Applicance outlets in kitchen

[muzza1]

Years ago i installed so many fcu's above w'tops and unsw sso's behind appliances. Could have saved so much time and effort by installing a few double skts on patrices in cupbords.
Seen loads of melted plugtops, dishwasher cables melted into the back.
Don't mind doing Kitchens but can't stand wrestling with washing machines and intergrated dishwashers!

 

[Englishman]

far easier to move a TV than a heavy washing machine/dishwasher, esp. if wet-pants has made the water intake and drain tight/short. i think murdoch's point is that if you had a N-E leakage on a kitchen appliance, it's much easier to isolate the fault if you have D/P switch/FCU accessible. that's apart from the fire risk ( which, as we all know , fires can only be caused by plastic CUs ).

My TV is sitting on a 1600mm wide unit, that is full of CDs, DVDs, paperwork, and other bits. You want to try and move the beast, was heavy enough when it was empty.

And yes, it makes the process of isolating a fault easier, but you could argue the case that every socket in use could have a FCU.

 

[Octopus]

I have four double sockets behind my TV unit that have 7 appliances plugged in. I take it you have an issue with that as well?

hum....we have 7 items too, but I suspect the total weight of the 7 is less than one washing machine

 

[Englishman]

hum....we have 7 items too, but I suspect the total weight of the 7 is less than one washing machine

Oh the weight is certainly less. But there is a fully loaded unit in front of it that will need emptying, because you don't have enough room either end to get it picked up.

 

[Dave OCD]

Put the socket in the adjacent cupboard. I'm aware of what the electricians guide to the building regs says about being installed on the fabric of the building...but Imo if you position them where they are not likely to get bashed,etc then I don't see the problem.

Exactly what I always do Lee , why complicate things and it works well for me.
Rarely you may get the chance to fit and connect the sockets in the base units before the worktops go in, that makes the job so much easier.

 

[NDG Elecs]

Exactly what I always do Lee , why complicate things and it works well for me.
Rarely you may get the chance to fit and connect the sockets in the base units before the worktops go in, that makes the job so much easier.

Unless like me you fit the worktops too!! Makes my life a doddle mate! A lot of clients I find prefer local isolation within base units. That way it keeps their oh so precious kitchen looking sleeker. Not to mention it makes the tiler happy!

I would only fit a socket behind for a relatively lightweight free standing appliance such as a fridge. All others go above worktop or in adjacent base units. And in my view, a kitchen that is likely to be in place for 20 years becomes part of the fabric of the building!

 

[Aurai]

The original post, questioned the location question in case of fire.

Whereas my view is taken from Chapter 51 Common Rules and 513 ACCESSIBILITY and 513.1 says that apart from one exception, every item of equipment shall be arranged so as to facilitate its operation, inspection and maintenance. Such facility shall not be significantly impaired by mounting equipment in an enclosure or a compartment.

i always think about having to return and work on anything and position it for inspection and maintenance especially.

Hope that helps the discussion, though this rule does not mention fire!

A