Each time when performing global repair work in the kitchen, the question arises of how to properly and conveniently arrange the kitchen outlets so that they are easy to reach and safe to use. The following are basic guidelines for how to properly, conveniently, and safely install them in your kitchen.
Location of outlets in the kitchen. General rules
As practice shows, the process of placing outlets should be guided by a simple instruction: what is not prohibited is allowed. For safety reasons, they must not be placed behind the enclosure of built-in appliances or inside cabinets with drawers. On the one hand, this is a good option to remove from sight those that the appliance will turn on once and will not turn off for a long time, however, in case of any malfunctions, you will have to unmount (or, in an emergency, break) half of the kitchen, to get to the inactive part. Placing outlets in the kitchen above a sink or stove is also strictly prohibited. This is due to fire safety requirements. Outlets can be installed anywhere else in the kitchen, most importantly, to make them convenient to use.
Socket for electric stove
Nowadays, when many high-rise buildings are being built, gas is rarely used in them, residents are forced to actively use electric stoves. Not the worst option, but most importantly - a safer one. But if a pipe is needed for a gas stove, then a place for an electric stove is where to connect it. It is recommended to install the electric stove at a distance of about one desktop from the outlet, and it should be placed itself no higher than 70 centimeters above the floor. In addition, in this option, you can consider the possibility of placing the outlet in the countertop in the kitchen. With this arrangement, it can always be easily reached, and since only one connection point is extremely rarely installed in the countertop, other household appliances can already be connected there. Sockets that are installed directly on the countertop come in different types, so check out all the offers in advance to choose the most convenient option.
Sockets for hoods
Since an extractor hood is located above the stove in most apartments, a connection point must also be provided for it. The location of the outlets in the kitchen under the hood is quite simple. It must be installed at a height of about 20-25 centimeters from the shelves and centimeters thirty to the right or left of the hood itself. With this placement, it will always be easily accessible and will not interfere. In addition, the hood is not always used, if necessary, the same outlet can be used to connect another household appliance and at the same time will not lose its functionality.
Sockets for the dishwasher
Why mess with dirty dishes if you can install a dishwasher? The correct location of the outlets in the kitchen is such that for convenient connection of the dishwasher, it must be installed on the opposite side from the water pipe leading to the machine, about 70 centimeters above the floor to the left or right of the dishwasher itself (depending on where the pipe is located) . By placing the connection location in this way, you will significantly increase the usability and safety of the kitchen. In addition, this outlet can also serve another service. The dishwasher does not turn on all the time, there is no need for a constantly on state. That is, in the same connector you can connect another household appliance that is needed right now.
Sockets for other equipment
It is no secret that the number of household appliances used in the kitchen is growing from year to year. At the same time, the need for more connection points is constantly growing. The location of the outlets in the kitchen before did not allow the active use of most appliances at the same time. But if you arrange a repair, then this problem should be solved. For example, in the opposite side of the kitchen, where there is no sink, stove, cooker hood and other electrical appliances, you can install many outlets that will be used to connect a TV, fan or any other appliances that might be needed in the kitchen anyway. This immediately removes many problems, starting with the ability to watch any programs or films directly in the kitchen during cooking or eating food and ending with the banal charging of the phone. In another case, he would have to be charged in another room and, if necessary, answer the call, run there (and this is on condition that if you even hear the call when the devices are working).
The height of the outlets in the kitchen
If you have small children, then they will certainly climb into the outlet with your fingers. That is why all connection points that are not in hard-to-reach spots should be placed as high as possible. With age, children will understand that it’s not worthwhile to climb to the outlet with your hands, and the problem will be solved by itself, but for those who already have small children or just planning to have them, the general recommendation is to place them so that the child does not grow up I could get there. By the way, in this option, the sockets in the countertop in the kitchen will also be an ideal place. The child will not be able to reach them soon and therefore will be safe.
Planning
Before proceeding directly to the repair, you should first imagine (or rather depict it on paper) not only where and what kind of furniture will stand, but also where which outlets will be installed in the kitchen. The location of photos within the framework, accessories, video equipment can be changed, you can change the location of furniture, but changing the location of the connection points of this equipment is a whole thing that will result in another full-scale repair when you could still do without it. The location of half the furniture and household appliances in the house most often depends on where your sockets will be located. If you cannot plan all the necessary elements for a successful repair yourself, it’s better to overpay a little and hire a specialist who will do everything himself. Thus, you will be spared the need to arrange a new repair only because part of the outlets is simply not installed where it was required.
Dependence on kitchen furniture
A lot of things in terms of placing points of connection of household appliances in the kitchen depends on what kind of kitchen furniture will be used. If you make a special order, then it should take into account the location of outlets in the kitchen, their number, safety and much more. It is quite another thing when the choice falls on a certain set of kitchen furniture. Its manufacturer has already done everything for you, he himself calculated where and how much what is needed so that the furniture produced can be used with maximum efficiency. So in this option you just need to indicate in the house where to do the wiring and where to output what, and after the arrival of the kitchen furniture directly - just connect everything. It is recommended to pre-evaluate various types of sets of similar furniture from different manufacturers and “try on” them in your kitchen. Perhaps the option that you liked first will not be very functional (and this is the main thing in the kitchen) or simply will not fit into the rest of the decor. It should be borne in mind that the layout of the outlets in the kitchen for each set of furniture has its own, so that the start of repair with an indication of the installation locations of the outlets should be done only after the headset is selected. Well, of course, if you use old furniture, which is not a pity to spoil, sockets can also be installed wherever convenient for you (of course, given safety precautions).
Summary
Given all of the above, we can conclude that correctly (and most importantly, safely) located outlets significantly facilitate kitchen work, allow you to swap furniture, household items, etc. without having to connect long and uncomfortable carryings. When planning repairs, you must definitely remember to plan their installation locations, the number and height at which they will be located. Indeed, in one place the outlet should be installed higher so that the child does not get, and in the other - lower, since it is more convenient, and it will be hidden by other parts of the furniture. In general, if possible, it is better to hire a specialist, and not invent it yourself. He already knows a lot of nuances that you have no idea about, and can always suggest, explain or warn something.