It is impossible to build a home electrical network without an electrical cable. However, to furnish your home, it is not enough to install it correctly; you also need to correctly select the appropriate type. And for this you need to know what characteristics influence the choice. Do you agree?

We will tell you what types of products the modern market offers and what wire to use for wiring in the house. We will introduce you to the popular nomenclature and help you understand the labeling of products for laying power lines. Let us indicate what buyers and independent electricians should focus on.

In order to optimize perception, we supplemented the information presented for review with diagrams, photo selections, and video recommendations.

The main elements of any electrical cable are the cores - elements for the passage of electric current, isolated from each other by an internal sheath and enclosed in a common sheath.

They are designated by the abbreviation TPG.

In addition to current-carrying cores (1), the cable may contain such structural elements as core (3), wire or steel armor (2) and outer sheath (4)

There are two types of conductors for transmitting electrical energy:

• single-wire solid;
• stranded, consisting of a large number of thin threads.

Some people mistakenly believe that single-wire conductors and single-core cables are an identical concept. In fact, single-core products can have only one core, which, in turn, can be made of single or multi-wire.

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The first sign by which cables are divided is number of cores. The operational parameters of single- and multi-core products are detailed in the table below.

It’s a fact that you can’t argue with – over the years there are more and more electrical appliances in our house! And even though modern products are mostly energy efficient, the wiring sometimes cannot withstand the load. Therefore, a cable for wiring in an apartment is a choice that you cannot save on.

Types of electrical wiring cables - understand the designations

Even with minor repairs, for example, wallpapering, be sure to carry out a light repair - check the quality of connections, tighten loose sockets. The amount of energy we consume has increased 2-3 times over several decades, and in winter, when various types of heaters are also connected, it completely exceeds the permitted norms.

The wire for electrical wiring in the apartment, used during the previous renovation, may simply not survive the next one. So if today you choose which wire to use for wiring, then this choice should be with a serious margin! The safety of your family directly depends on this - More than half of fires occur due to wiring problems.

Of course, it is better not to lay the wire without special skills, but to entrust the work to an electrician. However, you should not blindly rely on someone else’s opinion when choosing. Let's first understand the symbols that you will find on the wire.

There is no point in memorizing all these symbols - make yourself a cheat sheet and feel free to go to the store. For example, the wire is marked as “ShVVP-3”. With the help of a cheat sheet, we can find out that this is a cord with vinyl insulation, in a vinyl sheath, and, moreover, it is flat. The C at the end indicates that the wire has a third class of flexibility.

Cable, wire, cord - all these are different things. A cable consists of several insulated wires (cores) that are twisted together and enclosed in a common insulation. The cord inside has several stranded cores, insulated and covered with a protective sheath.

You should choose based on the material from which the wires are made. If it is aluminum, then keep in mind that it has lower electrical conductivity, quickly oxidizes and crumbles at bends. Besides, the oxide formed is highly resistant, so over time the quality of the electric current will only deteriorate. The undeniable advantage of aluminum wires is their relatively low cost.

Copper wires oxidize much less, are resistant to environmental influences and are more durable on bends. However, the price of copper wires is significantly higher. And yet, when calculating costs, you should also take into account factors such as the frequency of replacing wiring - in the case of copper wires, you will forget about it for many decades, while aluminum can remind you of itself very quickly.

The cable for electrical wiring in an apartment should be highly flexible, since when wiring in an apartment there will be many bends and connections. This condition is not so important for cables that are used outside the apartment. For standard apartments and standard purposes (lighting, connecting household appliances), the following brands are best suited:

1. VVG - as we already know, this is a flexible cable with vinyl insulation and vinyl coating. By default, there are copper wires inside, but if the letter “A” is still in front of this marking, then there are aluminum wires inside. Good wire for hidden wiring (under a layer of plaster, putty);
2. NUM (NYM) is an analogue of VVG, which is produced in Germany. This wire is suitable for both external and internal wiring. It has a round cross-section. Inside there are single-wire conductors. The difference from the previous version is that it is less compact, but more flexible.
3. PVA – connecting wire in a vinyl sheath, round cross-section. Inside there are several stranded wires, that is, each wire consists of many small copper wires. Mainly used to connect household appliances.
4. SHVVP is a flat cord with vinyl insulation. Most often used on household appliances.

