Island with now plug location-What do you guys do?

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sfav8r

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We recently had a job where the kitchen island was build in such a way that your could not physically get a plug into it at the required height. The best we could do was about 22" from the top. After much deliberating, I finally told the apprentice to go ahead and install it at 22" and we would show the inspector that there was no other way to do it.

The inspector failed, despite the fact that there was no other place to put it. I don't blame the inspector. It would be nice if he could have looked at it and realized our situation, but he was doing his job and I'm OK with that.

My question is, have you run into this situation and what do you do when it happens?

Thanks
 
Many, many times. sorry kick it back to the designers. Heck have em' look into a tombstone if possible......just a thought. What kind of an island would put you in a 22" below top?
 
mdshunk said:
Maybe I'm a little slow today, but where/how do you mount a receptacle above an island? Cord drop?
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that would be 22" BELOW the top, Mark. Have another cup of coffee ;-)

The cabinet had deep drawers with side-mount rails completely around the top. On the opposite side of the drawers, was an open area to sit at and the sides were too thin to accommodate a receptacle.

As an ugly fix, we used wiremold to raise the plug to the required 12". I have no doubt the H/O will remove it...I know I would.
 
mdshunk said:
Maybe I'm a little slow today, but where/how do you mount a receptacle above an island? Cord drop?
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Have another cup of coffee and read it again.:D

I would take a drawer front and make it fixed and then cut the outlet in there.
 
sfav8r said:
The inspector failed, despite the fact that there was no other place to put it. I don't blame the inspector. It would be nice if he could have looked at it and realized our situation, but he was doing his job and I'm OK with that.
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The answer is fairly simply, you tell the GC / Homeowner / Architect, etc that you will be back when they have a place to put a receptacle that meets code.

The code still applies even when it's a pain in the rear.
 
sfav8r said:
The cabinet had deep drawers with side-mount rails completely around the top. On the opposite side of the drawers, was an open area to sit at and the sides were too thin to accommodate a receptacle.

As an ugly fix, we used wiremold to raise the plug to the required 12". I have no doubt the H/O will remove it...I know I would.
Click to expand...


Happens all the time, I usually get, "but we left you 1? deep space", because they know they make a box that small :roll: Then I have to explain that code will still not allow it and they look at me like I have two heads.
 
Just have the cabinet guys cut the top draw a little shorter or use one of these from http://sillites.com/

Install it in the side of the cabinets. They work very well.

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47b8db04b3127ccec467ba8feaf100000066100UaNmbRs1Yg9vPhY
 
I've had this happen several times before. I'm not sure this will work in your state or municipality but I've applied for a "variation in the code" (not a variance) in these cases. Basically what we have to do here in NJ is write a letter to the inspector (on business letterhead) citing exactly what code we are violating, that the homeowner chose this particular decorative island cabinet design and why we can't perform the installation. In addition I've brought the SA circuit up and into the island cabinet below and installed it in a JB. That way, should the inspector decide that your argument is not acceptable, you'll still have the ability to get a receptacle to a location agreeable with the homeowner.

Aside from that, most of the others here in the forum will argue (and rightfully so) that the onus should be on the cabinet makers. This has been an NEC code issue for a long time now. You'd think they'd make provisions for the receptacle.:-? But, then again, they don't have to read the code book - we do.:D
 
Great looking device Dennis. No one said it had to be a duplex receptacle. You'll just have to make sure you protect the NMC with smurf tube (or similar protection) inside the cabinet. BTW, is it UL listed ? Never mind - I just read through the spec sheet.
 
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acrwc10 said:
Have another cup of coffee and read it again.:D

I would take a drawer front and make it fixed and then cut the outlet in there.
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I cannot tell you how many times this issue comes up. If there are 10 kitchen inspections a week, there are 15 issues per week. ;)

Securing the drawer front and installing a receptacle there has become quite common.
Discussions (I have discussions, as I refuse to argue at all), about this topic with designers, builders, homeowners and electricians has become so common, that I have a pat answer for all of them.
 
ultramegabob That one is cord and plug connected is really no more then a plug strip.

IMO it does not meet the NEC requirements as a 'receptacle'
 
goldstar said:
Great looking device Dennis. No one said it had to be a duplex receptacle. You'll just have to make sure you protect the NMC with smurf tube (or similar protection) inside the cabinet. BTW, is it UL listed ?
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It is listed and they said that by June they should have the units available as Tamper Resistant

The picture that Marc shows is the same unit. I love em.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
Discussions (I have discussions, as I refuse to argue at all), about this topic with designers, builders, homeowners and electricians has become so common, that I have a pat answer for all of them.
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You're keeping us in suspense. What's the answer:-?
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
Discussions (I have discussions, as I refuse to argue at all), about this topic with designers, builders, homeowners and electricians has become so common, that I have a pat answer for all of them.
Click to expand...

Yeah buy a code book and see 210.52(C)(2) and (5) thats my answer.
 
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