Box for electrical wiring: advantages, types, installation

Electrical wiring is a source of increased risk in terms of fire safety. A short circuit between two conductors of opposite poles leads to heating and ignition of the insulation. In addition, contact with exposed conductors is a danger to human health and life. To reduce the level of danger and make the operation of electrical wiring safe, it is placed in special plastic boxes. We will discuss them further.

What is a box for electrical wiring

An electrical box, or cable channel, is an electrical product designed to install cables and wires on a wall, floor, or ceiling. The shape of the cable channel can be rectangular or triangular, the cross section looks like a closed profile, inside which power or low-current wires are laid. Unlike the corrugation, which performs similar functions, the wiring box is collapsible and consists of an internal cavity of the channel and cover. The main place of application of the electrical box is the organization of network support where internal wiring is not considered advisable.

Power or low-current cables are routed in boxes in cases where the installation of hidden wiring is not advisable

Advantages of the electrical box

The main advantages of the location of the wiring in the cable channel are as follows:

• simplicity of installation work;
• mobility;
• accessibility of communications for modernization or repair;
• the ability to install in well-finished rooms. The power grid, packed in a box, has a completely acceptable aesthetic appearance;
• scalability. With the correct calculation of the size of the box, there is always the opportunity to lay additional cables and wires in case of need in the future.

Due to the flexibility of the installation process, the technology for using electrical installation boxes has become widespread in both the manufacturing and residential sectors.

If any problems occur, the suspicious section of the cable network can be easily opened to eliminate the malfunction.

Among other things, plastic boxes have a low cost and significantly reduce the risk of mechanical damage to the wiring.

They reliably hide power lines from open contact with a person for whom electric current is a danger.

Cable channel device

The electrical industry produces various types of mounting boxes from various materials. The bulk is made of plastic and metal. But sometimes boxes are made of electrical cardboard, fiberglass materials, and even wood.

Depending on the size and purpose, there are various types of cable channels. But the general constructive principle of the box is its isolation and the ability to accommodate power lines in an enclosed space. Unlike trays, which serve to support electrical wiring during installation, cable channels are equipped with covers that should be easy to remove and put on. The lid fastening can be on latches, screws, bolts, as well as glue or clamps.

Photo gallery: types of cable channels

Video: cable management device in plastic boxes under wood

Choosing a box for electrical wiring and calculating its size

In order to choose the optimal type and size of the cable channel, we consider the main types of mounting boxes in the light of their purpose and application.

Metal boxes

The material for the production of such ducts is rolled sheet steel. Most often, galvanized sheets are used, their service life exceeds conventional metal. Depending on the destination, there are perforated and all-metal boxes. The advantage of perforated products is considered to be less weight, all-metal boxes meet higher safety requirements. There are also hermetic sleeves made of metal, which are used for cabling in especially dangerous areas - in close proximity to plumbing, gas and other devices.

Metal boxes are used in places of increased danger of fire or in case of contact with aggressive chemicals

Wooden cable channels

Modern industry does not produce wooden boxes. In some special cases, the masters independently mount the cable channel from wooden elements, based on the specifics of the situation. The principle of "pencil case" is used. The main requirement for such a box is the ability to quickly access hidden wiring in it.

Plastic mounting boxes

Boxes made of plastic are currently in the greatest demand. Due to the low price, ease of use, external data and high reliability, plastic cable channels have become very popular among builders and professional electricians.

Manufacturers produce a wide range of plastic cable channels of various shapes and sizes.

The variety of sizes, shapes and colors of plastic boxes allows you to choose the right type of cable channel to solve any problem.The plastic from which they are produced has various properties - from increased fire safety to water resistance. High-quality plastic has good environmental performance, is not harmful to health and does not contain harmful volatile substances.

A huge advantage of plastic wiring ducts is the availability of numerous accessories: external and internal corner adapters, plugs, couplings. All this greatly facilitates the work of the installer, speeds up the installation time and gives the power line a finished look.

In order to make the cable route look finished and aesthetically attractive, manufacturers produce a variety of accessories and accessories for plastic boxes

Among other things, plastic is very easy to maintain, does not accumulate dust, washes and is quickly replaced if necessary.

How to calculate cable channel size

In order to correctly choose the size of the channel cable, you need to know in advance the number of wires that will be located in it. In a word - we need a thoughtful electrical circuit, a working draft, in accordance with which electrical equipment is purchased. Typically, the volume of the box is determined based on the cross section of the cables held in it. An admission is added to it (if necessary) for laying two or three wires in the future. It is no secret that over time, our home is overgrown with new types of communications. Yesterday no one heard about the Internet, and today it is in every house, which means that there is a need to conduct another additional cable to the desktop.

