Microwave above sink

[daveb]

Hi all,

Was out looking at a job today in a clients office, and have been asked to quote for installing an additional socket for a microwave.

They have installed a shelf directly above the kitchen sink and have placed a microwave on it - present cord is stretched out across to a worktop socket.

Anyway, I trying to find the regulation to refer to that prevents applicances and certainly sockets above sink areas. Having searched the on site guide, all i can see is recommended "horizontal" distance is 300mm. Even though the shelf is secure, I am fairly sure that this is against regulations and would like to quote a regulation to him rather than just saying it can't be done.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Andy78]

Look up suitability of installed equipment for environmental influences likely to be encountered.

 

[davesparks]

How can you be sure it is against regulations if you can't say which regulation?

As far as I know there is no such regulation

 

[daveb]

gut feeling.... didn't dawn on me tonight until I sat down to quote it and thought "hmmmmmmm"

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

What's the worst that could happen
Got gravity so the water won't make it up to the microwave haha

 

[DPG]

How far above the sink is the shelf? Is the socket above the shelf?

 

[daveb]

The shelf is probably 500mm above the sink and the socket "will" be about 200mm above that

 

[JohnnyRingmain]

I can't see an issue, but I wouldn't be happy to leave it like that. Is there no chance of moving it over the draining board at all?

 

[Nickj]

I don't see an issue with this. You often come across plugs in the under sink cupboard which could potentially cause more issues than a socket sited 700mm above the sink with a shelf in between it.

As far as i'm aware no regulation stopping the under sink cupboard socket and so no regulation stopping one 700mm above...

 

[DPG]

Can't see the problem.

 

[telectrix]

it's all nanny electrics. one day they'll have us fitting them new-fangled earth leakage trips to circuits in case some dipstick shoves his fingers in a socket outlet.

 

[Octopus]

I think there is more chance of injury from the person using the sink head butting the shelf / microwave than from the lecky!

 

[Marvo]

Electrically I don't see a problem. I'd avoid mounting cooking equipment above chest height for an average person because if you can't see clearly into the microwave there's a higher risk of burns when removing cooked food.

 

[miachevais]

So you're sure that water that splashes on the socket or microwave won't cause electrocution? This is the basis for this information sharing - to avoid injury.

 

[GBDamo]

Its one of those things that just doesn't look right but there's no logical defense for that feeling.

I had the same with wall brackets for heat pumps/AC it just don't feel right having that weight hanging of the side of a building, vibrating away, above peoples heads. But how many failures do we hear of?

Still don't feel right though.