NEC Questions and Answers - July 2017

Q1. What are the Code rules for the installation of countertop and work surface receptacle outlets?
A1. Countertop and Work Surface Receptacle Outlets [210.52(C)]. In kitchens, pantries, breakfast rooms, dining rooms, and similar areas of dwelling units, receptacle outlets for countertop spaces and work surfaces must be installed according to (C)(1) through (C)(5) below.

(1) Wall Countertop and Work Surfaces Receptacle Outlets. A receptacle outlet must be installed for each kitchen and dining area countertop wall space 1 ft or wider, and receptacle outlets must be placed so that no point along the countertop space or work surface wall space is more than 2 ft, measured horizontally, from a receptacle outlet.

Ex: A receptacle outlet isn’t required on a wall directly behind a range, counter mounted cooking unit, or sink, in accordance with Figure 210.52(C)(1) in the NEC. Figure 1

Author’s Comment:
• If the countertop space behind a range or sink is larger than the dimensions noted in Figure 210.52(C)(1) of the NEC, then a GFCI protected receptacle must be installed in that space. This is because, for all practical purposes, if there’s sufficient space for an appliance, an appliance will be placed there.

(2) Island Countertop Space Receptacle Outlets. At least one receptacle outlet must be installed at each island countertop space with a long dimension of 2 ft or more, and a short dimension of 1 ft or more.

(3) Peninsular Countertop Space Receptacle Outlets. At least one receptacle outlet must be installed for each peninsular countertop long dimension of 2 ft or greater, and a short dimension of 1 ft or greater. The peninsular countertop is measured from the connected peninsular wall.

Author’s Comment:
• The Code doesn’t require more than one receptacle outlet in an island or peninsular countertop space, regardless of the length of the countertop, unless the countertop is broken as described in 210.52(C)(4).

(4) Separate Countertop Spaces. When breaks occur in countertop spaces for rangetops, refrigerators, or sinks, each countertop space is considered as a separate countertop for determining receptacle placement.

If a range, counter mounted cooking unit, or sink is installed in an island or peninsular countertop, and the depth of the counter behind the range, counter mounted cooking unit, or sink is less than 12 in., the countertop space is considered to be two separate countertop spaces.

Author’s Comment:
• GFCI protection is required for all 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles that supply kitchen countertop surfaces [210.8(A)(6)].

(5) Receptacle Location. Receptacle outlets required by 210.52(C)(1) must be located on or above, but not more than 20 in. above, the countertop or work surface.

Receptacle outlet assemblies listed for use in countertops or work surfaces can be installed in countertops or work surfaces.

Note: Receptacles aren’t permitted to be installed in a face up position in countertops [406.5(E) and 406.5(G)], nor are receptacles permitted face up in work surfaces [406.5(F) and 406.5(G)].

Ex. to (5): Receptacle outlets are permitted to be mounted not more than 12 in. below the countertop or work surface, where the countertop or work surface doesn’t extend more than 6 in. beyond its support base and the receptacle outlet(s) comply with the following conditions:

(1) The countertop or work surface is construction for the physically impaired

(2) The island and peninsular countertop or work surface is flat across its entire surface (no backsplashes, dividers, and so on) and there are no means to mount a receptacle within 20 in. above the countertop or work surface, such as an overhead cabinet.

Receptacle outlets rendered not readily accessible by appliances fastened in place, located in an appliance garage, behind sinks, or rangetops [210.52(C)(1) Ex], or supplying appliances that occupy dedicated space don’t count as the required countertop or work surface receptacles.

Author’s Comment:
• An “appliance garage” is an enclosed area on the counter­top where an appliance can be stored and hidden from view when not in use. If a receptacle is installed inside an appliance garage, it doesn’t count as a required countertop receptacle outlet.

Q2. What are the Code rules for the installation of receptacles to serve dwelling unit garages and accessory buildings?
A2. Dwelling Unit Garage, Basement, and Accessory Building Receptacles [210.52(G)]. For one and two family dwellings, at least one receptacle must be installed in accordance with (1) through (3).

(1) Garages. At least one 15A or 20A, 125V receptacle outlet must be installed no higher than 5 ft 6 in. above the floor in each vehicle bay in each attached garage and in each detached garage with electric power.

(2) Accessory Buildings. A 15A or 20A, 125V receptacle is required in each accessory building with electric power.

(3) Basements. Each unfinished portion of a basement must have a 15A or 20A, 125V receptacle outlet installed.

Author’s Comment:
• One 15A or 20A, 125V receptacle outlet is required in a dwelling unit basement even if no portion has been finished into a habitable room.
• The purpose of this requirement is to prevent an extension cord from a non GFCI protected receptacle from being used to supply power to loads in the unfinished portion of the basement.
• GFCI protection is required for all 15A or 20A, 125V receptacles installed in unfinished basements [210.8(A)(5)], and detached garages and accessory buildings with electric power [210.8(A)(2)] of dwelling units.

Q3. What are the lighting outlet requirements for dwellings in the NEC?
A3. Dwelling Unit Lighting Outlets [210.70(A)]. Lighting outlets must be installed in:

(1) Habitable Rooms. At least one wall switch controlled lighting outlet must be installed in every habitable room, kitchen, and bathroom of a dwelling unit.

Author’s Comment:
• See the definition of “Lighting Outlet” in Article 100.

Ex 1: In other than kitchens and bathrooms, a receptacle controlled by a wall switch can be used instead of a lighting outlet.

Ex 2: Lighting outlets can be controlled by occupancy sensors equipped with a manual override that permits the sensor to function as a wall switch.

Author’s Comment:
• The Code specifies the location of the wall switch controlled lighting outlet, but it doesn’t specify the switch location. Naturally, you wouldn’t want to install a switch behind a door or other inconvenient location, but the NEC doesn’t require you to relocate the switch to suit the swing of the door. When in doubt as to the best location to place a light switch, consult the job plans or ask the customer.

(2) Other Than Habitable Rooms

(1) Hallways, Stairways, and Garages. In dwelling units, not less than one wall switch controlled lighting outlet must be installed in hallways, stairways, and attached and detached garages with electric power.  

(2) Exterior Entrances. For dwelling units, attached garages, and detached garages with electric power, at least one wall switch controlled lighting outlet must provide illumination on the exterior side of outdoor entrances or exits with grade level access.

Author’s Comment:
• A garage vehicle door isn’t considered an outdoor entrance or exit.
• The NEC doesn’t require a switch adjacent to each outdoor entrance or exit. The Code considers switch location a “design issue” which is beyond the purpose of the NEC [90.1(A)]. For this reason, proposals to mandate switch locations have been rejected.
• A lighting outlet isn’t required to provide illumination on the exterior side of outdoor entrances or exits for a commercial or industrial occupancy.

(3) Stairway. Where lighting outlets are installed in interior stairways having six risers or more, a wall switch must be located at each floor level and at each landing level that includes an entryway to control the illumination for the stairway.

Ex to (A)(2)(1), (A)(2)(2), and (A)(2)(3): Lighting outlets for hallways, stairways, and outdoor entrances can be switched by a remote, central, or automatic control device.

(4) Dimmer Control. Lighting outlets located in stairways [210.70(A)(2)(3)] can be controlled by dimmer switches where there’s a full range of dimming control at each switch location in accordance with 210.70(A)(2)(3).

(3) Storage and Equipment Rooms. At least one lighting outlet that contains a switch or is controlled by a wall switch must be installed in attics, underfloor spaces, utility rooms, and basements used for storage or containing equipment that requires servicing. The switch must be located at the usual point of entrance to these spaces, and the lighting outlet must be located at or near the equipment that requires servicing.