If necessary, in the cable channel, you can leave a reserve of 2-3 wires for future expansion of the network

When choosing a box, you must take into account the purpose of the wires that will be in it. So, for low-current cables it is not necessary to buy a metal or hermetic cable channel. There is also no need to spend money on a heat-resistant box - small currents flow in telephone, television and computer wires, which are not dangerous from the point of view of fire. But when laying power lines, it is precisely the maximum degree of protection against short circuits that is needed, the tightness and incombustibility of the material are welcome.

Types of cable channel cover fastening

The cover of the duct mounting cable should be tightly fixed to the box. For this, various methods and devices are used.

1. In metal boxes, screw fasteners are most often used - bolts, screws, as well as clamps and latches.
2. In plastic products, fastening by means of latches or a snug fit of the lid on the main body is most common.
   

   In plastic cases, the lid is most often mounted on latches in the grooves of the case

3. Sometimes, with especially small dimensions of the box, the lid is glued to a waterproof adhesive that can be used several times without damage to the structure. PVA-based adhesive is generally recommended. It holds the lid perfectly, but if necessary, it can be easily removed, cleaned of old glue and fixed again in the same way.

Cable channels combined with other elements of the interior are especially popular today. A striking example of such a symbiosis is a plastic or wooden baseboard, inside which there is space for laying cables. And this applies not only to floor skirtings, but also to ceiling ones.

It is convenient to lay new cables in the room in special channels of the floor plinth

This is all the more convenient because after installing the baseboard, you can repeatedly remove its top cover and add (or reduce) the number of wires as long as free space allows. True, you must be careful not to damage the plastic grooves in which it is attached.

There is no lid in wooden baseboards, wire laying can be done only once, during installation.

The cable can only be laid in a wooden baseboard during the repair of a room

An important characteristic of the installation box is its resistance to burning. In this sense, a metal cable channel has a great advantage over everyone else. At the same time, plastics have been developed and tested that not only prevent combustion, but are also “self-extinguishing”, that is, quenching the resulting fire. The cost of such products is slightly higher, but in places of increased risk of fire, you should not save on safety. Correspondence of the cable channel to the existing requirements can be clarified in the product data sheet.

The document governing fire safety standards when laying cables and cable channels is Federal Law No. 123 “Technical Regulation on Fire Safety Requirements”. The basic requirements are set out in Art. 82. Paragraphs 6.7.8. And also in the "Code of Rules 6.13130.2009.", Developed by the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia.

Cable channel manufacturers

Since the possibility of using cable ducts was formulated and approved at the legislative level, demand for them has grown to an unprecedented extent. Therefore, all the leading electrical companies have established the production and marketing of this type of product. Strict certification and testing of each type of channel was carried out, so the information provided in the technical passport of the installation box can be safely trusted.

Of the foreign companies that are well known to everyone, LEGRAND, SIMON ELECTRIC, FERON and others are worthy manufacturers.

Among domestic manufacturers, one can distinguish such companies as the National Electrotechnical Company Morozov, ERA and ROSEL, and many others.

Video: outdoor wiring in a wooden house in a cable channel

The sequence of installation of the electrical box

Installation of the installation box takes place in several stages.

1. Preparatory work.
2. Mount box.
3. Cable management
4. Lid mount.

The lion's share of the preparatory work for installing the duct box for wiring is to plan the location of the cable network wisely.

Following safety rules, it is recommended to avoid laying the track in places of water supply and gas equipment, near heating appliances. Do not also forget that in the event of an emergency, smoke spreads through the channel cable system, which can cause harm to human health. All this should be taken into account when developing the energy supply project.

Directly on the ground, the installation zone of the boxes should be pre-marked. At the same time, the vertical and horizontal sections of the route are observed. It is preferable to make turns and additional layoffs at right angles, over the shortest distance.

Installation of the cable route is carried out in the following sequence:

1. Disassemble by removing the top cover from it.
2. Fix the box to the wall. The distance between the fasteners is assumed to be at least 0.5 m. Many products have holes for fasteners, they can be used, but it is always worth making an adjustment for a specific situation.
   

   Fasten the box best every 50 cm

3. For fastening, you can use screws, dowels, nails, anchors or clamps. Thin and light plastic boxes can be fixed with glue or double-sided tape. But at the same time, you need to make sure that contact with the wall surface is reliable.
   

   The wall surface must be cleaned and degreased so that the contact with the box plane is as tight as possible

4. Wire laying. Wires can be laid one at a time or a bundle tied in several places.It is advisable to sign each cable or mount special tags in order to simplify the work for those who will deal with the wiring diagram in the future.
   

   Wire marking should contain clear designations and be protected from abrasion over time

5. Lid installation. It is recommended to lubricate the locking grooves or latches with a special sealant. This will enhance the protective properties of the lid - prevent dust and moisture from entering.
   

   The edges of the mounting box can be lubricated with sealant before closing.

Video: installing the box under the wiring

The use of electrical boxes for installation and additional insulation of power supply network lines ensures reliable placement of current conductors, their safety and long term operation.