Standard Height for Kitchen Electrical Outlets
- Countertop Outlets. The electric code requires that you install outlets on countertops every 4 feet and the height...
- Wall Outlets. Wall outlets do not have a specific height according to electrical codes but a practical height is 18...
- Microwave Outlets. Microwave outlets are different from other outlets in the kitchen...
What is the standard height of a kitchen outlet?
The electric code requires that you install outlets on countertops every 4 feet and the height cannot exceed 18 inches. If you place the outlet 18 inches high, you will need to decrease the width between outlets. Any appliance with a 2-foot cord must be able to reach an outlet at any point on the counter.
What height should you make a counter outlet?
Height to Install Electrical Outlets in Rough Framing
- General Receptacle Placement. Although the National Electrical Code doesn't specify a minimum or maximum vertical height for receptacles, it does require them to be spaced such that no point on ...
- People With Disabilities. ...
- Exceptions to Code. ...
- Standard Placement. ...
How many outlets are in a kitchen?
Kitchens must have at least two outlets of 20-amps. The outlets in the kitchen are required to power very high voltage kitchen appliances. A 20-amp circuit is used to power appliances like microwave ovens, toasters, as well as blenders. Common kitchen appliances require a 20-amp circuit to function.
What is the minimum height of a switch and outlet?
Although 48 inches is the standard height electricians prefer for most rooms, this can be altered if local building codes permit. For example, switches are often placed at different heights in kitchens to allow for countertops.
How many outlets per foot in kitchen?
According to the codes, there should be one outlet for every 4 feet of kitchen counter space and one for every 12 feet of wall space.
How far away from the kitchen countertop should an electric outlet be?
You need to install outlets on walls above kitchen countertops that are 2 feet or higher in width. The electric outlets should be placed strategically so that any point from a kitchen countertop should have an electric outlet available within 2 feet. They should not be mounted higher than 20 inches from the top of the kitchen counter.
How high can you mount an electric outlet?
According to the National Electric Code, you can mount electric outlets anywhere, starting from just above the standard 4-inch kitchen countertop backsplash in the wall and up to 18 inches above the surface of the kitchen countertop.
Why do new homes have GFCI outlets?
Nowadays, generally, all new homes come with GFCI outlets in the kitchens to prevent accidents, which may destroy electrical appliances and cause a fire. In accordance with the code, all new homes should come with GFCI outlets in the kitchen, so make sure yours are GFCI too. Some homes even have GFCI circuits.
How many amps do I need to install an outlet?
The electric sockets you install should be of 125 voltage, with a current of 15 or 20 amps (generally 20 amps are used everywhere). You need to install outlets on walls above kitchen countertops that are 2 feet or higher in width.
How high should an electric outlet be over a counter?
Height of the Electrical Outlets. There is actually no specified height for outlet placement over a kitchen counter in the codes, but there are some limitations regarding the maximum height of the placement of outlets. According to the National Electric Code, you can mount electric outlets anywhere, starting from just above ...
How many circuits should be used in a kitchen?
To supply electric power to the power outlets in the kitchen, at least 2 circuits should be used. These circuits should be dedicated for use by kitchen appliances only – no garbage disposal, light fixtures, range hoods, etcetera are allowed.
How high should a receptacle be above the floor?
Since the NEC ( National Electrical Code) has no provision for the installation height of receptacles above the kitchen floor—or any floor—many builders tend to follow the ADA (American Disability Act) ensuring therefore that their installation will be accessible to handicapped people. The ADA specifies a minimum of 15 inches (380 mm) from the floor and depending on circumstances, the maximum height being between 48 and 54 inches (approx. 1.2 - 1.4 m).
How high should a kitchen counter be?
What the code specifies is to install at a general height between 15 to 20-inches from the counter’s surface.
How many inches should a countertop be?
3.2—Any countertop space of 12-inches or more should have a nearby receptacle (within 24-inches) with the subsequent receptacle within 48-inches. 3.3—A countertop space of 18-inches next to a sink should have a receptacle.
How far away from a sink should a GFCI outlet be?