Cable for wiring in an apartment - cross-section

The choice of cross-section does not depend on the brand of cable - no matter what wire you choose, special attention should be paid to the cross-section. The cross-section is actually responsible for the load that the cable can withstand. Today, the market offers wires with core cross-sections from 0.35 mm2 to 25 mm2. For lighting, the optimal wiring is 3*1.5 mm.sq., while for sockets you should choose 3*2.5.

By the way, both large enterprises and small entrepreneurs can produce cables. It is better not to take into account the products of the latter - it is unknown what materials they used and what they saved on. Choose trusted manufacturers and only certified products manufactured in accordance with GOST standards. You are unlikely to find the latter in small markets, so the best option is to shop in large stores, where there is a wide selection of cables for electrical wiring. Remember, saving in this matter is unnecessary - safety comes first!

Electrical safety in the home depends on the condition of the wiring, which should be checked periodically to ensure there is no risk of short circuit or accidental fire. If the building is old, then it most likely uses aluminum wires for electrical wiring, and their service life does not exceed twenty years. In addition, more efficient and safer materials are now available for the production of conductors. The recommendation for their use is also explained by the presence of a significant number of electrical appliances in almost any apartment, which means an increased load on the wiring in the house. The decision on which cable to choose for wiring in the house should be based on the advice of a qualified electrician, as well as guided by the requirements of the rules for carrying out electrical installation work in the premises.

What is the difference between wire and cable?

In modern conditions, price plays a decisive role when deciding which cable to use for wiring in an apartment. For electrical wires it is significantly lower than for cables, which is explained by their design. They consist of several conductors twisted together, but insulated, on top of which insulation is mounted (it is necessary to prevent injuries and ensure safety during installation and operation). In most cases, the wires are made of aluminum, which explains their more affordable price. However, their installation in an apartment is allowed only in corrugated or special tubes, which significantly reduces the economic effect. In addition, the service life of aluminum electrical wires is significantly lower than that of a copper cable, and if you take into account the costs of replacing it, then the answer to the question of what is best for making wiring in an apartment will become obvious.

In addition to price, when choosing a material for an internal or external network, you should pay attention to the thickness of the cable. The wire cross-section for home wiring must be chosen such that the product can withstand the load of all electrical appliances in the house. And in this regard, cable is also more advantageous than wire, since it consists of a core and insulated strands twisted around it, and the insulation material is usually more durable, which allows it to be installed outdoors.

Important! It is best to install wiring from copper wires, since aluminum, despite its lower cost, is easily deformed during installation, which increases the risk of a short circuit, and also has a higher resistance than copper. This increases energy loss, and when overloaded, the likelihood of fire due to increased temperature increases significantly.

Calculation of wiring load

You should choose a cable for electrical wiring in an apartment taking into account the current strength, and it is calculated based on data on the rated power of the electrical appliances planned for connection and the voltage in the network, which is usually 220 V. The more devices work simultaneously, the greater the current will be pass through the wire, which means it must be thicker to withstand the load and not overheat.

When calculating the wire cross-section for electrical wiring in an apartment, in some cases the reactive electric current should be taken into account. It occurs if the device contains capacitors (as a rule, all devices with electric motors are equipped with them: refrigerators, tools, as well as fluorescent lamps, and so on). Due to the phase mismatch of the current in the network and inside the device, the wire is heated, so this parameter must be taken into account when calculating the load and, accordingly, the cross-section of the conductor.

Note! The maximum current for copper wires is 10 A per 1 sq. mm section. For hidden wiring, this parameter cannot be more than 6 A per 1 sq. mm. For aluminum wires and cables, the maximum load size is 6 and 4 A per 1 sq. mm, respectively.

To determine whether a cable is suitable for wiring in an apartment, you need to add up the current consumption of all devices connected to the network and divide by cross-section. If the obtained indicator does not exceed the limit value, such a wire can be used. In a similar way, you can calculate the required thickness of the conductor. When determining the diameter of the cable for wiring at home, it is recommended to take a reserve due to the possibility of connecting new devices.

