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Proper electrical outlet location in bathrooms (C) Carson Dunlop AssociatesElectrical Outlet Height, Clearances & Spacing

How much space is allowed between electrical receptacles, & what height or clearances are required?

Height & spacing of electrical receptacles or "outlets" in buildings:

Requirements for electrical receptacle (outlet or wall plug) spacing, height, and clearances in buildings.

In general, electrical receptacles are installed along building walls such that at no point along the wall is the distance to the nearest electrical receptacle more than six feet - i.e. receptacles can be spacesd 12 ft. on center.

Details about spacing, height, and clearance for receptacles are provided in this article.

This article series describes how to choose, locate, and wire an electrical receptacle in a home. Electrical receptacles (also called electrical outlets or "plugs" or "sockets") are simple devices that are easy to install, but there are details to get right if you want to be safe.

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- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Specification of Proper Spacing, Location & Height for Electrical Receptacles (Outlets)An electrical outlet must be properly located on the wall, according to local electrical codes and the National Electrical Code.

Examples of proper electrical outlet locations are described in this article and summarized immediately below.

Our page top sketch, provided courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates illustrates the required receptacle clearance distances fdrom a shower or tub as well as the requirement to offset the receptacle (no specific distance given) from the side of a vanity or sink.

Tub-Shower clearance: 

Keep electrical receptacles at least three feet (one meter) away from a tub or shower.

Vanity sink clearance: 

Keep electrical outlets offset above and to the side of vanity sinks, not right over the sink (sketch above).

Electric baseboard clearance:

Proper electrical outlet location over heating baseboards (C) Carson Dunlop Associates

Notice in this photo that when an electrical receptacle is over a heating baseboard the electrical cord can be subject to excessive heating.

Keep electrical receptacles off to one side, not right over electric heating baseboards to avoid overheating and possibly melting electrical cords draped over the heater (a fire risk) - see photo below, courtesy of Timothy Hemm.

See details at ELECTRIC BASEBOARD HEAT INSTALL

Photo above courtesy of Tim Hemm.

Outlets along countertops (kitchen):

no more than 48" apart, no point along the countertop is more than 24" from a receptacle, countertops of 12" or more wide get a receptacle.

Outlets in floors, in countertops:

Generally we do not mount electrical outlets flush in countertops or floors, though in some codes and jurisdictions the inspector may require that special (protected) floor-mount electrical receptacles be installed in order to meet the requirement that electrical outlets are available within six feet in any direction along a wall, and where no "wall" is available to install such receptacles (such as along a sleeping loft).

Garage electrical outlet location:

In the garage, electrical outlets should be 18" or more above floor level.

Article Series Contents

Electrical Outlet Height Above the Finished Floor

Reader Question: Can I put an electrical receptacle up five feet from the finished floor level?

Before I contact an electrical contractor, I would like to know whether there are any Michigan electrical codes that apply to the "HEIGHT" above floor level - when adding a new (GFCI) A/C outlet to an existing residential home?

Specifically: I very much need to add a dedicated outlet in my bathroom to feed a nice quartz (1,500 W) wall space heater. And - to avoid a messy cord situation, I want to locate the outlet "up" (about 5 feet) off the floor - with a 60 min. wall timer in series.)

Is this OK? (The outlet will be more than 4 feet from the bathtub).

Thanks for your great website! (I read through - but couldn't find the answer to this.) - T.V.M., Grand Rapids MI

Reply: list of electrical receptacle height restrictions

Because local building code jurisdictions may have their own local requirements, I'd give a call to your local building department and ask (please let me know what happens).

Most of the sources we have reviewed for details about the required height of electrical receptacles above the floor (see Mike Holt's Forum for example) assert that there is no National Electrical Code (NEC) specification of the height of wall-mounted electrical receptacles in homes.

After all, we regularly install a ceiling-mounted receptacle to power garage door operators. One electrician cited 5'6" maximum above floor level for receptacles meeting the 6' horizontal spacing rule (NEC 210-52) [4].

So you'd be OK with your high receptacle.

Just be sure it's a GFCI-protected receptacle as you're installing in a bathroom, and that the circuit amperage is high enough to operate the electric heater safely.

Electrical receptacle and zipcord wiring © D Friedman at InspectApedia.com But there are some ADA requirements that might make you want to put the receptacle a bit lower on the wall.

If your bathroom might need to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards, you'd want to respect those heights - the ADA (Section 4.2.5 and 4.2.6) requires that outlets be at least 15" above the floor and switches and outlets should not be more than 48-54" (the variation is due to other conditions).

