Kitchen counter outlets (receptacles) on a switch?

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Fred B said:
But 210.70(A)(1) exception clearly indicates that it (210.70(A)(1) exception no.1) doesn't apply to kitchen and bath receptacles. The required receptacles in a kitchen is the SABC, thus the switching seems to be not allowed.
Thus the exception in 210.52(B)(1).
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210.52(B)(1) says the wall, floor, and countertop receptacles "In the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room, or similar area of a dwelling unit" shall be supplied by the SABCs. The exception just says you can have an additional circuit serving a receptacle, when that receptacle is switched per 210.70(A)(1) Exception 1 in lieu of a lighting outlet. The latter exception excludes kitchens, but the 210.52(B)(1) exception would apply to "pantry, breakfast room, dining room or similar."

None of that has any bearing on whether SABCs can be switched. 210.52(B)(1) is only about which circuits may serve which receptacles.

Fred B said:
The requirements of 406.3(E) to be "permanently marked with the symbol shown in Figure 406.3(E) and the word "controlled"."
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The language of that section would not apply to manual switch control.

Cheers, Wayne
 
LarryFine said:
True, but 20a receptacles are not required, and they accept 15a plugs.
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And that's the danger, the lamp assembly is only rated to 15A. Thus can create a greater danger as a failure less likely to trip a breaker before catastrophic failure of the lamp or cord.
 
Fred B said:
And that's the danger, the lamp assembly is only rated to 15A. Thus can create a greater danger as a failure less likely to trip a breaker before catastrophic failure of the lamp or cord.
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I wire almost all receptacle circuits on 20a.
 
wwhitney said:
210.52(B)(1) says the wall, floor, and countertop receptacles "In the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room, or similar area of a dwelling unit" shall be supplied by the SABCs. The exception just says you can have an additional circuit serving a receptacle, when that receptacle is switched per 210.70(A)(1) Exception 1 in lieu of a lighting outlet. The latter exception excludes kitchens, but the 210.52(B)(1) exception would apply to "pantry, breakfast room, dining room or similar."

None of that has any bearing on whether SABCs can be switched. 210.52(B)(1) is only about which circuits may serve which receptacles.


The language of that section would not apply to manual switch control.

Cheers, Wayne
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What is a device "... that incorporate control features that remove power from the receptacle..." ? (a switch)
The exception sited here (section 406.3) indicating marking not necessary only relates back to a switch related to the 210.70 exception allowance for lighting.
The 210.70 exception states not applicable to Kitchens.
Thus 210.52 allows for the addition of another general circuit receptacle not part of the "2 or more SABC", that is controlled or switched for purposes defined in 210.70 (lighting)
Seems like a lot of work and go around IF the SABC can be switched. Just eliminate all these exceptions if the SABC can be switched, not needed.
 
Fred B said:
What is a device "... that incorporate control features that remove power from the receptacle..." ? (a switch)
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Your quote is incomplete, the applicability is "receptacles that are controlled by an automatic control device, or that incorporate control features that remove power from the receptacle for the purpose of energy management or building automation,"

As a manual switch is not automatic, and is not incorporated into the receptacle, 406.3(E) would not apply.

You could delete 210.52(B)(1) Exception 1; then if you have a dining room receptacle that is controlled by a switch, in lieu of a lighting outlet, that receptacle would have to be on an SABC. At present, with the Execption, you have the option to put the lighting receptacle(s) on another circuit (as long all such receptacles in the dining room on that circuit are switched; a split half-switched duplex would need to be on the SABC).

Cheers, Wayne
 
So, how would you service the customer in the original post.

IMHO all the SABC receptacles could be switched and count for the SABC spacing requirements as long as this is not to provide a required lighting outlet.

I would try to sell the customer that it is a bad design to switch everything because many appliances expect continuous power, and I would clearly differentiate switches for receptacles for appliances from lighting switches.

I think the ideal approach to this is to have a double gang box at every receptacle location, with a duplex receptacles and switch(s) to control it.

If the customer insists on switching entire circuits from a single convenient location, then I would use blank face GFCIs as the switches (a blank face GFCI labeled 'ON' and 'OFF' may be used as a switch) which makes it clear that these are not light switches. In this case I would still strongly suggest dividing things so some receptacles stay powered.

If the inspector's interpretation of code prohibited switching the SABC then I would install a subpanel in the kitchen to supply the SABC circuits.

Of course this all presumes the customer will pay for exceeding code requirements.

Jon
 
210.52(B) Small Appliances.
210.52(B)(1) Receptacle Outlets Served.
Exception No. 1: In addition to the required receptacles specified by 210.52, switched receptacles supplied from a general-purpose 15- or 20-ampere branch circuit as required in 210.70(A)(1), Exception No. 1, shall be permitted.

Lets take it further for those whom only abide by strict text

210.70 Lighting Outlets Required. Lighting outlets shall be installed where specified in 210.70(A), (B), and (C).
(A) Dwelling Units. In dwelling units, lighting outlets shall be installed in accordance with 210.70(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3).
(1) Habitable Rooms. At least one wall switch–controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in every habitable room, kitchen,
and bathroom.
Exception No. 1: In other than kitchens and bathrooms, one or more receptacles controlled by a wall switch shall be permitted
in lieu of lighting outlets.
so does that mean exception is only permitted if the switched outlet for a kitchen is a receptacle??? & notice the examples given is bathrooms & appliance circuits in which the receptacle for require a 20 A branch circuit -
 
All rooms must have some switch controlled light.

In rooms other than kitchens and bathrooms you can have a switched receptacle rather than a 'lighting outlet'. In a kitchen or bathroom you _must_ have a permanent lighting outlet (for example a ceiling light).

In a room that is not a kitchen or a bathroom, but is generally required to be supplied by SABCs (say a dining room) you _may_ have a switched general purpose receptacle to provide the switch controlled light.

-Jon
 
Also worth noting is the definition of Lighting Outlet from Article 100:

Lighting Outlet. An outlet intended for the direct connection of a lampholder or luminaire.

So a receptacle is never a lighting outlet.

Cheers, Wayne
 
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