The cross-section of the conductor to provide energy to lighting devices must be at least 1.5 square meters. mm. The maximum current carried through it, as a rule, does not exceed 16 A, so it is connected to a machine with the appropriate parameters. If devices with higher power are connected to the network, it is recommended to use copper wires with a thickness of at least 2.5 sq. mm, and install the machine with a current strength of 25 A. A cable with a cross-section of 4 sq. mm is needed for wiring in an apartment, if Powerful electrical appliances are used in everyday life. The diameter of the wire entering the room must be at least one step higher than the maximum used for internal wiring.

Additional Information. When choosing a cable for electrical wiring, you should be sure to measure the diameter of the wire cores, since some manufacturers manufacture them by reducing this parameter in order to save money, which may make it impossible to use the products under the required loads. You should also check that the number of conductors is at least three (phase, neutral conductor and grounding conductor); if lighting devices with two-key switches are used at home, the required number of conductors will be four.

An important parameter is the degree of wire rigidity. This indicator becomes especially relevant if, when laying a network, it is necessary to carry out a large number of direction changes. In such a situation, it is better to use a cable whose cores are made by twisting thin conductors together. Rigid types of wires are recommended for outdoor wiring, where the characteristics of strength and resistance to external influences come to the fore.

Most popular cables

The answer to the question of how to choose a wire for a network in the house requires knowledge of the main brands and types of products. Currently, one of the most famous brands is NUM. The products of this manufacturer are distinguished by the presence of two insulating shells, which virtually eliminates the possibility of fire. This type of wiring wire is most often installed indoors, despite its strength. It is not recommended to use it outdoors, since its insulation is destroyed under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.

The VVG brand cable is more universal. Its shell is resistant to various atmospheric phenomena, which allows the use of such a wire for street wiring, and not just for installation of electrical networks indoors. It is not afraid of humidity, which allows it to be installed in a bathroom or bathhouse, and to connect water heaters and other similar devices with its help. The only limitation with such cords is the impossibility of laying them underground.

Connecting the VVG to devices and the panel is quite easy, since its wires differ in color:

• neutral wire – blue;
• yellow-green color is used for grounding;
• The phase wire will be highlighted in any other color (most often it is brown, white or black).

If there are devices in the room that require high voltage, then it is recommended to use a VVGngPLS power cable, the cross-section of which is sufficient to withstand a high load. In addition, its insulation is made of a special polymer material that practically does not burn, therefore, the likelihood of a fire due to its overheating is practically eliminated; as soon as the load reaches a critical point, the machine will operate and turn off the current supply through this conductor.

When choosing which wire is best suited for connecting electrical appliances in the building, you should pay attention to the PVA brand. Products with this marking have excellent flexibility because they consist of a large number of thin wires. It is necessary to take into account that this cable is susceptible to corrosion, its insulation is easily destroyed in the cold, which means that it is not recommended to use it for laying external wiring.

After deciding which wire to use for wiring in the house, you need to decide on the method of laying the network. It can be hidden or open. In the first case, an attractive appearance is provided, but difficulties arise during maintenance or repair. In addition, even simply hammering a nail into a wall runs the risk of damaging the cable, and restoring it will require significant time and financial costs. Open wiring is better to maintain, but it looks less aesthetically pleasing because it is installed in corrugated or special pipes.

In outdoor conditions, the most effective is the SIP cable, which is most often used to make connections to buildings. It withstands the influence of various atmospheric phenomena, including temperature changes, thanks to its insulation made of high-quality polyethylene materials.

Wire types

To understand which product is best suited for laying an electrical network, you need to know their types:

• The cheapest is PUNP, but it heats up quickly in case of overload, which creates a risk of fire, so it is recommended to use it only in case of emergency;
• PRTO is laid only in special pipes and is most often used for the installation of external networks. Inside the room, such wiring will look unattractive;
• When used indoors only, regardless of humidity level;
• PRD and PRVD can only be installed in low humidity conditions.

