I have looked on the forum for info about sockets under a sink but cannot find any posts.I have moved to a house and the washing machine and dishwasher sockets are positioned under the sink near the incoming water pipes and waste outlets.The sockets are spurs that are fed off the ring via a fused fcu which is sited above the work surface.Are the sockets ok where they are or do they need moving away from the pipework
undersink sockets
- Thread starter ugjointer
- Start date
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It is not the best place for them as it is an area that can become damp/wet especially when a leak occurs or work is being done in this area on the water.
Really would be best to have IP protection. www.protectingpeople.co.uk/fire_tech/ip_explained.htm
Are they serving any useful purpose? if not I would remove them.
Really would be best to have IP protection. www.protectingpeople.co.uk/fire_tech/ip_explained.htm
Are they serving any useful purpose? if not I would remove them.
I know they are not in the ideal place but are they wired correctly, ie fcu then socket, and do they contravene regulations.
regards max
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It is allowed 
Right I'm off to do the dishes and the washing, just filled the bath up, might even have a soak
Right I'm off to do the dishes and the washing, just filled the bath up, might even have a soak
It is permitted, provided they are not liable to be splashed in normal use
However IMO it is undesirable, because, as you say, the sink might overflow or there could be a leak. You could change them for waterproof sockets with sealing covers as are used in the garden, but good ones (MK or Crabtree brands) are quite expensive and the cheaper ones often do not seal when a plug is in the socket.
In my view it is preferable, with undercounter appliances, to have a switch above the worktop in the wall over the appliance, feeding a socket on the wall behind the appliance. It is true that if the fuse in the plug ever blows, you have to pull out the appliance to change it, but this is very rare these days, and the appliance will probably have to come out for repair if it does have such a fault.
this method is very neat and easy to understand, and it means you can change the appliance without having to cut off plugs or poke the flex through tiny gaps in cupboards.
Most electrical work in kitchens is notifiable.
However IMO it is undesirable, because, as you say, the sink might overflow or there could be a leak. You could change them for waterproof sockets with sealing covers as are used in the garden, but good ones (MK or Crabtree brands) are quite expensive and the cheaper ones often do not seal when a plug is in the socket.
In my view it is preferable, with undercounter appliances, to have a switch above the worktop in the wall over the appliance, feeding a socket on the wall behind the appliance. It is true that if the fuse in the plug ever blows, you have to pull out the appliance to change it, but this is very rare these days, and the appliance will probably have to come out for repair if it does have such a fault.
this method is very neat and easy to understand, and it means you can change the appliance without having to cut off plugs or poke the flex through tiny gaps in cupboards.
Most electrical work in kitchens is notifiable.
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