They don't teach you how to do this at college!

[Baker1988]

I'm sure I saw it in the regs today. Ill have a look tomorrow and give you the reg no. I'm in bed at the mo so I can't be bothered going downstairs!

I don't know if there is a actual reg saying that 300mm from the sink, i know it does say that in the electricians guide to the building regs. but there is a reg that is applicable here and that is reg,
512.2 External influences,
more specifically 512.2.1 Equipment shall be of a design appropriate to the situation in which it is to be used or its mode of installation shall take account of the conditions likely to be encountered.
But there is a exception i think which is this reg,
512.2.2 If the equipment does not, by its construction, have the characteristics relevant to the external influences of its location, it may nevertheless be used on condition that it is provided with appropriate additional protection in the erection of the installation. Such protection shall not adversely affect the operation of the equipment thus protected.
which says it is ok as long as it has additional protection which i interperate as rcd's so as long as it has a rcd then it would be fine, me personally though i would not put it within 300mm of the sink.

 

[Baker1988]

The last photo, the socket is fine. It is 30cm away from the basin of the sink. Looks rubbish, it looks wrong and we would never do it but it is ok within the regs although the expensive tap head can acutely touch it, but hay, its not in the reg (as such... Suitable for use in the location.... NOT)

Heat mat under the carper???? Just wear slippers!

I thought the recommendation in the electricians guide to the building regs says 30cm/300mm from the edge of the sink drainer look on page 61 figure 5.2 so as this is above the drainer i would say it is within the 300mm allowed, but i may be wrong.

 

[amckay]

To be fair, the cable and back box would have been installed before any cabinets worktops and the sink. Its down to bad design and communication.

 

[trev]

To be fair, the cable and back box would have been installed before any cabinets worktops and the sink. Its down to bad design and communication.

I'd say it was down to some idiot not checking a drawing. Unless it's a diy kitchen where it was made up on the spot

 

[Baker1988]

I just got told today that we may not have a reg that states socket distance to sinks but there is a plumbing reg that states a min distance of 400mm from the edge of the drainer to any socket

 

[malcolmsanford]

The 300mm distance was omited from the 16th edition. Up until then there was a reg giving this distance.

 

[Resu]

I'd say it was down to some idiot not checking a drawing. Unless it's a diy kitchen where it was made up on the spot

New kitchen, sink moved with no thought given to position of the socket. The homeowner only really noticed the potential danger when I pointed it out to him!