kitchen isolator switches

3 years ago

I had planned a full height stone splashback so I'm very unhappy about 7 holes being cut for 5 isolation switches and 2 double sockets in the one run of units/ counter.
I've spoken to an electrician.. mine not available today.. but he said they aren't allowed behind a cupboard door as they have to be visible and reachable ( if you are disabled or similar. )
also if i put sockets up under top cupboards to try to hide them a bit i need isolator switches on them too.
kitchen due to go in 4 days time but i don't care if i have to dig out the new plaster to get it right.
Has anyone any photos of how they managed theirs ?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (19)

Ruth House
3 years ago
I remember similar conversation when we had our previous kitchen done. We had all isolator switches placed in cabinets below, but each one had to be run to an adjacent cabinet i.e. not behind the appliance, so that it can be reached. We passed building regs. But that was 6 years ago.....maybe try contacting or checking with building regs??
Finn O'Mara
Original Author
3 years ago
Yes. building regs changed last year. not allowed put them in cabinets now. think I'll just have to suck it up and get white ones. thank you
Related Discussions
Help choosing door handles and light switches etc.
Q
Comments (9)
So you know I bought a single 'click deco' brand dolly light switch a while back and found it to be pretty poor quality so it was returned. Ended up with these: http://www.forbesandlomax.com/the-unlacquered-brass-range.html Really good quality and they have lovely finishes too. I quite like their antique bronze range too as it contrasts nicely with chrome/nickel finishes without clashing. If you'd really like everything to match then take a look at the Jim Lawrence range. They're not the cheapest but offer both light switches and door furniture in a large selection of finishes. They also do the narrow style of light switches which I think looks really elegant in older houses. https://www.jim-lawrence.co.uk/door-window/door-handles-door-knobs/bromley-handle-with-bristol-keyhole-backplate-in-510201bw?returnurl=%2fdoor-window%2fdoor-handles-door-knobs%2f%3fcount%3d36 https://www.jim-lawrence.co.uk/1-gang-dolly-architrave-switch-in-chrome-with-3279chniz https://www.jim-lawrence.co.uk/2-gang-black-dolly-switch-bevelled-plate/
...See More
switching living and dining room/kitchen
Q
Comments (4)
That will be expensive! Your plumbing and electric costs etc will be what drives it up but I understand your logic behind it. we spent circa 50k having an extension done a couple of years ago for the same reason as you've put. We have a good side garden and the extension goes the length of the house, with 4 meters of bifold doors, that were a godsend in the summer. Since having it done we've hardly spent any time in the living room. Even the xmas tree goes in there now! So it's down to how you'll use the room but personally I'd go for yes.
...See More
What colour of switches and sockets for my dark blue kitchen
Q
Comments (3)
Brushed nickel sounds nice, but the black would be almost invisible which would give a streamlined look. Brushed brass gives a nice rich finish if you like that look.
...See More
Brushed Steel sockets/switches - OK new kitchen with Chrome handles?
Q
Comments (1)
Got a picture
...See More
Ellie
3 years ago
I hate the look of sockets nevermind isolator switches!

Why is there so many isolators? My kitchen that was done a year ago only has 1 for the island hob, and thats in the base unit underneath. I wouldnt have the 5 isolator switches on my splashback, that would ruin it for me. Anywhere else in the room but on the splashback run of units then do be it, but not there. Is there a wall further along the kitchen that they can go?
Ruth House
3 years ago
Finn,

I'm absolutely gutted to hear that!!! We are just starting to design kitchen in our new house and I feel the same about isolator sockets in sight......was hoping we could do the same as last time.....Damn it, that's spoilt my day!! :-(
Finn O'Mara
Original Author
3 years ago
three electricians said this was best arrangement. they are grouped together so there aren't random homes all over the place.

one guy b said he would NEVER wire a kitchen without first explaining and discussing where to put them. depending on where your appliances go he may be able to put them together on one panel.
pmasmith3
3 years ago
I thought they were ugly when the electrician said we needed them, but now I really don’t notice them.
Ruth House
3 years ago
have just been discussing this with my husband. We decided when we do it if they absolutely have to be above counter then we'd have them run all the way around so they're on a bit of wall where the worktop will be empty then after the building inspector has gone we would prop up a lovely big framed print to hide them.

is that something you could do? do you have a bit of wall beyond the splash back or a bit of worktop where you would consider displaying a framed print perhaps? or at the back of a shelf so actually they're hidden by recipe books?

