Bit of advice would be much appreciated.

[Goody]

Hi,

Sockets are daisy-chained from the only double socket in the kitchen and stuck under cupboards as shown in the picture. Can't chase the walls and ruin the tiles. In this situation, how do I add more double sockets along the worktop, taking the existing ones down? Don't want to use surface mounted boxes.

Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[telectrix]

can you cable through the wall units and sink sockets just below? if they're not on the ring, you'll have to fit a FCU as well.

 

[Goody]

can you cable through the wall units and sink sockets just below? if they're not on the ring, you'll have to fit a FCU as well.

I guess, that's what I should do, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[alarm man]

Hi,

Sockets are daisy-chained from the only double socket in the kitchen and stuck under cupboards as shown in the picture. Can't chase the walls and ruin the tiles. In this situation, how do I add more double sockets along the worktop, taking the existing ones down? Don't want to use surface mounted boxes.

Any advice is much appreciated.


View attachment 8981

you could take the wall units down,normally on brackets anyway,chase the wall to where you need to go and refit the wall units.

 

[Des 56]

It has been known for people to sink the metal box at the required level,one side of the hole "happened" to go straight into the cavity
Once this unfortunate accident happened,there was an hole drilled into the cavity at the existing socket and a cable fished to the new position, with the result that a flush socket was fitted with no damage to the tiles and in a usable position,lucky or what

 

[clicon357]

What you want is "lab" sockets IMO:

The Worktop Range of switches and sockets - Cheshire Electrical Decor secure online shop

Then fancy silver etc trunking between them. Either mount under the cupboards as they are or on the worktop and cable from below.

P.S. My missus says she likes the tiles and where did u get them?

 

[1shortcircuit]

Have you tested the current installation yet?

May be a good place to start if not because if you have any faults then you may have to pullin new legs in anyway

Is this your own home or a clients?:thumbsup

 

[jamsey]

most kitchen units have a gap behind them for running cables and pipes (drilling maybe required) just disconnect the old sockets an run new cables along the back of the cupboards upto the worktop but make sure you leave a gap above the work top for wiping down so you donty get water in the sockets.... or call a electrician...

 

[clicon357]

You're supposed to have a gap of 100mm minimum from the bottom of the socket to the top of the worktop so the wires coming out of the plugs don't go through too tight a radius etc.

 

[Goody]

What you want is "lab" sockets IMO:

The Worktop Range of switches and sockets - Cheshire Electrical Decor secure online shop

Then fancy silver etc trunking between them. Either mount under the cupboards as they are or on the worktop and cable from below.

P.S. My missus says she likes the tiles and where did u get them?

That's one of the options but the project will go over the budjet. I am trying to sort out the electrics for a chap who recently moved into a property and the surveyor picked up a few non-compliances; there are quite a few addons done by the previous owner (probably a DIY'er) and the wiring is a real mess.

Oh, about the tiles, I have to trace the previous owner to find out - this is what happens if you let your missus read these posts :13:

 

[1shortcircuit]

there are quite a few addons done by the previous owner (probably a DIY'er) and the wiring is a real mess.

I would definitely be testing any circuits you have to add to or alter

Also, is the bonding sufficient? If not you may need to cause disruption anyway?

My opinion is whilst it is great to do everything possible to cause as little damage as possible there is a line where you have to stop and evaluate if what you'll be doing is cost effective FOR YOU.

 

[Engineer54]

Angled trunking is one way around your problem. comes in 3m lengths you can mount the sockets anywhere along the entire length. Used them myself in similar situation to yours.
Marshall Tufnell is the one i used, but there are others...

 

[Engineer54]

The above, was a friends kitchen that had only one double outlet, it now has as many as he wants to install. He, and his wife are more than pleased with the result!! Also fitted same stuff to a work bench in his workshop.

 

[topquark]

Angled trunking is one way around your problem. comes in 3m lengths you can mount the sockets anywhere along the entire length. Used them myself in similar situation to yours.
Marshall Tufnell is the one i used, but there are others...

Not something I'd have thought about/considered previously, looks good though and practical to boot Eng

 

[Engineer54]

Very handy when the lady of the house doesn't want the tiles and decor damaged etc. Mind i didn't much like her choice of tiles myself...lol!! But as you say, very practical in the right situation,,,

The other thing is, ...You can't actually see them while standing, only when your sitting down at the table something else she liked...lol!!!

 

[robsparky1975]

eng54 idea is a very good one,baring that the only solution might be to fit a fcu(not really great as only 13a or reinstate ring,although you said its poorly wired to begin with so might be costly,but if he wants a job done correctly and how it should be working then im afraid thats what it will need to be,a multitool(bosch or fein might be able to cut around the grout and prize the tiles off intact so boxes can be recessed,but thats going to take a while.i think e54s idea is best

 

[Goody]

Engineer54's suggestion is great but comes with added cost. Let me speak to the chap tomorrow and see which way he wants to go.

Cheers!