Socket Positioning - New Electric Regs

toffeegirl

I will be having my new kitchen fitted some time after June so am looking to plan my kitchen layout to fit in with the new regulations.

Can you please clarify: what do the regulations say about the positioning of a double electrical sockets. (i.e. for use with small electricals: toaster, kettle etc)

e.g. if I wanted, from right to left:
- a tall built-in oven unit
- a 300mm base unit with 300mm wall unit above
- a 600mm base unit with gas hob with chimney hood above
Can I have a socket above my 300mm base unit?
How far does my socket have to be from my hob?

Many thanks

liitleblackcat

Part P of the Building Regs doesn't actually say anything in detail about where electric sockets should be in a kitchen but obviously the important thing is to make sure that trailing cables don't run across the hob.

We used to have a similar arrangement but with a 500mm unit in place of your 300mm unit and had no problems with locating a double socket in the middle of the 500mm unit. If in doubt, as they say, contact an electrician.

If you want to check the Regs, they are here http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/4000000001253.html

and the layman's guide is here http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/PpWeb/jsp/redirect.jsp?url=http%3A//www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_PTP_NEWRULESenglish.pdf