Retro wiring in a wooden house. Retro style wiring: installation

Some time ago, this is exactly how wiring was done - insulators were nailed to the wall, and twisted wires were attached to them. Then the fashion for hidden wiring began. Everyone tried to hide the wires as much as possible, leaving only the frames of sockets and switches outside, and to make them as inconspicuous as possible. But the latest fashion trends are reviving again open type wiring. It fits great in, looks great in wooden houses from a log. In log houses, retro wiring certainly looks better than using plastic cable ducts. And internal wiring in wooden walls is a very complex, almost impossible undertaking.

Reasons for choosing external wiring

The first reason is clear - aesthetic considerations. The second is the technical difficulties when performing hidden wiring in log houses. According to the requirements of the PUE, in combustible structures (wooden walls), wiring can only be laid in blind (without perforation) metal boxes. The second option is in non-combustible plaster. Moreover, a layer of 1 cm should surround the conductor. To put it mildly, this is difficult to achieve.

The problem with laying wiring cables in metal boxes is not only that you have to make deep grooves. The main difficulty is that a wooden house changes its height all the time. Even after the main shrinkage has passed, there are changes and they are seasonal in nature - in wet periods the wall becomes higher, in dry periods it settles. The difference in height can be up to 5-7 cm per floor. Since metal boxes do not stretch, this becomes a serious problem. In general, it turns out that open wiring is easier to do. Well, since the wires will stretch on top, then you can make a decoration out of them, which is what happens if you make retro wiring correctly.

From point of view fire safety it fully complies with the requirements: it is mounted at a distance of 12-18 mm from combustible walls, supported by ceramic or metal (non-flammable) insulators. The wire used for laying is twisted, with reduced flammability. So there are no problems on this side either.

Sockets, switches, junction boxes can be used in ordinary plastic ones. But to make everything look organic, it makes sense to put porcelain or metal ones in “retro” beds too. They also meet safety requirements as they are made of fireproof material.

Materials for retro wiring

To install retro wiring, you need a special twisted cord and insulators (rollers). The remaining components - junction boxes, switches and sockets - can be taken from ordinary plastic ones to save money. It is important that they meet the requirements: they must have back walls made of non-combustible materials. That is, you can take those that are allowed to be mounted on combustible walls.

Twisted cable

A twisted cord for retro wiring is made on the basis of a stranded copper conductor, which is packaged in PVC insulation. There are two such shells. A textile shell is applied on top of the second. Usually this is technical silk, which is impregnated with anti-foam compounds (reduce flammability). May be braided with cotton.

Types of cables

Cables come in 2, 3 or 4 conductors. To carry out retro wiring according to all the rules, you will need a twisted cable of three wires: one conductor will be phase, the second will be zero (neutral), the third will be protective (“ground”).

Twisted cables are produced with core cross-sections of 1.5 mm 2 and 2.5 mm 2. There are no large sections. When developing a circuit, you need to take this into account and design the wiring according to the type of radial wiring. A cable with a cross section of 2.5 mm 2 is used for sockets; 2-4 pieces can be “hung” on each line. But total power connected devices should not exceed 3 kW, and the amount of current consumed should not be more than 16 A. This is where you have to twist, especially in the kitchen, where a lot of powerful power is turned on household appliances. But for the kitchen, tiles are often chosen as finishing, and they are laid on a wall lined with plaster. A twisted cord will not look exactly right on a tile, so it makes sense to do hidden wiring.

For lighting, a twisted cable with a cross section of 1.5 mm 2 is used, on one line the maximum load is 2 kW or 10 A of current consumption. For lighting, this is usually more than enough for even two rooms - you can turn on 20 hundred-watt lamps, and even more housekeepers or LED lamps.

Manufacturers

Manufacturers of twisted cables for retro wiring offer a fairly wide range of braid colors to choose from. There are no problems with this. Today there are cables of European and Russian production on sale. European is about 20-30% more expensive. The most famous Italian companies are Gambarelli, Cordon Dor, Fontini Garby. Of these three manufacturers best wire at Gambarelli. It is the toughest and fits well on insulators. But these cables cost a lot: a 3*1.5 meter costs about $2-4, and a 3*2.5 meter costs $3-5 per meter. Is there some more German manufacturer Replikata, and many others, but they do not have representative offices in Russia; you must order on their “native” website. True, ordering together with delivery costs almost 2 times less than buying a similar product “on the spot”. So it's worth pushing yourself.

