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Not for old properties, but they should be installed in such a way that they won't be easily damaged by feet, vacuum cleaners etc. Above the skirting board is recommended, especially as it gives more room for the flex or plug in power supplies. Older surface sockets were a lot more compact so it was easier to mount them higher up on the skirting than a current UK surface box.
 
2365 hasn't even mentioned this

and searching caused some conflicting results.


ok so in most cases using judgment Skirting board is a bit low and flex could be damaged.
 
Building regs say that sockets and switches in new and rewired houses should be accesable to people in a wheelchair.
Min 400 to the bottom of a socket
Max 1200 to the top of a light switch
 
I am about to rewire my daughters house a 1900 forecourted terrace is the any height requirements for the mounting height for sockets in there


Building regulations, part M

Min/max heights for everything from cu to switches, through socket outlets etc.
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Oops, cross posted!

Btw, part M applies to new buildings or parts, so you can replace in a position no worse than existing, but anything new must be compliant
 
hi there will be no new building work other than some internal stud wall being repalced or moved slightly would part m apply in that case otherwise its just an old house being rewired
there will be a new kitchen and bathroom being installed
 
Where possible, any new work should be in accordance with part M.

So replace sockets in the same place, but in the new kitchen, place in accordance with part M unless that socket/switch etc is in the same place as existing
 
See reg 553.1.6

Thanks

553.1.6 A socket-outlet on a wall or similar structure shall be mounted at a height above the floor or any
working surface to minimize the risk of mechanical damage to the socket-outlet or to an associated plug and its
flexible cable which might be caused during insertion, use or withdrawal of the plug
 
Where possible, any new work should be in accordance with part M.

So replace sockets in the same place, but in the new kitchen, place in accordance with part M unless that socket/switch etc is in the same place as existing
Part M is irrelevant on a rewire unless substantial changes have altered the original intention of the build.
 
Where possible, any new work should be in accordance with part M.

So replace sockets in the same place, but in the new kitchen, place in accordance with part M unless that socket/switch etc is in the same place as existing

I believe customer requests and requirements should come above regulations that don't apply to the particular work. Especially in domestic installations.
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Building regs say that sockets and switches in new and rewired houses should be accesable to people in a wheelchair.
Min 400 to the bottom of a socket
Max 1200 to the top of a light switch
There is no such requirement on a rewire unless it is part of a substantial development overseen by building control. And even then discretion and customer requests can have a say, just as in new builds.
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Sockets on Skirting IMG_20200131_103202419 - EletriciansForums.net
This is the main issue with low situated sockets, but any height that avoids this stress on the flex is ok.
 
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I saw a bungalow rewire a couple of years ago where the original light switches [which had tubing in the walls to flush boxes] had blank plates fitted and new wiring had been dropped down in trunking to surface boxes beside them at 1200mm from the floor. Absolutely ridiculous.
 
This is why I posted seems to be a bit of confusion, personally I'd go with BS7671

From Building Regs Part M
"
Services and controls
1.18 To assist people who have reduced reach, services and controls should comply with all of the
following.
a. Switches and sockets, including door bells, entry phones, light switches, power sockets, TV
aerials and telephone jacks, serving habitable rooms throughout the dwelling have their centre
line 450-1200mm above floor level, as shown in Diagram 1.5.
b. Consumer units are mounted so that the switches are 1350-1450mm above floor level."

Looking at this thread

and BS7671 as long as its safe then old buildings are ok.
 
2365 hasn't even mentioned this

and searching caused some conflicting results.


ok so in most cases using judgment Skirting board is a bit low and flex could be damaged.

2365 is a qualification in the theory side of electrical installation and should cover electrical science and theory and electrical regulations and laws.
It is not a course in the building regulations and so you wouldn't necessarily expect it to include them (other than part P maybe)
 

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