Kitchen counter pop-up receptacles

[goldstar]

A colleague asked me if it was Code compliant to install pop-up receptacles on a kitchen counter surface. My first response was that it was not. But, then I found these on the Internet :

https://www.kitchenpowerpopups.com/p...caAjUKEALw_wcB

Any thoughts on doing this and getting past an inspection. Obviously they will have to be GFCI protected.

[480sparky]

You might run afoul of getting it accepted due to it being plug-n-cord connected. 400.12.

T&B used to make one that looks identical but was hard-wired. They discontinued them a few years back and it took me a lot of work to locate one for a hole in a c'top I had cut in.

[curt swartz]

Mockett makes several versions that are hardwired.
https://www.mockett.com

We just used this model for a project.
https://www.mockett.com/power-commun...cs103a-ee.html

[jeremy.zinkofsky]

Article 400 only applies to cords that are listed under UL 62, refer to 400.1 and Informative Annex A. The cord that comes with the pop-up receptacle is most likely listed under UL 817 and is not a flexible cord or cable. This means that you are allowed to conceal the power cord, run through members, etc.

Keep in mind what code cycle your municipality is under. The 2017 NEC corrected this discrepancy and placed cord sets and cord adapters under the scope of Article 400.

[jimmyglen]

The hangup can be is that the unit has to be UL listed as an assembly. Around St Louis this was debated very heavily by the AHJ and I think only the Hubbel unit was approved.

http://ecatalog.hubbell-wiring.com/p...l_WLFTS004.pdf

Check with you local AHJ before getting too far along

[jeremy.zinkofsky]

The hangup can be is that the unit has to be UL listed as an assembly. Around St Louis this was debated very heavily by the AHJ and I think only the Hubbel unit was approved.

http://ecatalog.hubbell-wiring.com/p...l_WLFTS004.pdf

Check with you local AHJ before getting too far along

Same can be said about any product in that it needs to be listed for its use. I was merely trying to point out that NEC 400 shouldn't be applied to this product.

[Dennis Alwon]

A colleague asked me if it was Code compliant to install pop-up receptacles on a kitchen counter surface. My first response was that it was not. But, then I found these on the Internet :

https://www.kitchenpowerpopups.com/p...caAjUKEALw_wcB

Any thoughts on doing this and getting past an inspection. Obviously they will have to be GFCI protected.

Yes it is compliant to have a pop up receptacle installed in the counter. However, if it is not direct wired someone could argue that the required outlet is under the counter and thus does not qualify as the compliant receptacle. The plug in version is really not much different than a plug strip.

[gaelectric]

I've used these. I see there is a direct wire and a cord connected.

http://www.lewelectric.com/kitchen-c...ntertop-boxes/

[PaulMmn]

Anything popping out of a kitchen countertop is going to be filled with grunge in a matter of months, if not days! One good spill of pancake batter...

How long will the 'pop-up' function continue to function without the spring breaking or rusting away? Then the only way to pop it up will be by sticking a knife in the gap around the fixture and prying it up.

[packersparky]

Article 400 only applies to cords that are listed under UL 62, refer to 400.1 and Informative Annex A. The cord that comes with the pop-up receptacle is most likely listed under UL 817 and is not a flexible cord or cable. This means that you are allowed to conceal the power cord, run through members, etc.

Keep in mind what code cycle your municipality is under. The 2017 NEC corrected this discrepancy and placed cord sets and cord adapters under the scope of Article 400.

400.12 does seem to apply to flexible cord sets and power supply cords.


Informational Note: UL 817, Cord Sets and Power-Supply Cords,
allows the use of flexible cords manufactured in accordance
with UL 62, Flexible Cords and Cables. See 400.10 and 400.12 for
flexible cords that are part of a listed cord set or power-supply
cord.

400.12 Uses Not Permitted. Unless specifically permitted in
400.10, flexible cables, flexible cord sets, and power supply
cords shall not be used for the following:
(1) As a substitute for the fixed wiring of

[jeremy.zinkofsky]

[COLOR=#333333]400.12 does seem to apply to flexible cord sets and power supply cords.[/COLOR]


[COLOR=#333333]Informational Note: UL 817, Cord Sets and Power-Supply Cords,[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]allows the use of flexible cords manufactured in accordance[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]with UL 62, Flexible Cords and Cables. See 400.10 and 400.12 for[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]flexible cords that are part of a listed cord set or power-supply[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]cord.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=#333333]400.12 Uses Not Permitted. Unless specifically permitted in[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]400.10, flexible cables, flexible cord sets, and power supply[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]cords shall not be used for the following:[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]

[/COLOR]What code year are you referring to?

400.12 does not exist in the 2014 NEC.

Either way, UL 817 products are not within the scope of 400.1 as they are not listed as flexible cords. So the entirety of article 400 can be ignored.

[480sparky]

400.12 does not exist in the 2014 NEC..

It's 400.8 there.

[jeremy.zinkofsky]

It's 400.8 there.

That only applies to flexible cords. Power cords and adapters listed under UL 817 are not flexible cords and are not restricted by 400.8.

[Dennis Alwon]

That only applies to flexible cords. Power cords and adapters listed under UL 817 are not flexible cords and are not restricted by 400.8.

I don't get this. A flexible cord can be a power cord...NO?

[jeremy.zinkofsky]

I don't get this. A flexible cord can be a power cord...NO?

It's all about the UL listing. All products, means and methods, etc. have to be listed for their use. This effectively categorizes or defines the difference between products. For example, the NEC doesn't combine the uses permitted for EMT and Rigid even though they are both conduit. They have different UL listings.

The listing classifies the product. So a UL 62 product is not the same as a UL 817, which is essentially what i am arguing.

To answer your question, a power cord can only be a flexible cord if it is listed under UL 62.