Receptacle on Kitchen Island and Peninsula

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Bill Annett

Bill Annett

Senior Member
Location
Wheeling, WV
Occupation
Retired ( 2020 ) City Electrical inspector
I have a situation where I need some. I did an inspection in a kitchen and they installed cut in metal boxes using Madison straps into the side of a base cabinet for an Island or Peninsula, which pots and pans will be stored. The boxes stick into the cabinet about 3 inches and are located above the shelf in the cabinet.

I said that they need to protect the box from physical damage because the pots and pans will be hitting it when they put the pots or pans on that top shelf. This is in a 6 story apartment building. They ran MC Cable and it is protected by the way it was routed.

I looked in the code book but I could not find anything about protecting the box. My common sense says that It needs protected but does the NEC require the box to be protected.

Am I wrong? Any code reference or equipment listing that would back up my common sense would be appreciated. Also any code reference that says I am wrong would also be helpful.

Thanks, Bill
 
I understand your concern and wouldn't say you are wrong, but I don't think you'll find a specific code article to back you up. It's not unusual to have exposed boxes in unfinished basements and garages that could be subject to similar physical abuse as well. I have the same thing in our kitchen peninsula, and it's never been a problem. We use it for food storage, not pots and pans.
 
I don't see it as a problem, IMO screwing the box to the cabinet would have been better but not really required unless you can find something in the listing that prohibits Madison bars for cabinet installations.
 
It is nice to able to ask questions to people who also deals with electrical issues. Thanks for all of the replies. I guess I was wrong, at least according to the NEC. which is what I can only enforce. I will let them know that it is not a NEC violation. That should make them happy. Thanks Again. Bill
 
Bill Annett said:
I have a situation where I need some. I did an inspection in a kitchen and they installed cut in metal boxes using Madison straps into the side of a base cabinet for an Island or Peninsula, which pots and pans will be stored. The boxes stick into the cabinet about 3 inches and are located above the shelf in the cabinet.

I said that they need to protect the box from physical damage because the pots and pans will be hitting it when they put the pots or pans on that top shelf. This is in a 6 story apartment building. They ran MC Cable and it is protected by the way it was routed.

I looked in the code book but I could not find anything about protecting the box. My common sense says that It needs protected but does the NEC require the box to be protected.

Am I wrong? Any code reference or equipment listing that would back up my common sense would be appreciated. Also any code reference that says I am wrong would also be helpful.

Thanks, Bill
Click to expand...

Ok...I shutter to give you this reference because I personally do not find your posted issue a problem as the metal box is providing the protection to the electrical circuit wires. However, I will give you a reference and what you do with it is what you deem fit. Again it is for "Guarding of Live Parts" and it honestly a stretch but you asked for it....;)

110.27 (B) Prevent Physical Damage. In locations where electrical
equipment is likely to be exposed to physical damage, enclosures
or guards shall be so arranged and of such strength as to
prevent such damage.
 
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