Many DIY enthusiasts and homeowners find themselves taking on the task of installing sockets and switches in plasterboard walls. Whether you’re remodeling an existing room or setting up a new one, the process can initially seem a little intimidating. But it can be simple and doable if you take the proper approach.
Plasterboard is delicate, so this is one of the important things to keep in mind. Plasterboard, in contrast to solid walls, needs to be handled carefully during installation to prevent damage. For the wall to function properly and look good, the sockets and switches must be mounted safely and securely.
This post will walk you through the process of installing switches and sockets in plasterboard and offer helpful advice to help you get a polished finish. You’ll find everything you need to finish the job with confidence, from selecting the appropriate tools to cutting with accuracy.
Step | Description |
1. Plan Placement | Decide where the sockets and switches will go, considering height and convenience. |
2. Mark Locations | Use a pencil to mark the exact spots on the plasterboard where you will install the sockets and switches. |
3. Cut Openings | Use a hole saw or utility knife to cut out openings for the electrical boxes in the marked spots. |
4. Install Electrical Boxes | Secure the electrical boxes into the openings, ensuring they are flush with the surface of the plasterboard. |
5. Run Wiring | Feed the electrical wires through the openings into the boxes, leaving enough wire for connection. |
6. Connect Wires | Connect the wires to the sockets and switches, following the color coding and using wire nuts or connectors. |
7. Secure Sockets and Switches | Attach the sockets and switches to the electrical boxes with screws, making sure they are firmly in place. |
8. Test Connections | Turn on the power and test each socket and switch to ensure they are functioning properly. |
9. Finish Installation | Fit the faceplates over the sockets and switches to complete the installation. |
- What is needed for work
- How to make a hole in drywall for a socket?
- Fastening the box in a plasterboard wall
- Installation and connection of the socket and switch
- Video on the topic
- Installing sockets in drywall
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What is needed for work
To ensure that all installation procedures are completed promptly and precisely, the following tools must be ready in advance:
- Drill. If the device has the ability to adjust the speed, then it can be used not only to create holes, but also to screw in screws. Alternatively, a screwdriver is used.
- Drywall crowns with a centering drill. These attachments are the best solution for quickly obtaining seats in which socket and switch mounting boxes are placed.
- A set of screwdrivers and bits. Used for screwing in screws of different sizes. It is taken into account that a hand tool is more convenient when connecting wires to terminals.
- Pliers or nippers. Used to quickly remove excess cable sections.
- Electric jigsaw or hacksaw for plasterboard. For creating complex holes.
- Construction knife. Used to cut out plugs in the socket box body, since cheap products are often tightly soldered.
- Indicator screwdriver. A simple device for determining voltage. The principle of operation is that when there is power in the handle, a light comes on.
- Level, ruler and tape measure. For marking and alignment.
Materials needed for standard installation technology are as follows:
- Socket and switch mounting boxes. Special plastic varieties that have passed fire certification are used for plasterboard panels. Their main difference is in the fixing tabs. Diameter and depth are selected individually. The following options are available:
- Single modules. This is the cheapest variation, it is easy to install, but there is no possibility of docking with similar devices.
- Boxes with an additional connector. A modern type with a connector on the body for extension. Socket boxes are assembled using a special part, which is not always included in the kit.
- Blocks. Most often, double and triple designs are found that do not require additional docking.
It is advised to choose components from the same manufacturer for all of them. This will prevent the need for adjustment, which frequently occurs when combining parts made by various manufacturers.
Note: Specific rooms are meant for specific types of devices. For example, high humidity rooms require special water-tight products.
To ensure a tight fit and a clean finish when installing sockets and switches in plasterboard walls, careful planning and the appropriate tools are needed. Making precise cuts in the plasterboard, utilizing electrical boxes meant for hollow walls, and firmly fastening the units in place are the steps involved in the process. A proper installation is an essential part of any wall finishing project because it guarantees both functionality and safety while also enhancing the room’s overall appearance.
How to make a hole in drywall for a socket?
