The cable for wiring in an apartment is selected once and for many years. Therefore, such a responsible choice must be made intelligently, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of the product. In this article we will understand the features of different types of cable products.

Copper or aluminum

For wiring, wires made of aluminum or copper are used. The material in this case is important, since the performance characteristics of the product largely depend on it. The table below shows the main qualities inherent in aluminum and copper wires.

So, copper with an equal cross-section can withstand a higher load compared to aluminum. Copper wires pass electric current better, do not oxidize as much and do not break during installation. Based on the information above, the conclusion is clear: copper is better suited for electrical wiring.

It is worth noting that the use of aluminum makes sense for large-scale tasks, when a lot of wire is needed or the cross-section should be from 10 square millimeters. In this case, the lack of consumer properties can be compensated by the lower cost of aluminum. But such problems most often arise at industrial facilities. It is recommended to choose copper for an apartment or house.

Note! When partially replacing electrical wiring, you should focus on the material of the old wires. When dissimilar metals are combined, oxidation processes intensify, which leads to deterioration of current conductivity and overheating of the material. The result of such a combination may be a fire.

Single or stranded wires

In single-core wires, the core is monolithic. If you remove the insulation, such a core will look like wire. A stranded wire consists of many wires of relatively small thickness intertwined with each other. In multi-core wires, the diameter is always strictly observed and corresponds to the declared one. Multi-core cables are also called multi-strand cables due to the very thin conductors. The table below shows the comparative characteristics of single-core and stranded wires.

Thus, the answer to the question: “What cables should I use for wiring in an apartment?” - is the statement that it is stranded. However, in reality, single-core wires are often used. There will be no special problems with the operation of such wiring if you do not test its bending strength.

Note! A stranded electrical wire usually means several insulated conductors located in one protective sheath. The wire has a “phase” and a “zero”. This feature allows the installation of one wire instead of a pair of different cables.

If you need to connect only one branch, it is recommended to choose a single-core electrical wire that always bypasses the “zero”.

Section

For sockets, conductors with a cross-section of 2.5 square millimeters are preferred. If you need to organize a network of lighting devices, you will need a wire with a cross-section of 1.5 square millimeters. However, in case of increased loads on the network, a choice must be made based on individual parameters calculated taking into account the strength and power of the current.

Most often, a constant load of 1 kW requires a wire with a cross-section of 1.57 square millimeters. For variable loads, the expected current strength is taken into account in the calculations. A permissible value of 5 A applies to aluminum, and 8 A for copper.

An example is the following situation: you need to temporarily connect an 8 kW water heater. To do this, you will need a copper cable with a cross-section of 5 square millimeters. For aluminum you need 8 square millimeters.

The kitchen requires separate electrical wiring with increased power. To organize the electrical network, choose wires with a cross-section of 4 square millimeters (for an electric stove - 6). The tables below contain data for determining the cross-section of aluminum and copper wires, based on the power and current in the circuit.

Core protection

In residential premises, only insulated conductors are permissible. The protective shell can be made of the following materials:

• rubber;
• polyvinyl chloride;
• polyethylene;
• polyvinyl chloride plastic compound.

Rubber is characterized by good elasticity. This material can be stretched well, but easily returns to its original state as soon as the mechanical stress stops. Rubber does not allow liquids and gases to pass through. Both natural and synthetic rubber can be used as the basis for the material.

Polyethylene can be white or gray. The material is characterized by increased hardness. The insulating shell is characterized by thermoplasticity. Electrical wires in a polyethylene sheath can be heated up to 100 degrees Celsius without the risk of damaging the material.

Polyvinyl chloride is characterized by hardness and resistance to a wide variety of adverse environmental factors. PVC is not afraid of alkaline and acidic agents, as well as mineral oils. Polyvinyl chloride is especially valuable in places where high resistance to mechanical stress is needed.

PVC plastic is known for its plasticity. This quality is ensured by the oils that make up the plastic compound. The main advantage of plastic compound is fire resistance. The color of the plastic can be red, white, black or yellow.

