Legal Minimum Number of Plug Sockets

With the ever-increasing number of appliances, chargers, and devices that we are plugging into our homes electrical system, many new homeowners are finding that there is an inadequate number of socket-outlets in their homes.

Whilst there is no legal requirement for a minimum number of electrical outlets in the wiring regulations or building regulations, there is a recommended minimum depending upon the size of the room. 

An increased number of socket outlets will mean less reliance on extension leads reducing the risk of overloading extension cords, fire risk and trip hazards. 

1) Electrical Safety First

The electrical charity Electrical Safety First is dedicated to reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by electricity across the UK.

They have calculated a recommended MINIMUM NUMBER OF PLUG SOCKETS (twin) per room that may be required given the room size and use of the room. The actual number may surprise you. 

https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/media/1204/guidance-on-minimum-provision-socketsv2.pdf 

Below is a table suggesting the minimum number of socket-outlets. This may help when having a rewire carried out or asking an electrician to install more plug sockets in your property.

2) Do too many plug sockets overload the fuse box?

No, having a large number of electrical outlets will not overload the fuse box, consumer unit or electrical panel. What DOES overload the circuit breaker, fuse box or trip switch is using too many appliances at the same time on the same electrical circuit. 

It is common to overload a 20-amp circuit that supplies a kitchen for example. In most kitchens there is a washing machine, dryer, toaster, kettle, oven, and other high-powered appliances. A 15-amp circuit or 16-amp circuit that powers one socket in a hallway is unlikely to ever become overloaded even with an extra socket outlet added later.

When lots of high-powered appliances are used together on an electrical circuit, there is a chance that an overload could occur and trip a circuit breaker. 

3) Can I use extension leads instead?

If you are attempting to use extension leads to power multiple appliances instead of having additional electrical outlets installed then STOP. First check the Extension Lead Overload Calculator provided by electrical safety first to see if you are overloading the lead. 

An extension lead is fused at 13 amps generally. 13 amps does not provide a great deal of power for hungry appliances like washers, dryers and other kitchen appliances and will lead to a burnt socket or electrical fire.

An extension lead should be viewed as a temporary supply solution to equipment that is not in use all the time and is not a replacement for the installation of additional socket outlets. 

4) How much can a double plug socket take?

A double plug socket in the UK can generally supply a maximum of 13 amps of electrical current. There are very few double plug sockets that can safely supply more than this. What does this mean?

Well it means that a tumble dryer AND a washing machine being used in the same double plug socket is likely to overheat the socket and cause a problem. 

13 amps is not a lot of electrical current when it comes to power hungry appliances with heating elements inside them. Don’t worry, most double plug sockets in your home will not be overloaded.

Television sets and floor lamps are likely to require less than 2 amps of electrical current together meaning that the two can safely be plugged into a twin socket. Plug sockets in the living room are unlikely to become overloaded for this reason. 

5) Can additional plug sockets be installed in older homes?

When electrical installation work is carried out, it must be done so in accordance with the wiring regulations (BS7671 UK) and the building regulations. The wiring regulations are an extensive guidance that electricians must follow to ensure that work is carried out safely.

Where you have a lack of mains sockets and would like new outlets installed, your electrician will need to carry out some checks on the wiring to ensure that the new installations will not adversely affect the older wiring. 

Your electrician will also need to ensure that the circuit is healthy and the earthing and bonding are sufficient in the property before carrying out further work. 

Electrical work should only be undertaken where the existing system is not in a poor condition. Your electrician will check that the circuit breakers are sufficient for the additions and may need to swap the fuse box/consumer unit if your electric equipment is out of date. 

6) How many additional plug sockets can I have?

Assuming that there are no power supply problems on the electrical circuit, it may be possible to install as many as you like. Where there is only a single socket in each room it is indicative of an older wiring system and it is recommended to have an electrical inspection carried out prior to works commencing. 

Electrical sockets are one of the most important electrical circuits in the home and the failure of this circuit causes havoc. Where an old wiring system exists, it may be necessary to rewire the circuit if you want many additional wall outlets added. 

Electrical systems do not last forever and the life of the installation can vary greatly with use, cable wear and tear and age.

Electrical appliances can place a high demand on wiring and as such the plug socket circuit is one of the first to fall into a dangerous state or fail. 

7) What is the maximum number of plug sockets?

There is no maximum number of plug sockets that are able to be installed at present in the UK under BS7671. 

We do need to think about what electronic equipment, home appliances and other equipment will be used on the plug socket circuit though. The use of such equipment may not overload a plug socket but may overload the electrical circuit. 

If you find that you need a massive amount of plug sockets, speak to your electrician. An electrician can rewire a property and divide the electrical system into different sections so no one section or “circuit” becomes overloaded. 

It is common to install a more powerful plug socket circuit into the kitchen where expected demand is high. As a reasonable provision, the kitchen should have its own plug socket circuit, the rest of the ground floor should have a dedicated circuit and the first floor its own plug socket circuit also. 

Where you have special requirements for your electrical installation, a home rewire is the best time to consider your needs and discuss with your electrical contractors.

8) Summary

Whilst electrical codes and regulations may not stipulate a minimum number of plug sockets that must be installed. Each electrical device should have its own electrical socket outlet ideally. 

A family with young children or teenagers will have different minimum requirements for their plug socket to fulfil their use of electrical equipment. Different rooms will demand different levels of power where additional outlets may become more necessary. 
Whilst there is no legal MINIMUM NUMBER OF PLUG SOCKETS if you have a serious lack of them in your home, a rewire may be better than adding multiple plug sockets onto an existing circuit.