Our photo (left) shows an electrical receptacle mounted just about 2" above the finished floor - which is ok except for the ADA requirements, but that zip cord wiring that is run into the wall is improper, unsafe, and a fire hazard.

When renovating this building we removed that "zip cord" circuit and re-wired the baseboard trim receptacle to include an electrical ground.

Here are some general guides: (heights pertain to electrical receptacles mounted in walls except where we note switches or other devices)

Summary Table of Electrical Outlet Minimum & Maximum Horizontal & Vertical Distances To Building Features

Example CA code on layout and heights is given also in

Reader question: electrical code citation for electrical outlet height in garages

(Jan 6, 2015) Kevin O'Hornett said:

Re: Garage electrical outlet location: "In the garage electrical outlets should be 18" or more above floor level."

Is this a personal recommendation based on your own knowledge regarding the potential for arcing/sparking at receptacle outlets under certain conditions or do you have a specific NEC or other authoritative regulatory document reference which specifies a minimum 18" height?

Thanks, Kevin

Note: PROSPEX owner Kevin O'Hornett has been a consultant and advisor throughout the U.S. and in Canada for the past twenty-two years. He also taught at Arizona SunTech from June of 2002 through May of 2004. Mr. Hornett can be reached at Prospex, P. O. Box 80 - Golden, Colorado 80402, Phone: (303) 517-1980 Website: http://www.prospex.us/

Reply: electrical practice suggestion vs. code requirements: NEC 210.52(G)

Hi Kevin,

Short answer: garage receptacle height is a practice suggestion not an electrical code requirement. NEC 210.52(G) requires at least one receptacle, in addition to those for specific equipment, to be installed in each attached garage and in each detached garage with electric power.

However in the U.S., the NEC does not specify a height for electrical receptacles installed in a residential garage.

IMO the origin of the 18" minimum electrical receptacle height above the floor in residential garages is the same reason we elevate heating appliances: avoiding blowing up vehicle gasoline fumes presumably collected at floor level. Actually I see electricians putting the receptacles at 36-48" for reasons of easy access - also a practice not a code spec.

Of course GFCIs are required in the garage.

Commercial garages are a different matter.

I have found the assertion that NEC 505-9(c) could support a requirement for explosion-proof fittings on an electrical receptacle installed in a garage *below* 18" from the floor height - for the same reasoning I cited in the more general "opinion".

Also see NEC 210.23(A)(2).

I hope that when people are teaching home inspection or electrical wiring they will emphasize that building codes are a minimum requirement and can by no means include all possible situations nor all best practices.

How many electrical receptacles are allowed on a 20-amp circuit?

How many receptacles on a 15-amp circuit?

Reader question: How many receptacles can be wired To one 20 amp circuit No. 12. Wire - John K.

Reply:

20 Amp electrical outlet © D Friedman at InspectApedia.com John K:

Our photo (left) shows a 20-Amp electrical receptacle - you can recognize it by that horizontal opening that makes the left-hand slot look like the letter "T" on its side.

In general, the Electrical Code [NEC] allows

Our photo (left) illustrates an electrical receptacle intended for use on a 20-Amp circuit.

Notice that extra horizontal slot? You won't see that on a 15-Amp electrical receptacle

Details about how to wire up an electrical receptacle are

at ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE CONNECTION DETAILS - where to connect black, white, red, green, ground wires.

Electrical Receptacle Relocation Wiring

Reader Question: I don't have enough wire to lower receptacles on the wall

I recently moved into a 3 1/4 story home, and I have a basement that I am trying to finish with drywall. The room is down to the studs and the electrical receptacles are about 4' up the wall. The Romex wiring is stapled, and there isn't enough wire to lower them.

It is way to much work for me to replace all of the downstairs wiring right to the breaker box, so I'm wondering if it is possible to add onto the existing wires and attach wire screws or marrets within the walls before I start adding drywall, or whether I should add some kind of junction box to contain the marreted wires in between.

My building code stipulations would differ in some cases because I live in Canada, but I just want to do the job right, and I do not want to take the chance of having any fire hazards, as I also have small children. - Dave 2/10/12

Reply: if you have to move an entire string of electrical receptacles complete re-wiring is faster and cheaper than adding a splice box for every device.

Dave,. you are correct to be careful about moving outlets or any other device when the existing wires are too short. The temptation is to just splice on an extension and bury that in the wall or ceiling: an illegal, improper, unsafe as well as really aggravating approach.