Labeling secrets

The cable for electrical wiring in the apartment is marked. The letters carry certain information:

• P - wire (this letter can also indicate the use of polyethylene);
• B - polyvinyl chloride;
• R - rubber;
• K - control wire.

The marking may also contain additional symbols:

• NG - fire protection;
• LS - low tendency of the material to smoke;
• BB - there is protection from metal tapes;
• Shv - insulating material is applied hermetically;
• B - reservation;
• Z - filling the distance between the cores;
• E - shielded cable;
• G - increased flexibility of the product;
• P - flat wire;
• Coolant - absence of weaving in the vein.

As an example of reading, let's take the ShVPP marking. The abbreviation SHVPP means: flat vinyl cord, vinyl sheath. PVC: connecting wire, protective vinyl sheath.

Types of wires

The best-selling wires on the market are VVG and NUM. VVG is made from copper and has polyvinyl chloride insulation and sheath.

NUM is manufactured in Germany, and therefore the correct spelling of the abbreviation is NUM. This combination of letters means that the cable is made of copper, consists of many cores, has rubber insulation and a plastic sheath.

PUNP uses the above options less often. This cable has a flat shape and a protective plastic sheath. The insulation is made of polyvinyl chloride.

Very rarely, rubber-insulated wires (PRN, PRI, PRTO) are used in home wiring.

VVG

This cable is unarmored. It is made of copper and has PVC insulation, as well as a PVC sheath. The product can be used in both dry and wet conditions. The disadvantage of the VVG is that it cannot be pulled too tight.

The insulated cores are twisted. The space between the cores is not filled.

There is a modification of this cable on the market - VVGng, which indicates the non-flammability of the material. Unlike conventional VVG, in the case of a fire-resistant product, the fire will not spread throughout the product, but will be localized. VVGng is not characterized by a variety of forms. The best choice would be the flat version. However, if desired, you can find a round, square or triangular design.

NYM

Cables of this type are used for both hidden and open wiring. In this case, outdoors, the wires should be kept out of direct sunlight. NYM have fire retardant properties and do not emit smoke in the event of a fire. The cable is made of copper, has an intermediate sheath filled with rubber and an outer sheath of PVC.

PUNP

Installation flat wire is the most affordable option among all competitors. PUNP is equipped with two or three copper cores, PVC insulation and a plastic sheath.

PUNP is used both in power networks and in lighting networks. Smaller cross-sections are used for lighting networks.

Above we talked about which wires to choose for wiring in an apartment. Unlike VVG or NUM, PUNP is not the best option for home electrical wiring, since the insulation of this wire is not of very high quality and quickly deforms if overheated.

Other brands

Much less often in an apartment or private house, wires of the brands PRI, PRN, PRTO and some others are used.

Wiring based on PRTO is used in fireproof pipelines. PRI is resistant to moisture and high temperatures. PRN is suitable for installation outdoors. PRD and PRVD are two-core stranded wires designed for lighting dry rooms.

On the street, not only PRN is used, but also PPV, as well as PPP (polyethylene insulation). A flat wire is produced that does not have a dividing base - PPVS.

Note! Cables with aluminum conductors (APRTO, APR, APPV) are practically not used at the moment.

Brands PV2, PV3, PV4 are used for installation in electrical panels. At the same time, PV3 and PV4 are more expensive because their shell is more plastic. Such wires are especially valuable in areas where bends are required.

Power supply to street lighting devices can be provided via armored cable of the VBBShV brand. Another option is a cable based on aluminum cores - AVBBShv. Such a cable is protected with a metal tape laid under a layer of polyvinyl chloride. The cable is produced with a different number of conductive cores (from three to five).

To create branches in the air, self-supporting insulated wire (SIP) is popular. Several varieties of such cables with different technical characteristics are produced (for example, SIP-2A, SIP-3, SIP-4). The cable is equipped with high-strength steel and aluminum cores.

