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2020 NEC Island outlet placement question.

S

Scottybars2288

Member
Location
South Carolina
Occupation
Electrician
I have a 17.5 square foot counter top island. code language for 2020 regarding this topic, says we need one GFCI protec. outlet to serve the island for the first 9 square feet. then, for every additional 18 square feet, or fraction there of, you'd need another. This leaves me with one GFCI protec. outlet for 9 square feet, and then an additional 8.5 square feet, so i'd need another.

the front of the island is all cabinet doors. No space for additional outlet. the opposite side has an overhang of 10" so an outlet to serve the counter top is no permitted, as well as one of the short sides has an overhang of 8", so again, an outlet under that would not be permitted to cover requirements.

That leaves me with one short side, with no overhang, where I currently do have one duplex outlet installed

My question is this, saying that i'd need two receptacles there, the code never specifies whether kitchen counter receptacles be single outlets or duplex, as far as requirements. do you think I can get away with saying a duplex is two receptacles thus covering the work space?

OR is the appropriate action to install a two gang and install 2 duplex's in that one location.
 
Dennis Alwon

Dennis Alwon

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Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
I haven't read that code section but if 2 were needed then you would have to cover the area where they are needed
 
Dennis Alwon

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
Let's see if the enhanced content helps

(2) Island and Peninsular Countertops and Work Surfaces.

Receptacle outlets shall be installed in accordance with 210.52(C)(2)(a) and (C)(2)(b).
  • (a)
    At least one receptacle outlet shall be provided for the first 0.84 m2 (9 ft2), or fraction thereof, of the countertop or work surface. A receptacle outlet shall be provided for every additional 1.7 m2 (18 ft2), or fraction thereof, of the countertop or work surface.
  • (b)
    At least one receptacle outlet shall be located within 600 mm (2 ft) of the outer end of a peninsular countertop or work surface. Additional required receptacle outlets shall be permitted to be located as determined by the installer, designer, or building owner. The location of the receptacle outlets shall be in accordance with 210.52(C)(3).

A peninsular countertop shall be measured from the connected perpendicular wall.

ENHANCED CONTENT
The general receptacle outlet requirement for qualifying island and peninsula countertop spaces in 210.52(C)(2) and (C)(3) calls for one receptacle outlet for the first 9 square feet, or 1296 square inches of countertop space. If the countertop is larger than 9 square feet, a second receptacle would be required for the next 18 square feet or 2592 square inches of the countertop space. If the countertop is larger, an additional receptacle would be required for every additional 18 square feet, or 2592 square inches, of countertop space. If the island or peninsula countertop is separated into two or more spaces, such as by a cooktop or a sink, and each space is at least 12 inches wide, the spaces would be treated as separate countertops and receptacle placement would be based on 210.52(C)(2). The receptacle outlet for a peninsula countertop is required to be located not further than 2 feet from the outer (the edge furthest from the connecting edge) edge of the peninsula countertop. Additional receptacles can be located at the discretion of the owner, installer, or designer. Unlike peninsula countertops, island countertops do not have a mandatory receptacle outlet placement requirement, and the minimum number of outlet(s) determined in accordance with 210.52(C)(2)(a) can all be located as desired by the owner, installer, or designer.
Click to expand...
 
Dennis Alwon

Dennis Alwon

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Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
It's too bad because the 2023 NEC has done away with the requirement to install a receptacle on islands and peninsulas. The NEC does require that a means to install a receptacle shall be provided. IMO, that would just mean a jb with a cable that is ready for a small appliance branch circuit .
 
W

wwhitney

Senior Member
Location
Berkeley, CA
Occupation
Retired
Scottybars2288 said:
My question is this, saying that i'd need two receptacles there, the code never specifies whether kitchen counter receptacles be single outlets or duplex, as far as requirements. do you think I can get away with saying a duplex is two receptacles thus covering the work space?
Click to expand...
A single gang box with a simplex or duplex receptacle is just one receptacle outlet. The definition from Chapter 1: "Receptacle Outlet. An outlet where one or more receptacles are installed."

