Selection rules, characteristics and protection of kitchen sockets for hoods

The kitchen is a special place in every apartment. She provides household members with the opportunity to eat deliciously. And it is also a constant source of various odors that penetrate into other rooms. In order to avoid the spread of food aromas from the kitchen, an extractor hood is installed above the hob. And almost always it is necessary to make an outlet for it. In this case, you need to take into account many nuances, rules, personal preferences. A high-quality, well-chosen outlet for the hood in the kitchen will help to avoid some problems with appliances and electricity.

Technical details and degree of protection

Manufacturers are continually improving and modernizing outlets in an effort to improve their safety and comfort. The first step is to improve the degree of protection. To determine it, an international universal IP table was created. The IP code consists of two digits, with the first indicating the size of the particles passed. The second is what exactly the outlet is protected from.

For example, a kitchen needs a degree of protection IP62 or higher.

Many models have built-in special shutters that do not allow anything other than the plug of the device to enter the holes. They are ideal for apartments where small children live.

The option with a built-in RCD (residual current device) will help prevent electric shock. Most suitable in the kitchen, in the bathroom.

Retractable sockets are gaining more and more popularity among housewives. They are convenient in that they are mounted on any surface and are pulled out only during the operation of the device - ideal for the kitchen.

Not so long ago, models with a push-out function have entered the market. They are equipped with a special button, by pressing which the plug of the electrical appliance is pushed out independently.

For connoisseurs of technical innovations, the stores present models on the control panel and a timer socket, on which you can set the time to turn on / off the device.

Choosing the best outlet

The variety of models offered by the shops is great. They differ in design, price, quality. So what should you look for when buying this small but so important item? Here are the main criteria:

• all attention is to the manufacturer. The prices for the goods of well-known manufacturers are high, and the quality is often the same. But fakes are not uncommon. Therefore, it is worth buying branded, expensive sockets only in trusted stores;
• material. The cheaper the finished product, the worse the material used for its production. Poor quality plastics increase the risk of rapid wear, sparking, melting of outer shells;
• a high-quality outlet is distinguished by the strength of the assembly, does not disintegrate, there are no staggering, moving elements in it;
• ceramic block for the contact block. In cheap versions, there may also be ceramics, but it is much softer and worse than in more expensive ones. The block should look intact, without visible and barely noticeable chips and cracks;
• the petals for fastening are necessarily rigid, not short. It depends on them how firmly it will hold on to the wall;
• type of contact group design. There are many types, they differ in the degree of secrecy of contacts. The more open they are, the more problematic the mounting and the worse the fastening. Sockets with hidden contacts are the most convenient to use.
• design. A beautiful outlet that matches the overall style of the kitchen does not need to be decorated.

When giving preference to this or that model, you should make sure that it is as comfortable and durable as possible. The service life of the connected household appliance directly depends on its quality. It is also a guarantee of the safe use of the electrical network and the ability to minimize frequently occurring problems, such as arcing and others.

Socket installation location: basic rules

When working with electricity, safety is paramount. As a result, strict compliance with the Rules for Electrical Installations (PUE) is a priority. The main ones regarding hoods are:

• it is allowed to place the outlet for the hood in the kitchen above the wall cabinets or near the ventilation shaft. At the same time, the permissible minimum distances to the lockers are 5 cm, to the ventilation - 20 cm;
• the minimum height from the floor is 2 m;
• be sure to have grounding contacts with a current strength of at least 15A;
• the throughput of the outlet for the hood is from 15A;
• connecting an additional outlet to the line, calculate the total power of all devices. It should not exceed 4 kW. This will avoid overloading the wiring in the event of simultaneous switching on of their network. If this power is exceeded, the hood in the kitchen must be on a separate line.

When installing the hood, the master can offer a direct installation option using terminal blocks. It excludes the use of a plug and the ability to independently connect and disconnect the device. This method of connection is not safe, especially in the kitchen; it is highly undesirable to use it.

The hood is a useful thing, so its use should be as comfortable as possible. And a properly selected outlet and its location contribute to this in the best way possible. For greater convenience, do not place an outlet behind massive cabinets, countertops and other kitchen furniture. It is better to place it in a conspicuous place, visually in the middle of the hood. Many housewives may not like this. The problem is solved quite quickly. With a little time and imagination, you can easily make a decorative object that covers it. For example, a drawer, a coffee panel, a small picture look great.