Re: British (european?) kitchen counter electric outlets

On 08/06/2024 23:53, Don Y 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?

That may be a side effect of stage sets not reflecting real life.
Historically you would have to go back to the 1960's or earlier to have as few as two mains sockets in a UK kitchen. My kitchen has 4x2 outlets above the bench and about 6 under it for fridge/freezer/washer/oven etc.
There certainly was a time when kitchens typically had only one high power socket outlet on the (hard wired in) main cooker switch. But we are talking of an era before rectangular plugs back when they were round pin. BS546 round pin was the more recent and before that Wylex which was -o- a regional abberration in the region where I grew up.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_power_plugs_and_sockets:_British_and_related_types

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.

That is no different in most of the UK. Sitcom sets don't always represent real life. That said you can find older UK kitchens with too few mains sockets. New build has to have a certain number. Those in regions prone to flooding also have to have them above a certain height.
(historically most were on the skirting board)
It has become more of a problem now that everyone has an iToy that needs charging on a daily basis. Trivial loads but many sockets needed.
--
Martin Brown