For any receptacle within 24-inches from a sink, you must use a GFCI outlet (Figure 3) to prevent the risk of shock. 3. The 5 Rules of Appliances. 3.1—Kitchen electrical appliances usually have an average cord length of about 2-feet, therefore, receptacles should be placed at a maximum 4-feet from each other—the measurement ending where a stove, ...
How many amps does a kitchen appliance need?
The fact that often more than one of those will be used simultaneously being a given, the walls above those countertops where the appliance will be resting should supply enough outlets to activate every one appliance, some of them at 20 amps rating (Figure 1) instead of the more commonly used 15 amps (Figure 2).
How far from a stove must a receptacle be?
3.4—Receptacles must be within 24-inches from a stove, fridge, sink, or any other countertop breaks.
What is an efficient kitchen?
An efficient kitchen is determined by its ease of access for all of its cupboards, accessories, and appliances while working in it and the proximity of all the cooking and baking supplies.
How high should an outlet be above a kitchen counter?
Outlets can be mounted just above the standard 4-inch countertop backsplash in the wall and up to a height of 18 inches above the countertop surface, according to the National Electric Code. If outlets are mounted at the maximum height allowable, the space allowable between each outlet may shrink, requiring more outlets to be installed. The idea is that a small kitchen appliance placed anywhere on the countertop with a 24-inch power cord should reach an outlet without using an extension cord.
What should be the last word in the height, quantity and type of outlets installed over your kitchen counters?
Your local electrical codes should be the last word in the height, quantity and type of outlets installed over your kitchen counters. It can be an expensive endeavor to have to correct electrical work that has been completed in error. Some states require that all electrical work be done by a licensed electrician -- something to keep in mind when budgeting for a kitchen overhaul.
Can you use an extension cord on an electric griddle?
Using an extension cord to reach the nearest outlet with your mixer or electric griddle can be downright dangerous. Of course, no quantity of outlets will do much good if they are mounted at the wrong height. Making sure your kitchen counter outlets are at the correct height is critical when planning electrical outlet placement for your home. Make sure your kitchen counter electrical outlets are within easy reach, both for safety's sake and to avoid code violations.
Do all new homes have GFCI outlets?
As of 2011 all new homes come with ground fault circuit interrupter outlets over the kitchen counters. Some homes may even have a GFCI circuit for this purpose. This type of setup protects the whole circuit, not just the individual outlet. GFCI outlets have been required in new construction by the NEC since 2008 should be installed during kitchen renovations.
How far from the wall can I put a floor outlet?
Floor outlets less than 18″ from the wall can. There are also other guidelines that need to be followed. For example: Every hallway should have at least one receptacle if it is 10′ or longer in length. Kitchen countertop outlets require at least two 20-amp circuits and must have GFCI protection.
How high should a receptacle box be?
Generally, you want to mount receptacle boxes with the bottom of the box about 16-inches off the floor. Coincidentally, this roughly equates to the same height as your garden variety 22-ounce framing hammer. We still recommend using a ruler, however.
How High Do You Mount Light Switches?
Typically, you mount light switches about 48-inches high from the floor (on-center). This can vary, but we find this a great rule of thumb and very consistent with the builders and subcontractors in our area. We also tend to run these as a dedicated 15A or 20A circuit, though code may not require that.
What is the rule of thumb for outlet spacing?
NEC 210-52 states the following (abbreviated for easier digestion): Receptacles are needed in every room of a home such that no point on a wall is over 6′ from an outlet.
How many amps are needed for a kitchen countertop?
Kitchen countertop outlets require at least two 20-amp circuit s and must have GFCI protection. Allow no more than 4 feet between countertop outlets.
How far from the floor should you mount a switch?
Typically, you mount switches about 48-inches from the floor (on-center). This can vary, but we find this a great rule of thumb and very consistent with the builders and subcontractors in our area. We also tend to run these as a dedicated 15A or 20A circuit, though code may not require that.
How far away from a doorway should an outlet be?
This means that you need an outlet within 6′ of a doorway or fireplace. A long wall, however, may have up to 12′ between outlets. Any outlet above 5′ 6″ cannot be counted towards this equation. Floor outlets less than 18″ from the wall can. There are also other guidelines that need to be followed.
