Socket Location - Faut Par?

[TheScullster]

Hi all

I read in a previous post some time back about including additional sockets in the back of cupboards to provide for phone chargers and dust buster devices. This sounded like a reasonable idea, so I added a double socket into my kitchen first fix scheme at a point above an anticipated shelf - to be accessed through the back of a tall utility cupboard. Whilst deliberating my cooker point options (see Provision for Cooker - Junction Box) I realised that the double socket is approx. 1500 above floor level. Will I fall foul of exceeding height recommendations for sockets at the first fix inspection stage, or is departure allowed for specific duties. ISTR a suggestion for concealed lighting to be "pluggable" to reduce the amount of final fix work needed prior to sign off.

TIA

Phil

[ARWadsworth]

There is no reason why you cannot have a socket at 1500 above floor height in a cupboard for your dustbuster if you so wish.

Cheers

Adam

[John Rumm]

You can put special to purpose sockets wherever you link within reason. General purpose ones, would normally be placed in the Part M defined zones - but even those only really apply to new builds.

[TheScullster]

"John Rumm" wrote

Thanks again Adam and John

I have already chopped the box into a (what used to external) wall. Much relieved that effort wasn't wasted.

Phil

[js.b1]

Part M excludes a kitchen IIRC.

Some people refuse to put sockets as high as 45cm where their trailing flex may constitute a trip hazard.

Amusingly one developer locally had buyers refuse to buy his apartments unless he moved sockets that were 1.2m & 0.4m above floor level to just above skirting height AND paid for redecoration. The reason was obvious when you saw sockets at 1.2m around a room above furniture, bookcases, television, tables, chairs, it looked absolutely ridiculous. The "you must have white switch on grey background" went in the bin too.

Oddly no buyers complained about the 4-pin energy saving light pendants - I guess they will later when they try and stuff a BC or ES in there in the dark, then damage one and find out how much their RRP is :-)

Some common sense is needed, but that seems to have evaporated in the past decade or so.

[js.b1]

Are you running oval between sockets & drops? I ask because if there is a chance of someone screwing a cupboard through a cable, they will eventually do it. Some german & italian cupboards use a rear batten onto which the cupboard drops, others use a screw with adjustable plate (Ikea). If you use oval or ideally round conduit it makes it easy to pull out the cable, crimp-repair above in the ceiling or in a sunk 1G blank plate'd box above the cupboard).

[ARWadsworth]

If the sockets were at 1.2m above floor level then I am not surprised that it looked a mess.

vbg. My favourite was when the BCO asked my brother why he had no low energy light fittings in his extension. My brothers reply was "Adam is using them for a job in Doncaster this week, He'll fit them for you to look at later"

Maybe it has:-)

Cheers

Adam

[TheScullster]

"js.b1" wrote

Yes thanks js.b1, all cable in oval conduit with all cupboard bracket (approx) locations already drawn on the walls! Not being an electrician, I do like the option to pull back cables in the event of "issues".

Phil

[David Robinson]

I don't get the point anyway. You can only buy low energy bulbs now (well, near as damn it) - it's not as if using a standard bayonet will encourage someone to fit a 100W pearl tungsten - good luck finding one!

Strange that standard bayonet light fittings, which readily accept CFLs, are now disallowed, while halogens (less energy efficient) are fine. For now.

Cheers, David.

[Owain]

And good luck finding a lampshade that will fit a low energy pendant.

Owain