Since the basement, due to the nature of its location, does not have sources of natural lighting, it is extremely important to provide for the correct wiring and installation of lamps.

If you want to study in detail such an issue as electrical wiring in the basement, then this article is just for you. It presents detailed instructions how to organize it yourself quality lighting basement

The first thing you should pay attention to is how to choose the right lamp for the basement.

• with a durable lampshade;
• protected from moisture;
• not susceptible negative influence corrosion.

Advice. You should not save money and simply screw a regular incandescent lamp into the socket, not protected by a lampshade.
Moisture can not only cause the light bulb to burn out prematurely, but also get into the socket, causing a short circuit, Negative consequences which everyone knows.

When choosing a lamp, you should choose the right protection class of this device which should be:

• no less than IP44;
• The ideal option is a lamp with protection class IP57.

How to properly install electricity in the basement

Wiring in the basement requires a special approach, which is due to the peculiarity of the use of building materials.

Of course, walls are most often built using materials such as:

• brick;
• concrete;
• foam blocks, etc.

Of course, they are fireproof material, but, nevertheless, given the high temperature, the wiring should be treated with extreme care.

If you decide to install light in the basement, then pay attention to the following recommendations and try to follow them:

• voltage should not exceed 42V;
• to ensure the required voltage level, use special transformers that reduce the voltage;
• When laying cables and wires, be sure to use rollers and insulators;
• use special moisture-resistant lamps with a closed socket;
• Before installing the fasteners, be sure to check whether they are able to withstand loads and whether they have mechanical or other damage.

Advice. When settling in hidden wiring must not be used under any circumstances metal pipes and metal cable channels, the wall thickness of which is less than two millimeters - only thick-walled ones will provide the required level of insulation.

How to install wiring

Just because you know how to choose a lamp for the basement, this does not mean that you will be able to fulfill high-quality installation wiring. Therefore, if there is even the slightest doubt in your abilities, it is recommended to invite an experienced specialist.

Transformer, sockets and cable - which ones to choose

When arranging lighting in the basement, it is extremely important to provide a separate transformer with 220V/12V parameters - the price of such equipment is not too high, but it will help prevent short circuits and other problems.

Also pay attention to the following recommendations that must be taken into account when working:

• the wiring is laid at a height of approximately two meters from the floor;
• sockets and switches are mounted at a height of at least one;
• When choosing materials, give preference to those that can withstand high levels of moisture.

Advice. It is recommended to mount the switch only in a dry place with insufficient waterproofing; it is better to place it on the first floor of the house.
If you install sockets directly in basement, then use models with a lid.

If we talk directly about switches that can be used on the ground floor of your house, then you should give preference to automatic models. In addition, a separate RCD should be provided. The wiring itself must be new!

By the way, if we talk about the wiring itself, it must meet the following indicators:

• cross-section of at least two and a half millimeters;
• if you are going to use powerful electrical equipment (for example, heaters, welding machines and other household tools), then the cable cross-section should be at least four millimeters.

Wiring type

There are two methods of wiring installation, which are usually used on the ground floors and cellars of private houses:

• interior;
• outer.

The first type of installation is used if special equipment, tools, fertilizers, and other aggressive materials are stored in the room. Of course, you will increase the level of protection of the wires, but remember that the costs of all types of wiring will increase.

Therefore, an external option for arranging cables is usually sufficient; in extreme cases, you can hide them in:

• cable channels;
• casings.

This will not only reduce the cost of lighting the room, but will ensure constant access to the wires if repairs are necessary.

Depending on the purpose of the basement

By the way, do you know that the specifics of wiring and installation of lamps depend on the true purpose of the room?

For example, quite often it is used to store the following items:

• garden tools;
• various tools;
• conservation;
• products;
• old things, etc.

In this case, there is a high risk of snagging the wiring and not only damaging it, but also leading to a short circuit. Therefore, wires should be hidden in casings or channels.

As a last resort, securely fasten them to the wall or ceiling so that they do not hang down, but fit snugly to the surface.

Basements belong to a special category of premises, which have their own characteristics and rules for installing electrical wiring and installing lamps.

