ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Kitchen counter tops

Hi Pierre. In all honesty, I don't recall if the receptacles in question were required. If they were required to satisfy the wall space provision, they are less than 5.5 feet AFF, so they could count as required receptacles.

We see a lot of these installations, and we decided that if you make it obvious that the are is a desk, GFCI protection will not be required.

The NEC does not differentiate between a desk in a kitchen and a kitchen. If it is in a kitchen it shall be protected by a ground fault.

Jeff, in this case there are two questions. #1 - Is this area of the house part of the kitchen? Dining room? Breakfast room? Pantry?
Or other?
#2 - Is a "desk" a "counter"?

If the area is not kitchen or dining room(or wet bar), no GFCI required. If area is considered in the kitchen or dining room, then is the desk a "counter"?

(99 NEC)
steve

[This message has been edited by stamcon (edited 02-06-2004).]