OUTLET HEIGHTS RESIDENTIAL

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nicky

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re- doing a house. all the existing outlets are approx 6" AFF to bottom
cannot find in code if that is not acceptable
can I leave at that height or do I need to raise all outlets?
 
I prefer 15" AFF. As Jumper said no minimum but there is a maximum of 5'6" if you want it to count as part of the 6'/12'
rule.
 
When I started out, I worked with a guy who used his hammer to set the height of the outlet boxes. He never measured.
 
tkb said:
When I started out, I worked with a guy who used his hammer to set the height of the outlet boxes. He never measured.
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That was a common practice around here too...but if there is more than one person setting boxes, you needed to make sure you were using the same model hammer:)
 
tkb said:
When I started out, I worked with a guy who used his hammer to set the height of the outlet boxes. He never measured.
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That's all I ever do. The only time I use a measuring tape or story pole is when I'm matching existing heights in an addition / basement finish.

don_resqcapt19 said:
That was a common practice around here too...but if there is more than one person setting boxes, you needed to make sure you were using the same model hammer:)
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Or one guy bangs the boxes on while the other(s) start drilling.
 
If you're more familiar with commercial work you may be thinking of annex J for ADA requirements
J.6 Forward Reach. J.6.1 Unobstructed. Where a forward reach is unobstructed, the high forward reach shall be 1220 mm (48 in.) maximum, and the low forward reach shall be 380 mm (15 in.) minimum above the finish floor or ground. (See Figure J.6.1.)
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J.7 Side Reach. J.7.1 Unobstructed. Where a clear floor or ground space allows a parallel approach to an element, and the side reach is unobstructed, the high side reach shall be 1220 mm (48 in.) maximum, and the low side reach shall be 380 mm (15 in.) minimum above the finish floor or ground. (See Figure J.7.1.)
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nicky said:
re- doing a house. all the existing outlets are approx 6" AFF to bottom
cannot find in code if that is not acceptable
can I leave at that height or do I need to raise all outlets?
Click to expand...
The National Electrical Code is silent about this.

It is classified as a design issue, practically speaking. "What is the design?" The outlet is in relationship to the rest of the construction. What is the end result of the construction?

For example: Is the baseboard being replaced, and what is the replacement's dimensions?
 
Wire-Smith said:
If you're more familiar with commercial work you may be thinking of annex J for ADA requirements
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Which doesn't mean you can not have floor receptacles or even lower if you can find a way to do it.

Roger
 
roger said:
Which doesn't mean you can not have floor receptacles or even lower if you can find a way to do it.

Roger
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true, i just mean many people just use that as the go by. and its often mis-remembered by people as code. it seemed like op may have been thinking he remembered it from somewhere.
 
Yep..grey area in code. Even 8n UK only rule is that they be high enough to not damage plug and cord in use by too much bend...

but, in JA I use the three block rule.. cut for outlets above third block.. means normally after floors finished my outlets will be between 18 and 24 inches above the tiles... 6 block rule for counter top and switches... that one sometimes causes problems... for counter outlets... but seven blocks always gets complaints of feeling too high..lol...
gotta l9ve block construction...
 
roger said:
Which doesn't mean you can not have floor receptacles or even lower if you can find a way to do it.

Roger
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Yup many of the old homes around here have them 3" above the floor in the wide baseboard moldings. They do not even need to be in the wall as long as the floor receptacle is within 18" of the wall.
 
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