Removing original plugs from kitchen appliances

coolcarma

Hi there

Many apologies if this has been asked a zillion times previously but we've recently had a new kitchen and utility room fitted by our builder (we are doing a renovation) and the despite our concerns, the electrician insisting on removing the original moulded plugs from our Smeg fridge freezer and our Bosch washing machine and tumbledryer to hard wire them into the system instead of fitting proper sockets for them.

Will this automatically invalidate the original manufacturer's warranties? Just wanted to be sure of our facts before the build gets signed off and paid for. We are attempting to secure an acknowledgement of responsilibilty from the builder for what may have already occured but are insisting on getting proper sockets fitted because at some point in time we may need to change our appliances and will need proper sockets.

Many thanks for your help in advance.

Regards

Carmen

MX5huggy

Your paying get what you want, you can still switch the socket above the work top.

For the warranty I would say if it was queried oh yes we did change the plug, it was stepped on when we were moving the appliance and the pins got bent so we replaced it.

prowla

Why on earth would an electrician hard-wire a 13A appliance into the mains?

Rikki

Yes it does invalidate the warranty. A friend recently asked this question when he bought a new washing machine. He made a short extension lead that plugged into the socket, through the worktop and then the appliance plugged into that socket. The only plug cut was that of the extension.

Another alternative which I had in a previous kitchen is the socket below the worktop and the switch to turn it on and off is above.

For my fridge and freezer the socket is inside the cupboard next to them. Easily reached if needed.

Biggles

I needed to cut the original plug off a Liebherr fridge/freezer (the original was a cumbersome one that took up too much space where my socket was) and put a 'normal' plug on. It was confirmed (in writing) that there was no problem.

googler

prowla wrote: »

Why on earth would an electrician hard-wire a 13A appliance into the mains?

To enable the use of an above-worktop appliance switch, so that the appliance can be isolated without moving it, or having to access a plug or switch below worktop level.