electric socket under sink

jackieb

I'm getting a new kitchen fitted this week - they started fitting it today. My washing machine is next to the sink. There was already a double socket behind the washer. I assumed that they'd change that to a single socket, with a switch to turn it off and on, above the worktop. But they took that double socket out, and put a new single one under the sink - right next to the water pipes, and pipes for connecting the washing machine.

Is this okay? I don't feel very comfortable with it. We've also moved our sink and there's now a double socket near the sink. I also thought they'd take this out as I thought it would be quite dangerous, but they haven't. I was in the house all the time but wasn't aware when the electricians were finished - they just left without saying they were done. I would have told them before they left if i'd known.

I'm going to call the kitchen place to let them know, but i'd like to know what the norm is before I do?

We got our own electrician (as opposed to the kitchen fitters electricians) to change our fusebox a couple of weeks ago, so we know that's up to part p regs 17th edition, and the kitchen wiring is on a circuit breaker thing, which it wasn't before.

Scoobs72

I don't believe it's against the regs (a sparky could confirm that) but it's not good practice in my view. I have the socket for the dishwasher behind the sink unit (in the service gap), with a separate DP switch controlling this socket above the worktop.

mooncat

from what i remember fron when i did the regs its actually ok to have a socket here. but as the post above says its not really common sense is it.

your just asking for trouble here. get them to move it

aliasojo

Just had exactly the same conversation on the phone with with Franke (sink manufacturer who advise a socket be put in the sink unit for their waste disposal units hence supplying shortish cable), and 2 electricians and a kitchen fitter.

I'm not delighted about it but from what I can gather after looking into this, it is actually the norm.

Go figure. :rolleyes:

My socket is high up in the corner of the sink unit though, so water is unlikely to get to it if there is a leak (unless of course the water gushes out and sprays everywhere ).

Building control tell me it's ok to be sited in a sink unit and also that the sockets for dishwashers/washing machines/waste disposal units etc should still be accessible, even if controlled by a switch above the worktop. So technically, putting the socket behind the sink unit isn't ok either.

My fridge and dishwasher sockets are both behind the either the appliance or the neighbouring unit. :rolleyes:

jackieb

I can't understand why it's not against regulations. It's just asking for trouble. The old socket was in a better place behind the washer. I thought they'd just put a switch up above the worktop, like it was in my old house. I'm not happy with the double socket being left so near to the sink either.

If only they'd told me they were finished, before they left the house!

aliasojo

If you're not happy, you're not happy. You're paying for this so talk to them about it. They may tell you it's ok to do though and wont change it.

Good luck.

Canucklehead

Hi

As far as I'm concerned the socket should not be fitted to the unit as it's not, strictly speaking ,a permanent part of the kitchen. (as a wall would be) I would also have fitted it above most of the potential leaks. (RCBO will take the circuit out in the event of a fault) The double above the sink should be 300mm from the sink.(edge). All these points seem to be flexible as in 'best practice' and 'recommended' rather than regulation
If you are having the kitchen tiled above the worktop then I assume they would stop at the edge of the worktop. It looks like the double will be halfway over the edgeline of the worktop?

Corgi Guy.

jackieb

Canucklehead wrote: »

Hi


If you are having the kitchen tiled above the worktop then I assume they would stop at the edge of the worktop. It looks like the double will be halfway over the edgeline of the worktop?

Corgi Guy.

Yes, that's right. As well as being no use (well I won't be using it), it'll spoil the look of the tiles.

Scoobs72

aliasojo wrote: »

Building control tell me it's ok to be sited in a sink unit and also that the sockets for dishwashers/washing machines/waste disposal units etc should still be accessible, even if controlled by a switch above the worktop. So technically, putting the socket behind the sink unit isn't ok either.

I forgot to mention - there is a chunk of the side panel service void cut out so you can still access the socket once the dishwasher is pulled out. I believe an accessible behind the sink socket, controlled by a DP switch above the worktop is the 'best' solution, but there is no regs requirement.

aliasojo

How'd you get on OP? Did the sockets get moved?

jackieb

Not the one under the sink. They said that's where they always put them. They said that some people aren't able to pull their machines out and need their socket somewhere they can reach (if they can't pull out a washing machine, I can hardly see them managing to bend down under a shelf at the bottom of a cupboard! ) I asked what if there was a water leak and he said' 'it won't'. I hope his confidence is warranted! Not best pleased that it's still there though - but at least there's a circuit breaker to the kitchen if anything does happen.

However, they did move the double socket that was near the sink. They moved it over a bit and down to nearer floor level - i'm happy with that.