Countertop Electrical Receptacles

[Shujinko]

In Florida, we move slow...the Florida Building Code requires to be in compliance with all requirements of the 2008 NEC. So we still aren't under the 2014 code. Regardless its a horrible idea to mount the receptacles in the face up position. The library will have a coffee shop inside of it so i can imagine the potential of coffee and beverage spills on a face up receptacle, not good. Anyone know of any magazine articles or forensics articles about liquid spills on or around elec receptacles?

 

[YourElectricianOC]

Say it with me: "no".

Don't be afraid to tell a customer (politely) "no". The work you do is your own PR agent. If you view it as crap before it is done, someone else will surely view it as crap after it is done, code compliant or not. And it will have your name attached to it.

I've refused a few jobs, very politely, by explaining that it wouldn't represent me well, and that my reputation is how I put food on the table. I provide a better solution, and explain to the customer why it is better, and why I draw the line about the way they want it.

Just tell them that the only way you will do it is to have the receptacle mounted in a riser like someone pictured earlier in the thread. For safety and liability reasons. If they are adamant about it, tell them "you can get an electrician to do that, you just can't get a good electrician to do that". It gets the point across when all else fails.

 

[kwired]

I agree. I can just imagine the paper clips and such being poked in one while a bored student is in attendance. And as I mentioned in my previous post, come the 2014 edition it won't be allowed in any case.

Well the TR requirements in other locations are generally intended for the safety of small children, now we need to extend those requirements to 18-22 year old children I guess:roll:

IMO unless they have mental challenges, people that age and especially at a college, should have some general idea that sticking a paperclip in a receptacle outlet is possibly going to cause them some harm. But I will install TR receptacles if we decide these people are not that intelligent and need the additional protection.

In Florida, we move slow...the Florida Building Code requires to be in compliance with all requirements of the 2008 NEC. So we still aren't under the 2014 code. Regardless its a horrible idea to mount the receptacles in the face up position. The library will have a coffee shop inside of it so i can imagine the potential of coffee and beverage spills on a face up receptacle, not good. Anyone know of any magazine articles or forensics articles about liquid spills on or around elec receptacles?

No matter which code you are using, I don't think there has ever been a problem if said receptacle is surface mounted, the wording has always been "in a face-up position in countertops or similar work surfaces"

We install face up receptacles in floor receptacles all the time so I really don't see what the big deal is when it comes to spilling things into the receptacle is all about. How many more times is a floor possibly mopped then someone spills a beverage on a counter? And use of a listed floor receptacle still wouldn't comply in the counter situation.