receptacle placement In Kitchen

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southern sampler

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I,M new here, and this is my first post. Am I reading This right. The 08 Nec
says that Recep's above Kit. Counter tops Have to be at least 24" apart horizontally. Am I reading this right? EXAMPLE; A 20' section of kitchen counter tops has to have receptacles every 24" ? Sure seems like alot!!!! lol
 
southern sampler said:
I,M new here, and this is my first post. Am I reading This right. The 08 Nec
says that Recep's above Kit. Counter tops Have to be at least 24" apart horizontally. Am I reading this right? EXAMPLE; A 20' section of kitchen counter tops has to have receptacles every 24" ? Sure seems like alot!!!! lol
Click to expand...

While I dont actually have a NEC available, if it says Counter tops Have to be at least 24" apart horizontally as you say, then it there is nothing stopping you from putting them 20 feet apart, one on each end, assuming that fulfills any additional requirements of the NEC.
 
As Bob stated 48" is the maximum distance apart. You could have one every 6" or less if you so choose.
 
iWire,
The last kitchen I was in,
by design, I placed the recepticals 24" apart,
all the way around the kitchen!
Each was a separate GFCI.
Client had this idea.
Client was happy.
I got a little extra time on the books.
:)
 
Personally I think 48" apart is to far, but the OP was asking for code.:)

Left up to me the spacing would likely be around 32" (two 16" stud bays apart)
 
infinity said:
As Bob stated 48" is the maximum distance apart. You could have one every 6" or less if you so choose.
Click to expand...

Generally speaking the good idea is to keep in mind the simple rule for
spacing outlets:
kitchen above counter top - 24" min 48 max.and any wall >12'
bedrooms - no more than 12' between outlets and max. 6' horiz. from any corner or doors along the wall. Separate wall more than 24" wide also require outlet
Section 210.52 specify the details:)
 
kacper said:
Generally speaking the good idea is to keep in mind the simple rule for
spacing outlets:
kitchen above counter top - 24" min 48 max.and any wall >12'
bedrooms - no more than 12' between outlets and max. 6' horiz. from any corner or doors along the wall. Separate wall more than 24" wide also require outlet
Section 210.52 specify the details:)
Click to expand...


Not sure what the part I highlighted means.
 
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southern sampler said:
I,M new here, and this is my first post. Am I reading This right. The 08 Nec
says that Recep's above Kit. Counter tops Have to be at least 24" apart horizontally. Am I reading this right? EXAMPLE; A 20' section of kitchen counter tops has to have receptacles every 24" ? Sure seems like alot!!!! lol
Click to expand...

The idea is that if you follow the NEC you won't be more than 24" away from a counter use receptacle not a receptacle every 24".
 
The 24" kitchen c'top rule is basically the same principle as the wall 6' rule.

Most kitchen appliances have 18-24" cords, so any point on the c'top should be within 24" of a receptacle.

Most lamps, TV, etc. have 6' cords, so any point on the wall should be within 6' of a receptacle.
 
southern sampler said:
I,M new here, and this is my first post. Am I reading This right. The 08 Nec
says that Recep's above Kit. Counter tops Have to be at least 24" apart horizontally. Am I reading this right?
Click to expand...
This code much like the other dwelling recept. spacing rule is 'NO POINT MORE THAN 24 INCHES' - So the 24" at each end needs to be covered - then - the spaces inbetween each recept. need to be covered. <24" one way, <24" in the other - measured from any point on the counter. Some people call this a '2-4 rule' incorrectly IMO. A little piece of count 11" wide - doesn't count as a "counter-space" in the code...

While we're at it - recept.s in the walls of the rooms can be 'NO POINT MORE THAN 6 FEET' - <6' to the first one in either direction from the doors, and the next one can not be more than 12' - but it is really that the point in the middle of that 12' can not be more 6' in either direction... And a wall <24" does not count as a "wall" according to the code.
 
I've seen some weird interpretations of the NEC in this thread. I saw mention of "within 6' of a corner", which isn't true; the line ignores corners.

In a nutshell:

For the kitchen countertop, any counter space 1' or wider must have at least one receptacle. Any point on the counter-wall line cannot be farther than 2' from a receptacle. (I call the 2-4-4-2 rule)

That means one no farther than 2' from a counter-space's end, and no more than 4' between them. I use my own judgement. For example, I'd give a 4' counter two, even though one is compliant.

For the rest of the kitchen and other rooms, any point along a floor-wall line that's 2' or wider cannot be farther than 6' from a receptacle. (I call the 6-12-12-6 rule.)

That means when you start at a doorway, you must hit the first one within 6', the next one (or more) within 12', and the next doorway within 6' of the last one.

It rarely works out that exact, so you should move them all closer and aim for roughly equal spacing. You can always place them closer to suit room layout preferences.

The basic idea is to avoid the necessity of extension cords, and we consider kitchen appliances to have 2' cords and everything else to have 6' cords.
 
iWire,
You are right. My memory must be failing.
I surely would have used every other stud, as you suggested.
Not 24", but 32".
Started at the Sink, then both directions. Single circuit for Microwave over Range.
Checking my Autocad drawings makes your case.

Aside, In Spring Valley, N.Y, in 65',
the client requested a T&M mod to the design.
In addition to the NEC requirements,
He wanted quad recepticals at 24" from each corner, split top/bottom on a wall switch. So, we mounted 2x4's to make the distance. He also wanted 5 ceiling boxes in the large rooms, with one in the 'exact' center, the others spaced evenly.
He visted the job site every noon-time with soda and hot ham sandwiches.
We used BX and metal boxes everywhere!
He paid to exceed code and customize.
You got to love it.
:)
 
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