We're planning a new kitchen ring, and a problem is that part of the kitchen units are in place and essentially are immovable. The kitchen work area is U shaped, and chasing the start of the ring should be no problem, going up from the floor to a first socket behind a cupboard adjacent to a built in appliance, and accessible for control through the rear of the adjacent cupboard. Then up to the first worktop socket, and horizontally for 3 double sockets on one side of the U, following round to a 4th socket on the next part of the U. i.e. _________________________ | +4 |+3 | |+2 | |+1 |
The + are worktop sockets. The problem we see is chasing from socket 4 to continue the ring, as that part of the kitchen is immovable. The ring can be continued by chasing down to below the worktop, but the cable cannot be chased into the wall just below the worktop as the wall is inaccessible. There is a gap currently between worktop and wall, so the cable can physically be run between the wall and back of cupboards. We're wondering whether it is permissible for a cable to emerge from the wall in what will become a concealed point, and for it to be chased back into the wall at another point? Of course it's not ideal cosmetically, but it'll be invisble.
Another question is wiring an extractor that will be located to the right of socket 4. If 4 does not end up as a spur, then can the extracter be powered as a spur from socket 4, e.g. by running horizontally from 4 and then vertically to the point where the cable emerges? Also, are extractors usually plugged in to a socket that is hidden (e.g. behind the flue), or wired without a plug into a surface box?
Following the ring further round the kitchen is also a problem, but hopefully solvable. There is a radial for a fridge freezer on the opposite side of the kitchen, but presumably that cannot be extended to power one or two worktop sockets on that side of the kitchen, and all worktop sockets should be on the ring.
Guidance very welcome on this.
jc.