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The position of any kitchen island outlet isn’t as random as many believe. The National Electrical Code (NEC or NFPA 70) ―as well as your local building code― plays an important role in receptacle placement.

The last three editions (from 2017, 2020, and 2023, respectively) have each been modified. Here’s what you need to know if you’re in the process of designing and planning your future kitchen.

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Kitchen Island Outlet Placement

Regulations regarding receptacle placement for kitchen islands and peninsulas have been part of the NEC since 1990. At that time, the requirement was straightforward:

“Island and peninsula countertops 12 inches (305 millimeters) or wider shall have at least one receptacle for each four feet (1.22 meters) of countertop.”

~ 1990 NEC 210.52(c)

Since then, the requirement has changed several times.

2017 Requirements

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In 2017, the wording changed from strictly “countertops” to “countertops and work surfaces”. This may be in recognition of the fact that not all work surfaces in the kitchen need be at the same height or perform solely as a counter space.

A second change allowed for receptacle placement to be “a maximum of 12 inches (300 millimeters) below island and peninsula countertops and work surfaces as long as they are not located where the countertop or work surface extends more than 6 inches (150 millimeters) beyond its support base, in either of these two scenarios:

• • Where the construction is for the physically impaired.
  • On island or peninsula countertops or work surfaces where the surface is entirely flat (e.g., no backsplash) and has no means to mount a receptacle within 20 inches above the countertop or work surface, such as on an overhead cabinet.

2020 Requirements

Changes to the 2020 NEC required at least one receptacle outlet to be installed in all islands and peninsulas, and potentially more depending on the overall square footage of the countertop or work surface for the island or peninsula. The requirements of section 210.52(C)(2):

• • At least one receptacle outlet must be installed within an island or peninsula for the first 9 square feet (0.84 square meters), or fraction thereof, of the countertop or work surface.
  • An additional receptacle outlet must be installed within an island or peninsula for each additional 18 square feet (1.7 square meters), or fraction thereof, of the countertop or work surface.
  • At least one receptacle outlet must be installed within 2 feet (600 millimeters) of the outer end of a peninsula countertop or work surface.
  • Additional required receptacle outlets are permitted to be located as determined by the installer, designer, or building owner.
  • A peninsula countertop must be measured from the connected perpendicular wall.
  • The location of the receptacle outlets must be in accordance with 210.52(C)(3).

2023 Requirements

What are the pertinent changes to kitchen island outlet placement in 2023?

No receptacle outlet is required to be installed within islands or peninsulas based on the 2023 NEC—with a caveat. There are two requirements (paraphrased):

1. 1. Receptacle outlets in islands and peninsulas, if installed, must be done in accordance with 210.52(C)(3).
   2. If a receptacle outlet is not provided for islands and peninsulas, provisions must be provided for the addition of a receptacle outlet in the future.

Note: The means by which the provision is made for a future receptacle outlet is not stated by the NEC; therefore, the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will need to be consulted to determine what they will consider as meeting this requirement.

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Section 210.52(C)(3) has also been revised for the 2023 NEC, essentially to provide the following three options for where island and peninsula receptacle outlets can be installed (paraphrased):

1. 1. On or above [the] countertop or work surfaces, but no more than 20 inches above.
   2. In a countertop using a receptacle outlet assembly listed for use in countertops.
   3. In a work surface using a receptacle outlet assembly listed for use in work surfaces or listed for use in countertops.

What can be noted as a major change in the 2023 NEC from the receptacle outlet location options for islands and peninsulas in 210.52(C)(3) of the 2020 NEC, is the ability to install receptacle outlets below countertops and work surfaces. Receptacle outlets for islands and peninsulas are no longer able to be installed below the countertop and work surface level.

Considering that many islands are designed to be extra long and extra deep with one solid countertop level, this may significantly alter your design plans, especially when you’re planning a multigenerational or living in place kitchen.

One of the primary reasons for this change is the number of reported injuries resulting from “pulling on or running into power cords plugged into receptacle outlets installed below island and peninsula work surfaces.”

If this change sticks, we expect to see many more pop-up installations and modestly raised ―or dropped― vertical surfaces incorporated into kitchen islands and peninsulas to accommodate functional, accessible receptacle placement.

How do you feel about this change? Does it alter your design plans in any way?

Unless otherwise notes, images © NFPA.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens