult and responsible tasks. To carry out such work, special qualifications are often required. It is possible that your children, and possibly grandchildren, will live in your apartment in the future. So, before making a decision, think about whether you are ready to take on such responsibility, or is it still much safer to turn to a specialist? We leave the answer to this difficult question at your discretion. And remember: when leaving home - turn off the light!