The proper approach is to add a junction box at each splice - we never splice 120/240V wires without including them in a box. You can reduce the wiring work a little by using plastic boxes instead of steel - avoiding having to also connect the box to the ground wire.

The proper approach also means that you don't then bury any of these splice-boxes in the walls either. Each box has to be brought to the surface and covered.

The result is a lot of work and expense and an ugly wall with an extra junction box and blind cover all along the wall over each of the now moved or lowered electrical receptacles.

Frankly I figure that especially as you've already got the wall open to the studs, if there are more than one or two receptacles to be moved you'll probably find it is actually much less total work to re-wire the entire circuit, allowing proper lengths of wires for each box.

You might carefully remove and re-route the existing wire lower in the wall or you might buy all new electrical wire - depending on the age and condition of the existing materials.

Watch out: when removing wire that appears to be in good condition, if you nick the insulation you've created a new hazard.

Allowable Recessed Depth of Receptacle Boxes in Walls

What is the maximum depth to which the face of a receptacle box can be recessed in a wall cavity?

U.S. NEC 314.20 In Wall or Ceiling.

In walls or ceilings with a surface of concrete, tile, gypsum, plaster, or other noncombustible material, boxes employing a flush-type cover or faceplate shall be installed so that the front edge of the box, plaster ring, extension ring, or listed extender will not be set back of the finished surface more than 6 mm (1⁄4 in.).

In walls and ceilings constructed of wood or other combustible surface material, boxes, plaster rings, extension rings, or listed extenders shall be flush with the finished surface or project therefrom. 

U.S. NEC 406.4 Receptacle Mounting.

Receptacles shall be mounted in boxes or assemblies designed for the purpose, and such boxes or assemblies shall be securely fastened in place unless otherwise permitted elsewhere in this Code.

(A) Boxes That Are Set Back. Receptacles mounted in boxes that are set back from the finished surface as permitted in 314.20 shall be installed such that the mounting yoke or strap of the receptacle is held rigidly at the finished surface. 

Electrical Outlet Box Fire Separation Between Inside Wall & Exterior Wall Receptacles

Question: can there be an indoor (into kitchen) and outdoor outlet in the same bay?

2017/09/01 Sharon said:

In new construction, can there be an indoor (into kitchen) and outdoor outlet (on back porch) in the same bay?

Reply: 3 1/2" or 5 1/2" separation requirements for indoor & outdoor receptacles in the same stud bay

You ask in essence, "What is the required offset or separation between an inside electrical receptacle box and an outdoor receptacle box mounted in the same wall cavity".

To have space for explanation and citations we've moved this discussion

to ELECTRICAL BOX FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCES.

Readers of this article should also

see SAFETY for ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS.

Electrical Receptacle Height Code & Standards

Electrical outlets ground hole should be up, down, or sideways?

This topic has moved to ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE POSITION: WHICH WAY UP

Electrical Wire Clearance from Ducts & Pipes

This information has moved to a separate article now found

at ELECTRICAL WIRE CLEARANCE FROM DUCTS & PIPES

Note: This website provides information about a variety of electrical hazards in buildings, with articles focused on the inspection, detection, and reporting of electrical hazards and on proper electrical repair methods for unsafe electrical conditions. Critique and content suggestions are invited. Credit is given to content editors and contributors

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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2021-05-30 - by (mod) -

Well I think your electrician is correct but that doesn't mean that in a flood zone you would want to place your Breakers 8 inches off the floor

On 2021-05-29 by Victor

What is the minimum height for an indoor receptacle, my builder installed eight of them at 6 inches off the ground and tells me there is no code about height, not even in flood zones

On 2021-02-03 - by (mod) -

That's a very interesting question and I have not seen that in interpretations of the electrical code. I would assume that you would want to leave Half of a duplex receptacle unswitched in any case so that's a sneaky way to get around the question.

On 2021-02-03 by Anonymous

I have a question about the relationship between Switch-Controlled Outlets and the Outlet Spacing Requirement...

Stripping it all to the standard requirement conversation where receptacles should be within 12ft of each other. Barring any other rule complications, can one of those outlets be a Switch-Controlled Outlet? Or is it required that both those outlets should not be Switch-Controlled?

If this is also mentioned in any IEEE or NEC article, I would appreciate it if you could point me in the right direction.

Thank you.

On 2020-10-03 by Anonymous

Johnny

It is technically easy to convert an electrical outlet to a switched one and to install a light switch that controls it.

The stumbling blocks might be that because of the added wires and connectors your electrician may need to install a larger box to contain the receptacle and its connectors.

