Installation of "Additional" receptacles under windows??

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K1GMB

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North Chesterfield, Virginia 23236
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Telecommunications Engineer (Master Electrician)
Hi folks, got a technical question that I am checking and reviewing BEFORE I start cutting electrical boxes into existing dry wall. I want to install "additional" 20-amp receptacles. The wall in question already has existing energized receptacles correctly spaced by code. I want to add additional receptacles in-line with the other existing receptacles. These new receptacles will be under windows. I cannot find any reference in the 2020 NEC saying that this placement is a NO-NO. I have looked through the code, especially Article 210, and I cannot find any reference that I cannot do this. The closest reference is Article 210.65 (B) (1), which says that "These receptacles outlets shall be permitted to be located as determined by the installer, designer, or building owner." It's my house and I am the owner. In discussing this with the county electrical inspector, his response was that it had to meet physical spacing requirements. Moisture and possible rain (windows are closed all the time) and will be protected by 20-amp CAFI Square D circuit breakers. Any experiences or thoughts??? Thanks!
 
Have put such receptacle in for use by a dedicated circuit for a window AC.
As long as minimum spacing is already made any additional receptacle placement could be placed as needed or desired. Consideration of loads if tapped into an existing circuit would be considered per application or purpose of the added receptacle. Also specific locations that have some restricted applications E.g. kitchen, bath, would also be considered when adding the receptacle outlet.
 
I would place outlets almost wherever the customer wants them, even if the originals were not placed per todays spacing rules. I might suggest a certain location may 'cost'.

Virginia must have more than enough electrical inspectors standing a round with nothing to do if they look at devices installed in existing homes.
 
Once the 6'/12' spacing rules are met you can install the additional receptacles anywhere you want including under a window. There is no prohibition for installing a receptacle in that location. 210.65 has nothing to do with what you're describing.
 
Fred B said:
Have put such receptacle in for use by a dedicated circuit for a window AC.
As long as minimum spacing is already made any additional receptacle placement could be placed as needed or desired. Consideration of loads if tapped into an existing circuit would be considered per application or purpose of the added receptacle. Also specific locations that have some restricted applications E.g. kitchen, bath, would also be considered when adding the receptacle outlet.
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Thanks, that's what I thought. Yea these are new dedicated circuits on their own circuit breakers. Thanks again.
 
ptonsparky said:
I would place outlets almost wherever the customer wants them, even if the originals were not placed per todays spacing rules. I might suggest a certain location may 'cost'.

Virginia must have more than enough electrical inspectors standing a round with nothing to do if they look at devices installed in existing homes.
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Thanks I agree. Yes, I've found that day to day working electricians know more from their various experiences then some inspectors. I live in an HOA neighborhood, and while what I do in my frigging house is none of their business, I have had issues with them in the past. I have had to learn to check and double check whatever I do. Being in the right when challenged is such an enjoyable feeling. Thanks again!!
 
infinity said:
Once the 6'/12' spacing rules are met you can install the additional receptacles anywhere you want including under a window. There is no prohibition for installing a receptacle in that location. 210.65 has nothing to do with what you're describing.
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Thanks, yea I already have the existing spacing, so this is just an addition. That article was a starting point because these are new branch ckts.
 
K1GMB said:
Thanks, yea I already have the existing spacing, so this is just an addition. That article was a starting point because these are new branch ckts.
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Yes article 210 is for receptacle spacing but the section you posted is for meeting rooms which does not apply here.
 
Heck, you can even put them in the sill!

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If you are looking for flush mount receptacles as well as candles for the window, electric window candles and battery operated candles, please review our website. If you are also looking for a round electric receptacle, please visit our website for more details.
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I always put receptacles under windows, how else does the homeowner plug in the electric candles?

If I can talk them into it, I put a receptacle under every window facing the street or so and wire to a switch so the candles can be turned on/off from a central location instead of running around to do it.

I do not wire tract houses, so I never follow the 6/12 rule as my standard. It is a minimum, not a target!

Oh, and move and get away from HOA, life is simpler then.
 
Frank DuVal said:
Heck, you can even put them in the sill!

Sillites - Candle For The Window | Electric Window Candles | Flush Mount Receptacle

If you are looking for flush mount receptacles as well as candles for the window, electric window candles and battery operated candles, please review our website. If you are also looking for a round electric receptacle, please visit our website for more details.
www.sillites.com www.sillites.com

I always put receptacles under windows, how else does the homeowner plug in the electric candles?

If I can talk them into it, I put a receptacle under every window facing the street or so and wire to a switch so the candles can be turned on/off from a central location instead of running around to do it.

I do not wire tract houses, so I never follow the 6/12 rule as my standard. It is a minimum, not a target!

Oh, and move and get away from HOA, life is simpler then.
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petersonra said:
In what world does the HOA even care about how many receptacles you have?
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Yea, another electrician buddy told me the same thing about wiring houses for electric candles and having the master switch located in a downstairs closet. I thought it would be fine but trying to check and double check. I'm just attempting to cover all bases, cause while I was wiring the new sub-panel for these additional branch circuits, the next-door neighbor showed up in my garage (garage door was up) while I was working in the panel. 200 questions, which I answered in highly technical detail just to overload and confuse. They are busy bodies with nothing else to do. Typical B/S complaints about high grass (as measured by a small ruler). But where there is a power outage, and they hear my generator running, they always show up with an extension cord in their hands and are my "best friends". Had I known then what a serious pain in the ass HOA's are, we would have never moved here. Yes sir, you be right, simpler is an excellent word. Thanks!
 
ptonsparky said:
I have one that gets involved and she has noone I can appeal her rulings to.
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4x4dually said:
^^^ This....AAAAaaaand ^^^ this. LOL
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Little Bill said:
If it's my house, no inspector would be involved at all!
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Yea, that's my attitude, but when the HOA is buddy buddy with the County, sometimes when they (HOA) are pointed to the path to get lost, they go and complain and stir up the County. HOA's and Government have much too much power in our individual lives. That's my attitude too, no inspector in this house. Didn't used to be like this!!
 
K1GMB said:
Yea, that's my attitude, but when the HOA is buddy buddy with the County, sometimes when they (HOA) are pointed to the path to get lost, they go and complain and stir up the County. HOA's and Government have much too much power in our individual lives. That's my attitude too, no inspector in this house. Didn't used to be like this!!
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I'd be smuggling in romex in a body bag at 3am before I'd let an inspector in my house just on the premise of being told what to do. LOL I guess it's more of a country boy can survive thing. Me and an HOA would never work.
 
On occasion, I see "under window" receptacles added throughout the dwelling for Christmas window lighting (circuit is normally switched)
 
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