(C) Countertops and Work Surfaces. In kitchens, pantries,
breakfast rooms, dining rooms, and similar areas of dwelling
units, receptacle outlets for countertop and work surfaces shall
be installed in accordance with 210.52(C)(1) through (C)(5).
(1) Wall Countertop and Work Surface. A receptacle outlet
shall be installed at each wall countertop and work surface that
is 300 mm (12 in.) or wider. Receptacle outlets shall be installed
so that no point along the wall line is more than 600 mm
(24 in.) measured horizontally from a receptacle outlet in that
space.
Exception: Receptacle outlets shall not be required on a wall directly
behind a range, counter-mounted cooking unit, or sink in the installation
described in Figure 210.52(C)(1).
(2) Island Countertop Spaces. At least one receptacle shall be
installed at each island countertop space with a long dimension
of 600 mm (24 in.) or greater and a short dimension of
300 mm (12 in.) or greater.
(3) Peninsular Countertop Spaces. At least one receptacle
outlet shall be installed at each peninsular countertop long
dimension space with a long dimension of 600 mm (24 in.) or
greater and a short dimension of 300 mm (12 in.) or greater. A
peninsular countertop is measured from the connected
perpendicular wall.
(4) Separate Spaces. Countertop spaces separated by rangetops,
refrigerators, or sinks shall be considered as separate
countertop spaces in applying the requirements of
210.52(C)(1). If a range, counter-mounted cooking unit, or
sink is installed in an island or peninsular countertop and the
depth of the countertop behind the range, counter-mounted
cooking unit, or sink is less than 300 mm (12 in.), the range,
counter-mounted cooking unit, or sink shall be considered to
divide the countertop space into two separate countertop
spaces. Each separate countertop space shall comply with the
applicable requirements in 210.52(C).
(5) Receptacle Outlet Location. Receptacle outlets shall be
located on or above, but not more than 500 mm (20 in.) above,
the countertop or work surface. Receptacle outlet assemblies
listed for use in countertops or work surfaces shall be permitted
to be installed in countertops or work surfaces. Receptacle
outlets rendered not readily accessible by appliances fastened
in place, appliance garages, sinks, or rangetops as covered in
210.52(C)(1), Exception, or appliances occupying dedicated
space shall not be considered as these required outlets.
Informational Note: See 406.5(E) and 406.5(G) for requirements
for installation of receptacles in countertops and 406.5(F)
and 406.5(G) for requirements for installation of receptacles in
work surfaces.
Exception to (5): To comply with the following conditions (1) and (2),
receptacle outlets shall be permitted to be mounted not more than
300 mm (12 in.) below the countertop or work surface. Receptacles
mounted below a countertop or work surface in accordance with this
exception shall not be located where the countertop or work surface
extends more than 150 mm (6 in.) beyond its support base.
(1) Construction for the physically impaired
(2) On island and peninsular countertops or work surface where the
surface is flat across its entire surface (no backsplashes, dividers,
etc.) and there are no means to mount a receptacle within
500 mm (20 in.) above the countertop or work surface, such as
an overhead cabinet
