power point locations in kitchen

Aug 22, 2008 5 Replies

having our kitchen re-done, need a load of plug sockets putting in as it currently only has 2 double sockets in the entire kitchen, everything was then run off extension leads,



Is there a minimum distance they need to be from the kitchen sink? at the moment one of the sockets is about 20cm to the side of the draining board end of the sink, there's only a little bit of worktop left after the draining board then it's the wall, so that place is ideal for the kettle, so i dont want to loose that socket location.



The kitchen is going to be put on it's own new ring main, obviousely on it's own rcbo, sink is going to be stainless steel,



300 mm clearance, measured horizontally along the wall behind the sink, is recommended. Height of sockets should be a minimum of 150 mm above the work surface.

would that be measured from the actual sink bowl, or the end of the drainer?

From the extreme ends, regardless of whether a drainer or a bowl.

Is that in some legislation somewhere as I've seen this topic mentioned in this ng a few times but always thought there was some doubt about it .

No, it's a recommended interpretation of the BS 7671 requirements for segregation of electrical and non-electrical services. It's in the IET's Electrician's Guide to the Building Regulations [1] as well as various NICEIC publications, etc.

All kitchen electrical installation work is Part-P notifiable. If you choose to ignore established guidance you may have to argue your case with anyone sent to inspect and test your work.

[1] New edition just out:
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