There are also Russian manufacturers: the Gusev electrical goods factory, VILLARIS (Russian-Spanish), Gemini Electro, Bironi. Here the prices are much more modest: the price per meter of a three-core twisted cable 3*1.5 is from 87 rubles (about $1.3), with a thicker core - 2.5 mm 2 - 121 rubles/m (about $1.8 ).

How to save money

Even if you take relatively inexpensive wires for retro wiring made in Russia, the sum ends up being considerable. There are a lot of lines, because the rosette groups must be pulled separately from the shield. It turns out to be a solid footage. To save money, you can weave the cable yourself from a cord that matches the characteristics. There are two options:

In addition to saving money, this option is good because, if necessary, you can weave a cord larger diameter. These wires are available in both 4 and 6 mm2. So you can dare. The second plus is that you can not just twist the cord, but weave something, even an ordinary braid. True, the cord consumption will be greater, but the look will definitely be vintage.

It is better to weave locally - cut a piece of the required length, adding 20-30% goes to twisting (for 1 meter of finished cable there are 1.2-1.3 meters of cord). Secure it at the top, then twist it clockwise to the installation site of the first insulator. Go around the insulator, and then turn in the opposite direction - counterclockwise and so on. What's good about this option? There is no need to worry about braided ends; they unwind “automatically”, and when they shrink wooden house, it will be possible to remove the wiring from the insulator by making several turns and eliminating the sagging of the cable.

Insulators

Insulators or rollers are needed to secure the twisted cable. They are made from ceramics and can be painted different colour. The diameter of the base can be 18-22 mm, the height - from 18 to 24 mm. Top part There are two sizes: narrow and wide.

If you use a cable with two wires, you can take those with a narrow top; if there are three wires, it’s more convenient to use a wide one. Otherwise, there are no requirements or restrictions.

To install the fasteners, there is a through hole through the entire insulator. Depending on the size of the insulator, you need to select a self-tapping screw for wood or a dowel for stone or concrete walls. Select the color of the fastener depending on the color of the ceramics, and the length - it should extend into the wall at least 2/3. So you have to look for long and thin ones. Some manufacturers sell fasteners as a set. Very convenient and saves a lot of time.

Sockets, switches and junction boxes

As already said, you can use regular sockets/switches, but the retro wiring itself in this case looks a little strange. The main chic is in these strange and unusual things, which give the whole idea that very charm.

On the market, again, there are retro electrics originally from Europe, and some made in Russia. If domestic manufacturers are not inferior in terms of design, then in terms of the quality of the electrical part, European products are still better. You can also find similar products made in China. Here again appearance maybe everything is not bad, but the quality of contacts depends on your luck (in fact, as usual).

However, they usually buy Russian-made ceramic sockets and switches. The price difference is too high. One ceramic unit of sockets/switches originally from Europe costs from 20-30 € (there are also much more expensive ones). Russian-made switches cost from 1000 rubles (about 14 €).

When installing, you can use frames or pads, as in the photo. They also come in a fairly wide range. You can match them to the tone of the walls, you can buy unpainted and decorate them on the spot the way you want. In principle, you can do without them, but only in a log house.

There are also ceramic junction boxes. They are usually round, but have relatively small sizes. Only the Spanish company Llinas has long porcelain mounting boxes. By the way, they have lower prices for other products by about 30% (when compared with average European prices), and the quality is quite decent.

Device Rules

In general, it is necessary to comply general rules wiring gaskets:

each branch is made in an installation (junction) box;
from the box the line descends vertically down;
minimum distance of socket/switch from door jamb or window slope- 10 cm;
distance from communications (water supply, gas pipeline, heating) - at least 50 cm;

According to modern standards, it is not standardized, and the wiring from the machine can go under the ceiling or in the floor. Many people don't like it a large number of wires that will have to be pulled in plain sight. In each room, at a minimum, there should be two separate routes under the ceiling - for lighting and for electrical outlets. It’s difficult to make such an abundance of wires attractive. That’s why some owners prefer to hide the eyeliner behind a finished ceiling. There, using an ordinary cable of a suitable cross-section, power is supplied from the machine installed on. The junction box is installed immediately under the ceiling (not a violation, but it’s inconvenient to work with), and a twisted wire is lowered from it down to a switch or socket.

