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Installation material includes all products and components required for the safe and efficient installation, expansion, or modification of electrical installations in residences, offices, or industrial environments. This includes switchgear, cables, junction boxes, surface-mounted boxes, enclosures, work lights, and mounting materials.

At Schneider Electric, you will find a wide range of installation materials, including:

• Advanced enclosures for smooth installation and maximum safety. Fully tailored to the use of Resi9 modular components
• Mureva surface-mounted boxes, enclosures, and sockets for robust, waterproof applications indoors and outdoors
• Merten outlets and switchgear for a stylish finish

These materials are essential for a safe electrical installation in accordance with applicable standards, such as NEN1010 and IEC guidelines.

To ensure a safe and properly functioning electrical installation in your residence, you will need various types of installation materials. The exact requirements depend on your situation (new construction, renovation, or expansion), but the basics usually consist of:

• Built-in switchgear: such as switches, dimmers, and wall sockets (e.g., from the Merten series)
• Flush-mounted and surface-mounted boxes: for neat and safe concealment of connections (e.g., from the Mureva series)
• Enclosures and circuit breakers: for power distribution and protection

Good installation equipment ensures:

• Safety: prevents short circuits and overloads
• Reliability: stable operation of electrical systems
• Durability: long service life and resistance to harsh conditions

View our full range of installation materials here. Here you will find built-in cabinets, work lights, cable reels, cabling, and mounting materials from Mureva and Thorsman, among other things.

Schneider Electric offers a wide range of different types of outlets. There are flush-mounted outlets for installation in the wall and surface-mounted sockets for mounting on the wall. The flush-mounted outlets are available in single and double versions.

The single outlets can also be combined with other switchgear such as light switches. These outlets are available in many different colors and styles and can be equipped with very practical features such as child safety, USB connections, lighting, or a hinged cover.

The double outlets for flush mounting can be installed directly in a single flush-mounted box in the wall. If you don't have space for flush-mounted outlets, you can opt for surface-mounted outlets. Schneider Electric also offers various series of waterproof outlets that can be installed outdoors without any problems.

Installing a flush-mounted outlet

To install an outlet in the wall, you need to install a flush-mounted box in the wall with enough space for the connection cables. This flush-mounted box must be built into the plasterwork and must be flush with the wall at the front. If there is no pre-installed flush-mounted box, you have two options.

Installing a surface-mounted outlet

You can opt for surface-mounted outlets, or you can choose to install flush-mounted boxes. This probably means that you will have to do some more serious DIY. It is also not possible to install flush-mounted boxes in some surfaces. Fortunately, Schneider Electric offers a wide range of surface-mounted switchgear.

Which wire colors do I need?

When installing or replacing switchgear yourself, it is important that you know what the colors of the wires mean. To install an outlet, you need three colors of wire: brown, blue, and yellow/green striped.

• The brown wire is the phase wire. A brown wire is always the power supply wire.
• The blue wire is the neutral wire. A blue wire is always the power return wire.
• The yellow/green wire is the earth wire. You need a yellow/green striped wire to earth a socket. The earth wire helps to suppress and switch off dangerous touch voltage in the event of an electrical fault in a device fitted with an earthed plug.

CAUTION: Never touch bare metal parts or threaded ends (including the neutral or ground wire) in an electrical installation without first checking with an approved voltage tester that there is no voltage present!

Are you replacing an outlet without earthing? Then it is advisable to earth it if possible. This can be done by installing a new earth wire. An earthed outlet is much safer for you and your home!

Are you installing a completely new outlet? Then, according to Dutch installation standards, an earthed outlet is mandatory.

Never install a grounded outlet without actually connecting it to the grounding wire, as this can be life-threatening!

You may also encounter a black wire. This is used for switching, for example in a two-way switch. You do not use this wire when installing a built-in outlet.

Schneider Electric's Advanced Enclosures are a good starting point for your home's enclosure.

It is important to first determine whether you need a single-phase or three-phase enclosure for your electrical installation.

You can often tell by looking at your kWh meter. A single-phase connection is sufficient for older homes, but nowadays homes are increasingly being delivered with a three-phase connection to supply your home with power. This is because the number of electrical appliances is increasing. Think of the advent of electric cooking and the rise of electric cars, heat pumps, and solar panels. Due to the increasing load, you want the power to automatically shut off safely in enclosure. A 3-phase enclosure is more suitable for this.

View Advanced 1-phase enclosure

View Advanced 3-phase enclosure

Whether you need to expand or completely replace your enclosure depends on the condition of your current installation and your future power requirements. Here are some guidelines:

When to expand?

You can expand your enclosure when:

• You add extra electrical appliances, such as an induction stove, charging station, or heat pump

• Your home is being expanded or is getting an additional floor

• Your current enclosure still complies with the NEN1010 standard and has sufficient space for additional groups

An expansion is usually done by installing additional circuit breakers or earth leakage switches in an existing cabinet.

When to replace?

Replacing your enclosure is recommended if:

• The enclosure is more than 30 years old or no longer complies with current safety standards

• There are porcelain fuses or a lack of earth leakage circuit breakers

• You regularly experience power outages or overloads

• You are switching to a 3-phase connection (e.g. for electric cooking or electric charging)

A new distribution box such as the Advanced Enclosure offers greater safety and flexibility and is prepared for future expansions.

Important:

Modifications to the enclosure must always be carried out by a certified installer due to the risks to electrical safety.