socket near sink regs

mattysupra · 2 May 2010

hi chaps, just a quick one! Im chasing in and installing the sockets ready for the sparky tuesday.

How close to a steel sink can they be? I have a socket and a spur for the washing machine to put in place.

Also is there a reg for how close a socket can be to a steel cooker?

P.s i have tried to ring the sparky but his phone is off.

Thanks

JohnD · 2 May 2010

no distance specified from the sink (unless it is in a bathroom) but

must not be liable to be splashed or dripped on

must be suitable for its position

300mm (1 foot) horizontal is considered to be the minimum gap. A metre is far better but not obligatory.

No rules about the cooker but do not put one directly above/behind a hob.

mattysupra · 2 May 2010

thanks mate. They are 1 meter away.

LOL, do people really put sockets above a cooker?

geraint · 2 May 2010

no distance specified from the sink

now that is intersesting.. will await the arguements, as i have a similar problem...

come on boys...

ericmark · 2 May 2010

I think the 13th Edition or at least one of the early ones did give instructions as to cooker supply and sockets near a sink but by time 16th came along the IET started to produce a guide book which would contain advice like that and it was no longer contained within the main book.

I would consider since the 16th and 17th editions were BS7671 where before that it was not a British standard they felt advice should not be in the same book.

It must also be remembered that the 17th Edition does not limit itself to domestic and there will be cases like in laboratories where sockets are required very close to the sinks so keeping lead lengths to a minimum.

Also of course under sinks likely a socket would be required for waist disposal so it can be removed for maintenance.

If there was a rule on 300mm for example some apprentice would be spouting the rule when fitting a waist disposal unit. People do tend to try to read things into the book, carefully analysing the English as to is singular or plural. Especially now as it no longer says common sense should prevail.

donglebang · 2 May 2010

in building regs it says 300mm as the minimum it did used to be 3ft in the 15th but as kitchens have got smaller !!!!!

geraint · 2 May 2010

geraint said:
no distance specified from the sink

now that is intersesting.. will await the arguements, as i have a similar problem...

come on boys...

stlill awaiting... how far along or above a sink...

ericmark · 2 May 2010

donglebang said:
in building regs it says 300mm as the minimum it did used to be 3ft in the 15th but as kitchens have got smaller !!!!!

Are you sure it is in building regs or is that just something you have heard? I have done a find in PDF and nothing has come up to say that.

I hear many say it's a regulation but no one to date can show me where it says it.

Link or regulation name and page number please. Seems a little like these scare munger emails we keep getting telling about the latest super virus. Once to take time to check on it 90% are hoaxes.

Wish there was something like http://www.hoax-slayer.com for electric items.

Taylortwocities · 3 May 2010

The 300mm distance from a sink is written in The Electrician's Guide to the Building Regulations.

My copy is in the van and its too scary to go out there at this time of night. The title of the book says "GUIDE" so there is probably no actual reg for it, just something that they thought would be a good idea.

geraint - I do not believe that anyone in their right mind would mount a socket above a sink.

ericmark - where do i buy a

waist disposal unit

?
My doc has said that I should lose a few pounds. Would it be cheaper than gym membership, do you think?

donglebang · 3 May 2010

thanks taylor
i have seen sockets over a sink after the people changed there kitchen but did not move the sockets !! and my friend put a socket in a bathroom cupboard or so he was told but when the bathroom was fitted it ended up over the sink so they could plug a hair dryer in !!!!! i wonder where he stood if something went wrong?

geraint · 4 May 2010

geraint - I do not believe that anyone in their right mind would mount a socket above a sink.
but how close to . the argument was not above... but either left or right... think man. or can you not... a simple question. and 300 mm please enlighten me...

RF Lighting · 4 May 2010

Can you not ask a clear question instead of these cryptic clues you seem to like?

securespark · 4 May 2010

WRT accessories near sinks/ cookers, if you're looking for a crystal clear regulation stating distances, there aren't any.

However, TTC is correct. The IEE guide to building regs does indeed SUGGEST 300mm distance.

However, only the installer can make a decision based on the immediate locality, IE is the socket liable to splashing etc...

The regs basically state whatever equipment is installed must be suited to its environment.

The 14th Edition mentions sockets should be mounted at a minimum height of 6" from the floor level or 6" above a working surface.

The 15th Edition is less clearcut. It says socket outlets shall be..." mounted at a height above the floor or any working surface such as to minimise the risk of mechanical damage to the socket...or...plug and...cord.

AFAICT, neither suggests distances from sinks/ cookers.

holmslaw · 5 May 2010

holmslaw · 5 May 2010

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socket near sink regs

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