Planning correctly

Electrical installation

Whether you are planning a new build or a modernisation project, there is a lot to consider when planning an electrical installation. Here we give you an overview of what you shouldn't forget when planning, which areas are important and how to make your electrical installation fit for the future.

For a future-proof electrical installation, it is crucial that a building can also keep pace with evolving technological requirements.
We have five basic principles that you should consider in your planning:

1

Flexibility and expandability

Plan the installation so that it can be easily expanded or adapted to new requirements, for example by using modular systems.

2

Smart home integration

With the increasing popularity of smart home technologies, it is important to choose an electrical installation that enables the integration of intelligent devices and systems.

3

Energy efficiency

A modern electrical installation should be designed to promote energy efficiency, for example through efficient LED lighting, intelligent thermostats and other energy-efficient household appliances.

4

Charging stations for electric vehicles

In view of the growing trend for electric cars, it makes sense to consider the possibility of having a charging station installed at a later date when planning the electrical installation.

5

Network infrastructure

A powerful and reliable network is important in order to utilise modern technologies such as IoT devices, smart household appliances and other networked systems.

A small digression

Since 1960, private electricity consumption in Germany has increased approximately fivefold. Although the energy consumption of individual household appliances has fallen, there are now simply many more of them. If you compare a household from the 1960s or 1970s with today's equipment, it is obvious that current electrical wiring has to carry a much heavier load. You should definitely bear this in mind when renovating a property. According to studies on existing buildings in Germany, over 70 per cent of existing buildings have electrical wiring that is over 35 years old. This applies to many buildings constructed between 1950 and 1979. However, many newer properties also do not have the necessary electrical infrastructure to integrate renewable energies, storage, building automation, energy management or charging stations for electric vehicles, for example.

Refurbishment and modernisation

A future-proof refurbishment should focus primarily on the core components of the electrical installation: Electrical cables, meter location systems and protective devices. At the beginning of the refurbishment, you should ask yourself, among other things, which devices will be used in which room. It is better to plan more sockets than too few in order to increase convenience, flexibility and safety. You shouldn't skimp on electrical conduits either. Sufficient empty conduits make it easier to extend the electrical installation at any time. This is helpful if, for example, you want to use rooms differently than planned at a later date, expand them with an intelligently networked home automation system such as Busch-free@home® or use assistance systems for barrier-free living. You also have the option of designing individual rooms smartly with the Busch-flexTronics® wireless system.

The equipment recommendations for electrical installations according to RAL-RG 678 provide you with a good planning basis. This guideline specifies, for example, how many connections for electrical devices, lighting and communication systems or how many circuits, switches and sockets are useful for which living standard.

New building

Just as with renovation, the magic words for new builds are to plan in enough empty conduits. This is because cables and distributors, sockets and connections are laid when a house is built anyway. Subsequent changes usually involve considerable renovation work and high costs. It is therefore worth thinking about future investments during the planning phase, even if they do not yet fit into the budget. For example, the purchase of an electric car or a photovoltaic system can be taken into account in the electrical installation. For new applications, electricians then simply pull additional supply and data cables into the existing electrical installation pipes, without having to knock out slots and chiselling open walls.

This is the best way to make your own four walls ‘smart home-ready’, especially in new builds. The bus cables are simply laid parallel to the power cable and the cabling is concealed. The advantage of a smart home such as Busch-free@home® or Busch-Installationsbus® KNX: It takes care of everyday and routine tasks and carries them out automatically thanks to the latest technologies.

The most important tip

Always consult a specialist to plan your electrical installation and, above all, to have it installed! The electrical company knows what is important, provides support and ensures that the electrical installation meets current standards and is equipped for future developments.

During a professional E-CHECK, which is essential for refurbishments, a qualified electrician checks all distribution boards, cables, switches and sockets, records their condition and identifies sources of danger. The E-CHECK gives you the certainty that the tested electrical installation and the tested electrical appliances fulfil all safety aspects.

More about the e-check

Planning of ...

  • ...sockets

    Well thought-out socket outlet planning is crucial for smooth utilisation. There should be 20-24 sockets in the living room, 10-15 in the kitchen and 2-4 in the bathroom. Around 10 sockets are recommended in bedrooms, children's rooms and studies. Sockets should also be provided outdoors, such as on the terrace or balcony. Smart versions offer additional flexibility. SCHUKO® socket outlets Safety+ from Busch-Jaeger are particularly safe, especially for children's rooms. They have increased contact protection. Careful planning and high-quality sockets contribute to a comfortable and safe living environment, without the later annoyance of missing or poorly positioned sockets.

    To the sockets

  • ...switches

    Well thought-out planning of the light switches is essential for smooth utilisation. In addition to the placement in each room, switches directly by the bed should be considered, especially in the bedroom, to avoid the inconvenience of getting out of bed. The Busch-Comfort switches® flex, which combine motion detectors and light switches, offer a clever solution. They enable contactless, manual or time-controlled switching. The installation of light switches on every door is also recommended. The aesthetic design of our diverse switch programmes sets visual accents on all surfaces.

    To our switch programmes

  • ...safety technology

    Safety begins in the switch cabinet. RCDs detect residual currents and prevent electric shocks. Circuit breakers protect against overloads and short circuits. Fire protection switches detect electric arcs and prevent fires. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors such as Busch-Rauchalarm® and Busch-CO Alarm in the rooms. These integrate into your Smarter Home system. Alarm systems and surveillance technology offer additional security. You should install smoke alarms such as Busch-Rauchalarm® and carbon monoxide alarms such as Busch-CO Alarm in the various rooms. These report dangers and can also be integrated into your Smarter Home system. Alarm systems and surveillance technology also ensure security within your own four walls.

    More about safety technology

  • ...overvoltage protection

    The networking of devices increases the risk of overvoltages caused by lightning strikes or faults in the power grid. Electrical installations should therefore be protected with surge arresters. With Busch-Protector®, Busch-Jaeger offers a socket outlet that protects against overvoltage damage, switches devices safely and extends their service life. This integration is crucial to avoid expensive consequences of overvoltages. With Busch-Protector® from Busch-Jaeger you can operate your electrical devices reliably and at the same time extend their service life. This innovative solution offers not only protection but also reliable functionality, which is essential for the long-term operation of your electrical devices.

    To the Busch-Protector®

  • …Multimedia

    The list of required multimedia products is long. From smart TVs and audio systems to intelligent thermostats and lighting systems. These are all things that can be integrated into a future-proof electrical installation for a modern home. Multimedia planning should not be forgotten. You should rely on high-quality network cabling to ensure fast and reliable networking. We offer you multimedia solutions for your home that not only sound good, but also look good.

    To our Multimedie solutions