The National Electrical Code (NEC) does not exempt an area of wall behind a door swing when calculating receptacle outlet spacing requirements in a house. No point along any wall more than two feet wide cannot be more than six feet from a receptacle for most rooms.
Can an outlet be behind a door?
Potential hazards can be avoided by the proper use of electrical devices that are plugged into the outlet. Consider that a lengthy electrical cord in use near a doorway may present a tripping hazard. Outlets placed behind the door’s swing radius could result in the cord being pinched between the door and the frame.
What is the smallest wall space to require an outlet be installed?
If the space is less than 2 feet (600 mms) wide, it is not considered wall space; therefore no receptacle is required. If the space is 2 feet (600 mm) or more in width, then it is considered wall space, and consequently a receptacle outlet is required.
Is a receptacle required in a bedroom?
A receptacle outlet must be installed in every kitchen, family room, dining room, living room, sunroom, parlor, library, den, bedroom, recreation room, and similar room or area so that no point along the wall space is more than 6 feet, measured horizontally along the floor line, from a receptacle outlet [210.52(A)] (
What is the code for outlets on a wall?
210.52
The US National Electrical Code, Section 210.52, states that there should be an electrical outlet in every kitchen, bedroom, living room, family room, and any other room that has dedicated living space. They must be positioned at least every twelve feet measured along the floor line.
How close can a receptacle be to a door?
The National Electrical Code requires the placement of an electrical outlet no further than 6 feet from a door. However, there is no code stating how close to a door an outlet can be installed. Therefore, you can install an electrical outlet as close to a door as you desire.
How far apart are outlets?
The maximum spacing between receptacles, according to the National Electric Code (NEC), has been set at 12-feet since 1956–with no point along a wall being more than 6-feet from a receptacle.
Is a receptacle required on a 3 ft wall?
A receptacle outlet must be installed so that no point along the wall space is more than 6 ft, measured horizontally along the floor line, from a receptacle outlet.(1) Any space 2 ft or more in width, unbroken along the floor line by doorways, fireplaces, and similar openings.
How many outlets are required in a bedroom?
By today’s standards, a bedroom should have one outlet for each 12 feet of wall and at least one outlet on each wall. This may be an older building that predates current electrical standards. However, numerous extension cords create a fire hazard.
Where should electrical outlets be placed in a bedroom?
Best Places To Put Electrical Outlets In The Bedroom
- One on each side of the bed for lamps and phone chargers.
- At least one on every wall in a bedroom for lamps, fans, vaporizers, vacuum cleaners, phone chargers, and other digital devices.
- Master Closet.
What must be installed wherever outlets are required?
According to 210.52(A)(1), a receptacle outlet must be installed so that no point along the floor line of any wall is more than 6 ft, measured horizontally along the floor line, from a receptacle outlet, as shown in the Figure.
Where are electrical receptacles not permitted to be located?
For example, a sun-room in a dwelling has no wall space because of floor-to-ceiling windows. Receptacles are not usually installed in the ceiling because receptacles located more than 5.5 feet (1.7 meters) above the floor cannot be counted as required receptacles.
Can bedroom lights and outlets be on the same circuit?
Yes, if you want, you can use separate circuits for your outlets and lights. In this process usually, a 15 amp circuit is used for lighting. For the outlets, you can use a 20 amp one. You can use 12 gauge wires for your lights on both the 20 and 15 amp circuits.
Why do electricians install outlets upside down?
Electricians may position the outlet in an upside-down position so that you can quickly identify the switch-controlled receptacle. Since it stands out visually to most people right away it provides convenience to the occupants to easily remember which outlet is switch controlled.
How high should outlets be off the ground?
Standard Height for Outlet Boxes
The standard height for wall outlet boxes is about 12 inches from the top of the floor covering to the bottom of the receptacle box (or 16 inches to the top of the box).
What is code for distance between outlets?
12 ft.
Wall receptacles serve spaces for 6 ft. on each side of receptacle. Therefore, max. spacing between wall receptacles is 12 ft.
Can you put a receptacle in a closet?
There is not code requirement for receptacles in closets, but I agree with you that a walk in closet should have at least one for dust busters, and other periphery you want to hide from view. I put outlets in my closets when I built my house and there was no issue with code.
Can an outlet be next to a window?
Wall space where you put electrical outlets is defined as not being broken by fireplaces, moving wall panels and doorways. Windows do not count as broken space unless the window is a ceiling to floor unit.Therefore, outlets can be installed below a window.
How far does an outlet have to be from a corner?
The National Electrical Code requires that you have an electrical outlet within 6 feet of the corner of the wall and at least 12 feet from the same wall.
Do outlets need to be accessible?
This article discusses accessibility to outlets over a counter. The NEC says every piece of counter 12 inches or wider must have an outlet over it.1 requires a clear floor space of 30 inches by 48 inches in front of a counter so a person in a wheelchair can reach the outlets.
Do outlets have to be accessible?
At least two receptacle outlets must be readily accessible. As defined in Article 100, readily accessible means capable of being reached quickly without having to climb over or remove obstacles, or resort to portable ladders.
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