The placement of a Surface Mounted electrical socket is not a trivial task. However, it can be essential in determining the overall functionality of your home's electrical system. There are many things to consider when placing an electrical socket, such as the type of socket housings, the height and depth of the receptacle box, existing wiring, and the location to identify them as well as other factors.

Type of sockets

What kind of electrical sockets are you going to buy? Are you going for the in-built kind of sockets? Or are you going to buy the ones with separate sockets? When deciding to repurchase in-built sockets or separate sockets, there are several things you will need to consider. For starters, ensuring that the electrical socket fits the receptacle box you want to install is essential. There are in-built electrical socket models for single, double, and three gang boxes. You may also want to use the Clipsal iconic dimmer  power points, which come in ranges of up to 240V sockets.

Electrical sockets in the wall

After figuring out what kind of socket you want for your wall, what next? It would be best to consider several factors while mounting your sockets on the wall. First, consider the beauty that will come with your placement. If you are using the Clipsal iconic dimmer, you should consider placing them around the living room and the bedrooms. 

Consider the height of the socket from the floor. The lower the socket is, the easier it is to use. It also ensures sufficient clearance between the electrical sockets and any potential objects, such as surfaces. They should be mounted at about 25cbove the floor to keep from falling and being damaged by water.

Electric sockets on the floor.

Most floor sockets are usually mounted on the surface of a wooden floor for ease of use. You need to measure the length and width of the wall and then determine if you have enough room for mounting electrical sockets. 

If you have a large room, it can be cost-effective to mount more sockets on the floor so that they are readily accessible and do not interfere with foot traffic. On the other hand, if you have a small room, it is advisable to mount your floor socket at least 0.5metersr from all walls.

Before mounting your sockets, it is advisable to cover the electrical sockets with a piece of plastic to protect them from dust.

Safety distance in Bathroom sockets

If you wish to install a bathroom socket in your house, it is advisable to ensure that the location will be safe for use. According to Partners in Realizing Happy Home, the maximum number of sockets in a bathroom is 2. 

Should I mount the sockets horizontally or vertically?

Typically, people choose to mount their sockets horizontally. However, it is not recommended to do this in some cases as it can cause problems with the electrical wiring. It should be mounted vertically instead, ensuring safety for your electrical wiring.

The minimum number of sockets in a house or apartment.

General factors to consider while placing electrical sockets

1. When installing an electrical socket, it's important to remember that the location should be as accessible as possible throughout the year. 

2. Place suitable electrical sockets as far away from outlets as possible to ensure minimal wear and tear on the electrical system. Ideally, you should position electrical sockets such that they cannot be reached from any part of the room, regardless of whether it's a wall outlet or one with a switch.

3. If the receptacle is within reach, we suggest you not place electrical sockets directly below them.

4. You must consider the height of the receptacle box and its depth. Apart from this, there are other things to consider before you go ahead and put your sockets in place.

Conclusion

It takes substantial skill and knowledge to position surface-mounted electrical sockets properly. If you lack experience, you may have problems with your home's wiring. However, suppose you feel that the placement of your socket is creating problems for your household and family. You must then speak with an electrician about doing a more suitable rewiring for your home to prevent future complications.