Plug socket in water

Tacitus · 24 Jan 2022 at 11:18

Hi all

Last night there was a leak in my utility room from the dishwasher. My kitchen was done about a month ago so naturally I was straight onto the joiner. My biggest concern is that the plug socket for the washing machine and dishwasher are just sitting on the floor under the kitchen units and were in a puddle of water. My joiner is insisting this is "common" and that "all electricians do it". I am not convinced this is correct or even legal. Is there anyone here who can say for certain?

Thanks in advance

xb8browney · 24 Jan 2022 at 11:20

It may be common but mine certainly aren't like that.

teenwolf · 24 Jan 2022 at 11:23

that is a load of bull get it sorted

Journey · 24 Jan 2022 at 11:23

That is dreadful, and totally not OK. Inside the sink unit is quite common, but usually up above the base, but just on the floor... nope.

dlockers · 24 Jan 2022 at 11:29

As in, on an extension lead? Did you pay a sparky? Or assume it was all good and he didn't tell you otherwise?

b0rn2sk8 · 24 Jan 2022 at 11:29

Fairly sure they should be fixed to something solid to be considered correct. Wires should also be clipped.

If they are just floating, there is nothing stopping the live wires being pulled out the terminals.

Peerzy · 24 Jan 2022 at 11:31

When I had my last kitchen done the plug sockets were attached to the wall behind the units (surface mounted) and with cables clipped at the same height (I'd say a few inches above the floor). A hole or service door was put in the back of the unit so I could access them if needed.

Wouldn't accept plugs being left on the floor for the exact situation you've had.

teenwolf · 24 Jan 2022 at 11:31

what else has been bodged sounds well dodgy

Armageus · 24 Jan 2022 at 11:33

A picture would be helpful, but no it doesn't sound right. All my under counter sockets are surface mount boxes and conduit where needed (i.e. where the cable hasn't come from an existing run in the wall)

IceBear · 24 Jan 2022 at 11:34

I'd be pretty worried about what other things the electrician has done.
Two places where you could expect a leak from and the sockets just loose on the floor.. Madness :confused:

Terminal_Boy · 24 Jan 2022 at 11:38

On the wall and away from where any water would land or splash if the DW/WM drain gets blocked.

Tacitus · 24 Jan 2022 at 11:48

Thanks all. Didn't think it was ok in the slightest. Will kick up a huge fuss.

Peerzy · 24 Jan 2022 at 11:51

That is how it should be done. From my understanding that double plug face is just left loose on the floor under the unit.

Bug One · 24 Jan 2022 at 11:55

I'm guessing they're plugged into a 4 gang socket extension under the units. I've got one under mine as I wanted to add lights to the skirting and didn't fancy ripping the whole lot out to rewire behind the units. It's not near any source of water, so can't see the harm. But the main wiring is like above (although, in a dry cupboard, not directly under the sink.

dlockers · 24 Jan 2022 at 11:56

Tacitus said:
Thanks all. Didn't think it was ok in the slightest. Will kick up a huge fuss.

There was a train of thought a while back that putting plugs on fly leads/extensions meant you can get to them by popping the plinth off. So it isn't total garbage what he's saying.

200sols · 24 Jan 2022 at 12:11

Bug One said:
I'm guessing they're plugged into a 4 gang socket extension under the units. I've got one under mine as I wanted to add lights to the skirting and didn't fancy ripping the whole lot out to rewire behind the units. It's not near any source of water, so can't see the harm. But the main wiring is like above (although, in a dry cupboard, not directly under the sink.

Because if you get a water leak or a water flood you will have live electrics sitting in water. Yes leaks happen all the time. Shoddy practice.

Bug One · 24 Jan 2022 at 12:19

200sols said:
Yes leaks happen all the time.

Maybe with your plumbing....

200sols · 24 Jan 2022 at 12:42

Bug One said:
Maybe with your plumbing....

I didnt mean in one house, but statistically.

SkodaMart · 24 Jan 2022 at 12:54

Peerzy said:
That is how it should be done. From my understanding that double plug face is just left loose on the floor under the unit.

Technically no that isn’t how it is supposed to be done.
Electrical accessories should not be fixed to kitchen units.
It should be on the wall, behind the unit, with a hole cut for access.
Also your plastic box has a hole in it and the twin & earth cable that supplies it has no mechanical protection.
Technically the outer sheath can be considered but it’s still ‘rough’
Yes I know most kitchens are like this but it’s incorrect.

Semple · 24 Jan 2022 at 13:02

Peerzy said:
That is how it should be done. From my understanding that double plug face is just left loose on the floor under the unit.

Ours is like this too, in fact the socket is closer to the waste pipe. All installed by the electrician when the houses were built so everything signed off.