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Monday, March 2, 2020
Question:
Greetings,
In response to your answer to the Code Question of the Day for 02/07/2020, while I totally agree with your answer that a duplex receptacle is two receptacles, I suspect greatly that the argument that generated the question involved a “receptacle outlet” rather than a “receptacle.” For example, 210.52(C)(2)(a) calls for at least one “receptacle outlet” to be installed for the first 9 sq. ft., or fraction thereof, of a residential island or peninsular counter-top or work surface. An island with 10 sq. ft. would call for a minimum of two receptacle outlets. In the seminar setting, I get ask a lot if a duplex receptacle would satisfy this “two receptacle outlet” requirement. The answer to that question is NO based on the definitions of “receptacle” and “receptacle outlet” in Article 100. A “receptacle” is just as you described in your answer and could be one, two, three, four, etc. receptacles mounded on the same yoke (or two yokes). However, a “receptacle outlet” (which is what is called for at places like island and peninsular counter-tops) is defined as “an outlet where one or more receptacles are installed.” To satisfy the requirements for two “receptacle outlets” at a dwelling unit kitchen island, it would call for two separate outlets (or boxes) installed even if both receptacle outlets contained a duplex receptacle (total four receptacles).
Regards,
L. Keith Lofland
Chairman-CMP-7
IAEI Director of Education
A
Answer:
Hi Keith, Thanks for the follow up and detailed response. Yes, the NEC definitions certainly provide the needed clarity relative to this question.