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Monday, April 3, 2023
Question:
Good morning CQD,
Thank you for continuing this service and I look forward to your explanations every day. My question concerns NEC 2017 - 210.52(C)(5) exception, which involves placement of a receptacle below countertops on a kitchen island.
Are there any exceptions to the exception of placing a receptacle below a countertop or work surface that extends more than 6 in. beyond the base cabinet?
What is the back story as to why placing the receptacle here is restrictive when there is more than a 6 in. overhang?
Thank you again, Steve.
A
Answer:
Steve, thank you for supporting the CQD, and thank you for your question. I see your question is based on the 2017 edition, it leads into a rather significant change for the 2023 NEC®.
In the 2017 edition of the NEC® , placing a receptacle in the side of a cabinet, is the exception to the rule found in Section 210.52(C)(5), so there are no further exceptions. The way the code language is written in Section 210.52(C)(5), the receptacle is required to be located on or above the countertop. The exception to that rule permits the receptacle to be installed in the side of the cabinet when it cannot be placed above the countertop with restrictions.
The reason this exception limits the receptacle location and overhang, is because the installation of a receptacle in the side of a peninsula or island cabinet itself poses a safety hazard. A cord hanging over the side of a countertop provides an opportunity for an unsuspecting child to pull on the cord of an appliance on the countertop. This appliance could be a slow cooker or some other hot-liquid-filled appliance, resulting in the hot liquids spilling and causing serious burn injuries. This type of accident is not just limited to children, as many similar injuries occur when someone pass by the peninsula or island and catch the cord as they pass by causing a spill and possible injury. Injuries related to island and peninsula receptacles installed in the side of a cabinet have become so prevalent, that CMP 2 acted on Public Inputs in the last NEC® revision cycle, removing the requirement for island/peninsular counter tops from the 2023 NEC® altogether.
The new code language in the 2023 edition of Section 210.52(C)(2) essentially provides the installer with 2 options:
(1) Install a GFCI protected receptacle above the countertop using one of the methods listed in Section 210.52(C)(3).
OR
(2) Do not install a receptacle serving the island or peninsula, but then permanent provisions for a future island or peninsula receptacle must be made.
The installation of a receptacle is no longer permitted in the side of the cabinet for island and peninsulas.
This change was substantiated by injury data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Data sets compiled from CPSC epidemiologists show that from 1991 to 2020 there were 45 anecdotal reports of burn/other injuries, and an estimated 9700 burn/other injuries caused by tipping and spilling the contents of countertop appliances, many of which specifically involved children pulling on the appliance cord. Many of these involved 2nd and 3rd degree burns, and 10 resulted in death.