Re: British (european?) kitchen counter electric outlets

Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

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

 [...]

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.

Electric cookers are invariably wired-in permanently with their own
dedicated spur from the fuse box or consumer unit.  This is because UK
cookers have tended to be standalone units with (for intance) four top
rings, a grill and an oven.  With everything switched on (such as
preparing Christmas dinner) they can draw over 12 kW.

They must have a two-pole isolating switch located close to, but not
directly above, them.  Often these isolators also have a built-in single
socket which is handy for an electric kettle or similar appliance that
is used frequently and needs to be kept near the cooker.

In the last 20 years there has been a trend towards separate units in
different locations for the various function of a cooker, so some of the
lower-power units can be fed from a socket instead of being permanently
wired-in.

Refrigerators and microwave ovens will work off a 13 amp socket, so they
are rarely 'plumbed-in'   ...but the socket may be located on the wall
directly behind them and inacessible unless the appliance is moved out
first.

Washing machines and dishwashers are plumbed-in for water and waste but
they are usually restricted to 3 kW and will therefore work off a 13 amp
socket.  The arrangement of water hoses, taps and fittings close to a
240v power point is an uncomfortable one, but doesn't seem to cause much
trouble in practice.


I heard from a domestic appliance manufacturer with international sales
that the models for America, the UK and Europe differ in the design of
the casing.  The American models are designed to make more noise, as
this gives the impression they are powerful.  The UK models are quieter
to give the impression of efficiency and the European models are
super-quiet to give the impression of environmental friendliness.

I don't know how true that is, but it is an interesting view on national
psychology.


--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
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www.poppyrecords.co.uk