Receptacle in cabinet

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

mltech

Senior Member
Location
Ft. Lauderdale
Inspector tells me I can't have a receptacle in a cabinet? I say show me the article. My argument is what about dishwasher/ disposers, what about microwaves in cabinet above, what about appliance garages.
This outlet happened to end up in a bathroom above vanity cabinet?
Any thoughts?
M3
 
Each area is different but in general inspectors have two options available.

1) Pass the job

2) Fail the job in writing with the code section for the failure given.

I agree with you, there is no NEC reason not to have an receptacle in a cabinet.
 
This outlet happened to end up in a bathroom above vanity cabinet?
Click to expand...

Was it in the vanity caginet before ending up above vanity cabinet?

210.52(D) Bathrooms. In dwelling units, at least one receptacle outlet shall be installed in bathrooms within 900 mm (3 ft) of the outside edge of each basin. The receptacle outlet shall be located on a wall or partition that is adjacent to the basin or basin countertop.

Exception: The receptacle shall not be required to be mounted in the wall or partition where it is installed on the side or face of the basin cabinet not more than 300 mm (12 in.) below the countertop.

I take 210.52(d) to mean that the outlet has to be in the wall or partition or with the exception installed on side or face of cabinet, but not in the cabinet.

You can have one in the cabinet but that cannot be the only one IMO.
 
mltech said:
Inspector tells me I can't have a receptacle in a cabinet? I say show me the article. My argument is what about dishwasher/ disposers, what about microwaves in cabinet above, what about appliance garages.
This outlet happened to end up in a bathroom above vanity cabinet?
Any thoughts?
M3
Click to expand...

Receptacles inside a cabinet IMO would not be readily accesible.They don`t count in regards to other receptacles and won`t count as far as a required bath receptacle.Options leave the existing and add one below within 36 ins of the basin
 
cabinet receptacle

cabinet receptacle

Picture this:
a double sink vanity with a mirror above each sink and makeup section in the middle with two small cabinets seperating the vanity.
The outlet in question was shown on the plans to the right of the left sink (which ended up smack dab in the middle of the left makeup cabinet) the outlet to the right of the right hand sink was shown to the right of the right sink which is in the mirror.
Hope that makes sense. The inspectors argument was more along the lines that anything plugged into this outlet could have the cabinet door close on the cord?
This outlet would either have to move to the left into the left mirror or in the side face of the cabinet(not really pretty)...

I should add that the outlet is not above the vanity but above the counter top of the vanity in the cabinet. (Bad language on my part.)
Thanks for the input
M3
 
Last edited:
allenwayne said:
Receptacles inside a cabinet IMO would not be readily accesible.
Click to expand...

What code section requires receptacles to be 'readily accessible'?

They don`t count in regards to other receptacles and won`t count as far as a required bath receptacle.
Click to expand...

No?

Do you have a code section in mind?
 
Code wants a readily accesible receptacle adjacent to each vanity.
It sounds like the one on the right is OK. The one on the left is missing.
I have put additional outlets in medicine cabinets & under counters behind a drawer so the HO can leave her blow dryers pluged in underneath. (back of drawer was removed so not to physically damege cord or plug)
Passed Inspection too. Unless he never saw it? LOL
 
77401 said:
Code wants a readily accessible receptacle adjacent to each vanity.
Click to expand...

'Code' may want it but it is not exactly what code requires.;)

210.52(D) Bathrooms. In dwelling units, at least one wall receptacle outlet shall be installed in bathrooms within 900 mm (3 ft) of the outside edge of each basin. The receptacle outlet shall be located on a wall or partition that is adjacent to the basin or basin countertop.
Click to expand...


Besides the OP never said this receptacle was the only one.:)
 
It says its to be installed on the WALL.In a cabinet would not be meeting this.You can have 1 in the cabinet but i dont think it meet the required 1.
 
Last edited:
Jim W in Tampa said:
It says its to be installed on the WALL.
Click to expand...

or partition.

Besides didn't you just tell us recently that cabinets are walls. :D

I was just trying to point out readily accessible is not used in that code section.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think that a receptacle in the vanity should count as the required bathroom plug. The opening post here did not say it was the only receptacle.