Thus, the question of which wire to choose for wiring in an apartment is not as simple as it seems at first glance. Firstly, it must be of the required cross-section, which must be calculated correctly, and for this you need to know which devices will be connected to the network. Secondly, you should decide on the choice of wiring installation method (open or hidden). It should also be borne in mind that the answer to the question of how to choose a cable for outdoors and indoors will be different, since operating conditions are significantly different. Therefore, you should choose a material for the network device only after consultation with a qualified specialist.

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Which cable to choose for wiring in an apartment?

This is exactly the question that arises for many of our fellow citizens when they decide to replace an old one or install a new electrical network in a house or apartment. This question is quite serious and does not have a clear answer.

It all depends on the parameters of your electrical network and installation method. And if you want to understand this issue, our instructions are just for you.

In order to decide which cable to use for wiring in an apartment, we first need to decide on a number of parameters. First of all, you should choose the wiring installation method, you should also determine the number of cable cores, the parameters of the rooms in which installation is to be installed, the number of wires laid together, and some other aspects.

Wiring method

At the moment, there are two main types of wiring installation. This is a hidden and open installation.

Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, and preference can be given to one of them only after detailed consideration. In addition to your preferences in the choice, PUE standards regarding electrical and fire safety conditions play an important role.

• Open wiring is quite easy to install, has good maintainability and is relatively quick to install. At the same time, it spoils the design of the rooms, takes away our free space and requires additional boxes or pipes for mechanical protection.
• Although, on the other hand, according to 2.1.2 and 2.1.3 PUE, the requirements for open wiring when installing on combustible structures are not so stringent in many respects. Due to this, this type of installation is chosen for installation on wooden and other combustible structures.
• Wiring the electrical cable in an apartment in a hidden way allows you to hide all utility networks and does not require additional protection when installed on fireproof structures. At the same time, the labor intensity of the work is much higher, maintainability is not high, and connecting additional electrical appliances can cause certain difficulties.
• In addition, according to table. 2.1.2 and 2.1.3 PUE, the choice of hidden wiring is associated with a large number of difficulties and the need to use additional means of protection. Because of this, the final price of such wiring will be significantly higher. At the same time, clause 12.22 of VSN59-88 recommends using only hidden wiring in bathrooms, toilets and other rooms with high humidity.
• Based on all this, it is often necessary to choose open wiring for some rooms and closed wiring for others. This is not a violation, but when further choosing which cable is needed for wiring in the apartment, these features should be taken into account.

To decide which cable to use for wiring in an apartment or house, you need to know the number of cable cores. Everything here is quite simple, and the PUE gives a clear answer.

So:

• According to clause 6.1.20 of the PUE, a separate neutral protective wire must be connected to the sockets in the apartment from the group panel. Based on this, for a single-phase 220V network we must use a three-core wire.
• If you are using a three-phase network, then you need a four-core cable. Moreover, if it has branches to single-phase equipment, then it must have a protective conductor. Therefore, in this case, a five-core wire should be used.

Note! According to clause 1.3.10 of the PUE, neutral and protective conductors for a three-phase network are not taken into account when calculating the wire cross-section. That is, if you use a four-core wire, one of which has a zero wire, then you select the cross-section as for a three-core wire.

Influence of room conditions on cable selection

An important factor in answering the question: which wire to choose for wiring in an apartment is the conditions in the room. Temperature, humidity and dust also play a significant role in this. And if the dust factor for apartments does not play a special role, then it is worth paying attention to the rest.

So:

• According to clauses 1.1.6 and 1.1.7 of the PUE, a room in which the relative air humidity exceeds 60% is called humid. This is typical for bathrooms and some toilets. Damp rooms are those in which the relative humidity exceeds 75%. This is again typical of some bathrooms and bath rooms.
• If you have bath rooms or utility rooms where the temperature may be above 35⁰C for a long time, then this should be taken into account when choosing which wire is needed. For these purposes, the PUE provides Table 1.3.3, which shows correction factors for rooms with different average temperatures.

