Does anyone have insight on the new requirements for kitchen island receptacles outlined in the 2023 NEC?
My understanding is receptacles are no longer required in islands, but if one is not installed, provisions for a future addition of one must be provided (circuit wiring dead-ended in a junction box). Also, if receptacles are provided, they must be ON or ABOVE a countertop. So mounted on the underside of overhead cabinets, or recessed into the countertop (pop-up style).
To me, that language implies receptacles installed below the countertops in the base cabinets are no longer allowed. With a little research, it seems the reasoning for this might be the number of documented injuries/burns/deaths from countertop cooking appliances, resulting from either curious children pulling cords draped over the edge of countertops or inadvertent snagging as someone walked by.
Can anyone with knowledge on the subject confirm the above, or correct any misinterpretation I made?
Thank goodness home inspectors aren’t code inspectors.
Personally I’d never write up a receptacle installed in an island unless it was damaged, improperly installed, improperly wired, and or not GFCI protected.
210.52 (C) (2)
(2) Island and Peninsular Countertops and Work Surfaces.
Receptacle outlet if installed to serve an island or peninsular
countertop or work surface, shall be installed in accordance
with 210.52(C) (3). If a receptacle outlet is not prolidcd to serve an island or peninsular countertop or work surface, provisions shall be provided at the island or peninsula for future addition of a receptacle outlet to serve the island or peninsular
countertop or work surface.
From a Home Inspectors perspective I will continue writing lack of an outlet as a defect. Consider using an appliance on a kitchen island and draping the cord across a walking space to reach an outlet. Not safe. just write it up and be done. I never say code. Just say “modern safety standards.” That could include code and any thing else you want to throw in.
Not trying to disparage any inspectors in any way Kevin. IMHO, inspectors inspecting new construction should be well versed with Code requirements and report any discrepancies. When I was installing HVAC systems back in the day in OH it was a PIA., it was like Florida before Andrew wiped Homestead off the map… every jurisdiction had their own rules and requirements, we had to keep cheat sheets back when everyone could remember four or five hundred phone numbers. I’m not sure what is like there now Kevin. So I can understand why you wouldn’t want to use Code as a reference. Here in Florida there is the Florida Building Code which “supposedly” “governs” all construction in the state of Florida.
From @jjonas 's link, I’m not reading it that way. A receptacle mounted on the side of the cabinet properly serves the countertop (work surface), in my opinion.
You need to read the code. It is easily construed to say that. I’m not sure one way or the other. The pertinent part is 210.52(C)(3)
(3) Receptacle Outlet Location. Receptacle outlet shall be
located in one or more of the following:
(1)On or above, but not more than 500 mm (20 in.) above, a
countertop or work surface
(2) In a countertop using receptacle outlet assemblies listed
for use in countertops
(3) In a work surface using receptacle outlet assemblies listed
for usc in work surfaces or listed for usc in countertops
Receptacle outlet rendered not readily accessible by appliances
fastened in place, appliance garages, sinks or rangetops
as covered in 210.52(C) (1), Exception 1, or appliances
occupying assigned spaces shall not be considered as these
required outlet-;.
I do agree with what you are saying. I’ll just add in the following exception to the countertops and work surfaces section. I feel like we need a SME to chime in on this one.
2020 NEC 210.52(C)(3) reads as follows. The 2023 just did away with the area in bold
(3) Receptacle Outlet Location. Receptacle outlets shall be
located in one or more of the following:
(1) On or above countertop or work surfaces: On or above,
but not more than 500 mm (20 in.) above, the countertop
or work surface.
(2) In countertop or work surfaces: Receptacle outlet assemblies
listed for use in countertops or work surfaces shall
be permitted to be installed in countertops or work surfaces. (3) Below countertop or works surfaces: Not more than 300 mm (12 in.) below the countertop or work surface. Receptacles installed below a countertop or work surface shall not be located where the countertop or work surface extends more than 150 mm (6 in.) beyond its support base.
Receptacle outlets rendered not readily accessible by appliances
fastened in place, appliance garages, sinks, or rangetops
as covered in 210.52(C) (1) , Exception, or appliances occupying
assigned spaces shall not be considered as these required
outlets.
The 23 makes a receptacle on the side of an island a violation as it is below the counter. If one is installed a listed pop up would be allowed. A receptacle more than 12 inches below the counter does not serve the countertop and would be allowed.
The provision for a future receptacle could be an empty conduit.
So this is kinda interesting. The NEC then does not prohibit side mounted receptacles. Instead, it says if a receptacle is installed to serve the counter top, it must meet these requirements (on or above the counter, etc.).
But is there any provision that states a receptacle installed less then 12" below the counter top can only have the purpose of serving the counter top? Couldn’t a person argue that the receptacle is not installed with the intention of serving the counter top?
P.S., I know this is getting into the weeds, but it is an interesting topic.
Why 12 inches? An outlet mounted 13 or 14 inches is OK? Seems rather arbitrary since most appliances could still use that outlet from the island.
If the OPs conclusion about accidents from appliances pulled off the island by children is correct, the whole thing is ridiculous. Children need to be SUPERVISED and disciplined. Neither of which seem very popular these days.
In my area, I serve multiple municipalities/counties. Come on up and have at it. Be sure you are proficient on all the state amendments, and local requirements of ALL of the city/county municipalities around the city.
Not only that, in GA many of the systems are engineered systems which deviate or fall into an exceptions category which are approved by the local AHJ. So now, not only do have to know all state and local codes, but you would also have to perform a plan review with the local AHJ.
Or you could just rattle off codes that you think are applicable and send everyone down a rabbit trail of which you have no insight.
The 2023 does not require a receptacle to service the island or peninsula countertop. A provision must be provided for future installation of the receptacle. The receptacle when installed cannot be below the countertop. Pop-up style receptacles will likely become the standard for these receptacles.
So, the 2023 confused NEC DOES NOT require a receptacle for a kitchen island BUT does require the provision for one at a future date; so they DO require a receptacle for a kitchen island. It just doesn’t have to be installed. Clear as mud. We are working with geniuses here.
Now we just need island granite countertops with empty holes provided for that future installation to satisfy code! (spills on the countertop are easily remedied by wiping them down the future holes!)
Reminds me of the sign on the Baltimore beltway when I was growing up. Between exits 18 and 20 was a sign that simply read “Future.” Never sure why that sign was needed.
