Usign an electrical socket behind a kitchen cabinet

B

Bert Coules 9 years ago

The last of my newly-extended run of kitchen floor cabinets is directly in front of an existing double mains socket, but as it happens, the fridge-freezer will stand right alongside the unit at the end of the run. Is there any reason why I shouldn't plug the fridge-freezer into that socket, cutting an access hole in the back of the cabinet? Looking around online I found at least one warning about possible heat build-up from a socket not fully open to the room, but that seems a bit extreme.

Many thanks.

Vote

B

Bert Coules 9 years ago

"Usign"? Good grief. Apologies.

Vote

A

AlanC 9 years ago

I dont know if its "allowed" but thats how our gas hob is connected to the mains.

It was like that when we moved in and AFAIK was setup like that when the place was built.

Alan

Vote

B

Bert Coules 9 years ago

Thanks, Alan.

Vote

T

tabbypurr 9 years ago

heat buildup from less than an amp? I don't think so.

NT

Vote

D

DerbyBorn 9 years ago

"Bert Coules" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@brightview.co.uk:

Will the access hole be large enough to allow you to unplug it and remove the fridge?

Vote

B

Bert Coules 9 years ago

Certainly it will.

Vote

B

Bert Coules 9 years ago

That was rather my view too, but it's good to have it confirmed. Thanks.

Vote

H

Huge 9 years ago

Our dishwasher was connected like that for 23 years.

Vote

B

Bert Coules 9 years ago

Thanks for that.

Vote

M

Muddymike 9 years ago

Our dishwasher is connected to a socket installed inside a base unit. The socket was installed by a qualified sparky when the kitchen was re vamped 10 years ago.

Mike

Vote

C

charles 9 years ago

I have met "heat buildup" from a socket once. It was in a timber framed barn wired by a "qualified sparkie", but he hadn't tightened the cable securing screws and there was a 3kW heater plugged in.

Vote

T

TimW 9 years ago

Some would say it is the best way to fit an appliance. Maybe better to mount the socket actually inside the unit, but a socket makes replacement easy and it makes disconnecting it in the case of malfunction certain and sure, unlike fused spurs and unmarked switches.

Tim w

Vote

T

The Natural Philosopher 9 years ago

works here

Vote

J

John Rumm 9 years ago

Yup, that is fine. For something like a fridge there is little chance that you will need to isolate it in an emergency, so having to pull it out of its recess to unplug it is not really a problem.

(were it something like a tumble drier, then having a remote switch above the worktop to control the socket would be desirable).

Vote

B

Bob Eager 9 years ago

I installed the fee for our dishwasher as a single socket behind the kitchen unit. I used a deep surface box and cut a hole so that it stuck through slightly into the cabinet. Then a double pole switch wit neon above the worktop.

Vote

J

John Rumm 9 years ago

Yup, my preferred way of doing it for that kind of appliance.

Vote

D

Dave Plowman (News) 9 years ago

Love to know where that warning was published.

A fridge freezer takes well below the maximum 13 amps anyway.

Vote

D

Dave Plowman (News) 9 years ago

The electrics for my gas hob too. A socket fitted for this purpose in the cupboard underneath.

Vote

D

Dave Plowman (News) 9 years ago

To avoid having a large hole in the cupboard side or back, you could cut off the plug, thread the cable through a small hole and fit another plug.

Vote

Usign an electrical socket behind a kitchen cabinet

Join the Discussion

Didn't find your answer?