So, if the wiring is being laid for many years, it is better to opt for copper wire. Even better if it is stranded. A good choice for safety is plastic-coated wires. If the main purchase criterion is low price, you should take a closer look at aluminum single-core wires sheathed in PVC or polyethylene.

Any replacement or repair of electrical wiring begins with the purchase of an electrical cable! In my practice, I have encountered the fact that when buying an electrical cable, people make the wrong choice out of ignorance and guided by the advice of sellers or electricians, and not by an experienced electrician who has all the modern knowledge and rules for the design and installation of electrical wiring.

Many people think that it is not worth following generally accepted rules and State Standards. This is fundamentally wrong, as my extensive practice has shown - compliance with all rules and regulations when carrying out electrical repairs and electrical installations - this not only emphasizes the professionalism of the performer, but also guarantees the reliability, safety and durability of the electrical wiring in your home, garage or apartment.

I don’t use wires in my work because, firstly, today it is allowed to lay electrical wires only hidden in the wall or floor in HDPE or corrugated pipes - You will need more electrical materials and more time-consuming and labor-intensive work, which means it will cost you more .

Secondly, three separate wires are more expensive than one three-core cable, which also has a higher resistance to fire and smoke.

Today only cables with copper conductors are used because copper has a number of advantages over aluminum!

Aluminum wires should only be purchased for old electrical wiring, if you need to replace a piece of it or add, for example, a socket. The AVVGng cable is suitable for these purposes (Figure 4).

First What you need to pay attention to is this. Today, depending on the conditions of installation or use, only three brands of electrical cables are used in home and domestic environments:

1. VVGng(Figure 1) - for hidden electrical wiring under plaster. This type of cable is resistant to ignition and combustion.

2. VVGng-LS- for laying openly on the surface of a ceiling or wall, for example, which will subsequently be covered with plasterboard. Keep in mind that the cable must always be protected from any, including accidental, mechanical impact. To protect against mechanical stress, they change, most often PVC boxes. The cable is not only resistant to fire, but also does not emit smoke.
An analogue of VVGng-LS is a new, more expensive brand NYMng-LS, which is gray in color and easier to install and cut, because its design (picture below) contains a layer of rubber.

3. And the last option is a white multi-core cable of the brand PVS(Figure 3), which is used only for extension cords and connecting electrical appliances to the outlet. For example, it goes from an electric kettle, etc., to a socket to which it is connected via a plug.

Second The main parameter when choosing is the cross-section of the cable with copper conductors. At home, depending on the load, a cable with a cross-section of 1.5 square millimeters is most often used, withstanding a load of up to 3.5 and connected to 16 A or. In rare cases, for higher electrical loads, a cable with a cross-section of 2.5 square mm is used, which is connected to a 25 A circuit breaker or plug.

Third parameter , this is the number of cores in the cable. The old 2-wire wiring requires a cable with two cores, and the new three-wire wiring requires a cable with three cores. In addition, to connect a chandelier with two keys, you will need an electrical cable with 4 cores.

What is the VVGng-LS 3x1.5 cable brand?
The first letter A means that the cable has an aluminum core, and if it is missing, the cable has a copper core. In our case, copper.
B - (the first in copper cables) means that the core insulation is made of PVC.
B - (second in copper cables) means that the overall insulation of all cores is made of PVC.
G - (“naked”) indicates the absence of additional protective cover.
ng - insulation does not support combustion.
LS - low level of smoke and gas emission when exposed to high temperatures.
3x1.5 - three cores with a cross-section of one and a half square millimeters each.

Related materials:

There are a variety of wires on sale, differing in material, cross-section, marking, design and color.

When laying electrical systems, it is necessary to resolve the primary issue - which cable to use for wiring in the apartment in order to ensure the safety and reliability of the laid electrical communications.

Agree, choosing a suitable conductor is not an easy task. We will try to help you, and we suggest you familiarize yourself with the detailed classification of cables and the specifics of connecting electrical equipment.