But these were general rules. Now let’s talk about how to install a twisted electrical cable. First, insulators are installed. Maximum distance between them - 80 cm, optimal - about 50-60 cm, in some cases you have to do 30 cm. If we talk about a house made of logs, insulators for retro wiring are installed in every second crown. This is the best option.

As shown in the figure above, the socket or switch is placed approximately 50 cm from the last insulator. This distance can be made a little smaller, but it is better not to increase it - the wire may sag. Of course, you can cut it off and reconnect it, but you don’t always want to tinker.

The photo above shows at what distance from each other to install the insulators when turning the wiring. These are rules from an old textbook, but they are most likely still relevant today.

Retro wiring in the interior

In general, to open wiring Looked good, you have to try really hard. After all, everything is in plain sight, all the flaws are obvious. If retro wiring is done in a wooden house, then each incorrectly screwed screw leaves a trace that is difficult to disguise. Therefore, before starting work, draw everything on the plan, transfer all the markings to the walls and only then start. If you are not sure whether you have placed the sockets/switches correctly, or whether they will look good in this particular place, try fixing the cord under the ceiling (at least masking tape, even with very thin cloves). So it will be possible with more likely imagine how everything will look together.

Combined option - with or without pipes

One more moment. If the wooden house is still “settling”, tighten the wires. If the log house has already settled or is made of laminated veneer lumber and shrinkage should not be expected, wires are better do not pull. They should not sag, but they cannot be too tight either. In general, good luck! And for inspiration, here are a few photos of how you can make retro wiring.

Photos of interiors

It is always better to look at several already “finished” premises. This makes it easier to understand what exactly you like and what you don’t, and to get a preliminary idea of how everything might look.

An example of wiring from below - the cable goes under the finished floor in a metal box, only twisted cords rise along the walls to the installation site of sockets and switches

They also look good on wallpaper, so retro wiring can be done in the apartment, but the style must match….

Collections of sockets/switches in retro style

Often, a specific item can inspire the idea of decorating an entire room. If we're talking about about special electrical installation products in retro style, then even a socket or switch can become such a thing. Some collections and interesting models different manufacturers We'll post it below. They are different in design, perhaps you will like something.

The most popular model of retro switches is the so-called butterfly

To create an interior and a cozy atmosphere in wooden houses, they are used various elements antiquity. This article discusses the use of retro electrical wiring to bring an antique style into the interior.

An example of using retro wiring in a brick house

Safety regulations

Retro style wiring was widely used at the beginning of the electrification process settlements countries at the beginning of the 20th century.

The difference is that since that time the number of household appliances in the house has increased, and accordingly, the power consumption of the end consumer has increased. This should be taken into account when choosing a conductor cross-section to exclude emergency situations and the risk of fire.

Regulatory documents require that when laying an open lighting path, use a cable cross-section with a diameter of at least 1.5 mm regardless of the type of conductor (solid or twisted). sq. for copper wire and 2.5 mm. sq. – for aluminum.

To connect socket groups of consumers, it is recommended to use 2.5 mm respectively. sq. for copper conductor and 4 mm. sq. – for aluminum cables.

According to the requirements of SNIP and PPB for civil buildings it is prohibited:

Laying open wires in wooden buildings is prohibited without the use of fire-resistant insulating materials (metal hoses, plastic non-flammable corrugated pipes, installation on insulators).
Application of mortise-type switching devices in structures with a wooden base:

Sockets.
Switches.
Distribution boxes.

As practice shows, the cause of fire hazards in a wooden house is the lack of contact in distribution boxes and wire connection points in switching devices (sockets, switches). Therefore, it is recommended to use the soldering method to connect the wiring - this is the most reliable way, or use terminal block adapters famous manufacturers. In this case, there is no point in saving.

The connection points of the wires of open sockets and switches are securely tightened; free dangling of the conductor in the terminal is not allowed.

Design

Open retro wiring is used for installation on wooden surfaces using fasteners on special insulators, and design allows use on other building materials such as concrete, brick, plastered surface. The main difference in fixing retro wires is different types fastening material. For wooden coverings special screws are used, and specific dowels are used for concrete.

