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.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires outlets in kitchens. 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. In addition, there must be at least one outlet every 4 feet.
Generally, it's good to install sockets that are at the worktops, about 10-15cm above the surface. If you have a kitchen/diner with a table and want to have an outlet for easy access for chargers and laptops, position it 45cm above the floor.
The spacing for receptacles is generally called the 2/4 foot rule for outlet spacing on kitchen counters. It's important to note any receptacle installed below counter on island and/or peninsular is required to be a maximum 12 inches below counter.
Countertop Outlet Height
On countertop outlets, it is standard to install outlet boxes so the tops are between 15 and 20 inches from the countertop surface.
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.
Therefore, the max. spacing between receptacles on the same countertop spaces is 4 ft.
Kitchen – The standard kitchen counter height is 36 inches (3 feet) above the floor. Kitchen islands designed for bar-style seating can climb as high as 42 inches.
Receptacles can be mounted below the countertop but not more than 12 inches below the surface with a maximum inset from the countertop edge to the support base of 6 inches.
Plug sockets must be at least 450mm up from the floor. TV and phone sockets must be a maximum of 1200mm from the floor. All types of sockets must be at least 350mm from the corners of rooms. These rules don't apply in un-inhabited rooms such as garages and kitchens.
There are many places in 210.8 requiring GFCI protection, but the 6-foot rule only applies when sinks, tubs or showers are involved. Generally, all 15 or 20-amp, single phase, 125-volt receptacles “within 6 ft.” of a sink, tub or shower must be GFCI protected.
In kitchens, all outlets that serve countertop surfaces should be equipped with GFCI outlet protection. That would include any outlets on walls, behind wet areas (sinks, etc.) that have features such as countertop breakfast bars (open counter surfaces above sinks used to sit at on the opposite side).
Reason: In the kitchen, 20 amp outlets are required (vs. 15 amp) for higher power requirements due to appliances like toaster ovens, blenders, coffee makers, and mixers. Two circuits are required to spread out the coverage area. This way, the total load is not entirely served by the same circuit.
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.
The standard height should be between 38”-39” for people above-average height. 32” is good for below-average height people. In case of disabled people and wheelchair users, the height of countertop should be 31”-34”.
The industry standard for kitchen countertop height is about 36 inches above the floor. In fact, this standard is so universal, cabinetmakers build all cabinets to a height of 34-1/2 inches as the average countertop thickness is about an inch and a half.
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.
What it gives are max heights. For a counter that extends up to 10 inches it should be no higher than 48 inches above finished floor and for counters between 10 and 24 inches out it should be no higher than 46 inches. This is all with the counters 34 inches above finished floor.
To prevent shock, GFCI protection (ground fault current interrupter) is required on all outlets for countertop use in the kitchen. Outlets should be located 42" from the floor and no higher than 20" above countertops.
Outlet Spacing in Kitchens
In kitchens, electrical outlets should be placed no farther than 48 inches apart, so that no point on the countertop is more than 24 inches away from a receptacle. Any countertop 12 inches wide or more should have an outlet on the wall behind the countertop.
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..
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.