Electric Socket over Kitchen Sink

[badlad.biz]

My 80year old mum has just had her home rewired by our local council. It worries me that the electrician put a new 13Amp switch socket 300mm above her kitchen sink. Is this legal, as it seems a very dangerous place.

[DTCwordfan]

Is it equipped with one of those flip switches built into it, so is water does come in contact, the plug "pops"? They have those in the States for bathrooms and kitchens. Someone like Albags or TheBuilder will respond.....

[AlBags]

No actual distance is specified from the sink (unless it is in a bathroom) but it
must not be liable to be splashed or dripped on and must be suitable for its position.
300mm (1 foot) horizontal is considered to be the minimum gap. A metre is far better but not obligatory.
I presume fuseboard outlets are RCD protected.

[The Builder]

I agree with Al over the measurements............. but 300mm ABOVE the sink is just Baaaad practice, not to mention plain stupid.
The plus side is, you are well protected against water and other silliness since a rewire will come under the latest 17th Edition regulations......... ie everything is protected by an RCD (trip). If you're worried, blank it off or replace it with an external waterproof one if necessary.

[badlad.biz]

Thank you all for your comments, very much appreceated. I had a fright as she stood the kettle in the sink while she filled it and it overflowed onto the plug in the back of the kettle. In my mind 30mA is still a fair current to flow through someone who suffered her first heart attack in March.
I'll ask the council to explain themselves tomorrow.
Thanks. Badlad

[AlBags]

No .. It will trip before it can be 'felt'
Just make sure the RCD works.