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Socket Outlets

Scott Seedell

Hi,

I'm sure this has cropped up before but how far should we go regarding minimum numbers of socket outlets on an EICR?

As far as I can see, there is nothing in BS7671 regarding this, though the OSG presents a table which seems to be based on recommendations from Electrical Safety First and the Electrical Installation Forum.

I'm not sure insufficient numbers would ever be a C2 (there's nothing potentially dangerous about it unless there's swathes of trailing leads everywhere) and seemingly as it isn't a contravention of anything in BS7671 then it would be a hard push to record this even as C3. 

Interestingly the OSG quotes a regulation number (553.1.7) next to their table (H7) which doesn't correlate to the table at all.

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  • 0

    It just seems bizarre that the minimum numbers required are so brazenly published in the OSG when there isn't a correlation to BS7671 which can be applied. 

    I'm not so sure it's illogical. BS 7671 gives the fundamental requirements (as many sockets as necessary and in suitable positions) whereas the OSG (like building regs approved documents) gives suggestions on how that might be achieved in some common circumstances given typical usage. BS 7671 can't just say you should always have 'n' sockets in a particular type of room - there are just too many variables from size of room (50m² bedroom in a royal palace vs a 4m² "box room" bedroom never mind how it's actually used. Such tables just give a useful starting point - if that's what might satisfy the requirement in a typical semi, how would I scale that up/down to meet these particular circumstances sort of thing.

    Interestingly the US regs seem to take a more prescriptive approach - starting from pretty much the same starting point as us (as many sockets as necessary and in suitable positions), they then interpret that as you should be able to put an appliance with a 6' lead anywhere you like around the perimeter of a room without the lead crossing a doorway - hence a requirement for a socket within 6' of each side of a doorway and not more than 12' between sockets elsewhere. That sort of thing can end up with having to put sockets in awkward places that on-one's ever going to use though.

      - Andy.

  • 0 in reply to AJJewsbury

    I agree Andy, the OSG is just a guide - some people like the guidance it provides ... seems in this instance it's causing confusion because of periodic inspection & test.

    Having said that, most of the information regarding inspection and testing is guidance ... which really is where things need to be so that competent inspectors can make judgements based on the particular circumstances ?

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  • 0 in reply to AJJewsbury

    I agree Andy, the OSG is just a guide - some people like the guidance it provides ... seems in this instance it's causing confusion because of periodic inspection & test.

    Having said that, most of the information regarding inspection and testing is guidance ... which really is where things need to be so that competent inspectors can make judgements based on the particular circumstances ?

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