If the frame is deep enough, cutting a box into a plasterboard surface by hand is not too tough. The two primary approaches are manual and instrumental. The first is the most popular and is executed using the following plan:
- Marking is performed. It is optimal to place sockets at a height of at least 30 cm in a regular room and 100 cm in a bathroom and at a distance of 10-15 cm from the door frame, switches – 80-90 cm from the floor, which is approximately at the level of a lowered hand. But for convenience, it is recommended to take into account the placement of interior items and the anatomical features of the residents.
- To ensure that the cutting is done without errors, it is better to use a laser level. If there is none, several reference points are taken as a basis, the obtained marks are checked. The drill bit, which is selected according to the diameter of the box, must be securely and without distortions fixed in the chuck. It is important to tighten the locking device well so that it does not loosen at high speeds.
- The centering part of the bit is set according to the central marking point, a depression is formed. The tool must be held perpendicularly. The power is adjusted depending on the degree of penetration: until the teeth cut through the cardboard, the speed should not be high, then it should be increased.
Following these detailed instructions, you can install a socket box or a box for a square or rectangular switch:
- The outline of the future device is marked, the boundaries should be clearly visible.
- A hole is drilled along the edge of the inner perimeter, the diameter of which is related to the jigsaw blade. There should be one point on each side.
- The tool is immersed in the slot, cuts are made in different directions to each corner.
Using a construction knife or plasterboard hacksaw, you can remove the landing spots by creating a contour, dividing it into zones, and then cutting out the zones in the desired order.
Fastening the box in a plasterboard wall
The mounting modules can be installed using the following algorithm:
- Determine the direction of the wire approach. In the body of the socket box, remove the plugs through which the cable is passed. It is taken into account that during the work the system must be de-energized or the ends of the wiring insulated.
- The box is gradually pushed into the hole. If the fixing tabs protrude, then they are placed in stages, slightly pressing the last one.
- Before fixing the module, the reliability and correctness of the location according to the level are checked.
- The screws of the device"s legs are screwed in sequentially without unnecessary pressure to prevent damage to the drywall.
Be aware of this! Vibrations are deemed to be prohibited, and the box needs to be inserted into the hole as firmly as feasible.
Installation and connection of the socket and switch
Carefully fastening the devices is required to ensure that every connection is accurate and incredibly dependable. Most often, there are two or three main wires in a house.
- working zero – N (mostly blue);
- phase – L (brown);
- grounding (protective zero) – PE (yellow-green).
However, you can only trust the color if the distribution was initially done in accordance with this guideline. Each device has a unique connection sequence that it must follow in order to operate flawlessly.
Additionally, determining the type of wiring must come first. The truth is that older apartment buildings have neutral grounding instead of a separate grounding branch. In this case, the yellow-green core, if any, is bent and insulated, and the terminal for connecting PE stays free.
The simplest method for installing sockets. Typical technology
- The wires brought out of the box are cut to the required size, the ends are stripped. It is taken into account that everything should fit freely inside the module.
- The outer plastic cover is removed, for this the central screw is unscrewed.
- The inner base most often combines a metal plate and an element with contacts. To connect the wires, screws are unscrewed, which release the connectors.
- The phase and zero are connected in any order and are well attracted.
- Next, it is necessary to attach and align the frame and fix the cover with openings for the plug on top.
Plasterboard walls require slightly different installation of switches. The primary distinction is that the break (the contacts) receives the phase. When zero is connected, the device will still function, but the lamp will always be on.
Vital! After each procedure, the power is turned off. If a large number of electrical devices are expected in the space, a separate automatic circuit breaker is provided.
When done correctly, installing switches and sockets in plasterboard is a simple procedure. You can make sure that your electrical fixtures are mounted firmly and connected safely by taking the appropriate procedures.
Prior to making any cuts in the plasterboard, it is crucial to measure and plan thoroughly. This guarantees that your installation looks neat and professional and helps you avoid making needless mistakes.
Never forget to put safety first. Before handling electrical components, turn off the power. If you have any questions at all, don’t be afraid to ask an experienced electrician for assistance.
You can add convenience and functionality to your space by installing sockets and switches in plasterboard with confidence if you have the right tools and a little perseverance.