Residential outlet spacing
- Thread starter gharris
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stamcon
Senior Member
- Location
- South San Francisco CA
Re: Residential outlet spacing
No point of the wall along the floor shall be more than 6' from a receptacle. This means a receptacle needs to be located within 6' from a wall opening and then no more than 12' apart after the first one.
No point of the wall along the floor shall be more than 6' from a receptacle. This means a receptacle needs to be located within 6' from a wall opening and then no more than 12' apart after the first one.
A
a.wayne3@verizon.net
Guest
Re: Residential outlet spacing
Yes it is 2` 6 ` and 12`,but you stated useable wall space here we are required to have a receptacle on any 2 ft wall in a room even behind a door
Yes it is 2` 6 ` and 12`,but you stated useable wall space here we are required to have a receptacle on any 2 ft wall in a room even behind a door
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: Residential outlet spacing
When designing the layout of todays typical home, one receptacle every twelve feet is hardly sufficient.
I believe this requirement was established to provide at least one receptacle outlet on each wall of a room and because manufacturers of cords on equipment were at 6 feet.
The overuse of extension cords and plug strips are leading causes of fire and electrical injury and damage within the home.
High use areas such as behind TV locations, next to beds, and computer equipment locations need addition receptacles above the requirements of the code.
Just my opinion.
When designing the layout of todays typical home, one receptacle every twelve feet is hardly sufficient.
I believe this requirement was established to provide at least one receptacle outlet on each wall of a room and because manufacturers of cords on equipment were at 6 feet.
The overuse of extension cords and plug strips are leading causes of fire and electrical injury and damage within the home.
High use areas such as behind TV locations, next to beds, and computer equipment locations need addition receptacles above the requirements of the code.
Just my opinion.
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: Residential outlet spacing
I agree with gravity. Also note that the 1999 NEC removed the word "usable" from 210.52
[ June 03, 2003, 01:02 PM: Message edited by: ryan_618 ]
I agree with gravity. Also note that the 1999 NEC removed the word "usable" from 210.52
[ June 03, 2003, 01:02 PM: Message edited by: ryan_618 ]
michael nye
Member
- Location
- California
Re: Residential outlet spacing
every 12' of wall space is great but, what is a more practical application, is 2' inside the door, then when the I get to a corner I treat it as a new wall space and wire in another one. This accomidates most electrical apperaties 6' cord, and alliviates the need for extention cords .
every 12' of wall space is great but, what is a more practical application, is 2' inside the door, then when the I get to a corner I treat it as a new wall space and wire in another one. This accomidates most electrical apperaties 6' cord, and alliviates the need for extention cords .
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: Residential outlet spacing
I meet the requirements of the code as far as wall space goes, then I add for additional receptacle outlets in each corner if one does not end up there per code spacing. I then add quad receptacles to the nearest outlet next to any phone and cable outlet. This allows for multiple equipment us in these areas.
I make the use of quads a practice in kitchens as well.
I meet the requirements of the code as far as wall space goes, then I add for additional receptacle outlets in each corner if one does not end up there per code spacing. I then add quad receptacles to the nearest outlet next to any phone and cable outlet. This allows for multiple equipment us in these areas.
I make the use of quads a practice in kitchens as well.
reel-break
Member
Re: Residential outlet spacing
I think the key to any wiring job remember Nec is the minimum.I`d hate to wire a house with rec. spacing at minimum.Even for the tight wad contractor it only cost me a few bucks to be proud to have my name on the panel cover.
"by the work one knows the worker"
I think the key to any wiring job remember Nec is the minimum.I`d hate to wire a house with rec. spacing at minimum.Even for the tight wad contractor it only cost me a few bucks to be proud to have my name on the panel cover.
"by the work one knows the worker"
Re: Residential outlet spacing
If you put a quad outlet in my house without my permission I might make you tear it out and replace. it with a duplex!
