How to position the sockets in the kitchen?

Placement requirements

To make the kitchen safe and comfortable, you must follow certain rules:

• Placing electrical outlets in the kitchen is only possible where moisture is excluded.
• They should not be located more than 1 meter from the appliance.
• Proper distribution is possible only after all parameters of the kitchen set (height, depth and width of cabinets and drawers) are clearly defined.
• The total power of electrical appliances per outlet should not exceed the permissible norm.

How many outlets do you need?

Before planning the installation of outlets, it is necessary to calculate the number of connected household appliances, not forgetting the hood, kettle and microwave. It is also worth considering the output of electricity for lighting under the wall cabinets. 25% should be added to the resulting amount in case other devices appear in the future. It is most convenient to start by placing outlets for the built-in equipment.

Which sockets are better to use?

The choice of sockets depends not only on the design and layout of the kitchen, but also on the features of their application. In the cooking room, special products with an increased level of moisture protection are appropriate - with silicone membranes (IP 44) protecting the contacts in the mounting box itself. Such products come with covers or blinds, thanks to which debris and splashes do not get inside. Conventional overhead sockets are rarely used.

If you need additional outlets in the already renovated kitchen, and you don’t want to spoil the walls or the apron, you can purchase special drawers and hide them in the countertop. With a light press, a protective part leaves, opening access to the network. Another option is a laid-on corner power outlet or corner power filter, which are installed under the cabinet of the kitchen unit.

The products built into the countertop look great and are almost invisible, but inconvenient for constant use. Such devices are useful when you need to connect the device for a short time (blender, combine or mixer), and for an electric kettle this option will not be so advantageous.

In the photo there is a convenient tee that opens if necessary. If not in use, the lid remains closed.

How to position in the kitchen?

To increase the safety of use, products must be placed in the public domain. Also, the height of the outlets in the kitchen depends on the type of equipment and the layout of the kitchen furniture. For ease of understanding, experts divide the kitchen into three levels: upper, middle and lower.

Sockets for the refrigerator

The outlet group for this appliance should be at the lower level: this way the kitchen looks neater. It is recommended to connect the refrigerator at a height of about 10 cm from the floor. Typically, manufacturers indicate which side the cord comes out of: this is important information to help place the outlet group on the right side. The fact is that the cord of the refrigerator has a short length - only a meter - and the use of extension cords is prohibited according to the instructions.

If you plan to turn off the refrigerator more often than usual, then connecting over the countertop will become more acceptable.Also, this method is convenient if, when mounting a point behind the appliance, its body ugly stands forward and spoils the impression of the kitchen.

The location of the power outlet behind its sidewall cannot be called aesthetic and competent, since the unit will have to be moved away from the wall. In some small kitchens, even such a small squandering with valuable centimeters will be noticeable.

In the photo, the socket group for the refrigerator is installed to the left of it in the apron area: in this way the appliance is flush with the kitchen set.

Location of sockets in the work area above the countertop

In a standard kitchen, the maximum height of the pedestals reaches 95 cm. Cabinets are hung above the work area, creating a wall for an apron. At this point, you should arrange several electrical outlets, but not in the middle, but closer to the lower pedestals. The optimum height is 15 cm above the baseboard. In this case, they can be covered with electrical appliances that are planned to be constantly kept on the working surface: for example, a coffee machine.

There is another opinion: apartment owners, who cook a lot, prefer to place outlet groups under hanging cabinets. It’s more convenient to pull out the fork, not being afraid to touch and brush the contents of the table.

Each person chooses the number of devices. One set is recommended to be located in one of the corners, the other - between the sink and the electric stove at a sufficient distance from them. If pipes are near, install protective caps or rubber seals.

Another interesting way to properly position the sockets above the kitchen surface is to set the track with movable sockets, as in the photo below. This option not only serves as a practical and functional device, but also looks stylish.

