Wiring a kitchen and where you put appliance sockets

[Steve93]

Currently On a new build and I wired the ring to a switch bank where I’m gonna have 4 switches switching those hood,fridge freezer,dishwasher and washing machine. From this I have ran a leg down to each socket behind the appliances. Now the kitchen fitter is kicking off that they shouldn’t be there because the appliance won’t go back fully? How does everyone else wire up kitchens in regards to appliances?

 

[Dave OCD]

Whats wrong with you people, why make life so hard for yourselves. Appliance, socket next door.

I'd prefer the appliance and supplying socket to be in the same house really.

 

[FatAlan]

If the kitchen designers had any sense they’d make the work tops 650mm deep That would throw a spanner in the works but at least give space for a plug top!

 

[Phil Thompson]

Trailing socket, aka flex and duraplug.

 

[David M]

If the kitchen designers had any sense they’d make the work tops 650mm deep That would throw a spanner in the works but at least give space for a plug top!

Some kitchen manufacture's use 616mm worktops as apposed to 600mm this extra 16mm actual makes quite a difference believe it or not.
Personally though (from vast experience) the adjacent cupboard is my preferred option where possible. With a discreet hole cut that is just large enough to allow the plug top through. This saves cutting off the appliance's moulded plug and also makes it easier for the customer to pull in and out when required.
For integrated appliances that are basically designed to be fixed in place, suitably extending the lead if required works just fine. Or on occasion I have installed a conduit to an above counter fused spur where I can thread the flex from the appliance and wire it direct.

 

[Phil Thompson]

Using the flex and duraplug you can run them behind the kickboard and locate FSU anywhere you wish.

I measured a fridge freezer the other week and there was so little clearance I had to blank plate a socket behind it or it wouldn’t go in far enough to get screwed at the front.

 

[Midwest]

I go back to previous post, not next door but next adjacent floor unit or wall unit; there's no sufficient space behind any appliance for plug & socket without it standing proud (someone will make something of standing proud!)

 

[123]

Sorry but if I was customer spending anywhere from 5k to 15k to 55k [Northern Ireland Price range, add on about 25-35% for Mainland) on a good new kitchen....there is simply no way I'd be happy with holes drilled for plugs to come through units and for sockets to be stuck inside units.

 

[Octopus]

It's about time the word accessible was properly defined in our glorious big book. ...

 

[123]

It's about time the word accessible was properly defined in our glorious big book. ...

Why in reference to this thread?

 

[Octopus]

Simply because people are advocating concealing sockets behind built on appliances, or loose behind kick boards.

 

[123]

Simply because people are advocating concealing sockets behind built on appliances, or loose behind kick boards.

A kick board is easily removed (unlike an integrated appliance). It can be removed in seconds. I'd call that very accessible.

Is fitting a click flow connector to a bit of floating T&E really acceptable (post #8). I wouldn't be too happy with it ... flex outlet plate a better job, but neither are MF rated. But what you have installed needs to be accessible as well anyway??

Bit of pot-kettle-black there.

 

[Des 56]

Simply because people are advocating concealing sockets behind built on appliances, or loose behind kick boards.

To add to the clouds in this thread,sockets are very often sited in adjacent cupboards
We can read the Iee Building regs guide and 5.2.2 of that guide specifically mentions not putting sockets in cupboards
They make the statement then use the word "should" be mounted on the fabric of the building and not in kitchen cupboards

If the intention is use only the fabric of the building why didn't they use the word "must"!

The Iee can sometimes speak with forked tongue

 

[Squid]

Kickboards are old school, floating kitchens is the way forward......

 

[123]

Kickboards are old school, flooding kitchens is the way forward......

Isn't that the bad plumbers job?

Seen a high end kitchen nearly totally replaced due to a leak

 

[Squid]

Isn't that the bad plumbers job?

Seen a high end kitchen nearly totally replaced due to a leak

Sausage fingers its late floating, ana raised no kick boards required and they look like rubbish.