How to Fit a Pop Up Socket

Here's how to fit a pop up socket for UK plugs with USB ports in a laminate kitchen worktop. It's relatively easy, but there's a few things to bear in mind.

If you have limited plug sockets in your kitchen or office space, then a stylish pop up socket could be your answer. This one we bought from Amazon has been perfect for our utility where plug sockets are hidden behind the kitchen units for appliances.

I fitted a large L corner shaped laminate worktop here which has been a great working space. In fact, it's one of my favourite places. I either for laundry, many crafts like lino printing t-shirts and food photography and videos for Tastefully Vikkie.

It's not a space we need anything plugged in permanently. So to have a pop up plug socket with a USB port to also charge my phone, then push down to hide has been a dream come true. However, drilling a hole through a worktop can come with stress, because one wrong decision and you've had it.

What Is a Pop Up Socket?

A pop up socket is like a 3 or 4 way adapters socket. Or, also known as an extension lead. But it's usually recessed into a kitchen worktop, kitchen island or office desk and sometimes board rooms. You might find it installed in a DIY workshop shed useful too.

They usually come with a pop-up function, either manual or electric that can pop-up or be concealed and flush with a surface.

Going back to pop up power sockets for kitchen worktops, they can be fitted in various different materials. Such as laminate, granite, quartz, metal and concrete. Note: the hole saw I use is only for laminate/wood.

How Do Pop Up Sockets Work?

First, there are many types of pop up sockets you can buy and in various shapes and sizes. And offering completely different functions. But most, as a basic necessity, have a selection of plug sockets and 12v USB sockets for charging our mobile phones.

In this post, I'll be showing you how to fit a basic pop up socket that plugs directly into the mains. But many have a disc that you that push down to reveal the middle section where you can pull it up to use. And once done, you can push it down and hide it.

A pop up socket still needs to get electricity, which is usually from a hidden plug, either hard wired or plugged in. And to remove a pop up socket, you'll find shortly that it is exactly the same as fitting, but in reverse.

Which Pop Up Socket Should I Buy?

Before deciding which pop up socket you should buy, you'll need to work out what you want from it. We are happy with a few light powered appliances plugged in for charging things. But there are many different ones available, such as:

• Pop up electrical sockets with wireless charger
• Or a pop up socket with usb ports
• Alternatively, a pop up socket with bluetooth speaker

Also, before cutting any hole in your worktop, you need to decide whether you have or can have a plug socket to connect it to. And what amp will you be plugging into it? You may need it to be hard wired by an electrician to prevent overloading a basic one and possibly causing a fire.

Also, if you're at looking at a pop up worktop socket, I personally think they're only great for things you need to plug in as and when. Such as a hand whisker or blender. They're very useful, but not attractive if left out all of the time, so perhaps just extra wall outlets is a better option?

What Tools Do I Need to Fit a Pop Up Socket?

• Selection of hole saws *I used the 90mm in the end *This is for wood only
• Pull/ pop up kitchen worktop Desk 3 power socket with 2 USB ports
• Stanley Fatmax combi drill
• Masking tape
• Dust mask and goggles

Please note, if you're fitting a pop up socket in to granite or quartz (which I have never done), a google search says that a diamond hole saw is better. Obviously, you'll need to do your own research.

As for concrete, then it may be best to form it in if possible, such as allowing the concrete to set around a hole shaped template.

What Pop Up Socket Hole Size Do I Need?

When fitting your pop up socket, one of the challenges you will face is finding out what hole size you need. This is exactly why we bought this hole saw that includes a selection of sizes for trial and error.

Each pop up socket is different, so I recommend you try cutting and fitting your pop up socket on off cuts first. NEVER do your first attempt directly on your best stuff.

Where Should I Place My Pop Up Socket?

Unfortunately you can't just cut a hole anywhere in your worktop or desk. There's a few things you need to bear in mind and check local regulations in your area. For example:

• Check the length of your pop up socket cable and whether it can reach your outlet
• Make sure your socket is 30cm away from a sink *Note I read this for vertical sockets, but may still apply
• Allow clearance underneath for the screw section of your pop up socket
• If you're cutting into a corner kitchen worktop, remember, the unit may have a gap underneath, so sometimes drilling a hole underneath first is best
• Don't create a weakness in your surface by cutting a hole too close to an edge

What If a Cut the Wrong Hole Size?