Complete or partial replacement of electrical networks usually needs to be performed in two cases:

1. Wiring age. Major renovations are recommended to be carried out 15-20 years after moving into a new apartment. During this time, the installed communications wear out, becoming a source of potential danger for residents.
2. Redevelopment and renovation of premises(especially with the addition of powerful household appliances). Modern electric stoves, washing machines, and dishwashers place increased demands on wiring. It is not advisable to connect them to old electrical networks due to the mismatch of characteristics. When planning to purchase such units, it is better to update communications in individual rooms, for example, in the kitchen or bathroom.

Regardless of the reason for replacing electrical networks, work should begin with the preparation and selection of cable products.

Differences between cables and wires

Novice craftsmen often ask the question of what to buy for laying electrical communications - cables or wires.

To solve this problem, you need to find out the difference between these products:

• According to GOST 15845-80 adopted in the USSR, the cable consists of one or more conductors (cores) coated with insulating material. Such elements, in turn, are enclosed in a plastic, polyethylene, metal or rubber shell, on top of which an additional protective cover, including an armored one, can be installed.
• Thanks to double insulation, the cable is reliably protected from moisture, light, exposure to aggressive substances, and mechanical damage. Increased strength and reliability characteristics allow the use of such products in the most difficult conditions, for example, under water and underground.
• The wire consists of one or more twisted strands, which can be either insulated or bare. They are usually enclosed in a non-metallic sheath (PVC, cross-linked polyethylene) or a braid/winding made of textile or wire. The security of a wire is much less than that of a cable, so its scope of use is quite limited.

According to professionals, to install a stationary electrical network in an apartment, it is necessary to use only cables. The wires can be used for portable electrical equipment, as well as in low-current systems with a voltage not exceeding 24V.

Wires differ from cables in having bare cores and a lighter protective sheath. They can be used to create electrical systems that do not have high requirements

When choosing materials for laying electrical networks in residential premises, preference should be given to impeccably high-quality products. Only in this case can you install safe, fire-resistant and reliable wiring that will ensure the delivery of electric current to every corner of the apartment.

The most important characteristics of cable products

When purchasing products used for laying electrical communications, it is important to consider the features listed below.

Cable material and design

The assortment includes wiring elements using copper and aluminum conductors. Although the latter are cheaper, copper products are more reliable: they have higher current conductivity and lower resistance, and, moreover, conductors made of this metal heat up more slowly.

Copper is also more ductile and not subject to rapid oxidation, so wires made from it last a long time.

Based on these characteristics, current documents ( PUE 7.1.34 And SP 31-110-2003, clause 14.3) prescribe the use of exclusively copper cables and wires for wiring in apartments.

Although aluminum products are widely used in industry, their use for electrical wiring in residential premises is prohibited by electrical installation rules

By design, wires can have one or more cores. A single-wire element is a monolithic conductor surrounded by an insulating sheath. This product is convenient and easy to install, and it costs less than multi-wire ones.

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Cable colors

The wires can either be uniformly colored or have a one-millimeter stripe on the sheath along the wire.

The conductors in the cable have different colors. This greatly simplifies the process of connecting elements, which is important when carrying out electrical work.

• Red, brown, white wires are usually used as a phase (denoted in diagrams as L).
• Blue wires indicate zero ( N).
• Green or green-yellow veins, which are marked on the plan with letters P.E., always correspond to grounding.

This color specificity greatly facilitates electrical installation work.

Packaging and certificates of conformity

There are two types of standard packaging for electrical wiring. Cables intended for retail sale in construction and other specialized stores are wound on coils.

Products offered to wholesalers, construction organizations and other large consumers are packaged in drums.

Any package of cable products must be accompanied by a tag, which may have a different color, shape and mounting option.

Regardless of the container, a tag with a description is attached to the product, which includes:

• plant name or brand name;
• brand of cable products;
• date of manufacture;
• GOST or TU, according to which the cable product was manufactured;
• number of segments with length designation;
• drum number;
• conductor weight;
• conformity mark;
• controller's mark.

When purchasing a cable in a whole coil measuring 100 m, a tag is given along with the product. When purchasing electrical wiring in a piece, a label is provided by the seller for viewing.

