Socket Positions

Cartboy52 · 22 Jun 2007

Hi all.

I'm currently completely rewiring my old 1930's semi. My question relates to the position of the sockets.

1 - Is it true that as it is an old house, the height requirement of between 450mm and 1200mm doesn't apply or is that wrong if I'm doing a total refurb?

2 - I read somewhere that the sockets must be a certain distance from the corners of the room. Is this true?

Thanks

davy_owen_88 · 22 Jun 2007

Yes and no.

ricicle · 22 Jun 2007

Is it a total rewire or just some additions? If additions then I would put them the same as the others (unless they are at a ridiculous height)

There is no criteria on distance from the corner of a room but common sense is needed (ie not butted right up against the corner or terminating will be awkward)

EDIT: Too slow for Davy

Cartboy52 · 22 Jun 2007

It's a total rewire.

ricicle · 22 Jun 2007

As you are needing to inform your LABC of this work then ask them what they require

Cartboy52 · 22 Jun 2007

ricicle said:
As you are needing to inform your LABC of this work then ask them what they require

I have informed them and paid £123 for the privilidge!

JohnD · 22 Jun 2007

(1) you might be an old person who has got used to sockets low down, to give them a better chance of being clouted by hoovers, furniture etc.

However now that all new work, and a lot of renovation, is done at the new heights, people are coming to get used to it, and will look at your low sockets and think they look weird. They will also think the electrics are due for renewal as they must be quite old.

Also, the higher sockets are more convenient for the older person, the overweight person, the person with a bad knee or a bad back, or the pregnant person.

ricicle · 22 Jun 2007

JohnD said:
Also, the higher sockets are more convenient for the older person, the overweight person, the person with a bad knee or a bad back, or the pregnant person.

How many of these attributes are applicable to you MrD

Cartboy52 · 22 Jun 2007

Brilliant. I'll put the sockets at the new height. I was a little unsure at first thinking they may look weird, but I suppose if this is standard, it's better that way.

My main concern was putting the sockets near a corner. Obviously I'm not going to put then butting up to another wall, but thought I read somewhere that they had to be at least a metre away from a corner. This was giving me difficulties on walls with chimney breasts etc, so am quite pleased to hear I have made this up!

Thanks everyone for your help.

By the way, I'm over weight, and the wife is pregnant, so 450mm is sounding better all the time!!

plugwash · 22 Jun 2007

JohnD said:
However now that all new work, and a lot of renovation, is done at the new heights, people are coming to get used to it, and will look at your low sockets and think they look weird. They will also think the electrics are due for renewal as they must be quite old.

Otoh i'd take a mixture of heights in the same room as meaning someone weired had been working on the electrics.

Plus putting sockets higher up is far more work than putting them in just above skirting level.

JohnD · 22 Jun 2007

ricicle said:
JohnD said:

Also, the higher sockets are more convenient for the older person, the overweight person, the person with a bad knee or a bad back, or the pregnant person.

Click to expand...

How many of these attributes are applicable to you MrD

I'm not pregnant

Softus · 23 Jun 2007

JohnD said:
I'm not pregnant

Couldn't you have broken that news to me a bit more gently?

TeesdaleSpark · 24 Jun 2007

The distance from the corner of a room comes from BS8300 which requires a minimum distance of 350mm from the corner to outlets, switches or controls. Hower Approved Document M doesn't seem to mention this.

Softus · 24 Jun 2007

But BS 8300 isn't statutory.

Cartboy52 · 24 Jun 2007

TeesdaleSpark said:
The distance from the corner of a room comes from BS8300 which requires a minimum distance of 350mm from the corner to outlets, switches or controls. Hower Approved Document M doesn't seem to mention this.

It's in Approved Document M, 4.30, paragraph G.

However, Approved Document M also says they can't be any lower than 400mm, not 450mm.

I'm having this work inspected by my local council, so want to make sure it's right. Is it best to call them to see what they want?

Thanks everyone.

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Socket Positions

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