Do not forget about built-in appliances in hanging cabinets. If a microwave is placed, a separate outlet should be provided for it.

Another conclusion can be planned over the dining table. You will need it to connect a laptop, TV or charge various gadgets. Also, if you have to cook a lot for guests, it will be easy to connect a food processor or blender to it.

The photo shows one example of connecting outlets in the kitchen: on the sides of the electric stove and in the corner of the headset.

Where is it best to place a hood outlet?

Cooker hoods differ among themselves not only externally, but also by the method of installation. Products can be suspended and built-in (connected to the cabinet), as well as wall-mounted (hung separately).

If the hood is mounted in furniture, the outlet is located in the cabinet or above it. The usual height for installation is about 2 meters from the floor, but for successful execution it is better to clearly know all the dimensions of the furniture and appliances in order to install the outlet group out of sight. For a wall-mounted kitchen hood there is a flush mounting option when the connection point is hidden in the duct casing. The universal height of the installation of sockets for the hood in the kitchen is 110 cm from the countertop.

In the photo there is a kitchen with the correct location of sockets, where each device has its own device. The wall outlet is hidden in the casing, therefore not visible.

Choosing the best outlet for a washing machine or dishwasher

It is better to prepare a separate wire and a socket for a dishwasher in advance, not only before buying a car, but also before repairing it in the kitchen. For any equipment in contact with water, there is a mandatory rule: electric points are prohibited at the top or bottom of the sink. Do not place the sockets behind the dishwasher and washing machine. For modern built-in appliances, a place to connect is planned in the next section of the headset. Products must be equipped with moisture protection. The idea of ​​sockets in the basement of the kitchen is gradually abandoned, since not every basement has a standard height.

The photo shows an approximate distribution scheme of outlets in the kitchen.

Sockets for hob and oven

Specialists agree that it is risky to draw conclusions on household appliances: equipment may simply not fit. For cooking surfaces, energy consumption should be taken into account: if the panel goes on four burners, you need a special power outlet, which is initially equipped with a power cable. The installation recommendations from the manufacturer that he gives must be followed.

Ovens, unlike hobs, are sold with ordinary plugs, so you don’t need to invent anything here: they connect to ordinary electrical outlets.

If there are cabinets with hinged doors on either side of the hob and oven, sockets can be placed in them, backing off about 20 cm.

If the oven is installed separately, higher than usual, then the electrical outlet is done in the lower cabinet.

Tips for organizing wiring and machines

Any work on wiring in the kitchen should begin with a plan. A competent layout of the outlets and layout will allow you to calculate all the parameters and eliminate a lot of problems.

The wiring in the apartment can be both hidden and external, but in a wooden house, internal installation is prohibited. Wood is a combustible material, therefore it is impossible to hide wires and other sources of ignition.

Wiring is carried out only when the electricity is off.

The kitchen is a room with high humidity and is equipped with devices with a metal case: all this dictates the installation of an introductory RCD (protective disconnect device) in the panel. For grounding, it is necessary to use sockets with a special contact.

Extension cords cannot be used in the kitchen: this can cause a short circuit due to moisture accidentally ingested or overloading the wiring.

All large electrical appliances listed in the article have high power, and some of them deal with water. These reasons are directly related to the fact that the installation should be carried out in separate groups: each of them has its own machine in the shield.

As hints, you can use the illustrations below with distribution lines of outlets in the kitchen for appliances and lighting.

How to not have sockets?

Errors when installing connection points can bring a lot of negative consequences. To safely place outlets in your kitchen, you must follow strict rules:

• Do not install kitchen outlets and switches without creating a preliminary plan.
• Do not place outlets under and above the sinks. In extreme cases, it is permitted to install products with IP44 moisture protection over the siphon.
• In the kitchen, do not install devices near a gas stove.

Placing outlets in the kitchen is a complex and dangerous process that should be entrusted to electricians, but if you have the right tools, special knowledge and skills, you can cope with the installation yourself.