He simply said that the inspector would not allow a receptacle in a cabinet.
 
iwire said:
or partition.

Besides didn't you just tell us recently that cabinets are walls. :D

I was just trying to point out readily accessible is not used in that code section.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think that a receptacle in the vanity should count as the required bathroom plug. The opening post here did not say it was the only receptacle.

He simply said that the inspector would not allow a receptacle in a cabinet.
Click to expand...

The wording is poor but i dont think when they said partition that they had this in mind.NEC does not say readily accessible but did say on the wall.I too agree its a bad choice and i would fail it too.His cure is easy ,just remove the door.
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
The wording is poor but i dont think when they said partition that they had this in mind.NEC does not say readily accessible but did say on the wall.I too agree its a bad choice and i would fail it too.His cure is easy ,just remove the door.
Click to expand...

I think he can put it on the "wall" of the cabinet Jim.

Just put a wiremold box inside the cabinet where the existing receptacle is and run wire mold around to the side of the cabinet put a cut in wire mold box on the side of the cabinet and this is your receptacle for the left hand basin. then that receptacle will be on a "wall"
 
cabinet outlet

cabinet outlet

In this instance the receptacle in question is the only receptacle next to the sink. HO never had a vanity plan and we put it where the electrical prints had it.
I will probably have them pull the cabinet and knock a hole in the wall and add a new one. Hate having to hit the HO again, $, but it is what it is and I want off the job.
This is the second time the inspector has come in and after already having told us what to change for final, he keeps coming up with things?
Try this one... Hot tub in bathroom, receptacle behind tub on wall. pretty standard. fed with 2p20a GFI breaker in panel. Plumbing inspector made them move the motor out from behind the tub as he didn't like the accessible panel (too small). motor ends up in cabinet next to tub.
My inspector now says I have to move my receptacle into the cabinet? Clearly it was in the proper location and the cords 6' in length only have to go 3'.
Do I have to move the power?

Thanks for all your input.
M3
 
Not your fault!
Move it & hit them with another extra Charge double for extras!
On both Items!!!
Extras alway cost more than original bid because it takes longer, seperate trips, etc.
Why is it Electricians on here feel bad for charging for more work?
I DON"T GET IT!!

Be glad the Plumb Insp. got this for ya!
 
77401 said:
Not your fault!
Move it & hit them with another extra Charge double for extras!
On both Items!!!
Extras alway cost more than original bid because it takes longer, seperate trips, etc.
Why is it Electricians on here feel bad for charging for more work?
I DON"T GET IT!!

Be glad the Plumb Insp. got this for ya!
Click to expand...

for me I don't mind the extra money it is the hastle of going back when the job was done. and you are busy with other scheduled work. now you have to drop everything to punch this thing out. If I had 3 or 4 crews this wouldn't bother me much as it is I am a one truck outfit.
 
Hit em

Hit em

I don't really feel bad, just like the homeowner. I got a job to do - bottom line and I got to get paid regardless. I am really blaming the contractor, bad management.
As far as the code goes I just want an inspector, who should be well versed in the NEC, answer my challange. He has not yet responded to my request for a code article.
I will make the changes just to appease and final the job.
Any thoughts on the hottub receptacle mentioned in the above message?
Thanks
M3
 
mltech said:
I don't really feel bad, just like the homeowner. I got a job to do - bottom line and I got to get paid regardless. I am really blaming the contractor, bad management.
As far as the code goes I just want an inspector, who should be well versed in the NEC, answer my challange. He has not yet responded to my request for a code article.
I will make the changes just to appease and final the job.
Any thoughts on the hottub receptacle mentioned in the above message?
Thanks
M3
Click to expand...

I think you are good with the hot tub but,
If you appease him on one thing you will need to appease him on all of it.
 
My inspector now says I have to move my receptacle into the cabinet? Clearly it was in the proper location and the cords 6' in length only have to go 3'
Click to expand...

I suppose he could be saying it is not in sight of the motor. I think he is being ridiculous. Do what you have to but I would ask him for code sections for what he wants done. Just explain you want to understand things better and want to know what you violated so you can be more careful in the future.:smile:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top