ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues counter top outlets

Al,

Unless it's actually part of the countertop it must be below it. It seems the intent is to not require or permit outlets in this situation.

Bill

Bill,

Here's a hypothetical: Counter edge overhang of 18".

So, if I recess a wall case into a counter that is, say 3" thick, and route conductors to the wall case, and the wall case is within six inches of the counter edge, facing down (lest we forget 406.4(E)), then is that installation allowed by 210.52(C)(5)Exception, in your opinion?

[This message has been edited by ElectricAL (edited 10-21-2004).]

It seems clear to me, what am I missing?

Bob

Al,

What I am saying is that there doesn't seem to be a code-compliant way to put a Receptacle under or below a countertop that overhangs more than 6".

I had the same thoughts regarding the plugmold within 6 inches and being 'on' not 'under' etc, but after looking again (IMO) I don't think the code language allows it and also that it goes against the intent behind it.

Bill

OK,

I get it now. I was fixated on the 6".

So, to the inspectors in the crowd, when confronted with the island that SolarPowered describes above, do you require the altering of the island?

Or can the island become something like a fixed table?

Al,Sarcasm aside why do you feel the 6" that I am fixated on can be ignored?

I have heard that some people have the counter shop make a raised spot for the outlet.

IMO treating an island as furniture and not providing an outlet is not a good idea or even an option.

Bob

Bob,

That wasn't sarcasm.

There are a number of my installations I have had inspected and passed since this change was introduced in '99 that have left me with the idea that the support base within 6" of the counter edge was fair game for outlet location even as the support base wraps under an area of greater overhang.

The common situation has been on an island with something like 2" counter overhang on three sides and much more than 6" on one end. I have placed outlets in the support base (cabinet wall) on the end under the long overhang, with the outlet close to the corners. Placed there, the far edge of the outlet is within the 6" from the edge of the 2" counter overhang. I've had these pass without comment under various AHJs.

Going back to the 1999 IAEI Analysis, I see my installs could have been called.

I had, until now, generalized to "within 6" of the edge is OK". Fixated on the 6".

What I find, with many of my clients, is that they feel comfortable with the cord going to the receptacle just under the counter on the long-overhang end. They rail at cords hanging down the drawer and door laden front on the rest of the cabinet and reject the receptacle on the far side from the "working side" as being too inconvenient to use.

Interestingly, my clients have had no concern about the appliance being pulled down by the cord when the cord is routed under the long overhang (outlet within 6").

My mistake, sorry.

Bob

No worries Bob. Your 6:00 PM post's openning line actually gave me a hearty laugh for what I took as a double meaning.