If a lot of condensation accumulates in the basement, and even more so water seeps through the floor, then remember, no electrical outlets and 220 Volt lamps - there should not be any. It is necessary to use a reduced voltage of 36 or 12 Volts to power them!

What lamps are suitable for basements?

For lighting basements, I recommend choosing non-metallic models, the housings of which do not conduct electric current and, moreover, do not rust in humid conditions. Always connect luminaires using a single piece of electrical cable from the switch installed at the top.

An equally important parameter is security class. Buy lamps with an IP rating of at least IP 44 with splash protection, or better yet, IP 57 and higher, which allows short-term immersion in water.

It is very important to buy models with lampshade protection using a metal grill for installation in places where accidental mechanical impacts on the lamp are possible due to the touch of a tool, boxes, etc.

A friend of mine has a rather damp basement, so he used unnecessary two car lights connected upstairs to charger for car batteries.

But, I made it simpler, bought and installed a ready-made box of the YaTP brand 220/36 V (in the picture on the right), factory-made with built-in automatic protection and a socket outside the case. It is not expensive, looks beautiful, and is easy to install and connect. When purchasing, pay attention not only on the value of the converted voltage, but also on its power! Add up the power of all the electric lamps that you plan to connect to it, add 20-30 percent on top and you will get the power you need.

Rules and requirements for garage basements.

• According to the current rules and regulations in our country, in order to ensure electrical safety, all lighting in the garage basement must be connected through a 220/36 V step-down transformer installed, preferably near the gate or electrical panel of the garage.
• It is recommended to lay at least 2 independent lines, separately for connecting the lighting of the inspection pit and the cellar.
• If the basement is dry, many people often use 220 Volt lighting. In conditions of absence of moisture, this is permissible provided that the connection to the electrical network will be made not through a conventional machine, but through a differential machine or RCD in conjunction with a circuit breaker (read more about this). The leakage current should preferably be no higher than 10 mA.
• As a rule, electrical wiring is laid openly along the walls and ceiling, less often in pipes or electrical plastic box. But in any case, in places up to 2 meters from the floor level, it is better not to lay cables without additional mechanical protection.

Sockets, distribution boxes and switches are prohibited from being installed, but in cases of emergency, install only in dry basement conditions with a protection class of at least IP 44.

Lighting in the inspection pit.

IN inspection hole, used for car repairs, it is prohibited, and I do not recommend, installing electrical sockets, switches and lamps connected directly from 220 Volts.

Lighting in the basement of a residential building.

Today, it is not uncommon that basements in cottages and private houses are used to create spaces for a garage, billiard room, etc. As a rule, the conditions there are dry and warm, so lamps are installed there and electrical wiring is laid according to the general relevant requirements.

Again, if the basement has a wet floor and condensation on the walls and ceiling, use only a reduced voltage of 12 or 36 Volts and the other recommendations outlined above.

IN apartment buildings Basements belong to the category of technical rooms and lamps are mounted on the walls under the ceiling. Less often directly on the ceiling itself, if it is of sufficient height and there are no obstacles on it that would prevent this from happening engineering Communication and so on.

All electrical cables laid openly or in a plastic box (as shown in the figure) along the walls with the installation of surface-mounted switches and sockets.

That seems to be all! If there is anything else that interests you, ask questions (without registration) in the comments.

Related materials:

To lighting networks located in basements and ground floors special requirements for electrical safety are imposed. Lighting in the basement must be connected to a 36 V network. This is due to the fact that the floor in such rooms is usually earthen, and in the event of an accident there is a high risk of injury to people electric shock. Application protective grounding mandatory in basement lighting networks. Wire connections and any exposed areas, as well as switches, must be located at a sufficient distance from water supply and sewer pipes to prevent water from entering. Cables and individual wires must be laid in protective plastic corrugations or metal sleeves.

A step-down transformer

In the basements of houses old building there is a transformer with an output voltage of 36 V, used for lighting. A cable with a cross-section of at least 5 sq. mm is connected to it through an automatic protective switch, to which wires from lamps and switches are supplied. It is advisable to use copper wire, but the use of aluminum is also allowed. For ease of installation, lamps are connected to the cable not individually, but in groups of 3-6 pieces, connected by a wire of smaller cross-section (to save cable). Such a group usually illuminates a separate corridor, room or passage. All connections are made in junction boxes using terminal clamps.

