Kitchen Islands 2023 NEC

[infinity]

The 2023 no longer requires receptacles to serve the island countertop as long as some provisions are provided to add then in the future. This requirement is vague so what are inspectors actually enforcing out there in the field? For something like on a island on a slab a spare cable or empty raceway would satisfy the code. What about an island where there is a basement below with a lift up tile ceiling? Is anything required? IMO a drilled hole through the kitchen floor into a void of the island would be sufficient.

 

[ramsy]

IMO a drilled hole through the kitchen floor into a void of the island would be sufficient.

That may get by some inspectors, until other AHJ’s get involved.

For insurance to prove construction defect, an increased hazard may involve extension cords ran thru your floor access.

For owners, all it takes is a phone call, or demand letter, crying about the missing raceway.

 

[infinity]

That may get by some inspectors, until other AHJ’s get involved.

For insurance to prove construction defect, an increased hazard may involve extension cords ran thru your floor access.

For owners, all it takes is a phone call, or demand letter, crying about the missing raceway.

I don't think that you actually answered the question. You mentioned a missing raceway but the code doesn't require a raceway it only requires a means to access the area in the future hence my idea of a small hole through the floor to a hung ceiling below.

 

[kwired]

That may get by some inspectors, until other AHJ’s get involved.

For insurance to prove construction defect, an increased hazard may involve extension cords ran thru your floor access.

For owners, all it takes is a phone call, or demand letter, crying about the missing raceway.

If no receptacle is placed (which code allows) a cord would need to be run if user wants to plug something in anyway. But floor access mentioned was from unfinished or accessible ceiling below to a void within the island and not necessarily through to external portions of the island.

 

[kwired]

I don't think that you actually answered the question. You mentioned a missing raceway but the code doesn't require a raceway it only requires a means to access the area in the future hence my idea of a small hole through the floor to a hung ceiling below.

IMO, but since NEC is pretty vague and different inspectors will have their own interpretations, an accessible basement ceiling from the panelboard or even to other SABC receptacle locations to below the island is good enough. At very least a spare cable ran to below the island area would be the next preference.

 

[infinity]

IMO, but since NEC is pretty vague and different inspectors will have their own interpretations, an accessible basement ceiling from the panelboard or even to other SABC receptacle locations to below the island is good enough. At very least a spare cable ran to below the island area would be the next preference.

I agree the wording is vague. We're still on the 2020 NEC here in NJ and someone asked me this question the other day regarding what other jurisdictions under the 2023 were requiring. With a basement below the island a receptacle could be added at anytime even without drilling a hole in the floor when the island is installed.

 

[augie47]

Add to the dilemma the difficulty in reaching a source for power. It might have been prudent to require a SABC at the island but make the receptacle optional

 

[infinity]

Add to the dilemma the difficulty in reaching a source for power. It might have been prudent to require a SABC at the island but make the receptacle optional

I can see provisions being needed when the island is on a slab. Who wants to have to chop up a slab and patch a floor after the kitchen is finished. To your point about circuiting that could be a potential problem too but that isn't addressed either.

 

[ramsy]

code doesn't require a raceway

The definition of “provision” is defined by AHJ’s.

 

[Eddie702]

Another stupid code thing IMHO. Everyone knows if you have an appliance that it will need a receptacle(s).

The code panels are a mess. Why is it so difficult to come up with a couple of complete and concise rules to cover this situation?

In two years, they will go back in the other direction and require 10 receptacles on an island regardless of size.

 

[ramsy]

a cord would need to be run if user wants to plug something in

Thats what I see happening, in violation if 400.12

 

[infinity]

In two years, they will go back in the other direction and require 10 receptacles on an island regardless of size.

It's funny because for a long time you only needed one receptacle on an island which in almost cases was adequate. Then the 2020 added this dumb calculation where large islands can require 3 or 4 receptacles. It was often hard enough to incorporate a single receptacle in an island and here under the 2020 they can require 3 or 4.

 

[ramsy]

Everyone knows if you have an appliance that it will need a receptacle(s).

Here’s one of many comments on the topic, which argues against island receptacles.

2023 Code Changes
“If receptacles are installed in countertop or work surface areas, the receptacles must be listed for the purpose, and they are not permitted to be installed on the sides of the cabinet below the countertop. The reason for not requiring receptacles in countertops and work surfaces is due to the incidences of children pulling on cords draped over the countertop and thus pulling down hot cooking appliances on themselves.”

 

[don_resqcapt19]

What about an island where there is a basement below with a lift up tile ceiling? Is anything required? IMO a drilled hole through the kitchen floor into a void of the island would be sufficient.

I agree that is all the code language actually requires, however some inspection authorities do not agree.

 

[kwired]

Here’s one of many comments on the topic, which argues against island receptacles.

2023 Code Changes
“If receptacles are installed in countertop or work surface areas, the receptacles must be listed for the purpose, and they are not permitted to be installed on the sides of the cabinet below the countertop. The reason for not requiring receptacles in countertops and work surfaces is due to the incidences of children pulling on cords draped over the countertop and thus pulling down hot cooking appliances on themselves.”

Children potentially pulling on cord and pulling down hot appliance has been a plea to change island/peninsula countertop receptacle requirements since at least back in 1990's. I think they should still be an option, maybe even can agree with provisions for future like 2023 has.

2023 doesn't specifically prohibit the conventional locating a receptacle just below counter on the side, does clearly state it doesn't count as a receptacle serving the counter top unless it is above though. 2026 however prohibits receptacles not serving the countertop anywhere within 24 inches of work surface.

I see this possibly being something they keep trying something different with for a couple more code cycles and/or local amendments in this area being pretty common as well.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Another stupid code thing IMHO. Everyone knows if you have an appliance that it will need a receptacle(s).

The code panels are a mess. Why is it so difficult to come up with a couple of complete and concise rules to cover this situation?

In two years, they will go back in the other direction and require 10 receptacles on an island regardless of size.

Looking forward to reading your Public Input (PI) on this issue. The system is open for the submission of PIs for the 2029 code until April 9, 2026.

 

[jim dungar]

Here’s one of many comments on the topic, which argues against island receptacles.

No. It argues against side mounted island receptacles.

 

[hbiss]

This is so stupid! Either require receptacles or prohibit them. Providing an empty conduit or spare cable only says "do what you want, we don't want to be responsible for it if somebody gets hurt."

-Hal

 

[jim dungar]

We recently redid our island. We put a Hubble pop-up roughly in the center. We just used the island as an actual usable surface just like the other countertops. Now it is cleaned up, the receptacle is pushed down, let the holiday entertaining begin.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

This is so stupid! Either require receptacles or prohibit them. Providing an empty conduit or spare cable only says "do what you want, we don't want to be responsible for it if somebody gets hurt."

-Hal

They are not going to require one because the only two pop-up assemblies listed for use in countertops cost about $200 -$300 dollars. Note that there are many others out there that say or imply that they are listed for countertop use, but when you research the listing you find that the are not actually listed for that application.