I am sure that it has been mentioned in this group that there is some
minimum distance electrical sockets, switches etc. can be positioned
from a kitchen sink. If so, where is this codified? Unlike the bathroom
the 17th Series Wiring Regs do not include the kitchen as a special
location so the zoning distances defined do not apply. So, is this
minimum a regulation of some sort or just best practice?

I am particularly interested in any regs that relate to pendent lights
hanging above a sink to provide task lighting where there is no under
cupboard lighting available because the sink is by a window.

Andrew

Andrew May
wibbled on Wednesday 31 March 2010 09:44

I am sure that it has been mentioned in this group that there is some
minimum distance electrical sockets, switches etc. can be positioned
from a kitchen sink. If so, where is this codified? Unlike the bathroom
the 17th Series Wiring Regs do not include the kitchen as a special
location so the zoning distances defined do not apply. So, is this
minimum a regulation of some sort or just best practice?

Best practice would be = 300mm as a *rule of thumb*. Just far enough to
avoid splashing.

I am particularly interested in any regs that relate to pendent lights
hanging above a sink to provide task lighting where there is no under
cupboard lighting available because the sink is by a window.

I don't think there are any. Common sense would be the best guide.

--
Tim Watts

Managers, politicians and environmentalists: Nature's carbon buffer.

In an earlier contribution to this discussion, Andrew May
wrote:
I am sure that it has been mentioned in this group that there is some
minimum distance electrical sockets, switches etc. can be positioned
from a kitchen sink. If so, where is this codified? Unlike the
bathroom the 17th Series Wiring Regs do not include the kitchen as a
special location so the zoning distances defined do not apply. So, is
this minimum a regulation of some sort or just best practice?

I am particularly interested in any regs that relate to pendent lights
hanging above a sink to provide task lighting where there is no under
cupboard lighting available because the sink is by a window.

Andrew

I don't know the answer to your question - but I've certainly got 13A
outlets *under* the sink for the dishwasher and waste disposal unit - and
they were installed less than a year ago under 17th Series by a
self-certifying electrician.

With regard to task lighting over the sink, ours is by a window, and we have
a boxed-in pipe from the en-suite above going across the ceiling over the
sink, and we have some "under-cabinet" lights mounted on the bottom of the
box, with a wooden (well veneered to match the kitchen units!) pelmet going
full width to hide the box and the lights and make a feature of the whole
thing.
--
Cheers,
Roger
_______
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

"Tim Watts" wrote in message
...
Andrew May
wibbled on Wednesday 31 March 2010 09:44

I am sure that it has been mentioned in this group that there is some
minimum distance electrical sockets, switches etc. can be positioned
from a kitchen sink. If so, where is this codified? Unlike the bathroom
the 17th Series Wiring Regs do not include the kitchen as a special
location so the zoning distances defined do not apply. So, is this
minimum a regulation of some sort or just best practice?

Best practice would be = 300mm as a *rule of thumb*. Just far enough to
avoid splashing.

I use the =30cm rule:-)

I am particularly interested in any regs that relate to pendent lights
hanging above a sink to provide task lighting where there is no under
cupboard lighting available because the sink is by a window.

I don't think there are any. Common sense would be the best guide.

The NICEIC "recommends" 30cm from the edge of the sink for sockets as best
practice but they have never mentioned a pendent light above the sink.

If common sense applies then if your wife cannot bang her head on the
pendent light whilst she is doing the washing up then it will be fine.

Adam

ARWadsworth wrote:
"Tim Watts" wrote in message
...
Andrew May
wibbled on Wednesday 31 March 2010 09:44

I am sure that it has been mentioned in this group that there is some
minimum distance electrical sockets, switches etc. can be positioned
from a kitchen sink. If so, where is this codified? Unlike the bathroom
the 17th Series Wiring Regs do not include the kitchen as a special
location so the zoning distances defined do not apply. So, is this
minimum a regulation of some sort or just best practice?
Best practice would be = 300mm as a *rule of thumb*. Just far enough to
avoid splashing.

I use the =30cm rule:-)

I am particularly interested in any regs that relate to pendent lights
hanging above a sink to provide task lighting where there is no under
cupboard lighting available because the sink is by a window.
I don't think there are any. Common sense would be the best guide.

The NICEIC "recommends" 30cm from the edge of the sink for sockets as best
practice but they have never mentioned a pendent light above the sink.

If common sense applies then if your wife cannot bang her head on the
pendent light whilst she is doing the washing up then it will be fine.

Adam


Thanks all, that's pretty much what I thought. Depending on the fitting
that we find I suspect that the lights will be mounted at around head
height and set back from the centre of the worktop. Little chance of
banging your head and well out of splashing distance.

Andrew

There is a regulation calling for wiring accessories to be suitable
for their environment & likely usage. Indeed, 300mm is the common
figure from the sink - not necessarily the strainer. The same 300mm
from a hob re trailing cables.

No limitation under a sink, although TBH I would prefer a simple
splashproof enclosure (you can buy them, clear or transparent that
take a standard wiring accessory allowing cheaper flexibility than say
Masterseal).

In article ,
Andrew May writes:
I am sure that it has been mentioned in this group that there is some
minimum distance electrical sockets, switches etc. can be positioned
from a kitchen sink. If so, where is this codified? Unlike the bathroom
the 17th Series Wiring Regs do not include the kitchen as a special
location so the zoning distances defined do not apply. So, is this
minimum a regulation of some sort or just best practice?

I am particularly interested in any regs that relate to pendent lights
hanging above a sink to provide task lighting where there is no under
cupboard lighting available because the sink is by a window.

This is one of the few circumstances where a recessed downlighter is
the correct light for the job. Use at least two to reduce shadows,
and choose ones which can take compact fluorecents, such as the GU10
mains type. Consider having them separately switched from other lighting.
Where you have separately switched task lighting for the sink, you
might think about using a pull cord switch as it may get operated
with wet hands. You can fit this under a nearby cupboard with a short
(4") cord.

Another option (which is what I did in the most recent kitchen I've
done) is to use a wall mounted uplighter by the side of the window,
which in conjunction with a brilliant white ceiling, gives a nice
light. I found one which takes a 26W compact fluorescent with
separate control gear. If you try to use a retrofit compact
fluorescent in one designed to take a standard bulb, you will often
find it can only fit the lowest power ones, which aren't good enough.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]