Outlets on islands

tevans1

New User
Location
USA
Occupation
Builder
I know in the 2023 NEC you can't put outlets on the ends of islands. I have a builder that builds a 2x6 wall that the island cabinets abuts to and comes up under the counter top. He is wanting an outlet to be shown in this wall. My interpretation of the code prohibits this also even if the outlet is say a foot above the floor. Am I right or would this be permitted?
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
Prior code cycles stated that the receptacle couldn't be more than 12" down from the top of the island because kitchen appliance cords are generally 24" long. If it's mounted at 12" above the floor I don't see how it could serving the countertop and they would not be prohibited.
 

letgomywago

Senior Member
Location
Washington state and Oregon coast
Occupation
residential electrician
Prior code cycles stated that the receptacle couldn't be more than 12" down from the top of the island because kitchen appliance cords are generally 24" long. If it's mounted at 12" above the floor I don't see how it could serving the countertop and there would not be prohibited.
That's how I viewed those always. But they were in addition to an island outlet and not instead of.
 

AC\DC

Senior Member
Location
Florence,Oregon,Lane
Occupation
EC
We’re is he asking about from floor ?

why can’t you have receptacle at end of island as long as you don’t go past the overhang limit or to low.
 

calLewis

Member
Location
Colorado
Occupation
electrician
I don't see anything in 2023 210.52(c)(2) & (3) that prohibits a receptacle at the end of an island. The way I am reading it, if a receptacle is installed below the countertop it does not count as serving the area and 2023 code does not require a receptacle to serve the area. 2020 and previous editions had many requirements for number of receptacles and where they could be installed.
 

tthh

Senior Member
Location
Denver
Occupation
Retired Engineer
I was in new some new builds recently and the builder was doing the same thing with the wall next to the cabinets and having a outlet. Larger development, but not inexpensive.
 

tthh

Senior Member
Location
Denver
Occupation
Retired Engineer
I'm about to redo my kitchen island and countertop and I told the wife that the outlets need to be in the island countertop and she said she does not want that.
 

TheFitz

New User
Location
Texas
Occupation
Residential Division Manager
I know in the 2023 NEC you can't put outlets on the ends of islands. I have a builder that builds a 2x6 wall that the island cabinets abuts to and comes up under the counter top. He is wanting an outlet to be shown in this wall. My interpretation of the code prohibits this also even if the outlet is say a foot above the floor. Am I right or would this be permitted?
We have this exact controversy going on right now in much of the DFW area. We are being asked to install the normal wall outlet for larger islands facing a family room. This outlet is either installed in the baseboard or "Hammer High". There is nothing in black and white forbidding this that I can find. Anyone find anything different?
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
There is nothing in black and white forbidding this that I can find. Anyone find anything different?
Nope. I believe that the 2026 NEC will address this with a minimum of 24" between the receptacle and the countertop.
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
If so this will be interesting in California which requires the bottom of a receptacle to be a minimum of 15" off finished floor.
Not sure why they would want the receptacle at that height but they'll need to amend the 2026 NEC for that to work.
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
that seems like a silly rule. Any idea what the reasoning is?
So old ladies don't need to bend over too far? Around here new high end homes are installing tall base mouldings with the receptacles mounted in the base. Seems that people like the less obtrusive look of the receptacle and cover matching the base moulding.
 

augie47

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Tennessee
Occupation
State Electrical Inspector (Retired)
So old ladies don't need to bend over too far? Around here new high end homes are installing tall base mouldings with the receptacles mounted in the base. Seems that people like the less obtrusive look of the receptacle and cover matching the base moulding.
Old men also..... :) not that I know
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
Ok that makes sense - for commercial, but resi???
I was thinking that too. For a single family dwelling it seems ridiculous. Around we have our own "ADA" code called the Barrier Free Subcode which is a condensed or simplified version of other applicable building codes.
 

Elect117

Senior Member
Location
California
Occupation
Engineer E.E. P.E.
Ok that makes sense - for commercial, but resi???

Ya. I don't think it always applies. It definitely applies in new builds.

I can't find a good resource for it. There are a bunch of different ADA type government entities and local cities commenting on the requirement.

My guess is it applies to remodels and new builds, commercial or residential and the local AHJ would probably have say on exceptions regarding remodeling sections of your house vs your whole home.

Some ADA accessibility requirements are used by lawyers to sue small businesses that are open to the public. So if you owned a restaurant you need to ensure ADA compliance yearly as the code changes. The same applies to websites.
 
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