The quality of the cable is confirmed by special documents. The product must have a fire safety certificate and a certificate of conformity confirming the possibility of using this type of cable for certain electrical installation work.

The document relating to a particular type of product must indicate GOST or TU, as well as the validity period. Sellers are required to present the certificate for review upon the first request of the buyer.

External condition of cable products

When purchasing electrical wiring, you should also pay attention to the appearance of the products. It is better to avoid products that have external damage: pronounced kinks, compression, bruises.

Such faults may indicate internal problems: conductors with external defects may have breaks or be shorted to each other. In order not to make a mistake with your choice, it is advisable to carefully inspect the electrical wire in the store, and only then pay for the purchase.

Existing types of products

It is difficult to unambiguously answer the question of what wires and cables are needed for wiring in the residential premises of an apartment, since such work requires various types of similar products.

According to current safety regulations, all household appliances and sockets must be grounded. Therefore, in apartments, a three-core cable is installed everywhere, having a “phase”, “zero” and “ground”

For the lighting circuit, which receives the least load from the electrical network, a cable with a cross section of 1.5 mm 2 is suitable. For it, it is enough to provide a 10 A (2.3 kW) circuit breaker.

For sockets where the load can reach up to 3-4 kW, it is necessary to take products with a cross-section of 2.5 square meters. mm, capable of withstanding current up to 27 A and power 5.9 kW.

However, you should not load the line to such limits: for correct operation, a reserve of one third of the planned load is required. In this case, you will need a switch rated at 16 A (3.6 kW).

Flexible wires are intended for these purposes; it should be taken into account clause 2.1.48 PUE 7, according to which you can only take products whose purpose is indicated in the standards and technical specifications.

For example, to connect a hob, you should select a wire whose certificate contains a mention of such use of this product.

Which wires are not suitable?

There are product options that are strictly prohibited from being used for laying electrical networks, even in the most extreme cases. These include the following types of products.

Product #1 - PVS wire

Copper connection element having a PVC sheath and insulation. It has a stranded design with 2-5 conductors with a cross-section of 0.75-10 sq. mm.

The wire, designed for a voltage rating of 0.38 kW, can be used to connect household electrical appliances to the power grid and for making extension cords.

PVA is not suitable for laying wiring for the following reasons:

1. It has a multi-wire core structure, so it requires tinning and soldering to connect the ends, which requires a lot of time and a lot of experience.
2. The product creates a fire hazard: the wire strands cause the cable to heat up more, causing the insulation to wear out faster, which can lead to a short circuit.
3. PVA cannot be laid in a bundle, whereas almost all cable models are suitable for this. Due to the fact that the wiring lines must be at a certain distance from each other, you will have to make grooves in the wall for each of them.

Thus, even the low price of such wires cannot compensate for the high installation costs, and the quality of the installed electrical network will not be too high.

Product #2 - SHVVP, PVVP wires

Cords or cables having single or multi-wire copper cores can be used to connect household appliances and electrical equipment.

However, they are not suitable for fixed electrical communications because these products do not have non-combustible insulation.

In houses of old construction, in most cases, it has already exhausted its service life and must be replaced. In addition, old household networks are absolutely not designed for the power of modern household appliances. Of course, there are some important factors to consider when purchasing new cables. We’ll talk about which wire is best to use for wiring in an apartment in this article.

What to consider when choosing

The first thing you need to decide is the cross-section of the future cable. This parameter depends on the following factors:

• network length, and therefore resistance;
• expected load on it;
• manufacturing material.

When deciding which wire to use for wiring a short network with a large load in an apartment, you should focus on the heating conditions. for long lines depends largely on the resistance value. Also in this case, mechanical strength is important.

As for the material of manufacture, two types of cables are currently used: copper and aluminum. In the first case, the cross-section will be smaller, in the second - larger. For this reason, the vast majority of apartment owners currently prefer to install copper cables in their apartments, which have better conductivity.

