ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Receptacle/Switch Heights

I worked with a guy a long time ago that marked center of receptacles according to the top of his cowboy boots and the switches to his belt buckle.(6'1 tall) How bout' dem rednecks huh?

[This message has been edited by elektrikguy (edited 08-30-2003).]

As per switch height, my father installed the switches in the house he built at 56 inches. Problem was, when I was about 4, I wanted to turn the lights on or off in my bedroom. As I couldn't reach the switch, I climbed onto the bed that was next to the door and switch. Seems that when I tried to reach the switch I fell off the bed and hit the doorknob with my chin, getting a nasty cut....

We did a few child care centers (Kindercare) a couple of years back.
The receptacles were called out at +54" AFF, to keep the tykes like Electric Eagle was from accessing them. We had to apply for variances (all granted) to stray from the ADA standards. Another spec was that the grounds be up so that the recps didn't look like "happy faces" (another endless subject of its own).
I just don't see how everybody gets away with putting recps/switches wherever they want. ¿¿ Are your jobs not subject to the ADA requirements?? (I don't do much resi work)

I'll bet elektrikguy's buddy looked very strange marking the switch heights on the studs at his belt buckle level ...S

LOL, I only report the news that's fit to print......well sort of

These may be of some interest.






Figure 5b
Maximum Forward Reach over an Obstruction
The maximum level forward reach over an obstruction with knee space below is 25 inches (635 mm). When the obstruction is less than 20 inches (510 mm) deep, the maximum high forward reach is 48 inches (1220 mm). When the obstruction projects 20 to 25 inches (510 mm to 635 mm), the maximum high forward reach is 44 inches (1120 mm). (4.2.5, 4.25.3).



Figure 6(b)
High and Low - Side Reach Limits

The 30 by 48 inch wheelchair clear floor space is located a maximum 10 inches (255 mm) from the wall.



Figure 6(c)
Maximum Side Reach over Obstruction
If the depth of the obstruction is 24 inches (610 mm) and the maximum height of the obstruction is 34 inches (865 mm), the maximum high side reach over the obstruction is 46 inches (1170).

Roger

Hmmm. Interesting thread. I'm not in the US, but I think the problems are similar.

In old Swedish homes, the switches and outlets were very high up on the wall. The center of the switches could be 1.5 m (60") up. In modern homes the (center of) switches can be as low as 1 m (40") up, which is about as low as a tall guy like me find comfortable. The outles have ended up as low as 0.2 m (8") from the floor. This is too low to be comfortable to anyone.

In modern offices, public buildings and homes built for elderly or disabled people, you find outlets at the same height as the light switches. Often they are combined.
In fact, in think one outlet per room at switch height is required in all new houses.

Outdoor outlets and outlets in warehouses, industries and the like are usually mounted more than a metre above ground.

posted by electure

I am with you on that, and when I stop to think about it I have not got to decide the height on anything electrical in years, it is always specified on the print from outlets to panels it is all on the print.

Some of you may say what a bore, but when you are installing 1000s of devices at one job it takes the pressure off.

If there is an issue down the road with heights any changes will be T&M, as long as I followed the print.

We have done jobs that all wall devices had to be within 1/8" of the position shown on the print to match the millwork.

Are you going all Spanish on us, Scott?

Heights in older British homes were all over the place. It wasn't uncommon to find surface mount receptacles screwed to baseboards with their lower edge almost on the floor. Most people here today seem to consider 18" to be far too high (I've asked them about it) and expect them to be no more than around 12").

Just as C-H mentioned in Sweden, in many old properties here the light switches were often mounted at 5' or more. Even now, some people would consider 48" to be too low.

I once wired a home 48" to the top of switched and 18" to the bottom for plugs. normal for our area. The owners nephew complained that they were too high and asked us to lower them after we already finished the rough. Needless to say we agreed to do it for a price. When we heard nothing for awhile the GC told us that the owner wanted us to lower them 2". If we didn't they would contact the AHJ. We instructed the GC to have them do so, we were in compliant. When we returned for the finish we noticed all the outlets lowered 2". My partner and I glaced at each other and in unison said "Time and Material".

Blessings. Mark