Execution of retro wiring on a brick wall

For those who don't mind spending money on stylistic design wooden house in retro design, you should pay attention to the range of products presented, which includes:

porcelain insulators;
exact retro copies of the first switches with a subtle design note;
fireproof external surface-mounted sockets;
special distribution boxes for wooden surfaces;
certified wiring with a cross section of 0.75-2.5 mm. sq., retro-styled, designed for open installation.

Before purchasing the product, pay attention to the color marking of the wire; it must comply with the regulations prescribed in the PUE and have several colors: blue and brown (may be different at the discretion of the manufacturer), yellow-green is mandatory. The insulation of the retro cable is made of at least three layers (rubberized core, non-flammable winding and outer braid of impregnated silk).

Design

Open retro wiring in a wooden house will save material resources and emphasize the sophisticated style of the owner.

Installation can be done by yourself with a limited amount of funds.

As is known, during construction wooden houses from log cabins Finishing work are reduced to zero. In this case, the use of external cable laying with fastening on insulators becomes relevant.

Plastic boxes do not provide a tight fit to the surface due to design features wooden wall, and the use of fastening brackets is prohibited. Thus, the use of external cable routing is justified from the point of view of safety requirements.

Manufacturers offer a range color range outer covering retro wiring, so choosing a combination of colors that will blend into the surrounding interior is easy. This also applies to sockets with switches made taking into account the color of the wire.

Using retro wiring in log houses

Installation

Due to the high cost of open wiring and the lack large diameter cross-section of the retro cable, it will not be possible to electrify a wooden house using only external installation. According to load calculations, power input will have to be done using other wires with a cross-section of at least 4 mm. sq., and according to safety requirements - laid in a pipe and hidden under the cladding of the room in compliance with the relevant fire safety standards.

Additional security measures in a wooden house will be required electric stove and a boiler for heating water. To protect the power supply of these consumers, specialized boxes or plastic pipes small diameter. It is recommended to select the wire using non-flammable materials of suitable cross-section.

To save money in a wooden house when working with open wiring, a combined wiring scheme is used. Installation of wiring from the switchboard to distribution boxes is carried out different brands wires, followed by placement in a non-flammable box provided for this purpose and suitable in characteristics and dimensions.

In this case, the consumption of retro material during decoration will be reduced. wooden surface, and open wiring will approach the consumer directly from the distribution boxes. At the same time, the laying of the outer part of the wire looks attractive in a vertical position.

Methods for connecting groups of wires in junction boxes:

The wire is “twisted” and then soldered.
After tinning the conductor, you need to make a connection using terminal clamps.
Use special tips (for the same purpose as tinning the wire) and make connections using the terminals.

Installation of retro wiring in a wooden house

To make open wiring for a wooden house with your own hands in the absence of finances, you can use tricks. A single-core cable is taken and clamped in the chuck of an electric drill, and at low speeds it is twisted into a bundle. To maintain the required distance of the wire from the wall, small classic porcelain or plastic insulators are used.

The presence of a grounding block at an outlet or lamp also determines the number of wires in the wire. In civil engineering, a two- and three-wire open cable laying system is used.

Insulators are attached at regular intervals and the wire is knitted. Ideally, the wiring is threaded through the insulators between the cores; in order to prevent the formation of sagging, additional strapping or thermal shrinkage of a special size is used.

Advantages

The decorative component and degree of safety of external wiring, not to mention the absence preparatory activities, refers to the advantages of retro style. The speed of work during installation is lightning fast.

If it is necessary to add or move some elements, a socket or a lamp, there is simply no need to break down walls with exposed wiring, and installation work will not cause any significant problems.

The components are expensive, but this method of using insulators will save on work. No grooves are required for laying the conductor and corrugation for additional safety, which to some extent offsets the costs of purchasing wires, switches and sockets.

The use of external wiring does not violate fire safety rules and complies with the requirements of regulations.

Retro wiring in interior design

Retro montage. Video

Features of installing retro wiring in a wooden house can be learned from this video.

When purchasing finished retro products, you need to carefully inspect the wiring and make sure that it meets the above standards. It is also worth paying attention to the cross-section of the conductor cores and information about flammability, including smoke emission. The condition of the insulation must meet the standards, but this parameter is difficult to determine by eye. To designate the class of open wiring that does not support combustion, the NG index is used.