If you've cut the wrong size in your worktop, then it will be incredibly difficult to correct. This is why you need to do test cuts first to prevent mistakes. The drill bit in your hole saw plays a very important part to keep your drill steady.

If you're hole is too small or tight, you can either:

• File down with a rasp
• Or try gluing the disk you cut back to the worktop with strong, then re-drilling

If you've cut a hole too big, then you're better off looking for a slightly larger pop up socket for the lip to overlap. Or you may need to fit a new worktop as a last resort.

Do I Need to Pre Drill a Hole First?

If you'll be working with a brand new hole saw with a fresh drill bit attached, then you probably won't need to pre-drill first. Note, it's VITAL you use a hole saw with one.

But if your hole saw is quite old, you drill bit may be worn. If this is the case, you may want to drill a hole first with a same size drill bit. So, for example, above I did a test with a 10mm flatwood drill bit.

How to Fit Pop Up Sockets

So now that you know whether I think pop up sockets are any good, I'll show you how to fit a pop up socket yourself.

The first thing you must do is test on a piece of wood. Luckily I always save my offcuts, including a piece of laminate to see what to expect and whether my tools were sufficient.

I also suggest pretending this is your final cut for a true idea, such as masking tape well where you'll cut.

And once you get close to cutting all the way through, stop and continue the reverse. That is, providing your drill bit has poked through so you can ensure you're cutting in the same place.

As you do get closer, you don't want the base of the hole saw to smack your worktop and damage it. Also, your combi drill may struggle and keep cutting out.

This could either be:

• a flat battery as it's not the quickest of jobs and requires patience
• Or you're not keeping your drill straight

Once you've cut your test hole, thread the pop up socket in and do a test fit by screwing tight. I don't recommend the hole being too tight so you can allow some slight room for expansion in the heat.

Going For Gold While Fitting a Pop Up Socket

If you haven't read the above notes, I urge you to do it now before you make a mistake.

But for our real cut into our worktop, my trial cuts helped give me an idea what to expect and avoid.

With this being a corner unit, I also measured the distance inside and marked them on top of masking tape as ours is 15cm off the wall. So don't let a worktop covering a gap mislead you. We also have pipes here for the washing machine and sink and it was important I avoided them.

After marking for my drill bit, I kept my combi drill straight and didn't put too much pressure on it to avoid burning.

I also took my time and got as comfortable as I could be as it took around 10 minutes to cut through.

Then stopped before I cut all the way through, where the drill bit had poked through the opposite side.

Cutting From Underneath You Worktop

First, if you can't see a hole from your drill bit on the reverse, then you haven't drilled deep enough from the good side.

If you can, then simply finish the last cuts from here. It may mean awkwardly squeezing in to a cupboard like I did!

Don't apply too much pressure and let the drill do the work. If you've drilled enough, this should take less than a minute.

Fitting Your Pop Up Socket

Once you've cut your hole and peeled away your masking tape, it's time to slot your pocket hole in.

Before plugging it in, you'll also need to thread the screw section on to trap or sandwich your pop up socket to the kitchen worktop.

It helps if you have a spare pair of hands to tighten the screw under the kitchen counter while you aim your pop up socket where you want it.

How to Fit a Pop Up Socket In a Desk

Below, I also fitted one in my DIY treadmill desk. Note, this will always been in a pop up position.

But because I knew I had a lot of framework I wanted to avoid clashing with my plug socket, I started drilling from underneath.

This was, just until the drill bit appeared which was a very quick job due to the plywood being 15mm thick. Much thinner than the kitchen worktop.

So, it's exactly like how I fitted my pop up socket in kitchen worktop, but in reverse.

I stopped drilling immediately once the drill bit poked through, then continued from the good side. Although I didn't use masking tape, I still recommend it.

This is where I noticed, once I'd cut through the base of the hole saw smacked and scuffed my plywood. I wasn't that concerned as plywood is cheap to replace AND it's covered by the pop up socket's lip.

I absolutely love my pop up socket is in my desk because I can never have enough USB ports for charging my phone and other devices.

If you want a helping hand, you can follow along with me in my Pop Up Socket Installation video.

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More Fitting a Kitchen Projects

You can find my complete list of fitting a kitchen projects here.