Socket outlets per room

[RF Lighting]

I was recently sent a draft document from the ECA. The document takes a look at the issues surrounding the adequate provision of electrical socket outlets in the home for safety.

What does anyone think? (sorry its quite a long post)

Notes:
1. Kitchen – if a socket-outlet is provided in the cooker control unit, this should not be included in the 6 recommended in the Table above.
The socket-outlets are primarily for portable appliance connections. Fixed
appliances should have appropriate additional outlets. Some appliances such as a central heating boiler are likely to require an additional socket-outlet, which should be borne in mind in the initial installation design. It has been shown as a separate item in the schedule, as its location can vary according to the dwelling.

Fixed equipment such as Immersion Heaters should not be connected via socket outlets: a separate circuit should be provided,
incorporating a double pole switch of appropriate rating.
Rule of thumb as follows: - Allow 0.8 to 1 double sockets per linear metre above worktop (minimum)

2. Garage – The number of socket-outlets specified allows for the use of a battery charger, tools, portable light and garden appliances. It is important that this circuit be protected by a high sensitivity residual current device (earth leakage circuit breaker).

3. Single Bedroom – it is envisaged that this room will be used in different ways in different households. It may be used simply as a child’s bedroom requiring socket-outlets for table lamps, an electric blanket and a fire only; or it may serve as a teenager’s bedroom and living room combined, where friends are entertained. In this case, socket outlets may be needed for hifi/home cinema system, hairdryer, television and radio, in addition to lamps, a blanket and a fire.

The room may also be used as a student’s bed sitting room, in which case socketoutlets may be needed for a grill or toaster, iron, hi-fi equipment, home computer and a kettle, in addition to items already mentioned. If the room is used for the latter purpose, the minimum number of twin outlets should be increased to 4, as shown in the Table above.

4. TV entertainment areas – it is recommended to install two double socket outlets in these areas as a minimum; this is in addition to other socket outlets in the room.

5. For high specification properties – a good specification for general rooms is to install a double socket outlet in each corner of the room.

6. Halls - single socket outlets may be fitted as an alternative in halls.

 

[JohnD]

(my squinty old eyes found it difficult to read the table )

But:
Kitchens - agree with the frequency of sockets above the worksurface, which are in addition to outlets for fixed (ish) appliances

And what they say about a double socket in each corner of each room - yes, but unless the rooms are smallish (4 metres square, say) then I'd add one half way down each long wall; or at 5 metre intervals (minimum) in very large rooms. Plus a socket each side of features like fireplaces and french windows. And one each side of the bedhead in each pleace where you might reasonably expect to put a bed. And one at each end of the garage, at least, with preferably one each side of the garage door, and one half-way down each wall (wheer you might put a workbench or tool)

Hurrah for rings!

 

[plugwash]

i don't think hard figures are the way to handle adequate provision of sockets except possiblly in kitchens (kitchens are something of a special case domestically, you really don't want extention leads on a food preperation surface and some pretty high power stuff can be in use, also kitchens are nearly always built in unlike other furniture)

anyway heres my opinion on socket provision.

with TV and computer locations one socket (either single or double) will suffice, homes are unlikely to have high protective conductor current issues and the loading is a non-issue. surface mount sockets are horrid (compare a standard multiway extention strip with a standard surface socket and you'll see what i mean) and flush sockets are hard to remove neatly if the area is repurposed (and good luck avoiding extention lead use in a main TV location with only a pair of double sockets)

with other stuff its about putting the sockets close to likely demand points, at the very minimum you should be able to place furniture against any wall and power it without having to run flex over a doorway and ideally any likely spots should have sockets provided and there should be sockets often enough to keep extention leads to a reasonable length (5m spacing as mentioned above is probablly about right in areas where there is no other reason for socket provision).

sockets for cleaning should be in areas that are likely to remain easilly accessible and away from stuff that might get damaged if a flex is pulled tight (especially if forced to put the sockets at part M heights) and imo theese should probablly be seperate from sockets used for anything else (between a pair of doors is ideal).

outdoor sockets are a good idea but if not provided then consideration should be given to the likely routes into the house to minimise trip hazards etc.