It is strongly not recommended to go for cheap, since retro wiring costs money, and it is recommended to buy electrical products from official dealers of world brands such as Fontini and GI Gambarelli, and the work should be entrusted to professionals.

In the modern rhythm of life, people try to find time to travel outside the city. You can spend time there quietly, sitting in a wooden house and enjoying the sight of old things dear to your heart.

Recently, open electrical wiring in retro style has become fashionable, and with it the entire range of retro components.

If there was demand, a supply appeared, and quite large-scale, given the specifics and small size of this market segment.

We can find both restored real antique wiring and fittings, and “remakes”, stylized as antique with varying degrees of authenticity and produced under Italian, Spanish and Russian brands.

If you have firmly decided that the final touch in decorating the room in old style If the wiring is retro, then in this case you have four options:

purchase modern replication;
buy restored antique wires, sockets and switches;
do the wiring yourself, but to do this you will have to crawl through abandoned houses in search of coveted artifacts. In this case, as a modern alternative, you can purchase RKGM wire in brown insulation; it looks quite organic against the background of log walls;
make a prop: use modern hidden wiring, and lay decorative wiring on top of the walls.

How to make electrical wiring in retro style with your own hands

First, let's take a closer look at the main methods of purchasing components.

1. The simplest, but at the same time the most expensive financially, is to buy everything in a specialized store. Today, several companies offer antique electrical wiring in a variety of models and shades.

It is worth noting the products of Villaris, Salvador, Fontini, Bironi, Gusev. Essentially, these are modern cable products that have PVC insulation and are packaged on the outside in a non-flammable silk stocking, as well as modern sockets and switches, designed in the style of yesteryear.

When drawing up an estimate, you should focus on the following prices:

5 - 15 thousand rubles for a hundred-meter cable bay;
20 - 50 rubles for each roller - insulator;
600 - 3600 rubles for each switch or socket;
550 - 1800 rubles per unit of substrates, corner and rotary insulators.

With such wiring, “Loft” style lamps and Edison lamps will look natural.

The advantages include electrical safety and compliance with modern requirements, simplified installation compared to hidden wiring, and the ability to change routes during operation. In addition, there is a wide choice of both ebonite and porcelain with copper styling.

The disadvantages will be noticeable to anyone who understands the topic. Although, if such wiring is initially positioned as “similar to the real thing,” then there is nothing wrong with using modern products.

2. If you don’t like compromises and you need to maintain the style of the times of the birth of household electricity, your path lies in specialized forums. There they will help you assemble a completely authentic set of copper-rubber-fabric wires, porcelain insulators, ebonite or copper substrates, switches, sockets and sockets.

The cost of retro wiring in a wooden house will not be cheap, because you need to pay for the search and restoration of components from the beginning of the last century.

Main positive point– this is complete authenticity. No one can blame you for using a modern “antique stamp.” Only true retro without compromises. In addition, “twisted pair” on ceramic insulators is quickly installed and relatively safe.

The negative aspects of such an installation are obvious: although highly original, such wiring does not fit into modern ideas about the safety of electrical installations, because grounding was not yet provided for in those days, and the cross-section of the old wires is clearly not designed for modern power.

In addition, fifty-year-old copper wire has most likely already suffered from oxidation, the rubber insulation has dried out in places, and antique sockets and switches were made using phenol-formaldehyde resin, which emits an unpleasant and harmful odor when heated.

By the way, distribution boxes began to be used relatively recently, but in the old days the wires were woven together, wrapped around rollers and hidden under the outer insulation fabric.

3. If you are limited in funds, but have free time, then you can independently find everything you need for installation. To do this, you need to patiently look for missing elements in the ruins of old houses, wash, restore, and possibly solder contacts.

It is useful to visit rural stores in remote areas, where you can still find porcelain insulators, ebonite junction boxes, and even switches with sockets.

Sockets and switches from the beginning of the last century, retro-style electrical wiring, and photos of vintage cars and mechanisms will help you immerse yourself in the past.

4. The last option is more suitable for designers. Its essence is to lay a dummy overhead wiring parallel to the existing hidden one.

As we noticed, the symbol of retro wiring is 2 wires twisted together in a silk braid and placed on a roller - an insulator. This is used to create an ambiance.

