Kitchen Islands 2023 NEC

[kwired]

My counter top vendor drilled my opening as part out their base cost. My outlet is recessed so it is flush with the counter top until it is popped up. No crumb build up not as ugly as faucets.

I was at one house where the contractor installed side mount receptacles. One end had a receptacle just to the left of a sink, I think the counter space was 4" on which to put the crockpot.

The side with only 4" wouldn't have required a receptacle in past NEC editions. Not prohibited but also not required. 2026 code however does prohibit it unless it is 24" or more below the top.

 

[winnie]

Looking forward to reading your Public Input on this issue for the 2029 code...you have until April 9. 2026 to submit it.

I've tried, but I doubt it will pass. My first PI to the NFPA

(4) Receptacle Outlet Locations Prohibited.
Required and permitted receptacle outlets installed in a location that is accessible outside cabinet or wall surfaces that are below countertops and work surfaces shall comply with the following:

1. Receptacle outlets shall not be installed on adjacent walls extending from the base cabinets within 610 mm (24 in.).
2. Receptacle outlets beneath countertops shall not be located within 610 mm (24 in.) of the countertop or work surface.

Exception: Receptacle outlets installed in a drawer shall be permitted to be installed below countertops and work surfaces.
Exception: Where design features of the installation secure and guide appliance cords to be contained where below the countertop or work surface, receptacle outlets may be installed below the countertop or work surface.
FPN: Examples of securing and guiding appliance cords are cable channels, fairleads, cable trays, or false drawers.

 

[brycenesbitt]

IMO a drilled hole through the kitchen floor into a void of the island would be sufficient.

OMG. Can I at least stand up for the building science aspect of that? That hole has an outsize impact on moisture flow
from the basement, potentially fire flow, transfer of undesirable radon or mold or whatever, and energy.

I'm not sure what goal drilling the hole has.
Maybe instead durably marking the potential wire route for a future hole to be drilled ?

 

[jap]

What about an island where there is a basement below with a lift up tile ceiling?

To me, the only thing that might hold this up is the requirement of the branch circuit to feed the future receptacle.

If you didn't have access to the panel (for a new circuit if required), or, (access to the existing branch circuit, if allowed to be tagged onto), then, not so much.

It would do no good to have access to the island if you didn't have access to install the correct type of branch circuit.

Jap>

 

[tortuga]

The "pull-down" hazard is fundamentally a product design flaw rather than an installation failure. Removing receptacles does not actually fix the issue because if a cook wants their slow cooker on an island, an extension cord will just be draped from a nearby wall. Alternatively, a receptacle can be installed at a standard height on the island, which could create an even worse trip hazard or lead to other electrical hazards that Part III of Article 210 was originally created to solve.
Appliance problems should be addressed by the CPSC at the manufacturer level instead of through the NEC. Just as gas stations adopted breakaway hoses and some laptops moved to magnetic power connectors to mitigate similar risks, appliance manufacturers should be responsible for engineering safer cord interfaces not the NEC.
Furthermore, as @infinity pointed out there are some human mistakes that simply cannot be engineered around. By prohibiting receptacles on islands above standard height, the NEC sets a problematic precedent. Where do we stop preventing stupid mistakes with outlet placement regulations ? Could a future Code cycle prohibit receptacles near windows because someone might trip on a fan cord, or within six feet of a door because a cord might get pinched?
By using Article 210 to prohibit receptacles, the NFPA is way overstepping its scope under 90.2 and the specific intent of branch circuit rules. This approach ignores the product safety evaluations described in 90.7 and effectively penalizes the electrical infrastructure for a mechanical issue that belongs in a product manufacturing standard.

 

[jap]

We don't generally put any electrical stuff on our Island anyway.
It's mostly for serving food prepared from the other counter spaces.

If I was to put a receptacle in it, and, was worried about a cord hanging over the side, or, crap getting in a Popup, I'd probably just mount a receptacle "inside of the island , with a an access hole drilled in the top to run the cord down through, with some type of removable cover for when it's not in use.

But that's just me,

Jap>

 

[tortuga]

We don't generally put any electrical stuff on our Island anyway.
It's mostly for serving food prepared from the other counter spaces.

If I was to put a receptacle in it, and, was worried about a cord hanging over the side, or, crap getting in a Popup, I'd probably just mount a receptacle "inside of the island , with a an access hole drilled in the top to run the cord down through, with some type of removable cover for when it's not in use.

But that's just me,

Jap>

My issue is it sets problematic precedent, the NEC delving into product safety, a future Code cycle might prohibit receptacles near windows because someone might trip on a fan cord..

 

[tthh]

I'm all for safety improvements.

We could create rule upon rule upon rule to stop all sorts of, low incidence, bad things from happening. And, it just raises costs for everyone and make things more inconvenient.

This is one of those things, IMO.

When we put in a new island I told my very local AHJ (wife) about the rule and she said to put it in the side where it was before and that now outlets were to be cut into the island top.

 

[jap]

My issue is it sets problematic precedent, the NEC delving into product safety, a future Code cycle might prohibit receptacles near windows because someone might trip on a fan cord..

I would think the risk of something being pulled off a counter due to a combination of short appliance cords on crock pots, air fryers, toasters, etc...close to the edge, and, side mount receptacles would be much higher than the possibilities of tripping on a fan cord along an outside wall.

There is a receptacle placement factor to consider.

Oh well,

Jap>

 

[pipe_bender]

When we put in a new island I told my very local AHJ (wife) about the rule and she said to put it in the side where it was before and that now outlets were to be cut into the island top.

I do kitchen remodels in this area and this part of the code is totally ignored due to those very local AHJ (VLAHJ). I was on one job with the kitchen guy and a plumber and I brought it up and all the VLAHJ just raised some eyebrows and threw a look, room got quite, everyone understood the outlet was going back where it always had been below the island end of story.

 

[Eddie702]

Here is an idea but the lady of the house would never go for it. if they want receptacles on an island and they don't want pop ups then they are required to put in a "backsplash" for lack of a better word where the receptacles are mounted