skip to main content

Electrical Wiring

How low can you go? (with receptacles)

15 years ago

Is there a height limit for outdoor receptacles? For a deck, which would be applicable, height above grade or height above deck surface?

I am building a 16" high deck and would like to put a receptacle on the house wall above the deck (how high?), and another elsewhere on the side of the deck which would be below deck level but above grade about 12". All receptacles will be weatherproof boxes with hooded covers on GFCI.

An inspector told me there is no limitation, but I feel like I must have misheard him, there must be some requirement to prevent flooding, no?

Also, all my wires enter boxes through PVC conduit (some PVC T boxes, some alluminum, using threaded male PVC adapters) are clamps required?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

hendricus
15 years ago
"are clamps required?"

Clamps are for cable, deducing from your other post that you are using THWN, so, no.
bus_driver
15 years ago
Receptacles for general use must be within 5 1/2 feet above the floor.
Related Discussions
Yew - Hicksi: How 'low' and 'thin' can you go??
Q
Comments (4)
I'm on the east side of my patio fence between me and my neighbor. I grow Lonicera, Clematis, Gelsemium, Akebia and Hedera helix on the fence. The first four all grew to the top of the fence before they bushed out. And all the flowers are on top or on the neighbor's side. It works fine for privacy but not so great for beauty. The ivy is another matter. It grows on both side of the fence although it is thicker on the sunnier side. However, it doesn't particularly care whether it grows vertically or horizontally so it also grows straight out along the ground (on both sides of the fence) and requires weekly trimming. After it reached maturity, it also required constant picking of old leaves. It is extremely HIGH maintenance and I wouldn't plant it again. Ever. Anywhere. Sigh. Teri
...See More
Bulb hardiness--how low can they go?
Q
Comments (3)
If you get a good bulb catalog, it will tell you the hardiness of bulbs that you're buying (Brent and Becky's or Mcclure and Zimmerman are a couple that I know do.) Most kinds of daffs (tho not all) are hardy here, as are most tulips, grape hyacinths, Colchicum, most crocuses (both fall and spring blooming,) Scilla, snow drops, Camassia, and one kind of Lycoris (squamigeria or something similar) with pink flowers called "Naked Ladies" for their pink blooms that come up in August long after their leaves have disappeared. I've grown all listed here and had them come back for many years so I can attest to their hardiness. The lowest temperature that i've noticed in the years I've been gardening here is -22 F, but we usually have good snow cover. A few that I know aren't hardy here (that are sold in catalogues like Brecks which in my memory doesn't give accurate hardiness info) include most Oxalis, and the hybrid Decaen large flowered anemones.
...See More
How low can a header go?? Help.
Q
Comments (2)
The suggestion that an LVL beam would deflect less than a steel beam for a given depth is not true. Steel has a Modulus of Elasticity 15 times that of Laminated Veneer Lumber so in the real world a built up LVL beam would usually have to be about 50% taller than a steel beam to meet the minimum deflection requirement. You need someone more qualified (or honest) to design this structure. If cost is not the limiting issue the shortest height beam would be steel (probably only 8" tall) and putting it above the ceiling should hide it completely. I recently put a 15 ft. beam above a ceiling supporting a floor and a roof ridge beam above and it required an W8x21 (8" tall, 21 plf) steel beam. Where I live an LVL or steel beam would have to be stamped by an engineer since such elements are not covered by prescriptive building codes.
...See More
How Low (Intervention) can I Go?
Q
Comments (27)
Gotcha :) I live in an c.1840 Greek Revival, and grew up in a house although it was new, was traditional plaster and solid doors. Houses I can afford of this type (usually Italianate and a bit newer) are in neighborhoods I don't like. Some because of amenities, and yeah, some because of safety. I did the marginal neighborhood thing when I was younger and now I feel too settled to do it again. I really don't like hollow core doors and drywall and other details of newer construction that are pretty much givens. Essentially I will consider certain aspects of this house a "blank slate" and do what I need to to make it comfy. Where I am now that involved taking out any newer trim and doors and replacing them with historical trim and custom historically accurate doors. This is not something most people who see it even notice, but they notice it "feels" better somehow. This kitchen is new enough and in good enough shape that I don't want to go gangbusters on it like usual. I am willing at this point to forego the qualities of an older house to stay in the neighborhood I want. Must be gettin old.
...See More
heimert
15 years ago
The requirement to prevent flooding is the GFCI. Are you planning to put below grade? Do you have floods of 12" or more? If you have that much water, you should turn off all the electric anyway (if it hasn't gone off by itself).
pa_electric_man
15 years ago
Since some people like to see publications, etc....From the 2008 NEC Sec 210.52(E) "..at least one receptacle outlet accessible while standing at grade level and located not more than 2.0m (6-1/2 ft)above grade..."
sec 210.53(E)(3) "Balconies, decks & porches that are accessible from inside the dwelling unit shall have at least one receptacle outlet installed within the perimeter of the balcony, deck or porch.........shall not be located not more than 2.0m (6-1/2 ft) above the balcony, deck or porch"

