ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Switch Elevation Standards

Hi,
I am wondering if there is any standard for switch elevations and outlet elevations for residential and commercial applications?

Thanks for any replies.

-regards

Mustang

Mustang:
No NEC requirements for heights (that's design)

You have to comply to ADA requirements IF the building is handicap accessable (comm)
(Americans with Disabilities Act) In Building codes

Where's Ryan Jackson???

Basically heights are either "set" by the Architect/Engineer or Designer within the spec for the job, comm or resi. Or, the sparky laying the job out sets the heights

John

Here I am

As John said, there are no requirements for residential. For commercial, you might want to take a look in the "building code for electricians" section in this site, as it has quite a lot of information.

Basically, you want to mount 15" to 48" for everything, as that is the standard reach range. The ADAAG (ADA) allows an unobstructed side reach of 54", but bare in mind that many states do not use the ADAAG for accessilbilty, but rather the ANSI A117.1. The ANSI doesn't recognize the 54" clearance, except for in existing buildings

I asked a simular question not long ago....
https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000078.html

In Residential I recommend 44" for switch. That is a good counter top height for recpts. Then your switches next to recpt in Kitchen & bath match. Then match around the rest of the house.

For commercial I have always matched existing which seems to be 48" or if there is no existing I put at 48"