In essence the electrician disconnects the hot wire (usually black) at the receptacle and runs it up to the new switch; the return from the switch then powers the receptacle where the original black wire connected.

It's also possible to split a receptacle so that one half remains powered on and the other is powered by a switch.

Watch out: if you are not familiar with legal, safe electrical wiring, even if you're permitted to do this work where you live, you could be shocked or killed or burn down the house if there's any error in the wiring. So in that event it's smart to hire an experienced licensed electrician.

On 2020-10-02 by Johnny

My situation is I have a receptacle on each side of our bed I want to put a light switch above it and a light above that so we don’t have to get out of bed to turn off and on lights So we can read the computer or just read a book is this legal by code to do that

Johnny

On 2020-04-07 by (mod) - Missouri electrical code for minimum height requirement for placement of gfci outdoors

RE-posting from private email:

Anonymous said:

I have been trying to find Missouri electrical code for minimum height requirement for placement of gfci outdoors. I have been unable to locate [a maximum height standard for outdoor GFCIs]

Moderator reply:

that's because the model electrical codes, upon which any current MO code will be based, do not specify a maximum height for electrical receptacles. Consider, for example, that in some installations a receptacle may even be installed up under a roof eave or soffit into which are plugged holiday lights or a roof de-icing tape.

Therefore you should choose the height for your GFCI receptacle based on its general location and intended use.

Please take a look at ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE HEIGHT & CLEARANCES

and let me know if that's helpful or if it leaves you with questions,

There you will find some general guidelines for recommended (which is not the same as "required") receptacle height, including placing GFCI receptacles at higher points in a building.

Watch out: to that I would add this OPINION: for choosing a GFCI receptacle height above the nearby walking surface, consider that if you are using a receptacle that carries its own test and reset buttons, it will be quite inconvenient if the receptacle is out of easy reach of building occupants.

If you put the receptacle out of easy reach, should it trip off, occupants will find re-setting the device difficult and potentially even unsafe (as someone stands on a revolving, wheeled desk chair rather than fetching a stepladder to reach and re-set the device).

Particularly when a GFCI receptacle is also used to power receptacles "downstream" from itself, thus shutting off more devices should the GFCI trip off, difficulty in reaching the GFCI to re-set it can be a problem.

On 2020-01-04 by (mod) -

Tom

The location of your GFCI may be inconvenient as it may be blocked by a towel, but it's not illegal per-se.

Clearance distances between electrical receptacles and other building features focus first on avoiding electrical shock such as keeping the receptacle away from showers and tubs,

and second on convenience (no more than 6 ft. to a receptacle)

Other details and examples are given in the article above on this page

On 2020-01-04 by tom murphy

towel bar is installed 6 inches above and centered from a gfci outlet. proper?

On 2019-12-10 by (mod) -

The receptacle box needs to be accessible to insert or remove the wall plug and to open, access, work on electrical connections in the box.

On 2019-12-10 by Anonymous

Is my 240v stove outlet illegal because its un accessible and so close to the ground? 6inch or less tucked behind the cubords

Electric stove outlet height above floor - inappropriate access limitations (C) InspectdApedia.com

On 2019-10-15 by (mod) -

There is no specification for outlet height from the floor;

Outlets are generally spaced so that you are never more than 6 ft. from such a receptacle. Those requirements do not change (thus they are the same) for "areas of circulation such as a hallway"

On 2019-10-15 by Isabel

Hello. What are the requirements for outlet spacing in areas that are for circulation? Like a hallway?

On 2019-10-04 by (mod) -

Bud

I agree that receptacles 6 ft. off of the floor in a bedroom are odd - but permitted; perhaps there were wall clocks or a TV or something atop a bureau or shelf?

After all, on a home that's 80 years old, its interior may have been substantially re-arranged since original occupancy.

On 2019-09-29 by Bud hettrick

Why are some outlets in the bedrooms six feet off the floor in my 1942 house by the Windows.

On 2019-07-07 by (mod) -

Thanks for the interesting question: height of wire passage hole through studs above where electrical receptacles will be installed.

A comfortable distance for the wire to run through studs above the top of the electrical box into which receptacles or switches will be installed is

8-inches.

There is not a fixed "rule" with a specific number but keep in mind that you need

Adequate wiring space for the wire to pass through the stud, bend (not too sharply) down to run into the receptacle box, and leave space of 3-4" along the side of the stud so that you can staple the wire to the stud within 2" of the box,

but not be so tight that the bending or stapling or passage of the wire into the box causes damage to the wire

On 2019-07-07 by Anonymous

How high does the holes need to be drilled in the 2 by 4s above the outlets


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