Re: British (european?) kitchen counter electric outlets

On 6/8/2024 11:57 PM, Liz Tuddenham wrote:

Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:
 

In the US, we are required (new construction) to have two dedicated 20A
(2400W) circuits to service countertop "small appliances".  In addition,
there is also a requirement for a relatively tight spacing between
(duplex) receptacles -- the intent to keep cords short (IIRC, < 4ft...
we settled on 3').
>
SWMBO was watching a britcom and commented at how few receptacles/outlets
were in evidence to serve the countertop.  Granted, each outlet is rated a
fair bit higher than US (each US outlet being 2400W -- the full load rating
of the branch circuit supporting it).  But, still, how do you address
NUMBERS of appliances in use, concurrently -- where each appliance will
likely draw only a fraction of the rated branch circuit's current so
total load isn't an issue?
>
E.g., we (presently) have a ~1KW microwave oven and a ~1KW toaster as
ever-present loads.  To that, it is not uncommon to add an electric
wok, hand or stand mixer, pizzelle iron, etc.  The abundance of
outlets makes it easy to add appliances as well as providing flexibility
over where they can be put into use.

 We tend to skimp on the number of socket outlet plates in buildings, but
they are usually doubles, each with its own switch.

Yes, I've seen that.  And, they are *huge* (comparatively speaking;
a duplex receptacle, here, is a ~1x~3 inch device about an inch thick).
Ours also reside *in* the wall; I seem to remember the ones in England
were "on" the wall (?)

There are generally
fewer electrical gadgets in UK kitchens and those which are used less
often are stored away in cupboards and only brought out and plugged in
when needed, so a smaller number of outlets is usually sufficient.

Any "major appliances" (stove/oven, dishwasher, refrigerator) tend to
have dedicated outlets (and dedicated circuits).  I suspect a
microwave oven would be the most common appliance that is constantly
powered in a US kitchen.
Many appliances have very short power cords -- on the order of ~18-24".
So, an appliance tends to be plugged into a receptacle immediately
"behind" its place on the counter (even if not permanently stored there).
Long cords that could cross a sink or stove(top) are discouraged.
E.g., our toaster has an 18" cord as does my pizzelle iron.  But,
the hand mixer and stand mixers probably have 4' chords (?).
A toaster *oven* would similarly have a short cord as would the
electric frying pans and wok.
Our ice cream maker probably has a 2 ft cord as would a rice cooker
or bread maker.
I intentionally arranged the receptacles serving the counter tops
such that it was obvious as to which outlets were on each branch
circuit and a duplex of each circuit would be available in each
"prep area".

We also have socket strips which plug into wall sockets and give four or
six outlets (normally unswitched) for lighter loads.  This is helpful
for temporary arrangements where more sockets are needed in a hurry -
but tends to become permanent, leading to a maze of wires behind the
furniture.  The strip is plugged into a normal wall socket with a fused
plug, so if it is overloaded, the fuse will blow and protect it.

We have similar strips but I have never seen one deployed in a kitchen.
In general, the intent is for folks to use the in-wall mounted receptacles
without introducing other "extension cords".  I think newer construction
deliberately increases the density of outlets in rooms as there are
more and more electric (electronic) devices encountered -- esp things
with wall warts (that consume an outlet without using a lot of power).

Because the UK voltage is double the US voltage, the UK current is half
the US current for the same power, so our wiring tends to be lighter
gauge but we are much stricter on preventing electric shock.

The kitchen requires the use of GFCI-protected outlets (or branch circuits).
The same requirement doesn't extend through the rest of the  house (excepting
the bathrooms/garage/outdoors), though.
AFCI-protected outlets are becoming more common in bedrooms but their
goal is to reduce risk of fire.
My motivation for moving everything to PoE PSE/PDs was to get rid of the
growing number of small power supplies/wall warts/bricks that are proliferating
in homes.  E.g., you can purchase duplex receptacles with built-in 5V USB
power sources -- but, I don't think this increases outlet availability as
you still have to mate the USB cable to the receptacle which can interfere
with the plugging of a power cord.