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Placing Electric Outlets In Kitchen - Low or in Middle ?

15 years ago

If you could choose where to put your outlets in your Kitchen backsplash where would you put them?

In the middle of the backsplash or at the bottom? Why?

Is it Code to put them in the middle?

Featured Answer

friedajune

15 years ago

Alterit - I am linking a couple of recent threads on this subject, and there are good pics in them. As others have stated, Code varies around the country, so you need to check yours.

The second thread also brings up the subject of where to put the disposer switch, if not in the backsplash. There are two alternatives: an airswitch in your countertop, or choose a batch feed disposer which does not need a switch.

Thread about Plugmold and Outlets

Thread about Outlets and Switches

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Comments (10)

booboo60
15 years ago
I may be wrong or it depends where you live but our electrician installed our outlets in the kitchen when he did the "rough-in". They seem to be in the "middle" and there are alot of them! Maybe they have to be so many inches above the countertop?
sprengle1
15 years ago
I don't think code specifies a height. It does specify that there can be no more than 24" of countertop space between outlets. Also, they all need to be GFCI whether near (or even on the same side of the room as) the sink or not.

I was actually just minutes ago wondering the same thing though. Somewhere I read the suggestion of 44-46" from the floor and so 8-10" above the counter. I think mine are place at 42" right now though!
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An outlet under the sink for the garbage disposal doesn't count. Usually when an outlet is required by code it has to be within 12" of the counter surface because the a main point of the code for kitchen outlets is to put outlets close enough for short appliance cords to be plugged in without extension cords. The actual statement in code is fairly brief and different localities interpret it differently. Yours may apply the same 24" that they use for sinks on wall counters (which would make sense for the same reason). If you doubt that, you could ask the architect or your GC to contact the local code department to check. We were initially told that the outlets we wanted on the corner of our island under the overhang wouldn't count because outlets under an overhang of more than 12" don't, but that didn't make sense since the outlet would be much less than 12" from the side of the overhang. He checked and the county code guy said it was fine. We put one on a panel in front of our prep sink - the one that could otherwise be a tip out. No change for the storage on the cabinets needed.
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Thanks Circuspeanut! I just adore your kitchen. Looks like the kitchen that's my paint-inspiration (Sally Wheat's) uses vertical plates on subway tile as well! See pic below... Also Circuspeanut, you've just inspired me to possibly do my outlet/light switch plates in nickel! :) I've been wondering whether or not to do a nickel color or a white color, because my backsplash will be mostly white subway tile (the white calacatta marble subway). I was worried the plates should match the backsplash to avoid looking too busy and take away from the tile...and was also concerned that with having a stainless counter, faucet and polished nickel bin pulls/latches, nickel plates might be overkill. But your copper counter w/ copper outlet plates - and non-matching tile - is really pretty. Love it. Hmmm... my countertop will be stainless, my faucet is polished stainless (not chrome, not nickel), but they don't make stainless switch plates. So what will match better - brushed or polished nickel?! :-p As for considering having my plates be white, they don't make plastic plates for the push-button style. However, they do make porcelain white plates (as well as other great colors, FYI everyone) which is another thing I could consider, only they're a bit chunky and probably from the 1940's period...still kinda cool though. Only those have the outlet plates but not the pushbutton plates. But hey - I just found white painted metal ones!: http://www.kilianhardware.com/swreplinwhpa.html Here's that Sally Wheat kitchen (for the thousandth time):
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“Which means it does not apply everywhere, unless in force by municipal choice. That is most likely why I hadn't heard about outlet requirements in islands. It is not required where I am located.” The reason for this Code requirement is so that when someone uses a coffee pot, blender, mixer, or any other counter appliance on the island, she is not plugging it in by stretching the electrical cord across the aisle to a backsplash outlet many feet away. The scenario Joseph Corlett mentioned is the least worrisome. More concerning are (1) someone walking through the aisle and not noticing the cord and tripping on it, (2) not seeing the cord across the aisle and running into it and pulling on it, causing it to short, and (3) an electrical short from @Sherry Brighton stretching the electrical cord across the aisle, starting the blender, and having the stretched and vibrating cord spark. If your contractor tells you local Code says you don’t need receptacles in an island - and even the worst crappy contractors will not say that, because even they have some standards - then you better find another contractor.
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Circus Peanut
15 years ago
My code doesn't specify any height from counter (or floor) and I did mine myself, so I moved 'em low down and sideways to match my subway backsplash tile. They hide nicely behind appliances that way; they're about 4.5" above the countertop.
Babka NorCal 9b
15 years ago
I'm in California, and mine are low and horizontal, with the center of each outlet 3" above the countertop. Appliances, fruit bowls etc. hide them.

-Babka
september_home
15 years ago
Funny, I'm in the middle of this process right now.

One note-- Building codes and electrical codes are different in every state (and sometimes county and township). To be certain, you may want to make a quick call to your local permit & licensing agency (they may have info online).

After having an entire 1840's house re-wired and drywalled, with final inspection complete. Overwhelmed with so many other "important" details, I didn't specify to the electrician I wanted my wall plugs horizontal and close to counters. After the fact, I paid $$ to have it re-done by another electrician in fear that the original one would consider me certifiable, making ANOTHER change. I just keep forgetting, not everyone is a MINDREADER! It will be better than what I had to work with originally.

However,After having a realization that "plug mold" (sp?) Isn't an anti-microbial counter sealant or wood putty filler for cabinetry, I really wish that I had checked into it. It really makes sense for my needs.

Oh well, what's a girl to do! It's the little things that get me EVERY time!

Check out the options and one will stick out as being best for you. Good Luck!!

-September

Oh!Post pics when you are done.
kelleg69
15 years ago
A friend told me to put them low so that the appliances hide them. I think that is good advice. Why do you want to see the cord running up the wall if you don't have to? Also, I think horizontal is a great idea--makes them less obtrusive again!
homepro01
15 years ago
I think most electricians put them in a place that you can easily reach them if there are appliances in the way and that they don't constantly get splashed with water. I think if they are too low, it may be harder to reach around. I would put them higher on the wall and use a matching color wall plate or something to make it blend in better.

Good luck!
kulagal
15 years ago
CircusPeanut: I know this is off-topic and I apologize for that. I love your yellow subway tile. I have tried finding that light color yellow to no avail. Would you mind telling me the company and name - would so appreciate it! TIA
queensinfo
15 years ago
I forgot to specify where i wanted mine in the new wall in the kitchen. I like them high up so that they are out of the sight line when you are standing (unless you are short). We dont keep anything plugged in all the time except for an undercounter radio and the undercabinet lights when I finally get them. I would keep them low where you know appliances will hide them and go high where there will be no appliances on the counter.

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