Load consumption

The cross-section of the electrical wiring in the apartment should be such that the owners subsequently have the opportunity to connect devices of the required power. The current value for a given specific household appliance is determined by the formula I=P/V, where P is its power (can be viewed in the data sheet), V is the network voltage. In a household it is usually 220 V. Thus, for example, for a heater with a power of 2000 W, the current value will be 9 A.

Next, the total current of all expected consumers is calculated. The cross-section of the copper wire is selected taking into account the permissible 10 A per square millimeter. Aluminum - 8 A. If the wiring is hidden, these values ​​should be multiplied by a correction factor - 0.8. The apartment is practically not used. However, if for some reason you have to choose this option, you should use a wire with a cross-section of at least 4 mm 2 that has sufficient mechanical strength. With greater accuracy, the permissible current load on copper can be found using special tables.

It is better to choose wires for wiring in an apartment with some power reserve. This will make it possible to subsequently connect new electrical appliances to the network, the purchase of which is not currently planned.

In ordinary city apartments, copper wire with a cross-section of 1.5 mm 2 is most often chosen for lighting, and 2.5 mm 2 for sockets. It is better to extend a 4 mm 2 cable into the kitchen, since there are usually a lot of powerful household appliances here - a stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, etc. The installation cable for entering the apartment is chosen so that its cross-section is one step higher than that required for the most powerful device to be used.

Resistance

The question of which wire to use for wiring in an apartment also comes down to the correct selection of the cross-section in terms of possible voltage losses. The lines even in city apartments can be quite long. In this case, voltage losses in the cables can reach unacceptable values. The choice must be made in such a way that this value does not exceed 5%. To calculate voltage losses, the load torque must first be calculated. To do this, the power in kilowatts is multiplied by the cable length in meters. Next, the actual percentage of loss is determined using special tables. It will depend on the load moment, cable cross-section and length. There are separate tables for three-phase and single-phase networks. However, you should be aware that they indicate the percentage of losses without taking into account the heating of the cable when current passes through it. Therefore, in this case, you should also choose the wire cross-section with a margin. That is, look at the table for the value corresponding not to 5, but to 4%.

Soft wires

For residential premises, soft flexible cables are usually chosen. Each core in this case consists of a large number of thin conductors. Such cables are easy to pull through apartments with complex layouts with a large number of bends. The only drawback of soft wires is that when connecting the wiring you have to crimp them and press a special tip onto them.

Hard

There is another type of cable - rigid. In this case, each core consists of one conductor. In principle, it does not matter which wires are chosen for wiring in the apartment - flexible or rigid. The main thing is that the cable matches the loads placed on it by consumers. For a city apartment, three-wire options with a ground wire are usually chosen. The core insulation in this case will have different colors. Brown or red corresponds to the phase wire, blue to neutral, yellow to ground.

Most commonly used wire grades

One of the most popular options is NYM cable, which is very suitable for wiring in an apartment. It is a flexible version of single-wire conductors and has a round shape. Another advantage is the presence of two insulations. The latter circumstance makes it more fireproof.

Another variety, often used in city apartments, is single-wire, which can be round or flat. This option is more compact than NYM, and therefore more convenient to install. Its advantages, among other things, include its not too high cost.

The third common option is multi-wire PVA. This round cable has very good flexibility. Most often it is used for household appliances as a network cable. However, it is also very suitable for installing lines.

What else you need to know

If the wiring is to be pulled behind plasterboard trim or a false ceiling, flame retardant cable should be used. Such options are marked with the letters “NG”. It's even better to use it with the "ls" index. The insulation of such wires in the event of a fire will not emit much harmful smoke and gases.

It is best if the cable for wiring in the apartment is double insulated. In any case, it is not worth saving on this. Otherwise, for example, if there is a flood in the apartment, a fire may also occur, since single insulation is often simply damaged during installation or during operation.

