What is a household outlet

A socket outlet is one of the components of an electrical network, without which the task of connecting devices is significantly complicated. Despite the large number of existing models (waterproof, dual, grounded), the basic principle remains unchanged. Indeed, the socket outlet makes it possible at a minimum cost to provide a safe connection to the network of electrical appliances to any person, even without a tolerance group.

Part of the whole

Although the socket outlet is a structurally completed device, it can not be fully operated without a plug, from which it creates a detachable connection using copper sliding contacts. In other words, it is important to match the solutions used. For example, a socket on two sockets (holes) is designed for a suitable plug with the same number of pins (pins), the diameter should not exceed the allowable value.

Popular Modifications

Let's consider, what features are inherent in sockets, used in household electric systems. One of the key differences is the body material (not to be confused with the outer cover). The socket can be made of ceramic or non-flammable plastic. The latter, despite its high performance characteristics, loses its resistance to heat (it deforms at high temperatures, caused, for example, by poor contact compression) and the permissible breakdown voltage (the best insulators are glass and ceramics, not polymers).

Now, when everywhere replacing obsolete home postings, the plug socket with grounding contact becomes irreplaceable. If in the Soviet era the standard was a two-wire network (zero and phase), now, according to the requirements of the Electrical Installation Board, a ground loop is installed and the third grounding wire is additionally diluted. This greatly increases electrical safety. It is connected to a special contact in the sockets. The equipment providing the use of grounding is realized with special plugs, in which the case is connected to the third contact. When you turn on the plug, there is a contact not two, as before, but three wires. Such outlets can be of two modifications: when the plug has three pins, standardly included in the holes, and also (more convenient solution) in the presence of a spring-loaded sliding contact, which additionally fixes the included plug. The peculiarity of the latter is that, when switched on, first a grounding circuit is created, and then deepened power conductors. In retail chains, you can find sockets of a special design, in which the holes are closed with plastic curtains, which need to be pivoted by the pins to insert the plug.

Installation of plug sockets

There are models for external (open) and internal mounting. Sockets of the first type are used, as a rule, together with external wiring, in which the wires are not hidden in the wall, but fixed to small insulators or placed in cable channels. Usually these are production premises, sheds, street chains. If the lower part of the socket is not equipped with a closing cover, then a plate of non-conductive material (textolite, wood) must be fixed to the substrate. Then disassemble the socket housing and use screws or bolts to place it on the prepared site. Wires can be connected both before and after installation (always in the de-energized state of the network).

The models for the concealed installation are equipped with internal metal "paws", which, when the two screws are twisted, spread out to the sides, securely fixing the entire structure inside the mounting box. The installation is simple: a hole is prepared in the wall, the diameter and depth of which correspond to the selected plastic mounting box; Then a channel is made for the wire from the main line; The ends of the wires are connected to the sockets for this purpose; The fixation is performed; The outer cover is installed.