Is there a recommended minimum number of sockets?

Question

We have two single sockets in the living room, two singles in the bedroom, a single in the hallway and a double in the second bedroom. The kitchen fortunately has two doubles and two singles.

We are finding that this is not enough sockets and we have extension cables all over the flat. Is there something in the wiring regulations that states a legal or recommended number of electrical outlets? A source would be useful so I can show it to my landlord.

Answer 1

There _are_ recommendation in BS7671.

The standards are not retrospective.

Answer 2

You can add one socket outlet as an unfused spur for every exsisting socket outlet or you can have unlimited socket outlets as fused spurs. The only problem with extension leads is that you can easily demand too much current that causes "nuisance tripping" - that does include the obvious trip hazard as well!



BS7671 doesn't state how many socket outlets need to be placed in any particular room but regulation group 553.1 defines accessibility and position of the outlets so as the flexible cord isn't a trip hazard and the outlets aren't likely to be mechanicaly damaged. Also they need to be shuttered and of the correct British Standard (BS1363). As a guide I looked in my college notes and found the following guidelines set by the National House Building Council in 2006 and quotes for single socket outlets:



Living Room - 4

Dining Room - 2

Kitchen - 6

Main Bedroom - 3

Double Bedroom - 3 or 2

Single Bedroom - 3

Study - 2

Hall - 1

Utility Room, Storeroom and Garage - 0 (suprisingly!)



Remarkably all these figures have been reduced since 1977 except the kitchen which has gone up.



Hope this helps

Answer 3

I have noticed that UK homes are often a bit short on the number of socket outlets in the rooms. Perhaps it is not altogether surprising, considering how large those frightful 13amp sockets are. These sockets were very practical when they were designed, just after the war, as the rating allowed the use of a 3 bar electric fire, and there were not that many other portable pieces of portable electric equipment in the one room; perhaps a TV or a lamp. However, as times have moved on, we no longer need a socket to power a 3 bar electric fire, as we couldn't afford it, and central heating is now more common, but we do need many sockets in a room, so that we can watch the TV, connected to a decoder or parabole antenna, a DVD or VHS, a PC that is permanently switched on, and a couple of small lamps, and maybe a phone or mobile charger. In fact, the need for small power mains sockets has increased very considerably over the past 50 years, and the large square 13amp monstrosity has become an anomaly.



I would suggest that there is little advantage in fitting single sockets, when a double socket accepts the same size cable, and multiple outlet extension cables are best used when there is a shortage of permanent socket outlets.



There is a European organisation that rejoices under the initials CENELEC, that is trying to standardise the power supply and domestic connectors across its 19 member countries, but although the distribution system (TN) and domestic supply voltage (230) have been agreed, and are being implemented, there has been no agreement on a preferred portable connector. For sure, the 13 amp square plug will be ruled out as it is too large, and quite incompatible with modern safety requirements.



I realise that doesn't really help you, but at least you should know that you are not alone in suffering this inconvenience.

Answer 4

Pauline has it exactly right. The recommendations are in BS7671, the IET Wiring Regulations (formerly the IEE Wiring Regulations). However, the section relating to the number of outlets is not compulsory so builders don't have to follow it.



It certainly doesn't apply retrospectively so any house built more than 10 years ago could well have fewer than half the mains points of a new one. The standard calls it "diversity" and is based on the number of sockets for given floor area.



Re-wiring is expensive but providing that the installation is basically sound then you could ask your landlord to replace all single sockets with doubles. That will be cheaper and still legal.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

in modern design it is recommended that an outlet is never more than 6 feet away on a wall. Now by the way that you interpret this you may actually have one every 6 feet or 12 feet. However that is in modern construction. therefore you can't really use that to push your landlord to get the apartment rewired. You could request it, but I don't feel that they are required to do anything. Interesting you have singles, I don't think i have ever seen a single wall outlet other than in special situations.

Answer 7

In the states for NEW construction it is 1 on each wall and GFI in sink areas, baths and kitchens. There is no rules for existing construction. Not knowing where you are ...(thinking UK with the use of the word Flat) it is impossible to look up the code.

Answer 8

Generally, older installations are grandfathered in and do not need to meet new rules unless modification is done to the home.