17th Edition On-site Guide - number of sockets in a room

DNS1 · Jan 1, 2012

Hi guys,

I'm about to do a kitchen for my girlfriend, going to be a full renovation job including re-wire.

The room is an extension which is currently (and will remain) on it's own ring with a 32A circuit breaker, 2.5mm T+E and RCD protected.

Been familiarising myself with OSG appendix 8.7, which says that this small kitchen should have a minimum of 6 twin socket outlets.

Can someone clarify whether this number is "guidance" or a regulation. 12 sockets seems a little over the top to me.

I'd been planning on having 4 double wall-sockets above the counter-top, as well as a pair of single sockets below for the fridge and freezer (which presumably would count as an additional double socket). Is it really necessary for me to provide another double socket in order to be compliant?

Rockingit · Jan 1, 2012

Common sense prevails in kitchens. Common sense being that:
1) There will always be something else to plug in regardless of how many sockets you install
2) Put them in sensible places, think about what kind of appliance is likely to sit where on a worktop
3) Don't install them too low otherwise you won't get moulded plugtops in
4) Don't put them too close to anything that gets wet or produces heat

My kitchen isn't big, about 2.5 x 2.5 kind of size (until I build the extension, that is!) but I put in 8 doubles and 4 fsu's when I rewired last year, and each of them has got something hanging out of it. On the other hand, I've done a kitchen where I just put in ONE single for a fridge/freezer (plus the cooker outlet) due to specific conditions with the user.

Richard Burns · Jan 1, 2012

DNS1 said:
By the way, what is the minimum height above the worktop? I can't seem to find it anywhere, OSG only gives minimum above floor.

Recommended to be 150mm above worktop to prevent cable strain when plugging in.

SPARTYKUS · Jan 1, 2012

I've done a kitchen where the bloke didn't want any sockets showing AT ALL (and it was massive, maybe 8M x 6M). Just up to them isn't it. None was a bit silly I persuaded him to have a few.

Engineer54 · Jan 1, 2012

SPARTYKUS said:
I've done a kitchen where the bloke didn't want any sockets showing AT ALL (and it was massive, maybe 8M x 6M). Just up to them isn't it. None was a bit silly I persuaded him to have a few.

What's the betting he has regretted that boo boo ever since, unless he eats out every night!! These idiots that think kitchens are there, only to be admired by others, soon find out, that was a One Big mistake!!

You don't install outlets in kitchens for specific bits of portable appliances, you're installing them for there convienience value!! As I think Tony said, ...they will ALL get used at one time or another. There are always new kitchen Gizmo's coming out, so what sockets you have now may well not be enough in the not so distant future...lol!!!

1shortcircuit · Jan 1, 2012

Better to have it and NOT need it, than to NEED it and NOT have it

Rockingit · Jan 1, 2012

Engineer54 said:
what sockets you have now may well not be enough in the not so distant future...lol!!!

Whilst it's impossible to infinitely future proof, and ridiculous to even contemplate, I always discuss plans with my clients in terms of 'life of the property', rather than just what they think they know for the next couple of years. Most of them respect the concept, even if they don't necessarily sign up to the whole nine yards (or want to pay for it).

Engineer54 · Jan 1, 2012

Rockingit said:
Whilst it's impossible to infinitely future proof, and ridiculous to even contemplate, I always discuss plans with my clients in terms of 'life of the property', rather than just what they think they know for the next couple of years. Most of them respect the concept, even if they don't necessarily sign up to the whole nine yards (or want to pay for it).

I'm basically saying, that to install the minimum amount of outlets in a kitchen is a mistake!!
i don't know what you guy's do now, but i remember the old rule of thumb the sparks used to use for kitchen outlets, and that was one double every 2' of liner worktop run. That doesn't include below worktop outlets for fixed appliances etc.

As you say, some customers think they know better, or try and make cost savings, ...and go for the minimum of above worktop outlets, ...but most realise pretty quickly, that was a decision or saving too far!! lol!!