by Kenneth Ang

Created on: December 13, 2009

Wiring for home office needs

Here are some wiring tips for people who work out of their homes.

We'll look at the equipment you need and how to wire your home or room safely and efficiently.

Most of home offices are set up in a spare room or a converted space in the basement or attic. What this means is that these rooms will most likely not be adequately wired to meet the power needs of the equipment you use.

With technology as it is today, you'll have more than just a telephone and a typewriter. At the very least, you'll have a computer, facsimile, modem and printer for your work. Some of you may have another computer or laptop,  scanner, and a router, if you want to set up a home network.

There's more to wiring your home office than merely calling your local electrician. With some careful thought and planning, you can maximise your efficiency, plus you'll ensure you will only need to do it once.

Your electrician will love you if you need your wiring done regularly but it won't help your bank account, so don't rush into it. All it takes is an hour or more to plan, and save you lots of money and hassle.

First, you need to organize your office. Decide where you will place your work desk, then position your computer, phone and other devices so that they are easily accessible while you work.

Try it out. Do what you would do in a normal work day. See if everything is in its right place. You can always move things around if necessary later on, if necessary. For now, all you want is to know where to position your electrical sockets and switches.

Get a pen or pencil and mark the spot on the wall where you want the socket. I have found that placing the socket above desktop level makes it convenient to plug and unplug devices.

A quick tip. Try as much as you can to position your devices so that the cables are not exposed. This can lead to people tripping and worst, dragging your expensive equipment to the floor. It also helps keep your office looking tidy.

Now that you have decided on the location of the socket, you will need to decide on the number of sockets. You may be tempted to save money here and use extension sockets instead, but don't overdo it.

Extension sockets come in many sizes, ranging from single to 10-gang models but I do not recommend you put your home at risk by connecting too many devices to an extension socket.

Consult your electrician on the best solution for your needs. With the exception of a few unscrupulous ones, most would give you honest advice.

If you do not have a regular electrician, ask people you know if they can refer you to someone they have used and trust. As a last resort, there's the Yellow Pages. In this case, I would suggest you get cost estimates from at least three. The job is a simple one so price will be a good selection criteria.

Above all, safety should be your main consideration. Good luck!

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