Insulators are screwed onto the wall, any piece of wire suitable in length and appearance is installed on them, the free ends of which are any available means Attached to existing sockets and switches.

To enhance the effect, you can resort to “patination” by spraying the socket with an appropriate coating from an aerosol can.

Installation

After all materials have been purchased, you can begin laying the wiring.

If the cable needs to be twisted from wires, we will use a drill or screwdriver. If the cable is already ready, we attach rollers - insulators - to the wall.

To create a finished look, set aside the self-tapping screws and screws with a Phillips or Torx head. We will use flathead screws or nails. Carefully mark the position of the rollers so that the distance between the rollers is the same. The distance from the wall and ceiling should also not differ - only in this case our wiring will look aesthetically pleasing.
After the rollers are installed, carefully attach the twisted pair to them. We make sure that the wires do not twist or sag.
The wire in the corners can pass either through rollers or through rotating ceramic tubes. To pass the wiring through the wall, we use a ceramic or copper tube.
We make branches and connections either by twisting and then wrapping them with fabric insulation, or we use ebonite or ceramic distribution boxes. It is preferable to use boxes with screw terminals.
We attach sockets and switches to the wall through the backing. In addition to originality, this is also required for safety.

Loft style

At the end of the article I would like to touch on another style of retro wiring that is rapidly gaining popularity - Loft. The main difference between this style is the location of exposed wiring inside the pipes.

They can be stylized as copper, brass or even aged ebonite. An emphasis on urban design is typical for residential premises converted from utility rooms - attics and attics.

On sale you can find both the tubes themselves and connecting and fastening elements.

We looked at all the main ways to make your country home “closer to the roots” with the help of the right electrification option. Do-it-yourself retro wiring in a wooden house can give comfort to the inhabitants of the house and a feeling of admiration to the guests.

Video on how to properly make retro wiring

For a long time, external wiring could only be found in old wooden houses built in the last century. However, now this type of electrics is no longer perceived as a relic of the past, but as stylish element design.

Design studio Koncepcija

External wiring is increasingly used in modern houses and apartments decorated in retro or loft style, and the growth of its popularity is associated not only with originality design solutions, but also with the special characteristics that it possesses.

Example of external wiring. Ceiling lamp, design by Tuomas Auvinen

Main characteristics

There are flat and twisted wiring. Flat wiring is fixed to the wall using small nails or special staples, which are attached at a short distance (about 25 cm) from each other. Often such wiring is masked special panels, but since in our case we are talking about external wiring as a design element, no plastic panels there should be no question.

However, twisted wiring is now used much more often than flat wiring. The twisted wiring is attached to the wall every 10 cm using special insulating rollers, usually made of porcelain. Currently on the market a wide range of such rollers with various patterns and “antique” ornaments. They give the interior a mysterious touch of retro style.

Interior design studio Koncepcija

In combination with aged furniture, vintage wallpaper, and rustic floors, external wiring will look individual and fit harmoniously into the interior. In addition, such wiring is perfect for a loft-style interior, when the room resembles a converted old one. industrial premises- plant or factory.

External wiring in a loft style interior. Designer MaximZhukov

This type of wiring is also indispensable in wooden log houses and in rooms covered with wood. In this case, the wiring becomes not so much a design element, but fireproof in a simple way electrical installation. After all, internal wiring is contraindicated for this type of house, and if it is used, it is necessary to mount the wire on a special asbestos gasket, which would prevent direct contact of the wire with the tree. This type of work requires a lot of effort, and the result is unattractive.

Retro wiring with GiGambarelli cable

What are the advantages of external electrical wiring?

High fire safety. This type of electrics is acceptable in rooms made using any building materials and with any finish.
Easy to repair. When using external wiring in the house, there are no problems accessing the fault that has arisen, and therefore no difficulties in eliminating it.
The possibility of using a cable with a smaller cross-section than with hidden wiring, which is low in cost.
Aesthetics. If the entire room that uses external wiring is decorated in a retro style, twisted wiring will be a great design element for your home. In addition, today on the market there is wide choose accessories - sockets, switches, lamps, which you can choose in accordance with the general concept of the interior.
Easy to install. For external wiring, you do not need to tap the walls, so if necessary, you can move it to another place at any time.

