Here we go again . . . It wasn’t long ago I posted a picture of a workbench with a surface-mounted receptacle pointing “up.” The view of this forum was that such was a violation of the “counter top” rule. Thus, I was surprised to visit my local phone company only to see office furniture (including desks) that had factory-installed receptacles pointing “up.” Violation? Maybe not. The 2023 NEC (406.5) makes a distinction between a “work surface” and a “countertop.” What’s the difference? Work surfaces assume the worst spill you’ll have is a cup of coffee; countertops are expected to see much larger spills. UL has separate classifications for the two uses. Note the NEC is addressing “flush mounted” receptacles. We’re someone to mount a 4-square box or outlet strip to the surface with the receptacles pointed up, the restrictions of 406.5 don’t apply. I suppose we’ll next be inundated by advocates insisting that upward-pointed receptacles mush have their ground prongs on the east side
