Socket Outlet Under Sink, Electrical Near to Water

May 2024

1) Is a plug socket under a sink safe?

Whilst plug sockets in bathrooms are generally not allowed with some exceptions, plug sockets in kitchens are common place and frequently they are installed under the sink inside the cupboard. After all, where would we plug the washing machine in if not there?

Not every plug socket under the sink is going to be safe but if carried out in accordance with the wiring regulations and some common sense then a SOCKET UNDER A SINK can be safe. 

Similarly, a consumer unit or electrical panel can sometimes be installed in bathrooms, toilets or kitchens but only under specific circumstances.

2) What about pipes and utilities in the way?

There are numerous wiring regulations in BS7671 (The Big Book of Electrical Regulations) that would be relevant to any plug socket installed under the sink. For example, regulation 132.12 tells us that, as electricians, we have to allow sufficient space and accessibility for the installation, testing and future maintenance of any electrical equipment. 

Installing a plug socket that we know will later be absolutely covered with pipework is a breach of the regulations as it may be difficult or impossible to access the plug socket again once the pipework has been installed.

The photograph below shows a water pipe installed directly in front of an electrical socket. Chicken and the egg problem, which came first?

The plug socket cannot be removed, it simply will not come off. This situation is likely to be unsafe. The socket cannot be removed for testing, inspection, and maintenance. If a leak affected this socket, replacing it would be impossible. Plug sockets do occasionally need to be removed.

3) What about the socket getting wet?

Generally, the location under the kitchen sink is not a wet location. If it were, we would not store anything in that cupboard at all for risk of mould, mildew, and damage. The risk of the socket becoming soaked because of water leak is possibly no more a risk than any other socket in the property suffering as a result of a water leak. 

If we consider where all the pipes for our heating system may be installed, it is quite likely that several electrical sockets may be affected in the event of a burst water pipe and water escape! The waste water plumbing for our bath and shower could burst at any moment and flood the room underneath when the bath is emptied.

4) What is the worry about kitchen sockets under a sink?

Single or Double sockets can be installed underneath a kitchen sink as long as compliance with the wiring and building regulations is achieved. A professional electrician will be the best person to contact to ask advice. 

A NICEIC or NAPIT registered electrician may by the best choice to carry out installation work such as this. 

Installing a plug socket under a sink in the kitchen is not too different from installing a socket in another kitchen cabinet in terms of relative danger.

5) How close can electrics be to pipes?

This is a very good question. There is mention in the wiring regulations of the proximity of electrical systems to other services. 

Regulation 528.3.4 states that where an electrical service is located in close proximity to other non-electrical services, we should ensure that the wiring system will be adequately protected against the hazards likely to arise from the other services present in normal use. 

Normal use of pipes would mean very little to no risk of water entering the electrical system. 

Care should obviously be taken to ensure the cables were a safe distance away from water pipes. This is to prevent heat from pipes affecting cables and any entanglement problems that may cause mechanical damage or stress to either pipes or cables. 

6) What about an Electric Socket in a Bathroom?

An electrical socket under a sink in a bathroom or almost anywhere in a bathroom is usually a BIG NO! 

Where a room contains a bath or a shower it is considered a special location electrically speaking. What does this mean? Well, it means that special safety measures should be followed to minimise the risk of electric shock in these areas.

The photograph below shows one of the wall sockets very close to a sink. This double plug socket isn’t the only problem believe me. The OTHER problem is that the double socket is TOO CLOSE to the bath and the shower. This room was previously a bedroom that was converted into an en-suite bathroom at which point, the existing socket became dangerous.

An electric socket in a bathroom needs to be installed at a safe distance away from baths and showers. The distance is set out in the wiring regulations which change regularly. The minimum distance is currently 2.5 metres from Zone 1 in the bathroom. 
This means that most bathrooms CANNOT have a plug socket installed within the room as many bathrooms will simply be too small to comply with this requirement.

7) Electric Shock Risk

Wet electrical outlets present a serious risk of electrical shock. Similarly electrical appliances that are used too close to water are likely to be an electric shock risk. Sometimes the kitchen layout will not be ideal but care should be taken to ensure that pop-up sockets and wall sockets are kept a reasonable distance away from the kitchen sink.

A wet hand pulling a plug top out or inserting a plug top into a socket is likely to increase the risk of electric shock. It is actually less likely that you will receive a shock from a SOCKET UNDER A SINK compared with a plug socket NEAR THE SINK. You are more likely to use a wet hand above the sink cupboard than IN the sink cupboard.

8) Water Supply in Kitchens

Some common sense is the best solution if you are concerned about water and electrics being in close proximity. In all likelihood the socket under the sink is not going to cause a problem and is an ideal position to plug in new dishwashers or other kitchen appliances. 

Installing a socket BEHIND an appliance is likely to lead to problems if the appliance ever needs to be unplugged whereas the socket under the sink is easily accessible.

If redesigning the kitchen or installing a new kitchen, try to ensure that the plumber and the electrician talk to each other to discuss who is running pipes and cables in what location. This is the best way of ensuring these two services remain separated and that electrical devices don’t end up too close to sink areas.

9) Is a Wet Outlet Dangerous?

Electrical currents will flow easier when there is water present. Any electrical work being carried out should take account of the conditions under which the equipment will operate on a day-to-day basis. Installing plug socket too near to the sink is likely to result in:

• A wet outlet and wiring 
• Risk of Short Circuits 
• Risk of Electrical Fire and Crackling Sockets 
• Possible Water Damage

Small kitchens are more likely to present a challenge for the mode of installation faced by electricians. The less space there is to install equipment, the closer sockets are likely to be to water sources and the increase in the risk of wet electrical sockets occurring.

10) Summary

Whilst a SOCKET UNDER A SINK is not necessarily dangerous, it is important for electricians to consider the specific circumstances for each installation. Live electrics should be installed to minimise the risk of damage, electric shock, and fire. RCD protection is vital for plug sockets and electrics in special locations such as bathrooms. 

Personal preference and aesthetics are important in your home so discuss where sockets can and cannot be installed with your local professional electrician.