On 04/03/2018 02:28, Johnny B Good wrote:
On Sat, 03 Mar 2018 21:56:35 +0000, newshound wrote:

On 03/03/2018 21:04, alan_m wrote:
On 03/03/2018 13:25, RJH wrote:
I'm looking to route some appliance cables (microwave, lights, radio
etc - I'll keep it to 13A max though - the feed is to an extension
block) through the kitchen worktop to tidy things up and free up
sockets above the counter. The grommet would be out of sight - behind
the microwave for example.

I bought one of these 80mm, just to see:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm//321759119678

It's fine, but a bit flimsy - the cover could pop off quite easily.
And possibly 60mm would do it.

If you take/cut off the plugs you just have to be able to poke the
wires through a very much smaller hole. Use a bit of waste pipe or
plastic electrical conduit. It comes in various diameters but 32mm or
smaller may do. Drill the hole, seal the cut with external use PVA,
insert the pipe leaving it proud of the work surface by, say, 15mm,
silicone around the pipe to provide a waterproof seal to stop water
dripping down the hole/cable when cleaning the worktop, let everything
dry/cure, feed the wires through the pipe and re-attach the plugs.

But moulded-on plugs are *much* more reliable, especially for high load
appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and tumble dryers.

The blindingly obvious solution is to undo the cable from the appliance
end (Fridges, dishwashers, washing machines and tumble driers, all have
their mains cords terminated on screw terminal blocks with re-usable cord
grips - plugs may be moulded on but the mains cords most definitely are a
user replaceable item) and thread that end carefully through the 8 or
10mm hole or channel in the plaster on the back edge of the worktop
immediately below the mains socket (making sure of not plugging it into
said socket until *after* you've reconnected it to the appliance) and
"Bob's Your Uncle!".

Yes, I have done that once or twice. Good point.