Switchable sockets / Ideas and tips

Hello everyone,

slowly but surely the house is taking shape. I am currently discussing the final details regarding the electrical work with the installer.
In this context, the question arose as to where I would like to have switchable sockets.

Background information:
Smart Home with Busch & Jäger.
In every room there is 5-core cable as well as bus cable.

Do you have any tips/ideas from your own experience on where you would arrange the sockets?!

Thanks & best regards

In the living room, children's rooms, and bedrooms, we always have the very left one switchable in several places, in case someone wants to connect floor lamps or something like that. Additionally, there are sockets at some windows in the reveal. All outdoor sockets are switchable, later grouped as needed in the visualization. In the kitchen, I had considered it, but upon closer inspection, it didn’t make sense to me. Just in case the idea comes up: I wouldn’t make the TV switchable, current models don’t really like that. There are much more elegant solutions for multimedia devices.

In general, I think the topic of switchable sockets indoors is highly overrated, unless you fill the place with floor lamps. I’d rather use switching actuators with power measurement for critical devices; then switching is a nice bonus. If you arrange the distribution smartly or have it arranged, you can still add this afterward if you notice something is missing somewhere (and that will almost certainly happen). Switching actuators can be retrofitted quite quickly if there is enough space reserve. On the other hand, I find switchable sockets useful in the laundry room or utility room, if available, for the iron, if you define an “ironing spot.” Then there’s no more forgotten iron, and thanks to power measurement, you can also, for example, automatically switch it off after 60 minutes (and thanks to logging on the server, the wife can nicely remind you how long she ironed while the husband was just lazing around :D:D:D:D:D).

In addition: In the kitchen, the socket for the work lights is usually installed at the height of possible wall cabinets. If you are not quite sure yet, I would probably make a switchable rear socket in every living area for possible floor lamps. Also in the hallway.

IMHO sensible locations for switchable sockets:

- Media area in the living room, i.e. TV, AV receiver, projector, etc.
- Kitchen (e.g. devices with higher standby consumption and/or power measurement like dishwasher, etc.)
- HAR various switchable items, e.g. major appliances
- Outside/carport/garage generally switchable items for various reasons
- Towel radiator
- like undergasse43, one defined switchable socket in each room
- Recesses or sockets near windows for possible decorative lights
- Decorative lighting in other places (kitchen cabinets, furniture, staircases)
- Switchable devices in strategic locations (humidifiers, fountains, etc.)

- Media area in the living room, i.e. TV, AV receiver, projector, etc.

I really wouldn't do that, at most to avoid standby consumption during long absences (vacation), but not for switching every time you use them, where the operation would become quite uncomfortable. With most projectors, you would probably still have to wait until it is cool. Nowadays, the devices regularly pull updates in the background, and if you don't map the entire media control in the automation, the constant switching on and off of the sockets will annoy you after a short time. If you want to control these devices via home automation, switching sockets is simply not a good approach. If at all, possibly with power measurement to record the device status. For media, I would strongly recommend a proper solution, e.g. Basalte, Control4, Crestron, or with a small budget Logitech Harmony or CEC. For the price of the switched socket, you can leave the devices in standby for many years.

Towel radiator

In new buildings, these are usually permanently connected via a wall outlet anyway. Those with a plug are rather intended for retrofitting, and then you basically don't have switched sockets either.

Yes, depending on the budget and the needs. Switchable sockets are in my opinion the simplest and cheapest solution of all and, so to speak, a springboard, mainly because anyone can install and operate them.