Maximum 13amp socket height

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Surrey
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United Kingdom
1.
I plan to install a mains spur behind the wall-mounted TV. It will be in a vertical steel pipe from the floor chased into the wall. However, I'm confused by the regulations concerning the maximum allowed height. I need it to be 1.5m from the floor but I think I read that the maximum is 1.2m. Please can someone clarify.

2.
The HDMI and other video/data cables will go from the source device (eg DVD) to the TV through a channeled conduit with brush-entry/exit wall plates (i.e no wall connector, just point to point cables). Is a simple PVC conduit OK or are there other rules. As no "sockets" are involved I assume there are no height regulations.
 
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You can put the sockets at whatever height you want.

There are rules about socket heights but that applies only to new build houses and total refurbishments there disabled access is a requirement.

Also conduit and capping is not a requirement. Its only needed as a protection against the plasterer's trowel. Cabling does need to be run in safe zones.
Check out the WIKI at //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:installation_techniques:walls
 
You can put the sockets at whatever height you want. There are rules about socket heights but that applies only to new build houses and total refurbishments there disabled access is a requirement.
As a matter of interest (not something I've ever needed to find out about) do even those rules actually preclude having, say, high level sockets for specific purposes - such as for the high-level TV being discussed here?

Kind Regards, John
 
I've wondered that with regards a bathroom fan isolator, that seems to often get put up above door height, or even by the ceiling.

I guess the rules only apply to sockets and switches that need regular access to by the occupants.

But then I'm only guessing !
 
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The building inspector I had seemed happy to have different height if there was good reason. Floor mounted sockets are permitted.

I mounted the thermostat at about 800mm instead of the 1200mm stated in the Part M I think and once it was pointed out my dad could stoop to read but my mother could not get out of her wheel chair to read it was OK.

What I have never worked out why in public buildings are sockets 50mm lower than in domestic premises? My mothers wheel chair does not grow or shrink as we go into different buildings.
 
I've wondered that with regards a bathroom fan isolator, that seems to often get put up above door height, or even by the ceiling. I guess the rules only apply to sockets and switches that need regular access to by the occupants.
That would certainly correspond with common sense, but ..... !!

Kind Regards, John.
 
These isolators are often said to be for 'our' benefit when working on the fan, should the bathroom not have a window, in order that we should not have to work in the dark.
No such consideration is offered for any other location or indeed night-time.


As for the socket being higher than 1200mm. behind the television - for this to be 'not allowed' it would have to be made specifically illegal.
Surely, a definite waste of time and money even for our legislature.
 
The socket height requirements are part of Building Regulations Part M. Disabled Access.

Section 8 details the intention of the socket height regulations.

The requirements in the Building Regulations for the heights of switches, sockets etc are not specifically worded.
The intention of approved document M is that reasonable provision shall be made for disabled people to gain access and use a building.
The document advises that disabled people means people who have:
- An impairment which limits their ability to walk or which requires them to use a wheelchair for mobility or
- Impaired hearing or sight

It is understood that rooms in a property that may well be used by visiting disabled people i.e. entrance halls, lounges, wash rooms, dining rooms should take account of this.
It is also understood that this is likely to be more difficult, perhaps unreasonable, in locations such as kitchens, garages, upstairs rooms. Specific guidance is given for switches, sockets, etc. Not only should switches and sockets be located so that they are easily reached they should also be placed in locations where persons would expect them
to be. This is helpful not only to people with impaired sight, but to everyone in the dark.

The remainder of the Part M document relates to doorway widths, ramps etc and the whole doc is meant for new buildings. There is no point locating sockets at wheelchair access height if the only access to the living area is up two flights of stairs.

The intention is for those sockets, switches etc where disabled people would need easy access to a socket, etc. If a disabled person needed to turn a TV on and off then it would not be done at the TV's power socket, it would be done using a remote control!

Sockets for specific use are not intended to be governed by Part M (take kitchen sockets above a worktop for instance). So the TV socket is just fine at 1.5metres.
 
Another thing people forget about wheelchair access is not having sockets too near an internal corner.
 

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