Is it safe - Electric meter under kitchen sink

[eddiek156]

Hi there.

I have recently taken lease on a house. I have noticed that the electric meter is located under the sink in the kitchen. Is this safe. The metal sink itself appears to be earthed but it does seen a little dodgy to me.

There is a consumer unit higher up on the wall in the kitchen.

If anyone has any advice I would appreciate it.

Thanks
Ed

 

[telectrix]

safe enough, though not ideal. obviously kevin the kitchen has no idea, as usual.

 

[Gazthesparky]

Kitchen fitters strikes again the gas meter Is totally hidden in the bottom left of the pic

 

[eddiek156]

I thought as much. Would putting some sort of covering over the meter improve things at all ?

 

[telectrix]

no. moving the sink is the only improvement possible.

 

[Marvo]

As Tel says it's not unsafe as such but it's not ideal either. I doubt a cover would make much difference. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

Just out of interest where is the CU?

 

[telectrix]

then try and find a kitchen fitter with a brain. report back in 10 years time.

 

[Tiny Spark]

Just hope your sink dont leak....

Maybe ask your DNO if they can move the meter?
Not sure you would have any luck or if it would even be possible without dismantling your kitchen but worth a shot.

 

[eddiek156]

Thanks for the advice guys. CU is high up on the wall to the left of the sink.

 

[Tiny Spark]

Thanks for the advice guys. CU is high up on the wall to the left of the sink.

Is the CU actually above the sink??
If so sounds like a very poorly designed kitchen!!

 

[eddiek156]

Yes CU is above sink. It is very poorly designed. There is no waste pipe for the washing machine either.

 

[Tiny Spark]

Sounds like you need a decent kitchen fitting then!

 

[rattlehead85]

The main problem is that the DLO won't go to the extent of repositioning the supply head therefore to reposition the meter would involve routing a new set of tails and providing a fused unit to protect them as surely to reposition the meter would mean this would be over 2m from the head position. Good luck trying to route cables around units, certainly not ideal! The only real way around this would be to replan the kitchen with a view to repositioning and replumbing the sink which is a problem by itself. A cabinet with no shelving to house the metering could then be fitted.

 

[daveb1]

My pal is a gas safe engineer was on a job the other day and he was doing a cert for the landlord there should also be proper access to the gas meter, this is just a case of i am alright jack (kitchen fitter) sod the other services/trades!

 

[the pict]

Wur awe' doomed, doomed ah' tell ye.
Pict