Distance from power to washing machine outlet

[John Borrman]

Hi, Just got a question. Wondering if theres a required minimum distance between the washing machine trap and a plug socket. The socket has a isolation switch above the worktop. Thanks J

[Lurch]

On Sun, 6 Feb 2005 14:50:42 -0000, "John Borrman" strung together this:

Not a specific distance as such but a bit of common sense comes in useful, e.g. don't put the socket directly next to it where it could get drenched if the pipe overflows.

[John Borrman]

The reason I say this is because the only place for it to go is right next to it..... It has been placed a little lower than the plug this should be ok?

[Lurch]

On Sun, 6 Feb 2005 15:19:46 -0000, "John Borrman" strung together this:

Probably, if the top of the pipe is below the bottom of the socket then it should be OK. On a related point, is the WM standpipe high enough? There's not usually much room between the top of the pipe and the bottom of the woktop when they're installed correctly.

[John Borrman]

[Lurch]

On Sun, 6 Feb 2005 16:23:28 -0000, "John Borrman" strung together this:

Ah, to be fair, most probably are but it's best to be avoided if possible. Could you not move the pipe to the side a bit? If not, then I don't think yours would be much different to most others installed in the UK.

[Ben Blaukopf]

Ah, but if the trap is directly above the socket, and also contains a few old screws (as it was and did when I moved into this flat, and I failed to check that the trap was clear before running the w/m), then when the w/m inevitably overflows, it will drench the plug, tripping the RCD, and thereby stopping the w/m from pumping any more water all over the floor.

Every cloud has a silver lining.

Ben

[Lurch]

On Sun, 06 Feb 2005 19:09:46 GMT, Ben Blaukopf strung together this:

Hmm, I can't see a reference to such a cut-out in any BS regs or manufacturers websites, perhaps it will incorporated in the next amendments to BS7671?

[Ian Stirling]

Can one obtain moisture detectors that are designed to trip an RCD?