Basic parameters for choosing electrical wiring

The main parameter that allows you to determine which wire to use for wiring in an apartment is the cross-section of its cores (see). To determine this parameter, the PUE contains Table 1.3.4 for copper wires and 1.3.5 for aluminum wires.

But in order to use these tables, we need to know the rated current that will flow in the conductors. To do this you need to calculate it.

Calculation of the number of electrical receivers

Electrical receivers include everything that consumes electrical energy in your apartment. This is a lighting network, sockets and powerful electrical equipment connected directly through the circuit breaker in the distribution panel.

To determine the current rating of an electrical wiring, we first need to know what will be powered by it.

• According to clause 12.27 of VSN 59 - 88, the apartment must be provided with one 6A outlet for every 6m2 of space. For corridors, this norm is reduced to 1 outlet for every 10m2 of room. In addition, for a kitchen with an area of ​​up to 8 m2, 3 6A sockets are provided, and if the kitchen area is larger, then 4 sockets. There should also be 1 10 or 16A socket and one 25A socket for connecting an electric stove (see). If an electric stove is not provided, then there is no need to install an outlet.

• It was on the basis of these standards that the number of sockets in old-style apartments was calculated. But times are changing and the need for electricity is becoming higher. Therefore, if you are planning to completely change your electrical network, we advise you to reconsider these parameters.
• We won’t tell you the exact number of sockets for each room; it depends on the design, the number of video, audio and other household equipment and, of course, your wishes. Therefore, make the layout yourself, without going beyond common sense.
• As for lighting, here you are also given complete freedom of thought.
• But regarding large electrical appliances, there are certain restrictions. According to clause 13.15 of VSN 59 - 88, the power of heating devices installed in apartments should not exceed 2 kW. If you have heating devices from 1.5 to 2 kW installed, then we recommend powering them with a separate automatic machine from the distribution panel.

Calculation of rated current of wiring

Now, in order to determine which wire is needed for wiring in the apartment, we need to calculate the rated current of each individual electrical receiver. And if everything is more or less clear with the lighting network - we calculate the total current of the lamps powered from each switch, then questions may arise with the sockets.

• Any equipment can be connected to the outlet. But you planned each of them for a specific purpose. Therefore, we assume that a device with the highest power planned will be connected to it.
• We calculate the rated current using the formula I=P/U×cosα. P is the power of your electrical appliance. If you cannot find it in your passport or on the case, you can use the table below. U=220V. Cosα is the power factor, which must be indicated in the passport of the electrical appliance. If you haven’t found it, then feel free to take it equal to 1.

Note! This calculation will help us not only determine the cable for electrical wiring in the apartment, but can also be used to determine the nominal parameters of sockets and switches. After all, the rated currents of these switching devices are often forgotten when purchasing, which leads to their rapid failure, or even fire.

Combining electrical receivers into groups

The determining factor when choosing the number of groups from which our apartment will be powered is clause 6.2.2 of the PUE, which does not allow the use of circuit breakers with a rating of more than 25A. Based on this, we make our division into groups.

• Division into groups can be done according to various criteria or based only on rated currents. But, in order to avoid confusion in the future, they usually combine lighting into one or two groups, while the sockets are powered from their groups.

Note! Clause 6.2.3 of the PUE prohibits combining more than 20 lamps or sockets into one group. In this case, multi-lamp chandeliers are considered one connection.

• Dividing into groups by room is also often used. Where each machine powers one or two rooms. It all depends on your wishes and total numbers.
• If you are going to install the wiring yourself, then you must remember that each group can be powered from 16 or 25 A circuit breakers. It is not advisable to use smaller denominations, and larger ones are prohibited.

Selecting wire cross-section

At the last stage we can proceed directly to the choice. As we noted above, this is done according to tables 1.3.3 and 1.3.4 of the PUE, which are shown in the photo in our article below.

