National Electrical Installation Standards

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Thursday, June 15, 2017

Question:

Re: CQD answer published Wednesday, June 7, 2017 -Wall Space

1. Bless all of you for continuing this feature! Referencing answer published 06/07/2017: The answer addressed properly the countertop receptacle outlet rules. I feel the question was not related to that issue. Very often a kitchen island or countertop peninsula also serves as a room divider. The kitchen is on one side and a dining or living room area is on the other. When that occurs the non-kitchen side is indeed wall space for that room. This is as described by 210.52(A)(2)(3). So the wall-spacing at 210.52(A)(1) will apply. When there is no receptacle there, it will require use of an extension cord to power the TV, stereo system, or computer desk that we often see in-use at that location. The non-kitchen side of the peninsula counter (less-often an island) is commonly used just like any other wall by the dwelling tenants. It needs a receptacle outlet. Carry-on, you are doing a great job! Scott Davis

2. Hello, I’ve read your response to Stefan Hamran, dated 6/7/2017, related to kitchen island and/or peninsula wall space receptacles. I believe Stefan’s question is if the back of the kitchen island or peninsula is considered as wall space as defined under 210.52(A)(2) and therefor requiring additional receptacles along the back of the cabinets at the floor line to meet the spacing requirements of 210.52 (1). Are receptacles at the floor line required on the back of kitchen islands and peninsulas? Mark A. Prendable

3. Good morning, Keep up with a good work. Can you please further clarify if the peninsular section (facing outside wall of the kitchen) is considered a wall space divider as per 210.52(A)(2)(3)? If above is yes, and peninsular section is next to any room that falls to section of 210.52(A), such as typically is next to living room, then this wall space of peninsular would need additional general requirement receptacles that are connected to living room circuit. Regards, Alban Berani

A

Answer:

Hey Scott, Mark and Alban thanks for your comments and compliments. You all have a good point. I focused on the wall above countertops in a kitchen because the kitchen was part of the question. Receptacles installed for countertops as required by 210.52(C) are not allowed as the ones required by 210.52(A) as stated in 210.52(A)(4). If an island or peninsula separates a kitchen and dining room (or other room) and there is wall space for the other room meeting the conditions in 210.52(A)(2) then a receptacle(s) must be installed there also.

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