Island with Overhang GFCI Question

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jimmyglen

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Location
St. Louis, Missouri
I have searched the forum and cant find this (sorry if its out there) I have also read and re-read 210.52

I have an island with a 12" overhang (granite with support brackets)

We roughed in the GFCI as high as we could in the wood cabinet. The inspector is not requiring us to use a Wiremold ext box and feed up to a new recpt that is to be glued under the overhang.

If I understand the exception 210.52 C 5 Recot outlet locations
it reads that recpt mounted below a countertop in accordance with this exception shall not be located where the countertop extends more than 6" beyond its support base.

So now I am really turned around.

It looks like I cant even have a recpt there but I am required to have one ??

Thanks for your help in advance

Jim
 
Those islands with overhangs are a tough situation. It was nice of your insepctor to offer you a design idea. The way it seems to me, if you affix that proposed WM box no more than 6" back from the lip of the overhang, you're good to go.

This is an area where some manufacturer's need to step up to the plate with some specific products.
 
It I were in your situation I would get the inspector there and ask what to do. So far, in every instance where I have had weird situations like yours consulting the AHJ always worked out.

One possible fix would be to have a carpenter or a cabinet maker make an extension box (chase) just for the receptacle that extends out far enough to be NEC compliant. You only need one receptacle for the island and if done correctly a chase would be nearly invisible.

I can see how having a receptacle located 12 inches back would be a problem.
 
I am not sure what is being suggested here. But let me offer the opinion that you cannot put a receptacle 6 inches from the front surface of a countertop that extends 12 inches beyond its base, and call it good. The code does not say that the receptacle must be within 6 inches of the front edge. It says that if the top extends more than 6 inches from the base, a receptacle cannot go there.
 
Thanks for the reply

Charlie - thats what really throws me. It almost looks like "shall not" put a recpt there. (?)

Usually I can read the code and I get exactly what it requires, but this time I am having a hard time understanding exactly how the code reads.


Jim
 
charlie b said:
I am not sure what is being suggested here. But let me offer the opinion that you cannot put a receptacle 6 inches from the front surface of a countertop that extends 12 inches beyond its base, and call it good. The code does not say that the receptacle must be within 6 inches of the front edge. It says that if the top extends more than 6 inches from the base, a receptacle cannot go there.
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But the code does require an outlet for the island if it is larger than 12 x 24 inches.
 
jimmyglen said:
Thanks for the reply

Charlie - thats what really throws me. It almost looks like "shall not" put a recpt there. (?)

Usually I can read the code and I get exactly what it requires, but this time I am having a hard time understanding exactly how the code reads.


Jim
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As I read it you can put one there, it just does not satisfy the requirement for a required receptacle.
 
Use one of these. Mockett Product

PCS34.jpg
 
mdshunk said:
That wouldn't be compliant either. The required receptacle would be under the counter in a cabinet someplace. That's just a power strip that plugs in.
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I disgree and I know there was extensive arguments on this one, however there are units that direct wire. I think it is unnecessary to go that route.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I disgree and I know there was extensive arguments on this one, however there are units that direct wire. I think it is unnecessary to go that route.
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It is... but the direct wire one's I'm okay with. The plug-in one's are no different than plugging in a trailer cord someplace and laying it on the island; just less beautiful.
 
mdshunk said:
It is... but the direct wire one's I'm okay with. The plug-in one's are no different than plugging in a trailer cord someplace and laying it on the island; just less beautiful.
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You are entitled to your opinion :grin:. I have no issue with the unit built in with a recep. below. Why would a direct wire be any better? or safer for that matter?
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Why would a direct wire be any better? or safer for that matter?
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I don't know about being better or safer but I am not sure how a cord and plug connected one gets around 400.8(1). :smile:


Hey wait, what side of this did I argue last time. :grin:
 
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