Receptacle mounting height

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l3city

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Hi fellas, well first time here, thanks for this site. Recently I have been asked: At what height a receptacle shall be mounted? I know there are parts in the code where it says that for some classified areas there shall be at a certain height. However, the question was more general, is the height (given by the NEC) taken from the center of the receptacle or from the bottom? (assuming a receptacle is mounted in the vertical position):smile:
thanks, I'll look forward for your answer.
 
The NEC doesn't really address recep height. A recep. higher than 5'6" doesn't count as a covenience outlet. ADA has codes for units that need to be handicap accessible. For me, make sure you & your helper have the same measuring stick.
 
There is no specified height in the NEC for the general placement of receptacles.

There are some specific placement requirments such as 210.52(C)(5) that limit the height of the receptacles that are to serve the countertop to not more than 20 inches above the countertop.

Also the building codes have some height requirements for receptacles and switches for handicap accessibility (ADA).

Chris
 
I would measure depending on the actual wording of the article.
Take 210.52(C)(5), for example...
Receptacle outlets shall be located above, but not more than 500 mm (20 in.) above, the countertop.
Click to expand...

Top of the outlet cannot be over 20".


Many times height is addressed in the notes on a print - for these cases, all my measuring is on center.

If there is no notation about height on a print, my standard is pretty much 18" for outlets, 48" for switches (but pay "special" attention to tiled areas)
 
Recepticals in block construction has historicly been 16" to the bottom of the recptical. This is done for the ease of chipping out only one block and having the flat surface of the bottom block to rest the box on and be level
 
Hammer Handle !!

Hammer Handle !!

Many electricians use their hammer handle as a gauge for convenience receptacle height. :grin:

This will place the outlet box somewhere between 12 and 16 inches above the floor, to the bottom of the box.

Your hammer may vary. :grin:
 
If you use NECA-1 as guidance on 110.12 matters, there are mounting heights outined:

mountingheights.jpg
 
celtic said:
....as measured?
Top, center, bottom ???
Click to expand...

11.1 Recommended Outlet Mounting
Heights
Table 3 describes typical mounting heights for various
outlets and control devices. All heights are measured
from finished floor to centerline of device.
These heights comply with the requirements of the
ADAG (American with Disability Act Guidelines).​
 
Well Marc-- I must admit I have never used those guidelines. 48" for switches around here has past with the dinosaurs. 43" to bottom is pretty much the standard for residential here along with 13" to bottom for recep.

Kitchen counter and bath-- 43" --- nothing I hate more than seeing a 48" switch next to a kitchen recep. mounted at 43"
 
The old story goes that a wall receptacle height was based on the length of a
Hammer to a wall (well it was my instructor?s story). I see others heard the same story...:roll:

ADA was the best thing to straighten out toilets and stairs for Architects,
and everyone else that had to apply there deigns.

In NC, electricians have to follow it when dealing with Light switch heights
44?- 48? max, thermostats 48?, outlets 18? minimum. and Lite - emergency
areas of rescue, wall sconce height etc. all based on handicap occupancy.
 
cadpoint said:
In NC, electricians have to follow it when dealing with Light switch heights
44?- 48? max, thermostats 48?, outlets 18? minimum. and Lite - emergency
areas of rescue, wall sconce height etc. all based on handicap occupancy.
Click to expand...
Perhaps you are talking about commercial not residential. I live here in NC and have never seen anything like that with residential work.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Perhaps you are talking about commercial not residential. I live here in NC and have never seen anything like that with residential work.
Click to expand...

I also live and work (99% of which is commercial) in NC and have never "had" to follow anything like that either.

Roger
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Well Marc-- I must admit I have never used those guidelines. 48" for switches around here has past with the dinosaurs.
Click to expand...

I don't choose the height it will be on the plans here are the most common measurements.

All measurements are from finished floor to center of the device.

60" for temp sensors if they do not have any controls on them

48" controls.

44" above work surfaces.

18" for receptacles.

If we are doing dwelling units the receptacles might drop to 16".
 
Dennis Alwon said:
... is pretty much the standard for residential here along with 13" to bottom for recep.
Click to expand...
That doesn't even seem to fall within the ADA reach limits. I wouldn't enjoy trimming out a 13" TTB receptacle very much.
 
iwire said:
I don't choose the height it will be on the plans ...
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Right! I especially enjoy the plans that give a dimension, but don't specify bottom, top, or center; just AFF. Do you just pick something to be a jerk, or do you RFI? :-?
 
mdshunk said:
Right! I especially enjoy the plans that give a dimension, but don't specify bottom, top, or center; just AFF. Do you just pick something to be a jerk, or do you RFI? :-?
Click to expand...

Truthfully I have never done it anyway but to center.

A lot of the prints I see will actually have a specific elevation detail right on the electrical notes page showing every devices height in detail.

I have even been given the finished horizontal distance between receptacle and data plates.

That can be a pain to rough for.
 
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