How many sockets does a room need? – rule of thumb and recommendations

The electrical installation also includes planning a new building. It must be taken into account how many sockets are required in a room. In older buildings, there is sometimes a lack of sockets. Split strips with several sockets and extension cables are not always the solution of choice if there are not enough sockets because they are not safe enough. In such cases, sockets can be retrofitted as part of the renovation. Since more and more electrical devices are used, the need for sockets is increasing.
How many sockets should be in one room depends on its type, size and use.

Directive for the number of sockets

In the case of a new building, too many should be planned for a room better than too few sockets, since subsequent installation requires higher effort. It is therefore important to consider how many electrical devices should be used in the respective room. The DIN 18015-2 for the planning and execution of electrical installations in residential buildings determines the minimum number of sockets in a residential building. The DIN 18015-4 for installing sockets and light output provides information about the minimum requirements for sockets.

It is about different types of sockets that are suitable depending on the space.

In addition to the DIN standards, the RAL directive RAL-RG 678 applies. It contains information on the equipment value of a room. The recommended number of sockets in one room depends on the size of the room and on the equipment features. Depending on the individual requirements, a distinction is made between minimum, standard and comfort equipment for the equipment values. The higher the equipment value is the greater the required number of sockets.

Rule of thumb for sockets in the room

As a rule of thumb, at least one socket should be planned in each room per wall. There are still enough connections when redesigning a room, so that no extension cables are required.

A good indication of the planning is also the rule of thumb that at least one socket is required per four to six square meters of space. This ensures that there is a basic cover with sockets even in a small room.

Recommendation for the number of sockets in one room

The RAL-RFG 678 recommends the following equipment with sockets for the different rooms:

• Living room: The minimum equipment is 6, standard equipment 10 and 20 or more sockets. For a living room with a living space of more than 20 square meters, even 20 plus 4 sockets are recommended. Sockets are required for lamps, televisions, music system and other electronic devices. A redesign should be taken into account in which the electrical devices are placed differently.
• Bedroom: For the minimum equipment, 5, for standard equipment 8 and at least 15 sockets for the comfort equipment, are recommended. Sockets for bedside lamps should be placed on every side of the bed. Here, too, sockets should be available for different electrical devices. A later redesign is also possible for the bedroom.
• Kitchen: The minimum equipment provides 10, the standard equipment 15 and the comfort equipment at least 25 sockets. The sockets should be well distributed because many electrical devices such as refrigerators, stove, oven, microwave, dishwasher, coffee machine and toaster are used in the kitchen. In addition, sockets should be available for different workers such as mixers or electric knives.
• Bathroom: As a minimum equipment, two, as standard equipment, should be available as standard equipment and at least eight sockets as comfort equipment. The sockets serve to operate various devices such as razors or hair dryers. The sockets should be arranged on the left and right of the mirror. Two sockets near the ground also make sense. No sockets may be installed in the splash area.
• Nursery: The minimum equipment is four, the standard equipment is six and the comfort equipment at at least ten sockets. The sockets are required for lamps, television, stereo, computer and chargers. If the children are even smaller, there is a higher need for electrical devices and thus also thinking of sockets when the children get bigger. If the children are out of the house, the children's room can be converted as a guest room. Even then, enough sockets are required.
• Study: The minimum equipment is three, eight standard equipment and at least twelve sockets. Various electrical devices such as lamps, computers, printers and scanners, but also chargers are required.
• Corridor: At least two, three, three and at least four sockets for the comfort equipment. Sockets are required for lamps, vacuum cleaners and other cleaning devices as well as for chargers.
• Outdoor area: As minimum equipment, two, as standard equipment, are recommended as standard equipment and at least nine sockets as comfort. Outside sockets are required for lighting, electrical devices such as lawnmowers, but sometimes also for electrical or refrigerator. Sockets are also required for decorations and Christmas lights. These sockets must be designed for the outdoor area.

Retrofitting sockets

If there are not enough sockets in one room, retrofitting is possible. Walls are often imposed on this, which is associated with effort. Alternatively, sockets can be attached to the wall from an electrical engineering operation in a surface-mounted program. Exposure sockets are also used in wet rooms and outdoors. There are special outdoor sockets for outdoor areas with a protective cover. They are available as flush and plastered sockets.