Though there is no industry standard height or mandated building codes governing outlet height for refrigerators, the location of the outlet on the wall can impact how easily you can plug in and unplug the refrigerator. Typically, 24 inches to 48 inches off the ground tends to be what most electricians will do.
A 115-volt or 120-volt, individual, properly grounded branch circuit with a 3-prong grounding type receptacle, protected by a 15 or 20 amp circuit breaker or time-delay fuse. Should be on a dedicated circuit.
Standard wall receptacle height is 1 foot from the top of the flooring to the bottom of the receptacle box, or 16 inches to the top of the box. Standard wall switch height is 4 feet from the top of the flooring to the bottom of the box.
There aren't official height requirements outlined by codes like the National Electrical Code (NEC), but NEC 210.52. A. 2. states, “A common height for a wall outlet is between 12 to 16 inches to the bottom of the device.
Receptacle outlets serving the countertop shall be located above the counter top, but not more than 20 inches above the countertop. At least one receptacle shall be installed at each island or peninsular counter space with a long dimension of 24 inches or greater and a short dimension of 12 inches or greater.
The NEC requires that outlets should be installed in accordance with the general 6-foot rule, but there are some exceptions for wall spaces that are occupied by doors, windows, fireplaces, or fixed cabinets. There should also be at least one outlet on each wall of the room and one outlet for each floor or table lamp.
Kitchen countertops should have one outlet installed for the first 9 square feet of space, and an additional outlet for every additional 18 square feet of counter. Those measurements are useful to keep in mind when planning a remodel. Most small kitchen counter sections will require their own outlet.
For bathroom vanities, consider installing outlets at a height that matches their design for safe and easy access. A common placement is around 42 inches from the floor for a vanity that's 36 inches high.
The National Electrical Code requires outlets be installed in a kitchen that has a sink 12 inches wide and 24 inches deep. That outlet must also be within 2 feet of the sink. Bathrooms must have at least one electrical outlet, it must be GFCI, and it must be within 3 feet of the sink.
450mm up from the floor level.
Sockets need to be installed at least 450mm up from the floor level of a room. TV points, telephone points, doorbells and light switches should be a max height of 1200mm from the floor.
GFCI Outlets in the Kitchen: Code Requirements & Safety
The NEC requires all outlets within six feet of a sink, dishwasher, wet bar, or another water source to have GFCI protection for proper kitchen electrical safety. GFCI protection in kitchens can prevent accidents from: Water spills and splashes.
While you might not need to put lights and outlets on separate circuits, some local codes may require that you use separate circuits. Installing a separate circuit helps prevent total darkness in your home when your receptacle outlets take on too much power and blow a fuse or trip the breaker.
Though there is no industry standard height or mandated building codes governing outlet height for refrigerators, the location of the outlet on the wall can impact how easily you can plug in and unplug the refrigerator. Typically, 24 inches to 48 inches off the ground tends to be what most electricians will do.
It is not recommended to connect a refrigerator to a multi-outlet. If it is unavoidable, please use one with a power rating of 15 ampere or higher.
Refrigerator or Freezer – Running a refrigerator via a dedicated circuit is the recommended best practice for homeowners. Most refrigerators use between 3 and 6 amps, but peak draw can spike up to 15 amps. For this reason, refrigerators and freezers should be connected to a 15-20 amp dedicated 120-volt circuit.
NEC Code Guidance on Outlet and Switch Heights
Although the National Electrical Code (NEC) has many precise regulations for most aspects of residential wiring, it does not specify a height for standard wall outlets (receptacles) or for light switches.
1. One 20-ampere-rated circuit may serve the required receptacle(s) in all the bathrooms in the house. In this case, no other outlets may be served by this circuit. The bathroom lighting and any fan or heat lamps would be served by a distinct general purpose branch circuit.
What Is the Standard Outlet and Light Switch Height? Most electricians install light switches 48 inches from the floor. ADA guidelines set the maximum height at 48 inches, although 40 inches is preferred to accommodate wheelchair users. Outlets are typically installed 15 inches from the floor.
How high should an outlet be over a countertop? The height of outlets placed above countertops varies. This can vary due to local electrical codes or simple style preference, but it is common for outlets to be 42 to 48 inches above the finished floor, and no more than 20 inches above the surface of the counter.
Each island countertop space requires only 1 receptacle regardless of size (no 2 ft. / 4 ft. rule) If this distance is ≥ 12 inches the sink does not divide the island into two separate countertop spaces. If < 12 in., the spaces to each side of the sink require a receptacle.
20-amp outlets is crucial for optimizing your home's electrical system. While 15-amp outlets are ideal for general-purpose areas, 20-amp outlets are better suited for kitchens, garages, and other high-demand spaces.
For outlet height, the general recommendation is to install outlets between 15 to 24 inches above the finished floor. This range accommodates various appliances and ensures accessibility without risking water exposure.
NEC Section 210.52(a)(1) (aka 6'-12' rule): Receptacles shall be installed such that no point measured horizontally along the floor line of any wall space is more than 6' from a receptacle outlet..
Recommended Distance Between a Switch and a Sink in the Kitchen. The closest your switch should be to your kitchen sink is about two feet away. The NEC also requires 24 inches between an outlet and another part of the wall.