I know it wouldn't be deemed 'accessible' by the inspector but that's why I wouldn't so it until they left! lol. In 12 years of owning a house I've never needed to isolate an appliance urgently so I don't see a problem in having to move an item out the way to access the switch.
Finn O'Mara
Original Author
3 years ago
pmasmith. i had been hoping they could go on a single pane like yoursl too but apparently not.
guess I'm getting resigned to it now
Daza
3 years ago
It's largely about individual electricians' interpretation of the regs and what they are happy to put their name to.

Building regs haven't changed and if your electrician is self-certifying then the building inspector will only look for the certificate. Accessibility for disabled is only a requirement for new builds.

A lot of electricians don't like sockets and isolators in cupboards in case items get in the way or because they interpret the units as not being fixtures. But others are happy with it.

Mine was done towards end of 2019 and I have my cooker isolator inside the adjacent pantry, along with a couple of sockets (perfectly accessible). Socket for fridge/freezer inside an adjacent cupboard with no other isolator (would mean bending down and pulling things out to get to). Socket under sink for dishwasher and waste disposal, no other isolator (accessible enough). Socket high up in a wall unit for the extractor which does have an isolator above the worktop, next to the hob isolator. Plus a couple of lighting points in wall units.

Grid switches are a popular option, so not sure why you electrician says it's not an option, other than again some don't like them (lots of wires crammed into one small central point).

There's a degree of what you are happy with too, e.g. if the dishwasher started smoking then are you happy you can quickly turn it off with whatever option you go with.
Victoria
3 years ago
Don’t think he’s correct.

https://the-regs.co.uk/blog/?p=544
Finn O'Mara
Original Author
3 years ago
the regulations changed on March 6 th 2020
Daza
3 years ago
which regs changed in march 20?
Finn O'Mara
Original Author
3 years ago
new rules for electrical installations
Finn O'Mara
Original Author
3 years ago
https://www.nsai.ie/standards/sectors/electrotechnical-standards/national-wiring-rules-faqs/
Victoria
3 years ago
Ah, hadn’t twigged you were in Ireland
Jonathan
3 years ago
https://www.toolstation.com/mk-grid-plus-metal-front-plate/p51274#full-desc

In a former house I had one of these on the wall for all of the isolators and the lights
Daza
3 years ago
ah, hadn't thought to check where you were. Not familiar with the Irish regs.
Finn O'Mara
Original Author
3 years ago
didn't know ye weren't! 😳😳 I'm in hoyzz.ie so thought it was Irish 😂😂
my knowledge of websites apparently as pathetic as interior design
Victoria
3 years ago
😂

kitchen isolator switches

Comments (19)

Ruth House

Finn O'Mara
Original Author

Related Discussions

Ellie

Ruth House

Finn O'Mara
Original Author

pmasmith3

Ruth House

Finn O'Mara
Original Author

Daza

Victoria

Finn O'Mara
Original Author

Daza

Finn O'Mara
Original Author

Finn O'Mara
Original Author

Victoria

Jonathan

Daza

Finn O'Mara
Original Author

Victoria

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

kitchen isolator switches

Comments (19)

Finn O'MaraOriginal Author

Related Discussions

Finn O'MaraOriginal Author

Finn O'MaraOriginal Author

Finn O'MaraOriginal Author

Finn O'MaraOriginal Author

Finn O'MaraOriginal Author

Finn O'MaraOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Finn O'Mara
Original Author

Finn O'Mara
Original Author

Finn O'Mara
Original Author

Finn O'Mara
Original Author

Finn O'Mara
Original Author

Finn O'Mara
Original Author

Finn O'Mara
Original Author