Cheers, Wayne
 
S

Scottybars2288

Member
Location
South Carolina
Occupation
Electrician
wwhitney said:
A single gang box with a simplex or duplex receptacle is just one receptacle outlet. The definition from Chapter 1: "Receptacle Outlet. An outlet where one or more receptacles are installed."

Cheers, Wayne
Click to expand...
2020 Code Language:

Article 100.

Receptacle. A contact device installed at the outlet for the connection of an attachment plug, or for the direct connection of electrical utilization equipment designed to mate with the corresponding contact device. A single receptacle is a single contact device with no other contact device on the same yoke or strap. A multiple receptacle is two or more contact devices on the same yoke or strap.

Informational Note: A duplex receptacle is an example of a multiple receptacle that has two receptacles on the same yoke or strap.
 
Dennis Alwon

Dennis Alwon

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Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
Scottybars2288 said:
this doesn’t help clarify the question unfortunately, I already understand the rule, im more or less questioning the technicality of “1 receptacle”
Click to expand...
I don't understand why that matters. If you install 4 receptacles at the first 9 sq. ft you still would need a receptacle to cover the next 18 sq.ft
 
W

wwhitney

Senior Member
Location
Berkeley, CA
Occupation
Retired
Dennis Alwon said:
I don't understand why that matters.
Click to expand...
The OP would like to count a single duplex receptacle as two "receptacle outlets" for the purposes of satisfying 210.52(C)(2)(a). But that is contrary to the definition of "receptacle outlet." (*)

Cheers, Wayne

(*) Since what "point" is the "outlet" isn't actually well specified in the definition, I'm slightly open to the idea that if you take your duplex receptacle, split both tabs off of it, and then supply each receptacle with a separate pair of pigtail conductors, that could be two "outlets." Electrically that doesn't seem that different from a double gang box with two duplex receptacles in it.
 
S

Scottybars2288

Member
Location
South Carolina
Occupation
Electrician
wwhitney said:
The OP would like to count a single duplex receptacle as two "receptacle outlets" for the purposes of satisfying 210.52(C)(2)(a). But that is contrary to the definition of "receptacle outlet." (*)

Cheers, Wayne

(*) Since what "point" is the "outlet" isn't actually well specified in the definition, I'm slightly open to the idea that if you take your duplex receptacle, split both tabs off of it, and then supply each receptacle with a separate pair of pigtail conductors, that could be two "outlets." Electrically that doesn't seem that different from a double gang box with two duplex receptacles in it.
Click to expand...
the two gang box would be my other solution
 
Dennis Alwon

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
wwhitney said:
The OP would like to count a single duplex receptacle as two "receptacle outlets" for the purposes of satisfying 210.52(C)(2)(a). But that is contrary to the definition of "receptacle outlet." (*)

Cheers, Wayne

(*) Since what "point" is the "outlet" isn't actually well specified in the definition, I'm slightly open to the idea that if you take your duplex receptacle, split both tabs off of it, and then supply each receptacle with a separate pair of pigtail conductors, that could be two "outlets." Electrically that doesn't seem that different from a double gang box with two duplex receptacles in it.
Click to expand...
I get that but it wont satisfy 210.52(C)
 
Dennis Alwon

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
Scottybars2288 said:
breaking the counter top down the middle, center of the 2 gang box, would give me 2 work areas of 8.75, so there would technically be an outlet in each work area
Click to expand...

I really don't believe that is the intent but I wouldn't do that unless you know it will pass. Good Luck
 
Dennis Alwon

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
Scottybars2288 said:
well who would define which way the 1st 9 sq feet are identified
Click to expand...
The idea was to cover the electrical need for the island/peninsula. If the requirement allowed 2, 3 or however many receptacles in one place it would make no sense. You may as well just ask for one receptacle. Who makes the decision would be the ahj.
 
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