Installation of a corridor lighting group using terminal clamps

Lighting in the basement of a residential building The structure is much simpler than that of an apartment building. This is due to the significantly smaller area of ​​the basement. To get 36V voltage there are two solutions:

- purchase a small 36 V step-down transformer,

- use ready-made blocks power supplies or autotransformers.

The transformer is connected to lighting network through an automatic protective device. All other requirements for wiring installation are the same as for apartment buildings.

Difavtomat

Lighting in basements at 220 volts is permissible only if there is a concrete floor and it is impossible to install low-voltage lighting. To increase electrical safety, it is necessary to install with an operating current of no more than 30 mA. All wires must be laid in corrugation, and their connections with junction boxes and consumers must be reliably sealed.

Residual current circuit breaker

You can do the lighting in the basement yourself. All work must be carried out with the voltage turned off. If possible, it is better to install a step-down transformer in the electrical panel of the house, or make a separate panel for it, also located in the house. If this is not possible or there is not enough space, the transformer is mounted in the basement. In this case, it is necessary to place it as high as possible above the floor to protect it from moisture. It can be installed in a metal panel or on corner brackets, which must be connected by wire to the transformer core and grounded. It is advisable to mount the circuit breaker nearby so that if an accident is detected, it is possible to quickly turn off the voltage.

Installation option for an electrical panel with a step-down transformer

Gross errors when installing electrical wiring

The bare ends are not insulated in any way, are not enclosed in a junction box and are located in close proximity to each other (in the event of a short circuit, there is a high probability of fire)
Track the right wire almost impossible
The connections are not isolated and are located in close proximity to water pipes(high risk of short circuit and fire)

Various auxiliary rooms, which include basements and cellars, require light sources for a comfortable stay in them. Since in most cases natural lighting cannot be provided in the basement, it is necessary to implement it in other ways. And here it is especially important to fully master the topic, to study all its subtleties and nuances. Know what kind of lighting can be used in the basement of a private house and what is required for this. And most importantly, how to make it reliable and safe.

Natural lighting in the basement

Modern materials and technologies make it possible to illuminate the part of the building located below ground level and deprived of access to sunlight, different ways. With the help of special light guides, it will be possible to make the lighting in the cellar as close to natural as possible, and in the literal sense. Special technology transmission of light from the surface in lanterns, called tunnel ones, will tell you how to make lighting in the basement and cellar without wires and electricity. The secret lies in using a combination of two basic elements:

• dome accumulating solar energy;
• channel with reflective walls.

Together they form an effective design - safe, environmentally friendly and, according to experts, efficient enough to seriously compete with electric lamps or LED spotlights.

Artificial basement lighting

Second place rightfully goes to lighting in the basement using electrical sources. But before moving directly to the description of implementation methods, attention should be paid to typical mistakes and miscalculations made when installing lighting in the cellar with your own hands.

Important. Any buildings located below ground level have high air humidity - that is, upon contact with electricity, they are automatically equated to the group increased risk. This requires the use of special closed structures lamps and switches. Otherwise, the health of people in the basement will be constantly in danger.

Rules and requirements for connecting electricity in the cellar

Experts strongly recommend using waterproof low-voltage circuits using step-down transformers - 12 or 36 V, but in no case 220, as in a household network. It is these solutions that are recognized as safe from the point of view of electric shock.

Attention. Electricity requires careful handling, especially in aggressive (humid) environments. Any liquid increases conductivity, and an electric current of only 0.1 A is considered lethal.

It is best to start installing basement lighting for a residential building by installing a power transformer: this is not done in the most utility room, and beyond. Compliance with this condition is necessary to ensure that the wiring in the basement of the building is at low voltage.

To conduct light into the cellar, you will need a double-insulated cable, additionally laid in a special box or metal hose. In the latter case, anti-corrosion protection (special coating) should be provided. The transformer is installed in a moisture-proof shield, which eliminates the possibility of oxidation of contacts and terminals.

Basement lamps must meet several criteria:

• completely cover the lamp with a durable glass cap;
• have a wire casing to protect against mechanical damage;
• avoid (or minimize) contact with parts of the human body.

