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

Planning a new building also includes electrical installation. It is important to take into account how many sockets are required in a room. Older buildings sometimes lack power outlets. Power strips with multiple sockets and extension cables are not always the solution of choice when there are not enough sockets as they are not secure enough. In such cases, sockets can be retrofitted as part of the renovation. As more and more electrical devices are used, the need for sockets increases.
How many sockets there should be in a room depends on its type, size and use.

Guideline for the number of sockets

In a new building, it is better to plan too many sockets for a room rather than too few, as retrofitting them requires more effort. It is therefore important to consider how many electrical devices will be used in each room. DIN 18015-2 for the planning and execution of electrical installations in residential buildings specifies the minimum number of sockets in a residential building. DIN 18015-4 for the installation of sockets and light outlets provides information about the minimum requirements for sockets.

This involves different types of sockets that are suitable depending on the room.

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

Rule of thumb for sockets in the room

As a rule of thumb, there should be at least one socket per wall in every room. When redesigning a room, there are still enough connections available so that no extension cables are needed.

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

Recommendation for the number of sockets in a room

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

• Living room: The minimum equipment is 6, the standard equipment is 10 and the comfort equipment is 20 or more sockets. For a living room with a living space of more than 20 square meters, 20 plus 4 sockets are recommended. Sockets are needed for lamps, televisions, music systems and other electronic devices. A redesign should be taken into account in which the electrical devices are placed differently.
• Bedroom: 5 sockets are recommended for the minimum equipment, 8 for the standard equipment and at least 15 sockets for the comfort equipment. Sockets for bedside lamps should be placed on each side of the bed. There should also be sockets for various electrical devices here. You should also think about redesigning the bedroom later.
• Kitchen: The minimum equipment provides 10, the standard equipment 15 and the comfort equipment even at least 25 sockets. The sockets should be well distributed because many electrical appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, coffee machines and toasters are used in the kitchen. There should also be sockets for various tools such as mixers or electric knives.
• Bathroom: There should be two sockets as a minimum, four as standard and at least eight as comfort. The sockets are used to operate various devices such as razors or hair dryers. The sockets should be arranged to the left and right of the mirror. Two sockets near the floor are also useful. No sockets may be installed in the splash water area.
• Nursery: The minimum equipment is four, the standard equipment is six and the comfort equipment is at least ten sockets. The sockets are needed for lamps, televisions, stereo systems, computers and chargers. If the children are smaller, it is important to remember that there will be a greater need for electrical devices and therefore also for sockets as the children grow older. Once the children are out of the house, the children’s room can be converted into a guest room. Even then, enough sockets are required.
• Study: The minimum equipment is three, the standard equipment is eight and the comfort equipment is at least twelve sockets. Various electrical devices such as lamps, computers, printers and scanners, but also chargers are required.
• Corridor: At least two, three as standard and at least four sockets for comfort equipment are recommended. Sockets are needed for lamps, vacuum cleaners and other cleaning devices, as well as chargers.
• Outdoor area: Two sockets are recommended as a minimum, seven as standard and at least nine as comfort. Outdoor sockets are needed for lighting, electrical devices such as lawn mowers, but sometimes also for electric grills or refrigerators. Sockets are also required for decorations and Christmas lights. These sockets must be designed for outdoor use.

Retrofitting sockets

If there are not enough sockets in a room, retrofitting is possible. This often involves prying open walls, which requires a lot of effort. Alternatively, sockets can be attached to the wall by a specialist electrical company in a surface-mounted program. Surface-mounted sockets are also used in damp rooms and outdoors. There are special outdoor sockets with a protective cover for outdoor use. They are available as flush-mounted and surface-mounted sockets.