Kitchen socket height is now covered by new regulations to help prevent damage to appliance leads that are plugged into the sockets-
| Before working on any electrical circuit you must ensure that it is isolated correctly and cannot accidentally be switched back on. Please read the article on safe isolation procedures before doing any electrical work. If you are not 100% certain what you are doing call a qualified electrician. Building regulations are changing all the time and modifying your home electrics could be against new rules and could invalidate your home insurance, if in doubt check first! |
The heights that sockets that are fitted in new dwellings is now covered by regulation, so if you are building a new house then you must follow the new regulations. Refurbishment or home improvement even building an extension does not mean that you have to install your switches and sockets to the new heights, you can simply install the new sockets/switches to match the existing sockets/switches.
When sockets are fitted in a kitchen attention must be paid to the height of the socket from the worktop as the leads or plugs of any appliances that are plugged into these sockets can easily be damaged if the sockets are fitted too close to the worktop.
Here you can see that this microwave oven is plugged into a socket that is too close to the worktop. This is to be avoided as it can easily cause damage to any flex or plug that is plugged into the socket.
Generally a sufficient height between the bottom of a socket outlet and a worktop would be 100mm.
Height of sockets in Habitable rooms