In conditions low ceilings the latter requirement involves placing light sources on the walls, and not on top.

Safe components

The most reliable and safe electrical fittings are those that were purchased in specialized stores and have all the required protection elements, and are not found in the ruins of spontaneous markets. Before choosing lamps for the cellar, a voltage reduction unit, as well as switches and sockets, you must make the necessary calculations.

You need to pay attention to the amount of electric current in the network and power consumption, and based on them, select equipment. It is acceptable to use modern LED lamps or LED lights for the basement in a silicone tube: they are characterized by reliability, durability, and efficiency. They also shine brighter than regular light bulbs and are not much different in price. In addition, there are lamps for the basement in 12 versions.

Switches - definitely with high level protection, not regular keyboards. This precaution will save you from unpleasant surprises with a short circuit to the housing and electric shock.

Attention. Installation of electrical outlets in basements and cellars is strictly prohibited, since none of them can be absolutely sealed and safe. Non-compliance this requirement- a direct path to creating a traumatic situation.

Wiring installation

The basic rules for installing cables are to use high-quality components selected taking into account the likely load. It is determined by calculation, and is taken with a small margin (to avoid overloading the power units). When installing lighting in the basement, the cross-section of the wire (it is best to take copper) is also selected a little larger than required.

Any connections should be avoided - with twists, terminals, soldering: the fewer connecting points of wiring lines in the basement, the higher the likelihood of its trouble-free operation. Electricians recommend installing it on a switchboard with a transformer special device for protection against electric shock (RCD). This additional measure will increase the safety of people using electrical wiring and lighting.

Wiring in the basement is carried out with the mains completely de-energized, starting from the installation of fittings and connecting wires. It ends with a connection to a step-down transformer. It would be useful to lay the cable in a sleeve (preferably not subject to corrosion) - the current-carrying conductors must be reliably protected from the influence of the external environment.

Finally

The article describes step by step how to arrange basement lighting. Methods for solving the problem using modern advanced technologies and standard methods are described. A brief explanation is given of which components and equipment can be used and which cannot, and why.

Requirements for connecting electricity are based on ensuring the safety of human life and health. That is why for equipment for basement-type premises, the lighting mode in which is not designed for the constant presence of a person, they will be one, but for use in dry residential premises - somewhat different.

It is hardly permissible to use the same solutions when installing lighting in the basement as for connecting an electric motor or by analogy with the wiring diagram in the garage. And this is the only reason why a cable for a cellar, with equal characteristics (material, cross-section), will cost a little more than a wire for a household network: it uses double insulation.

And one last thing. For those who want to save money on something, for example, on protecting a lamp from moisture, a well-worn quote can be cited as a warning: once a year a stick goes off. And in a humid environment, any mistake can be fatal, because, ultimately, saving on equipment reliability means saving on your health.

Peter Kravets

Reading time: 3 minutes

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Only artificial lighting can be used in the cellar, but to do this, it is necessary to lay utility networks. Lighting in the room must be carried out in compliance with all rules and regulations. Each lamp must be equipped with a special protective structure.

In order to correctly install light into the cellar, you need not only to pay attention to how the cable is laid, but also to the selection of equipment. Traditional incandescent lamps, which are mounted without installing a lampshade, are not suitable in this case, since moisture easily penetrates into the socket and causes unpleasant consequences.

It is better to take models that are completely isolated from the effects of condensation and water. As a rule, they are intended for lighting streets and garages. Such devices are equipped with a housing that is not subject to corrosion and is lightweight.

When connecting, you need to use only solid pieces of cable, without using separate parts, even those that are well connected to each other.

It is necessary to choose the right protection class for lighting fixtures, no less than ip44, although experts most often advise choosing models belonging to the ip57 class. Such equipment can even be in water, although only for a short time. On the outside they are equipped with a metal mesh, which means they will remain intact even if they are caught or dropped.

Underground storage facilities are typically built from fireproof materials such as brick or concrete. In any case, the flooring is conductive, made from broken bricks or ordinary soil.

Also, the features of underground premises include an increased level of dampness, much higher than in above-ground residential premises. For these reasons, the laying of electrical cables must be treated with special attention.

