Are unswitched sockets allowed?

Modified on Mon, 22 Jan at 10:57 AM

Unswitched sockets are allowed when there is another means of isolation; for example, 

a washing machine under a counter could be plugged into an unswitched single socket which could then be isolated via a fused isolation switch above the counter

Please note that unswitched sockets are not illegal, but they are not commonly used in homes for a variety of reasons. As the socket is always ‘live’, this can cause safety concerns if for any reason it needs to be quickly disconnected. The main reason that we have switched sockets is to isolate power to a circuit .

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