Trumpy,
Did/do the NZ rules just specify a certain number of outlets for a room, or did they state in more detail exactly where those receptacles must be located? (Similar to the American NEC).
Placement of outlets seems to vary considerably. Kitchen counters excepted, outlets in the U.K. have tended to be mounted fairly low down and most people seem to like them that way (although there has been concern in more recent years that such placement makes it much more difficult for the elderly and disabled).
In many cases I've marked out for outlets to go about 18" above floor level and people have complained that they'll be too high and asked for them to be fitted lower.
In France, on the other hand, it seems to be quite accepted for receptacles to be located at about the same height as a light switch. (In some houses, a couple of receptacles adjacent to the light switches seems to be all that's provided.)
The worst cases of placement in England were the houses where surface-mount receptacles were simply screwed onto a fairly low baseboard. They would be easily hit by vacuum cleaners and such like, and I've seen some fitted so close to the floor that it was practically impossible to insert a plug with anything thicker than a lamp cord!
[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 04-01-2003).]