How to choose switches

So, you have decided which wire to use for wiring in the apartment. However, cables are, of course, not the only element of the network. In addition to them, you will need to buy other components. Switches are selected, first of all, based on what kind of wiring is used in the apartment - open or closed. Of course, the first option in this case is used extremely rarely. Therefore, for a city apartment, most likely, you will need to purchase switches for hidden wiring.

In addition, these network elements come with screw and screwless clamps. The first option may be a good choice if the electrical wiring in the apartment is laid using aluminum cables. Over time, the latter may melt slightly and begin to spark. In this case, it will be enough to simply tighten the screws. For copper wiring, switches with terminal clamps are usually chosen. They are more convenient to connect.

Selection of sockets

It is best to choose this element based on the manufacturer. However, you need to beware of fakes. In the latter case, the sockets may emit, for example, an unpleasant odor. In addition, low-quality products are often made of too thin or soft plastic. The socket must be heavy enough. It is also worth paying attention to the condition of the grounding contact. It shouldn't bend.

It’s worth taking a plug with you to the store and trying to plug it into an outlet. Of course, it should not dangle or fall out. For such an option as external wiring in the apartment, as in the case of switches, specially designed sockets are used.

Today on sale you can also find special ones equipped, for example, with USB connectors or LED backlighting. If you wish, you can choose this option.

Well, we hope our article will help you decide which wire to use for wiring in a city apartment. There are many options at the moment. The most important thing is to use cables that are suitable for the power of the devices and are as safe as possible.

Repair work in an apartment involves many aspects that require certain financial costs. An important point is replacing the wiring. Often, owners of residential spaces try to save on new cables for the sake of more impressive finishing work, but this approach can lead to negative consequences. In order to choose the right cable to use for wiring in an apartment and not lose money and time, you need to know the nuances of electrical installation work.

What is the difficulty of choosing

Replacement of electrical wiring is mainly necessary in the following cases:

• Age of construction and, accordingly, wires.
• Wiring burnout due to a short circuit (most often this is a consequence of the first reason).
• Major repairs and redevelopment of the apartment.

The question of changing the wiring arises at the first stage of repair work. To implement it, it is advisable to think through the electrification scheme of the room from scratch and, according to the calculations, select and purchase high-quality wires that meet all the requirements.

Any experienced electrician will answer which cable to use for wiring in an apartment. The difficulty lies in selecting the right manufacturer, because the construction market is vast and the choice of wiring is complicated by the abundance of these products. You need to know not only what to buy, but also how not to buy a fake or simply poor-quality wiring - this can cause difficulties even for a professional electrician.

In any case, you need to select wires for installing new wiring together with a specialist. A trained professional with practical experience and all the necessary permits will help you select cables for your home wiring that will last for many years.

Criterias of choice

To determine which wire to buy and use for wiring in a house or apartment, you first need to study the standard characteristics of power cables. It includes the following items:

1. Cable arrangement.
2. The material from which the cores are made.
3. Bandwidth.
4. Thickness of insulating shells.
5. The quality of the marking and its color.
6. Availability of certification documents.
7. Appearance.

When purchasing a cable for electrical wiring in an apartment, you must remember that the selected material must comply with all provisions of the PUE. An experienced technician will help you make a choice, but in order not to act blindly, you need to study the characteristics of wires and cables yourself.

Aluminum or copper

Not everyone knows about the PUE requirements, which determine which cable is best to choose based on the material of the conductors - this question can still often be heard from people who have begun repair work. There is only one answer here - it’s definitely cables with copper conductors. Only they have the necessary characteristics for safe and uninterrupted operation of electrical equipment in a house or apartment.

For comparison, we can give a qualitative characteristic.

Aluminum:

• Low conductivity.
• Insufficient strength and bendability.
• Short service life due to rapid oxidation.

• Strength and elasticity.
• High electrical conductivity.
• Long service life.

Despite the obvious differences between aluminum and copper wires, the former continue to be used for laying household electrical wiring. This is explained by the high cost of wiring with a copper base, but here you need to understand that this is a one-time gain, because if you take the long term, copper wins in all respects and fully pays off due to durability.

