Kitchen Counter Outlet Spacing

There can be no part of the countertop farther than 24 inches from an outlet which means that the maximum spacing between countertop receptacles is 48 inches.

Kitchen counter outlet spacing. Countertop electrical outlet spacing location height summary. And b no point on the kitchen counter measured at the wall may be more that 24 inches away from a receptacle. A receptacle outlet shall be installed at each wall counter space that is 300 mm 12 in or wider. A receptacle outlet is required behind a corner sink only when the distance from the countertop corner to the edge of the sink is equal to or greater than 18 inches.

Electrical outlets along countertops kitchen receptacles are placed no more than 48 apart no point along the countertop is more than 24 from a receptacle countertops of 12 or more wide get a receptacle. Further these same codes may specify that all of the outlets above the countertop must be divided into at least two different circuits. Receptacle outlets shall be installed so that no point along the wall line is more than 600 mm 24 in measured horizontally from a receptacle outlet in that space. A a receptacle shall be installed for any counter that is 12 inches wide or greater.

Whereas some electrical codes require 6 to 12 foot spacing between wall outlets a much closer 4 foot gap is required for outlets mounted above kitchen countertops. In case you have a larger island or any countertop divided by the sink or a cook top range etc and there is less than 12 of counter space behind that dividing sink or appliance each of the sections would require a gfci protected receptacle. A receptacle outlet is then required for every additional 1 7 m 2 18 ft 2 of countertop or work surface. Orsc e35 210 52 c 1 see figure 1.

The nec doesn t specify the number of receptacle outlets you must have in the kitchen but it does have a specific requirement for outlets serving counter spaces more than 12 inches long. 24 inches measured horizontally from a receptacle outlet in that space. Small appliance circuit countertop space wall and hallway space. Kitchen gfci outlet locations above and below the countertops.

Therefore the maximum receptacle spacing is 48 inches on center. In kitchens electrical outlets should be placed no farther than 48 inches apart so that no point on the countertop is more than 24 inches away from a receptacle. 2 wall counter spaces see figure 1. All 15 amp and 20 amp outlets whether gfci or not must be tamper resistant in the following kitchen related places.

Outlet spacing in kitchens. Maximum height above countertop to receptacle. 1 at least two 20 ampere branch circuits shall supply kitchen countertop receptacles.