My step son bought a house a couple years back and the kitchen was open floor. He decided to rip out all the carpet including that which was in the living room adjacent to the kitchen and put in floating groove and tongue flooring.
He also purchased an island counter much later as shown in the picture and had it anchored to the foundation with the help of his father in law who also happens to be an electrician as myself (him more residential and me being more industrial with residential exp)
When I came to his house and saw the island counter approx 6’ x 3’ i did mention that code required a GFCI protected receptacle on this island counter but my stepson rejected the idea.
I suppose the foundation concrete would have had to been cut and pvc conduit laid to hold a new branch circuit to this island if this were to happen.
However, the island was anchored down ant the help of his father in law but no receptacle was ever added. Later the foundation was covered with the groove and tongue flooring.
How would this affect selling the house in the future in regard to an island receptacle code violation?
How do people usually handle installing a new island and branch circuit with covered concrete ground and no branch circuit available? Is it normally such a big project such as using a wet saw to cut the concrete and laying conduit and junction boxes? would the branch circuit for this new island normally extend from the nearest sink receptacle or one of the kitchen small appliance branch circuits?
Splicing into one of the kitchen wall small appliance branch circuits seems you would have to break a portion of the drywall. What would be the best option and again how would this affect selling the house in the future? Just curious thanks
jpflex: kitchen island.........
Hello.
Here in the great state of Texas and as of approximately September, 2023 it adopted the 2023 NEC as it is written.
Prior to the new 2023 NEC, receptacles were required for
kitchen islands, peninsular counter tops and work spaces were
required in single family dwellings as found in section 210.52(C) (2)(a) (b) and (3).
Fast forward to the 2023 NEC and section 210.52(C) (2),
Island and Peninsular Countertops and Work Surfaces. Now states...."Receptacle outlets,
if installed to serve an island or peninsular countertop or work surface, shall be installed in accordance with 210.52 (C)(3). Notice it
did say..if...
installed. So, that means that you don't have to do it.
However, you will have to
provide for future installation according to (C)(3)
Receptacle Outlet Location. ...Receptacle outlets shall be located in one or more of the following options : (1) (2) (3). They are as follows for future usage:
Option (1) in the back splash above the countertop (2) use a
listed outlet assembly in the countertop (3) or just simply stub it up wherever you need it and put an empty box with a blank cover for future installation by others.
In an existing situation like this and if you have attic space, drop the circuit down from the attic space and build around it with trim wood and paint, etc. Set a junction box in the attic and splice into an existing 20 amp small appliance circuit
or pull in a new circuit if easier.
I would not saw cut the slab for fear of cutting the post tension cable(s). So, I don't think you have a problem with the overhead route if there's attic space. I assume it's a slab foundation.
Yes, that receptacle(s) would have to be connected to the existing small appliance branch 20 amp circuit as per Code.
And, all receptacle(s) are required to be GFCI and AFCI protection as per 2023NEC.
So, attic space is the way to solve this problem. Again, prior to the 2023 NEC receptacle(s) were required.
It should not affect the future sale of the house if it was never there in the beginning, when was it built?
You need to discuss that with your realtor. I have no knowledge of something like this.
Remember, all electrical work shall be performed by a properly licensed electrician and may require an electrical permit.
Thanks for your question.
TX+MASTER#4544