Cable arrangement

Based on the method of manufacturing current-carrying cores, cables are structurally divided into two main types: single-wire and multi-wire. Solid core uses one solid wire, which makes the cable more rigid and susceptible to frequent kinks. Stranded ones consist of many small veins woven together - this makes the wire flexible and can withstand repeated kinks.

The manufacturing technology of stranded wires is somewhat more complicated, so such wires are more expensive than single-wire wires, but in terms of current-carrying properties they are approximately equal (if you don’t delve into high-level matters, such as “spreading of current over the surface of a conductor” and so on).

It is impossible to answer unambiguously which wire according to the design to choose for wiring in an apartment, since theoretically both varieties can be used as electrical wiring with some reservations. If funds allow, they still try to use cables with multi-wire cores, since they are more flexible and better suited for external and hidden methods of laying wires at the same time. Their disadvantage is the need for additional tinning of the ends of the wire when installing sockets - otherwise the contact may deteriorate over time.

The different types of cables are discussed in detail in the following videos:

Choosing a section

When deciding how to choose the desired thickness of cable cores, it is necessary to assume that the available equipment will certainly change over time, so when purchasing wires for internal wiring, you need to take into account the power reserve. That is, approximately a third of the value must be added to the calculated value of the expected load.

The easiest way in such a situation is to be proactive and install electrical cables with larger cross-section cores in the apartment. This will save you from possible wiring alterations in the future.

To select a cable with the required bandwidth, you need to pay attention to the marking - the tag must contain all the necessary data on the cross-section of the cores.

If you simply do the wiring with a reserve, without delving into the calculations of which wire cross-section is better to choose, you can be guided by the following values:

• 1.5 mm² for lighting.
• 2.5 mm² for regular sockets.
• 4-6 mm² for sockets to which powerful electrical consumers will be connected - ovens, electric stoves, etc.

It should be taken into account that manufacturers, when marking capacity, can indicate calculated, rather than real data, taking advantage of the fact that some error is included in specifications or GOSTs and small discrepancies are quite acceptable. Here it is better not to take risks and, to be on the safe side, purchase electrical wires with a nominal value higher than what is actually needed.

For more information about choosing a wire cross-section, watch this video:

Isolation is an integral part of safety

Each single or multi-core cable has an insulating sheath. Most often they are made of standard type or low flammability PVC plastic. In some cases, polyethylene or polymers are used.

How thick the insulation of current-carrying conductors should be is determined by GOSTs. Wires for installing wiring in an apartment must be insulated with a layer of 0.44 mm or higher. Anything less is already a violation.

The core shell also has a standard thickness. For single-core cables the norm is 1.4 mm, for multi-core cables – 1.8 mm.

Double insulation ensures greater safety and protection of the cable from external damage.

Honest manufacturer

While it is quite possible to independently understand the technical side of the choice, it is quite difficult to determine the quality of the purchased product. To buy a high-quality cable for wiring in an apartment, you need to pay attention to the following points:

• Marking quality. The inscription on the wire must be clear, clear and easily readable.
• Insulation color. It is standard solid. In rare cases, there is a black stripe along the entire length. The presence of stains, streaks or additional patterns indicate a low-quality product.
• Package. Cables are always packaged in coils or drums. Each package comes with a tag containing detailed information about the product.
• Certificates. The quality of the material can be checked by asking for documents - certificates of conformity and fire safety are attached to the cables.
• Appearance. Often damage and dents indicate poor transportation and storage. Bends, compression, and abrasions can hide internal damage.

As a result

Purchasing a cable for electrical wiring has its own nuances, so the choice of materials must be taken seriously and responsibly. Before purchasing wiring, you need to calculate the loads, determine the location of the sockets and how to run lines to them. A correct and rational approach will allow you to obtain high-quality electrical wiring that will last for decades without failure.

Knowing the listed nuances, purchasing a wire for home wiring should not be difficult, even if a person is not “savvy” enough in technical matters. If the above explanations seem insufficient, then it is better to entrust the choice and purchase to the specialists who will carry out the installation.