Posted By Ian Blenkharn
Geoff

Just a personal observation from experience with one of my in-laws.

Raised sockets seem a generally good idea, but are vulnerable to being damaged from chair backs etc. I found one that had a knock from a dining chair back and was damaged sufficiently to create a real risk.

Generally a good idea, but the must be granny proof!

Posted By GeoffB4
Thanks Ian, good point.

Posted By Peter Still
Swis,

Not in my copy it doesn't! 60309 is a product standard for industrial plugs and sockets, and the only mentions of height I can find are for type-testing purposes.

BS 7671 (17th Edition Wiring Regs)states only that sockets should be installed at such a height that damage is unlikely.

Part M of the Building Regs applies in new dwellings, and Approved Document M recommends suitable mounting heights between 450 mm and 1200 mm measured from the finished floor level.

BS 8300 "Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people Code of Practice" also includes some recommendations.

Posted By Graham Bullough
Just a thought for people who have or are considering waist height sockets as a measure against problems stemming from foreseeable flooding of their properties: Does the associated wiring incorporate junction boxes at lower levels which are vulnerable to flood water? If so, I guess one possible option is to alter the installations with longer cabling to relocate vulnerable boxes or even eliminate them. However, such alterations may be difficult and expensive. Therefore, does anyone know if waterproof junction boxes can be obtained and used to replace ordinary boxes.

Thankfully I don't live in a flood-prone area myself, but guess that some users of this forum do and therefore may benefit from responses about this aspect. Hopefully, insurers, etc have already advised about altering electrical installations in dwellings and business premises.

As regards waist height wall sockets generally, surely they are easier for everybody to use, not just persons with disabilities. Locating them at low level surely is just cheaper, quicker and easier for the electricians installing them - which explains why wall sockets are usually at low level unless otherwise specified!

Posted By Swis
Peter,

If you check the reference provided above, (read the booklet name)it explains about various types of sockets.

However, further information is available (Document M)which also states guidance on height of sockets which is slightly different to the ones I have mentioned above but not a big differece though.

http://www.planningporta...s/br/BR_PDF_ADM_2004.pdf

Posted By Peter Still
Swis,

Yes, Approved Doument M. Isn't that what I said?

I don't have access to Brian Scaddan's book, but I do have my own copy of the Wiring Regs thanks. I'd always recommend reading the text of standards rather than someone else's interpretation, but I will check with my colleague who is a member of JPEL 64, the BSI committee responsible for BS 7671.

Peter

Posted By Swis
Peter,

Brian Scaddan’s book I mentioned earlier is an approved book and is available on IHS. Also if you don’t mind Document M has more value than any British Standard.

Swis

Posted By Peter Still
Swis,

Approved by whom? Brian's book is available from many suppliers, but it is still just the author's interpretation of the standard, whereas the content of the standard represents a consensus of opinion among the technical experts who make up the relevant Working Group.
Brian Scaddan is a highly-respected trainer within the electrical industry, but his opinions carry no more weight than any of the other experts who has written guidance on the 17th edition wiring regs, BS 7671. BS 7671 does not contain recommended mounting heights other than the general one to avoid mechanical damage.
If there were a conflict beweeen them, then yes, an Approved Document would generally carry more weight than a British Standard, but since there is no obvious conflict I can't see the relevance of that.

Peter