An Island bench and power points

MJ · Oct 23, 2007 10:01 pm

We are looking to put an island bench into our home (currently designing) and wondering what the go is for power points to an Island bench.

We want a flat bench with the sink in it. We are expecting the bench to be stone (ie Silestone) and around 3m long.

All the display homes we have seen with Island benches do not have power points on them.

Do people have them? Are they on the side?

A friend also mentioned that he saw a picture that had a power point that "popped up" out of the bench. Sounds a cool idea.

Any comments out there?

Thanks,
MJ

First_Timer_Ray · Oct 23, 2007 10:10 pm

Yep, we will have an island bench (yet to be installed) and we have added a double powerpoint that will sit on the vertical plane of the cabinet just under the benchtop on the side/end. We decided that position would be where we would use appliances like a blender, bamix, sandwich press, etc so it made sense. It was only the cost of the powerpoint extra (possibly because there was already power needed for the island bench as the dishwasher is under the sink there).

Ray.

commodorenut · Oct 23, 2007 10:14 pm

Check out office fitout mobs - I've seen desks in a few businesses now with pop up panels (hinged) that house power points & data ports. When nothing is plugged in you can simply push it back down flush.

I've helped install a few DIY kitchens with friends, and they have had power points in the island bench (one even housed the dishwasher &sink too).

Generally the end of the cupboards, just below the level of the bench is the easiest place to put them, or just inside a cupboard door, on a surface mounting block. This is convenient for things used infrequently like a mixer or electric carving knife, but no good for a kettle, as you need to leave the door open (or ajar) to allow for the cord.

Michelle · Oct 23, 2007 10:16 pm

Rays right…..they will run the electrical cable under or through your floor.

Yak_Chat · Oct 23, 2007 10:16 pm

Going through similar design issues myself at present.

i like the idea of the pop ups but don;tlike the idea of junk - Kitchens can be messy places - falling into the popup surounds.

I'm going for double points at the ends and also one in the centre of the bench which I may hide inside a cupboard and leave a little gap to fit a cable through so it's concealed.

The thread on pop ups is here

http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=2428&start=0

Steve

MaylandsManor · Oct 23, 2007 10:17 pm

steve, you read my mind with that thread. here is link for the powerpoints I found back when we were having that discussion

http://www.formfittings.com.au/eclipse.htm

Helen

mattwalker · Oct 23, 2007 10:33 pm

I have elected for no exposed powerpoints in my island bench, however the dishwasher is in there and the sink as well. The power is there for later if I change my mind...

VJ · Oct 23, 2007 10:54 pm

We will be having the same island bench as Matt (100mm sides), so the electrical consultant didn't advise us to have powerpoints at the side.

We just put all power points to the other side of the bench where the upright cooker is.

MJ · Oct 23, 2007 11:04 pm

Thanks all for the wonderful info, fast and to the point.

Very helpful.

MJ

commodorenut · Oct 23, 2007 11:12 pm

The ones I was thinking of work like this one:
http://www.formfittings.com.au/roundbrass.htm

However they have additional data points as well.

Perhaps a single pop-up is all you need on a benchtop?

MJ · Oct 23, 2007 11:21 pm

Anyone know if there is any issues if the sink is also on the island bench?

Aus safety standards stop you from it, or do you need to be X away from the sink?

Thanks,

MJ

Dukekamaya · Oct 24, 2007 7:24 pm

commodorenut

Check out office fitout mobs - I've seen desks in a few businesses now with pop up panels (hinged) that house power points & data ports.

Illegal in a kitchen :wink:

off2theburbs · Oct 24, 2007 9:16 pm

i wish i had known about these pop ups months ago, oh well i guess i can still get it changed at a later point. They look so much better than having to look at a powerpoint on the bench

MJ · Oct 24, 2007 9:53 pm

Dukekamaya

commodorenut

Check out office fitout mobs - I've seen desks in a few businesses now with pop up panels (hinged) that house power points & data ports.

Illegal in a kitchen :wink:

Is that true? Is it a building regulation/safety thing? Too close to water/liquids?

Dukekamaya · Oct 25, 2007 9:48 pm

Exactly, could you imagine something getting spilt with a power point right there.