As a home Inspector I am not constrained by code. As an electrician you are. As Marcel pointed out in the 2020 code they are not allowed, So your statement is not entirely true and evidently even the ICC thought it was unsafe.
406.5 Receptacle Mounting
(G) Receptacle Orientation.
( 1) Countertop and Work Surfaces. Receptacles shall not be
installed in a face-up position in or on countertop surfaces or
work surfaces unless listed for countertop or work surface
applications.
(2) Under Sinks. Receptacles shall not be installed in a face-up
position in the area below a sink.
Yes you are correct, the 2020 NEC added the face up prohibition under the sink {406.5(G)(2)}. We’re still under the 2017 NEC so I should have noted that in my post.
besides since that skilled craftsman hacked the entire bottom out of that cabinet…it would have been pretty easy to mount that outlet box vertically on the back wall of the cabinet…just sayin…obviously someone had HGTV included on their cable package…
Obviously, they changed the wording because to many were disregarding the true intent of the way the code was worded in the 2017 code. 2017 Code Language:
406.5(G) Receptacle Orientation.Receptacles shall not be installed in a face-up position in or on countertop surfaces or work surfaces unless listed for countertop or work surface applications.
One should ask himself what was the intent and why on top of the counter and not under the sink when the conditions are the same.
To me, that is just common sense. There is a problem in both locations.
Countertops get wet under normal conditions the inside of a cabinet will not get wet under normal conditions but either way it’s a good code requirement.
Looks like they had to make the large hole in the bottom of the cabinet so they could set the cabinet down over the drain/vent lines. Most likely a kitchen makeover and the plumbing was already in place. It looks like everything should operate as designed. They could have used shorter supply lines and especially that dishwasher to garbage disposal line. I would call out the face up outlet as a possible electrical hazard. Under the sink is considered a wet area just like a basement or garage would be.
As Jim stated above, under sink areas is not considered a wet area.
But receptacles still can’t be face up installed which is what the issue was or is. Plus everything in that sink base is a hack job and should be called out for repairs as required by the proper trade.
I agree. As Jim mentioned the NEC definition of a wet location does not include the area under a sink. The face-up prohibition for the receptacle under the sink is for the 2020 NEC. Any receptacles installed that way under previous code versions are code complaint.
The is always something to be said concerning “interpreting” the definitions in the NEC. At least 3/4 of the homes I have inspected, I have found signs of water leaks/damage under the sink which I then interpret it as a wet area. Also, I just ask myself the question, is there a way that this outlet could be used by an electrical appliance withing 6ft of the sink? I could see someone using up the outlet spaces on the kitchen counter and then needing one more outlet for their blender. Well, just open the sink base cabinet and plug it in there. Blender falls in the sink, someone gets killed, inspector gets served papers. In 2023, you might see the NEC stating that ALL outlets in the house need GFCI protection.
If anyone has the time to watch a debate on this, click the link below. As for me, I’m going to CMA and suggest the outlet under the sink be GFCI protected. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=nec+210.8&docid=608053501164414167&mid=621B08F3F02AFF23D247621B08F3F02AFF23D247&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
Your link is about the 2020 NEC. We’ve already covered that.
Not very likely that the inspector would get called. It’s not his job to enforce or instruct on code. All you’re required to do is test the GFCIs that are present.
There is no alternate interpretation of the NEC Article 100 definition of a wet location in a kitchen. Under the sink isn’t defined as one which is the reason why you don’t see wet location in-use style covers and WR type receptacles under a sink when there is a receptacle installed there.
Location, Wet.
Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth; in locations subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such as vehicle washing areas; and in unprotected locations exposed to weather.