On all my electronic equipment (TVs, microwave, stereo, VCR, DVD, etc.) I use surge protectors. In some cases I like to use the six outlet type that plug directly into a duplex outlet with no cord. Your quad outlets make this a little difficult.
My computers are on UPS devices, so they don't require more than a single outlet either.
If you put a quad outlet in my house without my permission I might make you tear it out and replace. it with a duplex!
On all my electronic equipment (TVs, microwave, stereo, VCR, DVD, etc.) I use surge protectors. In some cases I like to use the six outlet type that plug directly into a duplex outlet with no cord. Your quad outlets make this a little difficult.
My computers are on UPS devices, so they don't require more than a single outlet either.
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: Residential outlet spacing
These are horrible devices that should be banned from being manufactured. If there is ever the over use of a single receptacle outlet, it is with use of these type of devices. I would rather see a six-strip, surge protected, cord-and-plug connected device, but I dont like these either. Just my opinion.
txsparky
Member
- Location
- Conroe, Texas
Re: Residential outlet spacing
racraft,
Why not use quad surge protection receptacles, or whole house surge protection?
racraft,
Why not use quad surge protection receptacles, or whole house surge protection?
jxofaltrds
Inspector Mike®
- Location
- Mike P. Columbus Ohio
- Occupation
- ESI, PI, RBO
Re: Residential outlet spacing
I place the outlets where they make the most sense. Then I touch the wall and spread my arms. If an outlet is within my reach I know that I am ok. Your arm span is your height.
Saves getting the tape out all the time. It is also an easy way to show the homeowners, during a walk-through, what is going on. They can see your arms spread. They cannot see your tapes reading.
Mike P.
[ June 04, 2003, 08:09 AM: Message edited by: jxofaltrds ]
I place the outlets where they make the most sense. Then I touch the wall and spread my arms. If an outlet is within my reach I know that I am ok. Your arm span is your height.
Saves getting the tape out all the time. It is also an easy way to show the homeowners, during a walk-through, what is going on. They can see your arms spread. They cannot see your tapes reading.
Mike P.
[ June 04, 2003, 08:09 AM: Message edited by: jxofaltrds ]
Re: Residential outlet spacing
Thanks so much for all of your responses. I knew 6' was in there somewhere. I haven't inspected homes in almost 20 years and I couldn't find my latest NEC. I lived in CA for years and now am in the DC area. We are building a new home and I don't know where these inspectors got their training. It's awful the things that go on back here, and the shoddy way things are done around here is a disgrace to the inspection profession. I'm lucky if we have one outlet on each wall of our new home. And, our rooms are huge. I checked and the jurisdiction where our home is being constructed and they use the NEC. And, before I made a fuss I wanted to be sure. I'll go to the library and look up the code section and then make a fuss!! Most times men don't like to hear this type of stuff from a woman. Thanks for the info. )
Thanks so much for all of your responses. I knew 6' was in there somewhere. I haven't inspected homes in almost 20 years and I couldn't find my latest NEC. I lived in CA for years and now am in the DC area. We are building a new home and I don't know where these inspectors got their training. It's awful the things that go on back here, and the shoddy way things are done around here is a disgrace to the inspection profession. I'm lucky if we have one outlet on each wall of our new home. And, our rooms are huge. I checked and the jurisdiction where our home is being constructed and they use the NEC. And, before I made a fuss I wanted to be sure. I'll go to the library and look up the code section and then make a fuss!! Most times men don't like to hear this type of stuff from a woman. Thanks for the info.
)rasmithircgov.com
Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: Residential outlet spacing
The word USABLE was taken out way before 1999 code. Can't remember but I beleive it even was pre 1980's anybody remember?
The word USABLE was taken out way before 1999 code. Can't remember but I beleive it even was pre 1980's anybody remember?
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: Residential outlet spacing
Ras,
I have code books back to 1971, and it is not in that issue, so before '71
Pierre
Ras,
I have code books back to 1971, and it is not in that issue, so before '71
Pierre
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