double horizontal outlet for kitchen island

[AW10]

Chez AW10 has one of these https://www.screwfix.com/p/knightsbridge-fpr9ubcw-... in the middle of the kitchen island as fitted by the previous owner. I always thought it was an accident waiting to happen and that day arrived last week - my other half discovered that spilled single cream is a remarkably good conductor of electricity. Those outlets really don’t look ideal for a kitchen worksurface.

There’s a 2 gang box located in the centre of the island so my options are limited without replacing the work surface.

I’m tempted to replace it with https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/KBSK002.html installed so that the outlets face away from the area of most use thereby reducing the risk of the outlets getting splashed when using the mixer etc. Any thoughts? Or possible aesthetically acceptable alternates?

[bobthemonkey]

I think you've already come up with the least bad option - but you can get angled mounting blocks for 2 gang sockets, which can give you a bit of a choice in terms of angle and style, if it helps things blend in more.

If spills were the main concern, you could just use a 10mm spacer to raise the sockets a little proud of an errant liquid. Not pretty, but may be somewhat less noticeable.

[AW10]

Thank you - two good ideas there. Whatever I do I will need to seal the gap at the worksurface - I found a small puddle of cream in the bottom of the 2 gang box. I wasn’t home when it happened but I think the spill was more akin to a flood.

[bobthemonkey]

Just realised - if the original link you posted is the exact unit - they aren't switched plugs.

I'd want to make sure the replacements are ideally switched - or at the very least you have good access to a switch to isolate.

[GasEngineer]

It might be worth posting on the "Ask An Electrician" thread regarding the regulations on the positioning of a socket in a worktop. Especially if it is within splashing distance.

[sherman]

How about this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electrical-sockets-Waterp...

It has a raised lip but similar to whst you already have

[Tailender Investor]

I’d go with the flip design as suggested. Depends how much you want to spend but just to give you the idea.

https://www.appliancehouse.co.uk/evoline-backflip-...

Then I’d use some clear silicone sealant to make sure the cream can’t get anywhere in the future.

[Panamax]

No, no and no. Those sockets are an absolute disaster area. We had some and they were a complete PITA.

Without getting bogged down in detail, I recommend removing them completely and installing a neat blanking plate instead. For electrical connections fit one or more sensible double sockets vertically below counter level. Sure, you have to bend down a little to plug stuff in but it's a whole world better than the horizontal nonsense.

Those flappy covers are rubbish. Takes two hands to plug anything in. Just get rid.

[dundarach]

This looks okay to me.

https://www.officesupermarket.co.uk/products/nexus...



or with some nice huge sb sockets instead??

[AW10]

Panamax said:

No, no and no. Those sockets are an absolute disaster area. We had some and they were a complete PITA.

Without getting bogged down in detail, I recommend removing them completely and installing a neat blanking plate instead. For electrical connections fit one or more sensible double sockets vertically below counter level. Sure, you have to bend down a little to plug stuff in but it's a whole world better than the horizontal nonsense.

Those flappy covers are rubbish. Takes two hands to plug anything in. Just get rid.

Thanks for all of the replies. I went with this option and installed a single socket on the side with 2 USB charge points. The mains cables were more than long enough. One socket will more than serve our needs; the outlets were rarely used and then only one at a time. In the short term I've reinstalled the old socket to act as the blanking plate but it has no power.