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Socket near sink query |
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| message from John Smith on 21 May 2004 |
Planning a kitchen refit and looking at socket positions. I will be
keeping some existing sockets and moving/adding a few more. One of the
sockets I definitely want to keep is within arms reach of the sink. This
is very handy for the kettle.
From previous posts I have found that you cannot, according to the elec
regs, have a socket at arms length from a sink. But this socket is
already there and has been since I moved in.
Obviously I am not required to constantly update my house to comply with
any new regs. But what if I do work in the vicinity, e.g. add new
sockets, I am required to move this un-complying socket at the same time?
Also what happens if I wanted to simply change the face plate of this
socket e.g. to a nice chrome one? Is this allowed?
Thanks,
John
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| Lurch replied to John Smith on 21 May 2004 |
No, the regs say you can't have a socket actually in the sink. It
doesn't mention distance from the sink. NICEIC guidelines are 500mm
from the sink. My personal choice is 300mm from a draining board and
600mm from a sink where preferable.
Nope, just make yourself aware of it! I, as an electrical contractor,
can't force customers to upgrade their electrical installation, only
advise them of the problems.
Yes.
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| John Smith replied to Lurch on 21 May 2004 |
A socket IN the sink? As in a hole cut in the sink and a socket stuck
through this hole!
The regs actually think someone would do this !!!
I don't believe it!
John
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| Dave Plowman replied to John Smith on 21 May 2004 |
How else do you feed a waste disposal unit?
It's more of a problem cutting the hole in the toilet for the saniflow
socket, though.
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| BigWallop replied to Dave Plowman on 21 May 2004 |
ROFL !!! Daft bugger. :-))
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| Pete C replied to John Smith on 21 May 2004 |
Hi,
How far from the sink is it? Would a longer kettle from the next
nearest kettle lead do the trick? The main concern might be a kettle
lead or base falling in the sink.
cheers,
Pete.
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| Christian McArdle replied to John Smith on 21 May 2004 |
Actually, I'd have thought it would be permitted if the socket is IPx8. I
may be wrong and don't have them in front of me.
I think they just don't particularly anticipate it and don't specifically
ban it. All equipment has to be suitable for the installed location because
of a general catch-all, which would require IPx8 (possibly IPx7). Again, I
may be wrong. I very much doubt the situation has arisen in practice!
Christian.
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| Christian McArdle replied to John Smith on 21 May 2004 |
No. The regulations just state that accessories must be suitable for the
area in which they are installed. This is somewhat open to interpretation
with respect to sink proximity. If it is located so that it is unlikely to
get wet, there is no problem. If it really is close and could easily be
splashed, then you could always go for IP rated accessories, although they
would look very odd in a kitchen!
Christian.
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| romic replied to John Smith on 21 May 2004 |
Others have already answered your query, but if you're too bothered about
it you could convert it to a RCD protected socket, although it would cost
you an arm and a leg.
Roger
(my reader sometimes loses mail/newsgroup messages
- if you think you should have had a reply/comment,
please e-mail me again. Ta!)
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| N. Thornton replied to Owain on 23 May 2004 |
lol! I remember seeing floor sockets with just a flat metal flap over
the front: would they make suitable replacements for something overly
close?
Regards, NT
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| Dave Plowman replied to N. Thornton on 23 May 2004 |
Yup - you have to use two hands to use those, so if they're wet from the
sink you get the full effect across your chest.
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