Kitchen photo - is the installation correct?

[mikex79]

Although I am a trainee electrician I still work with refurbishments and my supervisor sent me to the companies other site to finish some work and this is what I found in the kitchen (see the picture)
is the installation correct?
i am not saying what I am suspicious about (I am not even 100% sure ) but I just wanna know your opinion and regs that apply to this installation

 

[Mr Mark Sparks]

i guess you are asking about the socket near the sink i am taking it that the circuit is rcd'd its not ideal but its ok

 

[sparks1234]

No problem with that, a couple of things you could be asking, 1 is the socket as previously mentioned or it could be the switch close to the hob but its not behind it so no probs unless you can see anything else

 

[Battlecrease]

I would suggest that your socket is too close to the sink but
BS 7671 is not prescriptive with respect to such distances, but the industry recommendation is that a distance of at least 300mm should be provided from the edge of the sink or draining board to the socket outlet.

 

[mikex79]

i guess you are asking about the socket near the sink i am taking it that the circuit is rcd'd its not ideal but its ok

do you mean the regulation about special location containing a bath or shower tells you to use an RCD in this situation as I cannot find anything clearly stating about the kitchen sink or it's just your experience that says that?

I would suggest that your socket is too close to the sink but
BS 7671 is not prescriptive with respect to such distances, but the industry recommendation is that a distance of at least 300mm should be provided from the edge of the sink or draining board to the socket outlet.

I agree with that and I found it in the book Electrician's Guide To The Building Regulations (page 61) [ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Electricians-Building-Regulations-Electrical-Dwellings/dp/086341463X]Electrician's Guide to the Building Regulations Approved Document P, Electrical Safety in Dwellings: Amazon.co.uk: Books[/ame]
but do you know any reg stating that you need to keep the equipment 300 mm away?

 

[sparks1234]

Ah, looking at the picture again I didnt realise the socket was above the draining board, personnaly I wouldn't install a socket there, not too much of a problem with the switch but its disputable

 

[Spudnik]

There is no reg with regard to the positioning of socket outlets with regard to sinks etc.

However, as already been mentioned, it is generally recommended that they should be installed around 300mm from the edge of the sink or be suitably rated for its location.

 

[mikex79]

could you please advice about an RCD in this situation Jason S.

 

[Spudnik]

All socket outlets must now be protected by 30mA RCD, regardless of where they are installed or installation method.

 

[Graeme Harrold]

The only mention of positioning of sockets in a kitchen is contained in the OSG. Not regs, but a recommendation on placements............

With all the new section 7 of the BRB in draft format, wouldnt be surprised if kitchens were included as a special location. It would clarify a lot of information contained in other publications......(then again that make too much sense..........)

 

[Darkwood]

As mentioned above numerous times the socket too close to the drainer (covered by external influences if you need to tie a reg' to it)
Switch for cooker poorly sighted as a hob fire could put this switch out of arms reach
Finally if the under unit lights are halogen then the one over the sink should be IP rated as im guessing it isnt if cold water was to splash on the glass the thermal shock could cause it to explode extremely hot quartz glass.

 

[ezzzekiel]

300mm rule comes from building regs and although not part of bs7671 is good practice where possible

 

[ChristianG]

From a purely aesthetic point of view and only begining to learn about electrics. The sockets look misplaced height wise as well?

 

[Des 56]

The accessories seem neatly aligned
The socket near the drainer is a consequence more of the design of the kitchen rather than an electricians poor siting of the accessory
It has room for an appliance and is not exactly going for a swim just yet

The only point with concern has already been mentioned by Darkwood, the possible unsuitability of the undercupboard light over the sink,but its probably ok

 

[castlon11]

As a kitchen designer i would have put a cooker switch with socket included between sink and oven instead of two separate switches as it would be appropriate to have only one appliance there. I would have also put two double sockets in the corner as it would probably draw home owner into putting all appliances there and maybe only using the cooker socket for a mobile phone charger or something like that.
Am i reading into the situation a little to much - probably !! Was this your question - no but i thought I'd point my thoughts out.

 

[hotXbun]

Being the new 'Cribbage Champion' (you may send me privated messages of congratulation..), gives me newfound confidence!

From memory:

• the sighting of a double socket over the drainer without any appreciable area of worktop to use is dumb. Makes me wonder why it put there.
• There is no apparent (apologies old term abuse) switch fused spur controlling the dishwasher sited between cooker and sink. Totally naff siting of dishwasher ... bound to get in the way.
• I notice the worktop overruns the left hand side and also there appears to be some sort of joint device situated at the L-shaped intersection ... so much for quality....
• Ok, it is fine to have under wall unit lighting but much better if lights brought to the front and a fascia pelmet used ...
• and where is the independent switch for the under pelmet lighting? Where is the isolating switch for the extractor fan? Where is the isolating switch for the stupidly placed microwave?
• Last of all .... they designed this kitchen to have a murky corner brought upon by skilful position of full height fridge/freezer!!?? ............

This kitchen wasn't so much designed as something grabbed from an end-of-sale shop display!


I quite liked the tiling ... reminds me of a comment my client made only yesterday regarding the tiling in her kitchen, he said, "It'll look really good once the grouting is done!"

Client agreed, as one would, and before drawing more gasps, she was asked for the bill, "But what about the grouting?" she enquired. "I don't do grouting! I am a tiler!!" ...... hmmmmmmm

 

[solo2771]

just a thought but if you were to put new sockets in a kitchen before the units were fitted could you be held liable if they were not to the regs?

 

[Mac]

just a thought but if you were to put new sockets in a kitchen before the units were fitted could you be held liable if they were not to the regs?

You go by the drawings mate.I usually do.Appliances etc etc etc

 

[castlon11]

Oh also something else i just spotted.. How high are those electrical points (says sarcastically) !!!
No hidding of cables behind the appiances for them then.

 

[wislum]

Apart from the electrical spots previously mentioned there is a srious one on the fitment of cupboards above a cooker.
No cupboards should have a vertical face above the edge of the hob(extreme fire hazard.).
As a good craftsmanship and good practice sockets are never near a sink by at least 300mm. The oner above the dtraining board in my opinion is a no no.

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Apart from the electrical spots previously mentioned there is a srious one on the fitment of cupboards above a cooker.
No cupboards should have a vertical face above the edge of the hob(extreme fire hazard.).
As a good craftsmanship and good practice sockets are never near a sink by at least 300mm. The oner above the dtraining board in my opinion is a no no.

Looks more like an extractor hood with a cupboard panel to make it blend into the kitchen.

I hope you mean "Horizontal (side to side)" above a cooker as you will find practically all smaller kitchens with cupboards either side of hobs with vertical surfaces (up and down).