isolation switches on hidden sockets

sydthebeat

i was told by a building contractor that new rules mean that all hidden sockets ie under counter for dishwaser / washing machine / intergrated fridge etc now have to have isolation switches above counter.

is this correct?

Stoner

yes, more or less.Microwaves recessed into counters, washing machines etc plugged in under the counter

2011

These switches are very hand when you defrost a freezer.

sydthebeat

2011 wrote: »

These switches are very hand when you defrost a freezer.

fair point but most modern fridges have that function within the appliance itself.

between separation distances from sinks and cookers, and with the cooker isolation switch itself, it makes for quite a convoluted cramped view over a kitchen counter.

Bruthal

They are a pain to put in at times with space alright.

They can be useful for isolating appliances when there are RCD trips, to find the fault, or eliminate that socket and appliance from the search though.

Jaysus I'm going to have to put switches everywhere. My missus hides them all due to their "untidy" nature.

I haveta move a sofa and table and open a cabinet door to get to the DB too. :rolleyes:

dolittle

as far as I can recollect, the switches do not have to be on the backsplash above the units they are feeding
i have seen them mounted in a utility press (constructed to hide the switches)
they are isolation points for the fridge, dishwasher etc

brightspark

They must be "readily accessible " and labeled

maxfresh

maybe a grid switch arrangement ,it would only be the size of a twin socket might look neater

eeguy

brightspark wrote: »

They must be "readily accessible " and labeled

That doesn't mean they have to be in sight.

Could you mount the switches under wall hung cupboards and put some fascia on the cupboards to hide them?

Doolittle51

If you're installing a new kitchen, just put the sockets in the cabinets beside the appliance. No need for switches above counter then, as the sockets are accessible.
Only drawback is that you may need to drill a large hole in the side or back of the cabinet to fit the plug through. If it's not a molded plug, a 10mm hole will suffice. It's may not look great, but who's gonna be looking in the back of your cabinets anyway!

Bruthal

Doolittle51 wrote: »

If you're installing a new kitchen, just put the sockets in the cabinets beside the appliance. No need for switches above counter then, as the sockets are accessible.
Only drawback is that you may need to drill a large hole in the side or back of the cabinet to fit the plug through. If it's not a molded plug, a 10mm hole will suffice. It's may not look great, but who's gonna be looking in the back of your cabinets anyway!

When the press is full of clutter, it might be back to square one.

You can get something like this,(in 6 gang or 8)
MK make them and the modular switches.
I installed loads of them 5/6 years ago in an apartment block and the switches were labeled properly.dont think they were custom.
I think there was dishwasher,washing machine,ceiling lights,undercounter lights and extractor.
Maybe you can get a 32amp switch and put the cooker on the grid too?
Would be hard to 2nd fix it but would be tidy looking.Not up to date on my regs anymore tho