So:

• To choose which wire will be optimal for wiring in an apartment, find the total values ​​of rated currents that are approximately equal to your values. In this case, the number of wire strands should be taken into account. Choose the value closest to yours and see which wire suits you.
• If you are going to use copper wire, then usually its cross-section is no higher than 2.5 mm 2. For aluminum wires this value can be up to 4 mm 2.
• We must not forget that Table 7.1.1 PUE also provides for the minimum permissible wire values. So, to power individual groups, the cross-section of the copper wire must be at least 1 mm 2, for aluminum, at least 2.5 mm 2.
• There is one more parameter that we did not discuss earlier due to the fact that we did not know the number of groups. Now, knowing how many wires we will have in one pipe or box, we need to take this into account. For this purpose, clause 1.3.10 of the PUE contains correction factors. Therefore, if you have more than five wires in a bundle, then the current values ​​in Tables 1.3.3 and 1.3.4 will be less than 0.68, if there are more than 7 wires, then by 0.63, if there are more than 10, then the value will be less by 0.6.

• But to the question: which wire is better for wiring in an apartment, the answer is quite clear - copper. It is not so susceptible to corrosion; when overheated, it does not lose its properties as much and has higher electrical conductivity.

Conclusion

Now you know all the aspects of choosing a wire for an apartment or house. Therefore, you should easily calculate and select the wiring.

Well, its installation is not a tricky matter, and the articles on our website should help you cope with the most complex issues of connecting and laying wires.

It is important to select all components for electrical installation work, including cable products. Much will depend on the cross-section, brand and even manufacturer, from the durability of the home electrical network to the safety of its use. In this article we will try to explain in detail how to choose a cable for electrical wiring in an apartment and a house (including a wooden one).

Cable or wire?

The first thing you need to understand is that you need to use an electric cable to distribute electrical wiring throughout your living space. There are several reasons why you cannot select a wire for electrical wiring:

1. Electrical wires can be laid either in a hidden way inside the walls, or when wiring in the floor. Moreover, the conductor must be placed in a corrugated or HDPE pipe.
2. Wires are less resistant to prolonged heating; moreover, they may have single insulation, and therefore their protective properties are not sufficient, and the likelihood of fire is many times higher.
3. The cables have better performance characteristics, including service life (30 years compared to 10).

As you can see, there are quite good reasons (and this is not all) why it is better to choose a cable rather than a wire for electrical wiring. That is why further we will talk specifically about the rules for choosing cable products for distributing electricity around the house and apartment.

Criterias of choice

To select the correct cable for wiring, consider the following recommendations:

The conductor must be three-wire(as in the photo below) , because Today it is very important to do grounding in residential buildings. Even if you don’t have one yet, but plan to replace the electrical wiring in the apartment, it is better to choose a three-core conductor and simply temporarily not use the yellow-green wire (insulate it).

Core material - required copper. Aluminum wiring is no longer used and is also prohibited by the rules of the PUE. You can read about it in our separate article.

It is very important to choose the right section cable for wiring. To do this, you need to know the total power of all electrical appliances or perform a more accurate calculation of the cross-section - based on the current load. Knowing the current strength, just use the table below and select the appropriate core size. You can learn more about it in our article. If we talk about standard sections, then for lighting they use 1.5 mm2, and for the power line (socket) you need to choose 2.5 mm2. To connect an electric stove and other household appliances where electricity consumption is high, the cross-section of the electrical wiring must be at least 4 mm2. The values ​​are for copper conductor.

Also, one of the most important criteria for choosing a cable for electrical wiring is its brand. Since there are quite a lot of different product names on the cable market, you need to study the characteristics of the commonly used ones and choose the appropriate option for your own conditions. For home wiring, we recommend using, or (the last two conductors do not propagate combustion, so they are best chosen for electrical wiring in a wooden house and a dressing room in a bathhouse). VVG can be used for electrical wiring in an apartment, as well as in outbuildings, for example, in a garage. It is recommended to use heat-resistant ones directly in the steam room. On the street, it is better to stretch it from the pole to the house.

Well, the last thing you should pay attention to when choosing is manufacturer cable products. Beware of fakes and unverified brands, because in this case, for reasons of economy, the plant can save on the cross-section of conductors, the thickness of the insulation and the quality of the insulating layer itself. As a result, this may lead to adverse consequences, for example, overheating and fire of the electrical wiring when connecting the load for which it should have been designed. ABOUT