Retro sockets and switches from Bironi

Example of external wiring in a bathroom, sink, design by MassimilianoAbati

The disadvantages of this type of wiring include the danger mechanical damage unprotected wire and the undesirability of its use in rooms with very high humidity. Of course, not everyone will like this design move, however, the possibilities decorative design external wiring in any case should be taken into account if it is not possible to hide the wires, because today there are real opportunities their aesthetic presentation.

When electricity first began to appear in houses at the beginning of the 20th century, everyone had only external wiring. Only then did they begin to hide the wires in the walls, leaving only small, inconspicuous switches and sockets. Now that the loft style has firmly come into fashion, retro wiring has become relevant again. In wooden houses, vintage wiring not only looks more organic, but is also much easier to implement than standard wiring. indoor installation wires

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Retro wiring device

Retro wire is a stranded copper wire, externally covered with PVC insulation and non-flammable synthetics.

The cross-sections of such wires can be of only six types:

2 x 0.75;
3 x 0.75;
2 x 1.5;
3 x 1.5;
2 x 2.5;
3 x 2.5.

To make modern wires as similar as possible to their retro predecessors, manufacturers cover them with a special material. Most often this is a decorative silk braid of various colors. The choice of color will depend on the tone of the walls, ceilings and the interior designer's ideas.

Manufacturers supply switches and sockets in a similar style complete with wires. However, it should be borne in mind that vintage low-current cables for connecting to TV and the Internet are not produced by every manufacturer.

Scope of application

Nowadays, vintage electrical wiring is often installed:

in wooden houses;
in apartments;
in interiors in Provence style;
in loft style interiors.

Retro wiring in a room becomes a very original accent; it will immediately attract the attention of guests and arouse interest. But it is only appropriate in certain styles and it won’t fit organically everywhere. Vintage wiring is a necessity in wooden houses, and is also an original interior solution in other cases.

Retro wiring in a wooden house

Wooden cottages are often decorated in the style of a hunting lodge or the traditional Russian version. Often, adhering to general idea, here they choose wiring in dark, brown, chocolate shades.

In addition to the fact that the rules assume exactly external wiring, also:

distribution boxes cannot be tightly attached to semicircular logs, and fastening brackets cannot be used;
since there is often no cladding on walls and ceilings, install standard internal wiring inside wooden floors will be very problematic and costly.

Retro wiring in the interior of Provence

This style, named after a region of France, features an abundance of wooden parts in retro style. Open wiring will be in place here and will not stand out against the general background. For the most part, the color of electrical fittings is also chosen to match the entire interior - often white, milky or beige.

Retro wiring in the apartment

Electrical installation work in an apartment is carried out in two to three stages:

Hidden tracing of socket, lighting and low-current groups for TV and the Internet.
Upon completion of finishing, the vintage wiring itself is traced, junction boxes, sockets and switches are installed.
Mounting and connection lighting fixtures– chandeliers, sconces, lamps.

An example of vintage wiring in an apartment in a video from user Dmitry Avdeev.

External wiring in lofts

This style is inspired by old factories and factories, on the basis of which the first lofts were created, so open wiring is ideal for them.

Advantages and disadvantages

Before you decide to install retro wiring, evaluate its pros and especially its cons, which will affect the further functioning of all electrical appliances in the house.

Advantages:

non-trivial interior solution;
wide range of shades;
ease of installation;
safety;
easier accessibility for repairs.

Flaws:

This is not the most a budget option, especially if you buy products of foreign brands.
Serious restrictions in terms of use. In parallel with the external wiring, you will have to install standard wiring for the use of familiar electrical appliances.
Mandatory hiring of electricians to install a complex cable system if the wiring is installed in a wooden house. This will also result in additional costs.

Necessary materials and tools: where to buy, how much it costs

In the domestic market, external wiring is represented by the following manufacturing companies:

G.I. Gambarelli;
Aldo Bernardi;
Fontini;
Villaris;
Bironi;
Salvador;
Retrika;
Mezzanine.

Required consumables:

cables;
insulators (rollers);
junction boxes;
switches;
sockets;
installation frames;
feed-through sleeves (plugs);
overlays that level the semicircular surface of the log.

Cables

There are three types of cables: consisting of 2, 3 or 4 conductors.

For retro wiring you will need a twisted cable of three wires:

one of them will be phase;
the second - zero (neutral);
the third is protective (grounded).

