Adequate Provision
of Electrical Socket
Outlets in the Home
Adequate Provision
of Electrical Socket Outlets
in the Home
INTRODUCTION
The increased use of home electronics and entertainment systems has led to the situation that, not only are homeowners
using extension leads for their TV area but also for many other areas in their homes. An increased number of socket
outlets is always preferred by homeowners and clients; surveys have shown that 50% of new homeowners require
additional socket outlets within twelve months of purchase of a new dwelling.
History
A Report of the Electrical Installation Industry Liaison Committee (EIILC), first published in 1977, made proposals
for the minimum number of socket-outlets, which should be provided in homes.
These proposals were made particularly on the grounds of safety - safety for the user, the installation itself, the
home and of property - and for maintaining that level of safety during the life of the installation whilst allowing for
the changing needs of the user.
This EIILC report has been extended to also cover the minimum requirements for existing and foreseen standards of
living and the use of electrical and electronic equipment in the average home.
The use of such equipment in the home has increased dramatically as can be seen from the chart overleaf. The
minimum requirements advocated in this Report are to be found in Table 1 which covers all types of dwelling e.g.
public housing, affordable housing and private development.
INCREASED USE OF ELECTRICAL CONSUMER EQUIPMENT
The chart opposite illustrates the significant increase in consumer equipment, which has driven the need for increased
number of socket-outlets.
Three or more television sets in one home are commonplace together with home entertainment systems, DVD/video
recording equipment - which usually remains plugged in - and also the use of home computers and peripheral devices.
In the last seven years the use of electrical equipment in dwellings has increased dramatically as shown. Some electric
equipment which was formerly battery operated is now available in a mains/battery form and this equipment often
remains connected to the mains via its charger.
SAFETY
It has already been stated that the number of socket-outlets being advocated is primarily on the grounds of safety. The
resulting dangers of not having sufficient socket-outlets may be summarised as follows:
• ‘do-it yourself’ extension to the circuit will be attempted
• DIY extension to the flex of the equipment
• Cascading (daisy chaining) of extension leads
• Inappropriate stacking of adaptors
All of the above will create potential hazards, namely risk of electric shock or injury and damage to property through fire.
CONSUMER DURABLES
79% OF HOUSEHOLDS HAVE A MOBILE PHONE
Percentage of households with selected consumer durables, UK
Reproduced by courtesy of the Office of National Statistics - Social Trends 2006
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS: BUILDING REGULATIONS
Electrical installation work carried out in dwellings in England and Wales is subject to BS 7671
IEE Wiring Regulations and to Part P of the Building Regulations which requires that:
“Reasonable provision shall be made in the design and installation of electrical installations in order to protect
persons operating, maintaining or altering installations from fire or injury”.
Electrical installation work carried out in dwellings in Scotland is subject to the Scottish Building
Standard which requires that:
“Every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that electric lighting points and socket outlets are
provided to ensure the health, safety and convenience of occupants and visitors”.
Guidance to the Scottish Building Standard gives only minimum recommendations; the numbers in table 1 below,
will enable compliance whilst providing improved flexibility and safety.
ADEQUATE PROVISION OF SOCKET-OUTLETS
An inadequate number of socket-outlets will lead to an increased hazard due to the consumer being encouraged to cascade
extension leads and / or stack adaptors.
This can be avoided by ensuring that an adequate number of socket-outlets as stated in this guide are installed and suitably located.
There is now a legal requirement under Part M of the Building Regulations that reasonable provision shall be made for people to(a) gain access to; and
(b) use the building and its facilities.
Clearly if socket-outlets are not conveniently located they will not be used. They need to be suitably distributed around the
room, due account being taken of furniture, electrical equipment and future change of use.
RECOMMENDED MINIMUM NUMBER OF SOCKET-OUTLETS FOR DWELLINGS
Table 1 - Minimum Number of twin Socket Outlets to be provided in Homes
Room Type
Smaller Rooms
(Up to 12m2)
Medium Rooms
Larger Rooms
(12-25m2)
(More than 25m2)
Main Living Room (see Note 4)
4
6
8
Dining Room
3
4
5
Single Bedroom (see Note 3)
2
3
4
Double Bedroom (see Note 3)
3
4
5
Bedsitting Room (see Note 6)
4
5
6
Study
4
5
6
Utility Room
3
4
5
Kitchen (see Note 1)
6
8
10
Garages (see Note 2)
2
3
4
Conservatory
3
4
5
Hallway
1
2
3
Loft
1
2
3
Locations containing a Bath or Shower (see note 5)
1
2
3
Note: With certain exceptions, all socket-outlets are required to be protected by a 30mA RCD in accordance with BS 7671
(IEE Wiring Regulations).
Notes:
It is recommended that wall mounted socket-outlets above
a work surface are spaced at not more than 1 metre
intervals along the surface.
2. GARAGE - The number of socket-outlets specified allows
for the use of a battery charger, tools, portable light and
garden appliances.
3. BEDROOM - It is envisaged that this room will be used in
different ways in different households. It may be used
simply as a child’s bedroom requiring socket-outlets for
table lamps, an electric blanket and a electric heater only;
or it may serve as a teenager’s bedroom and living room
combined, where friends are entertained. In this case,
socket outlets may be needed for computers (printers,
scanners, speakers etc), games consoles, MP3/4 players,
4. HOME ENTERTAINMENT - In addition to the number of
socket-outlets shown in the table it is recommended that at
least two further double socket outlets are installed in
home entertainment areas.
5. LOCATIONS CONTAINING A BATH OR SHOWER - Socketoutlets other than SELV socket-outlets and shaver supply
units complying with BS EN 61558-2-5 are prohibited
within a distance of 3 m horizontally from the boundary of
zone 1 e.g. 230V socket-outlets in a bathroom must be
installed a minimum 3 m from the edge of the bath, BS
7671 (IEE Wiring Regulations) refers.
6. BEDSITTING ROOM - Rooms specifically designed or
envisaged to be used as student bedsitting rooms should
be provided with additional socket-outlets which may be
needed since persons using these rooms will often
introduce other portable appliances in addition to items
already mentioned in Note 3. In such situations a lack of
sufficient socket-outlets is an additional danger and
therefore the minimum number of twin outlets should be
increased to 4.
Electrical Contractors’ Association, ESCA House, 34 Palace Court, London, W2 4HY
Tel 020 7313 4800 Fax 020 7221 7344 Email info@eca.co.uk www.eca.co.uk
The ECA Logo is a Registered Collective Mark
Appliances built into kitchen furniture (integrated
appliances) should be connected to a socket-outlet or
switch fused connection unit that is accessible when the
appliance is in place and in normal use. Alternatively,
when an appliance is supplied from a socket-outlet or a
connection unit, these should be controlled by an accessible
double pole switch or switched fused connection unit.
mobile phone chargers, DVD players, digital receivers,
home entertainment systems (amplifiers, CD player)
hairdryer, television and radio, in addition to lamps, an
electric blanket and electric heater.
P14890803
1. KITCHEN - If a socket-outlet is provided in the cooker
control unit, this should not be included in the 6
recommended in the table above.