Kitchen Counter Receptacles

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frank_n

frank_n

Senior Member
Location
Central NJ
I'm rouging-in a kitchen and have 57 inches of counter space to cover with receptacles. This space has 2 windows behind it and I cannot mount the receptacles in the wall.

Any suggestions on how to deal with this situation? We are using the 2005 NEC in NJ.

Thanks,
Frank

p.s. I am going to try to attach the drawing.
 
Have the Architect or kitchen designer come up with an alternate plan to help with the code compliance of the NEC.

I am sure that they have complied with the building code in their plans for the building...maybe they should start paying more attention to the electrical codes.


Of course unless you are getting paid to design as well as install.
 
frank_n said:
I'm rouging-in a kitchen and have 57 inches of counter space to cover with receptacles. This space has 2 windows behind it and I cannot mount the receptacles in the wall.

Any suggestions on how to deal with this situation? We are using the 2005 NEC in NJ.

Thanks,
Frank

p.s. I am going to try to attach the drawing.
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Frank will these help. Sillites

They are window sill receptacles. I have used them and they work great.

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480sparky said:
406.4(E).
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They are not in the countertop. They are in the window sill slightly above the counter. If the is distinction in the op's situation then I agree-- no good.
 
Is there any room at all between the backsplash and the windowsill??? Maybe just enough to run a piece of plugmold past. It would have half the profile of even a horizontal mounted receptacle.
 
quogueelectric said:
Is there any room at all between the backsplash and the windowsill??? Maybe just enough to run a piece of plugmold past. It would have half the profile of even a horizontal mounted receptacle.
Click to expand...

If there is a back splash you could actually install the sillite receptacle in there. You MUST drill a 1 3/4" hole and I think the depth is around 2 1/2" plus the wire-- so in many cases it is feasible.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Frank will these help. Sillites

They are window sill receptacles. I have used them and they work great.
Click to expand...

Do you have any issues with water coming through the windows and getting into the receptacles? I know there are covers, but what if the HO leaves them off? Since these will be GFCI protected, they might have to be periodically replaced? How long do you warranty these receptacles for?
 
tryinghard said:
Can't you put-em in the cabinets, they'll have to open the door to access them?
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That would not meet code. The exception to below counter height is only for islands and behind doors will not meet code either. 210.52(C)(5)
 
frank_n said:
Do you have any issues with water coming through the windows and getting into the receptacles? I know there are covers, but what if the HO leaves them off? Since these will be GFCI protected, they might have to be periodically replaced? How long do you warranty these receptacles for?
Click to expand...
Of course that can be an issue but I cannot plan for that. I try to install them in the fixed areas if I can.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
If there is a back splash you could actually install the sillite receptacle in there. You MUST drill a 1 3/4" hole and I think the depth is around 2 1/2" plus the wire-- so in many cases it is feasible.
Click to expand...
It would be much easier to drill a 1 3/4 round hole in granite than try to cut a gem box in a backsplash if it were granite. I was saying also that a piece of plugmold may fit in the space above the backsplash yet below the window sill You may have about an 1 1/2 which should do it. Sometimes the upper cabinets may be low enough to meet the 20" requirement run a piece of plugmold under the upper cabinets.
 
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frank n

if this is a new house or addition you must comply with 210.52, if this is a rehab you may not have to comply in new jersey
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
Have the Architect or kitchen designer come up with an alternate plan to help with the code compliance of the NEC...maybe they should start paying more attention to the electrical codes...
Click to expand...

I think most often it's a generic plan from a home designer that disconnects from the project when they transfer their drawings.

I agree with Pierre, its best to put this on the client/home owner & contractor by saying something like, "NEC requires x amount of receptacles above this counter space, how will you make room for these?" Do not answer for them.

Recept.'s face up in a sill may comply but the potential of liquid spilling here is nearly the same as on the counter. It's a design flaw, they could hang recept.'s from the ceiling :grin:
 
mpd said:
frank n

if this is a new house or addition you must comply with 210.52, if this is a rehab you may not have to comply in new jersey
Click to expand...

It's not an addition, but they are putting kitchen counters where they didn't have one before.

I think the wiremold along the backsplash would look ugly.

Frank
 
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