Cables for retro wiring

Twisted cables are produced with core cross-sections of 1.5 mm2 and 2.5 mm2. When developing a plan, you need to keep in mind that there are no large sections, and plan the wiring in the form of radial wiring.

The sockets require a cable with a cross-section of 2.5 mm2; two to four can be connected to each of them.

When buying wires, you should find out how well they are braided and whether they comply with norms and standards. Double-check the cable's flammability and smoke emission ratings.

When choosing a cable, you should remember the following nuances:

the total power of connected devices should not exceed 3 kW;
the amount of light consumed is no more than 16 amperes.

Here you will have to think through everything and correctly distribute the load on the network, while taking into account the following features:

The kitchen has several powerful household appliances - a refrigerator, a microwave oven, an electric stove, washing machine. But tiles are often laid here where vintage cord won’t fit. Therefore, it still makes sense to install standard wiring in this room.
For lighting fixtures you will need a cable with a cross section of 1.5 mm. On each line, a maximum load of 2 kW is possible here, that is, 10 A of electricity consumed. This is quite enough for about two dozen ordinary 100-watt lamps, and if you take economical or LED lamps, then even more. Therefore, they are enough for two rooms.

Insulators

Insulators (rollers) are what secure the wires to the walls. They are made of plastic or porcelain. The price depends on the material and company. Porcelain ones will cost more, but they benefit in terms of fire safety.

The base diameter of insulators can be 18–22 mm, and they are classified according to height - from 18–24 mm.

They also differ in the size of the top: a narrow one is suitable for a cable of two wires, a wide one is suitable for a cable of three.

Insulators for retro wiring

Sockets, switches, junction boxes

There are several types of sockets:

power with grounding;
without grounding;
for TV, telephone and Internet.

There are three types of switches:

single-position;
two-position;
switches.

Switches for retro wiring

Junction boxes are necessary for connecting cables.

Characteristics:

diameter varies from 70 to 90 millimeters;
height can be from 35 to 55 millimeters.

Mounting frames for switches and sockets use:

single, double or triple;
They come in wood or porcelain.

Continuous sleeves (plugs) are made of porcelain and plastic. You will need them to carefully remove the wire from the wall. If the house is made of rounded or non-rounded logs, you can use overlays to level the semicircular surface.

Required Tools

From hand tools you will need:

wire cutters;
cable cutters;
pliers;
cable stripping tools;
roulette;
construction pencils;
Screwdriver Set;
levels;
drill;
stepladders;
extension.

From battery and electric tools required:

screwdrivers;
drills.

User Dmitry Avdeev explains what retro wiring is. The video also explains in detail how to trace, where it can be mounted and what nuances there are when installing it.

Material calculation

Components for external wiring can be found in a construction hypermarket Leroy Merlin. Price Supplies will depend on the choice of manufacturer, style and required volumes.

Approximate prices for materials:

cable – 5,000–15,000 rubles/bundle;
colic insulator – 20–50 rubles/piece;
switches, sockets – 600–3600 rubles/piece;
substrates and other insulation elements – 500–1800 rubles/piece.

Prices for installing external wiring in a wooden cottage vary by region and scope of work.

Rules for installing external wiring

To make retro wiring lines look neat, you need to:

At the very beginning, sockets and switches are installed.
Then the cables are inserted into them.
Then they are pulled to the junction boxes.
Having installed the boxes, make markings for the insulators.

It is better, if possible, to make the first insulator from the switch, socket and junction box at a distance of no further than 5 centimeters.
You should maintain right angles vertically and horizontally. As an alternative, you can not immediately set the angle to 90 degrees, but create it using two insulators.
In cases where overlap cannot be avoided, install a junction box.
If line insulators are installed nearby, they must be positioned strictly parallel to the tracing line.
A three-core cable is used for the socket group. To prevent it from looking crooked, place it strictly in order: two wires on one side of the insulator, one on the other.
To avoid sagging of the cable on the insulators, tighten it with ties that match the tone. This is very important in new wooden cottages, where precipitation still occurs. The cable's copper cores are quite flexible and a little sagging is normal.
The interval between insulators on the line must be uniform in length and no more than 40 centimeters.

Tips for laying retro wiring

Design Features

Before installation, be sure to draw up detailed plan placement.