Tom Finchum
Member
- Location
- New Lenox Illinois
- Occupation
- Engineer
I have a question as to whether I can mount 120VAC receptacles (either 15-Amp or 20-Amp) in my unfinished basement on the ceiling along my center support steel I-Beam (8” wide by 10” high that runs the length of the house). The house was built in 1990, and the basement is completely unfinished and has exposed wooden joists. All electrical, plumbing, CATV & Internet, and HVAC has been and is totally exposed and accessible. Similarly, the furnace / central air and water heater are NOT enclosed or walled off, and are exposed and accessible.
I have installed a set of ‘home run’ 3/4” EMT conduits supported with Caddy clips along the beam length for approximately 35-feet. The conduits and junction boxes are nested within the I-Beam web. There are three junction boxes along the lower lip of this I-Beam that are properly and securely supported with steel beam clamps. No portion of these junction boxes touch any wood joists or wood structures. This conduit ‘home run‘ scheme is 90-inches above the concrete basement floor, and the three junction boxes have no obstructions.
These three junction boxes are where I am considering mounting duplex receptacles. There are no plans to finish the basement, or install any drop ceiling. I am aware that NEC code requires receptacles in an unfinished basement to be wall mounted with a minimum height of 15” from the floor, and a maximum height of 48” from the floor. My existing basement wall mounted general utility receptacles and the two sump receptacles meet this requirement.
Checking with the local AHJ, they only state that the village currently subscribes to NEC 2017. I have ordered this version and am currently waiting for it to arrive.
I would appreciate any guidance you would have in this matter. I have seen ceiling receptacles as such but not certain why an unfinished basement has restrictions like this. I understand not keeping them off or near a concrete floor. I also understand that if the house is sold to a buyer that may want to finish the basement, that these three ceiling receptacles would most likely need to be removed.
Sincere thanks,
Tom
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An Old Blog that I referenced …
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John Nelson , 06-21-05 10:40 AM
The rules for receptacles are more restrictive than the rules for junction boxes. Receptacles must be more than accessible. They also must be visible. It's not really a restriction on the receptacle, but a restriction on the cord and plug (i.e., a non-visible but accessible receptacle is fine if you never plug anything into it, but then what's the point).
There is absolutely nothing long with a ceiling receptacle, whether on a finished or unfinished ceiling. But when you stand on the floor and look up, you should be able to see it (without removing a drop ceiling tile).
I have installed a set of ‘home run’ 3/4” EMT conduits supported with Caddy clips along the beam length for approximately 35-feet. The conduits and junction boxes are nested within the I-Beam web. There are three junction boxes along the lower lip of this I-Beam that are properly and securely supported with steel beam clamps. No portion of these junction boxes touch any wood joists or wood structures. This conduit ‘home run‘ scheme is 90-inches above the concrete basement floor, and the three junction boxes have no obstructions.
These three junction boxes are where I am considering mounting duplex receptacles. There are no plans to finish the basement, or install any drop ceiling. I am aware that NEC code requires receptacles in an unfinished basement to be wall mounted with a minimum height of 15” from the floor, and a maximum height of 48” from the floor. My existing basement wall mounted general utility receptacles and the two sump receptacles meet this requirement.
Checking with the local AHJ, they only state that the village currently subscribes to NEC 2017. I have ordered this version and am currently waiting for it to arrive.
I would appreciate any guidance you would have in this matter. I have seen ceiling receptacles as such but not certain why an unfinished basement has restrictions like this. I understand not keeping them off or near a concrete floor. I also understand that if the house is sold to a buyer that may want to finish the basement, that these three ceiling receptacles would most likely need to be removed.
Sincere thanks,
Tom
—————————
An Old Blog that I referenced …
—————————
John Nelson , 06-21-05 10:40 AM
The rules for receptacles are more restrictive than the rules for junction boxes. Receptacles must be more than accessible. They also must be visible. It's not really a restriction on the receptacle, but a restriction on the cord and plug (i.e., a non-visible but accessible receptacle is fine if you never plug anything into it, but then what's the point).
There is absolutely nothing long with a ceiling receptacle, whether on a finished or unfinished ceiling. But when you stand on the floor and look up, you should be able to see it (without removing a drop ceiling tile).