Electrical wiring is done taking into account the following requirements:

• The mains voltage required is no more than 42 V. To ensure this indicator, it is necessary to use special transformers that reduce the values ​​to the required limit;
• The cable is laid through rollers or special insulators. If the wiring is supposed to be hidden, you should not use steel pipes thickness less than 2 mm;
• Installation of lighting using special lamps, is done differently than with standard incandescent lamps. The cartridges must be protected hermetically from moisture penetration;
• Switches should not be installed indoors. Their location is allowed only in adjacent and dry rooms or outside;
• All lamp pendants must withstand loads 5 times higher than the mains voltage. Before installation, the fastenings are checked for deformations, defects or damage that could lead to damage to the line and collapse of the entire network.

Electrical wiring installation

Cellars and basements refer to underground rooms that are particularly damp. This also determines special conditions lighting installation.

Underground rooms are made of fireproof materials, but the floor covering conducts electricity well, since the humidity level is quite high.

This circumstance requires special attention when wiring lighting in inner space. Installing light into the cellar with your own hands is not very difficult, but if the owner is not confident in his abilities, he should involve specialists who will carry out all the work in full compliance with the requirements and safety standards for working with electrical equipment.

When installing lamps, you must take care of installing a special separate transformer with a voltage of 220 W.

All wiring is laid at a distance of about 2 meters from the floor line, but not lower. If there is a need to make sockets, they are made at least 1 meter higher flooring using special protective devices, moisture resistant. Such sockets are equipped with a lid that slams tightly.

Such equipment can even be installed on fences and open terraces, in places with an aggressive environment.

Experts recommend installation circuit breakers, since ordinary ones melt too much in underground rooms. The wiring is made exclusively new, since all devices can be triggered by current leakage, and cable defects in this case are unacceptable.

When laying the cable, the cross-section is selected based on the total power consumption. As a rule, 2.5 square millimeters is sufficient. If you plan to use powerful equipment, welding machine, for example, you need a cable with an increased cross-section of up to 4 square millimeters, sometimes up to 6 square millimeters.

But, as a rule, such consumption is not required in cellars, so it is quite possible to use 2.5 square millimeters for the cable. Shields are used exclusively from metal, placed in the driest part of the room, or better yet, in adjacent rooms.

Wiring options

In order to make lighting in a cellar or basement, you need to use or internal installation cable, or external.

In simple basements, you can get by externally, laying and securing the cable neatly on the surface through cable channels or protective covers. In this case, all networks will remain in the free access zone for regular repairs and verification work, if necessary.

The internal wiring method is done only if the cellar is combined with storage areas for equipment, garden fertilizers and other similar things. Such options are not recommended by experts due to the high cost and complexity of maintenance.

The difference between electrical wiring in the basement and cellar

Many owners are interested in the question of whether there is a difference between wiring lighting in the basement and in the cellar. Both rooms are characterized by high humidity, which negatively affects all networks and communications, requiring increased protection in both cases.

There are also some differences. If for the basement it is possible to install a cable in a protective casing and use special lighting, then in the cellar all work is much more difficult.

In those rooms where not only inventory and equipment are stored, but also food and food supplies, there is a chance of damaging the cable simply by catching either it or the lamp.

To avoid this, the wires are placed in protective casings and fixed to walls and ceiling surfaces. For this purpose, special boxes are used utility networks, which performs protective function from mechanical damage.

In the basements, although there are high humidity, aggressive environment still no. In some cases, they have a cellar equipped for storing products and garden materials. Fertilizers and soil impurities, disinfectants, and toxic substances are also stored in the cellars. All of them negatively affect the wiring, causing it to become unusable over time.

For lighting in the cellar, choose the most best equipment and cable. It is important to carry out regular inspections of all lighting fixtures and cables, panels, sockets and switches.

He doesn’t install socket switches indoors, but even if they are located outside, they still need to be checked periodically. In all other respects, the lighting wiring in the basement and cellar does not differ from each other. It is not recommended to use simple wires that are used for above-ground living rooms.

It is prohibited to use natural lighting in cellars, preferring its artificial counterpart. This is due to the storage requirement of products that are sensitive to light and temperature. Upon access natural light inside, photosynthesis, development and deterioration of the crop begins in plants and vegetables.