No mention of the lower limit of the receptacle location.

Because the receptacles should be GFCI protected, there's no reason to worry about "flood stages".

Sounds like the inspector's right on this one.

BTW - The inspector is ALWAYS right, no matter what anyone else may try to tell you. They are the Authority Having Jurisdiction (also from the NEC), and will always win in an appeals case.

As always, "Live Safe Electrically"
petey_racer
15 years ago
"BTW - The inspector is ALWAYS right, no matter what anyone else may try to tell you. They are the Authority Having Jurisdiction (also from the NEC), and will always win in an appeals case."

NO WAY!

An inspector is not infallible. Nor is he God. They make mistakes just like every one else.

I have had many discussions with inspectors where they have realized they were wrong about something, just like I have been wrong about many things.

NO ONE is perfect!
hexus
15 years ago
"BTW - The inspector is ALWAYS right, no matter what anyone else may try to tell you. They are the Authority Having Jurisdiction (also from the NEC), and will always win in an appeals case."

that statement is not true at all. We have "won" several "cases" over local inspectors by either working with them and explaining things, or working up the chain and dealing their superiors in the state office.
Nothing comes down to just how one person interrupts the code.
pharkus
15 years ago
> Nothing comes down to just how one person interrupts the code.

or interprets it, for that matter.
hexus
15 years ago
that too....

speeling iz hurd fer meh
pamela1963
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks everyone for the great answers!

Related Stories

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How Low Can Hedges Go? Discover Unusual Garden Borders

Short enough to step over, high enough to be a stretch ... check out these radically different hedge styles and tell us your opinion

WINDOW TREATMENTS How Low Should Your Drapes Go?

By Judith Taylor Designs

Hover, brush the floor or pool like Scarlett O'Hara's tears — we give you the lowdown on curtain length options

GARDENING GUIDES 4 Ways Gardens Can Go Beyond Aesthetic Beauty

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Our landscapes can play an even more meaningful role if we rethink their purpose

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: Fans of Traditional Style Go For a ‘Mad Men’ Look

By Mitchell Parker

The TV show inspires a couple to turn their back on the style they knew and embrace a more fun and funkier vibe in their kitchen

HOUSEPLANTS Go Tropical the Easy Way With Bromeliads

By creative jewish mom.com

Months of blooms and a tolerance for low light make tropical bromeliads ideal as gifts, indoor centerpieces and outdoor eye catchers

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Going Elegant and Bright in a 1900s Home

By Vanessa Brunner

Dark and closed off no more, this Atlanta kitchen now has a classic look, increased natural light and a more open plan

PATIOS Landscape Paving 101: Some Reasons to Go for Granite

By Falon Mihalic

Thinking about a new patio or path? Invest in granite for its durability and low maintenance

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 10 Low-Cost Tweaks to Help Your Home Sell

By Lurdes Abruscato

Put these inexpensive but invaluable fixes on your to-do list before you put your home on the market

ACCESSORIES 8 Low-Cost Luxuries With a Big Payoff

By Apartment 46 for the Home

Consider the small stuff — like switch plates and throw pillows — to give your home a touch of class

THE POLITE HOUSE The Polite House: Can I Put a Remodel Project on Our Wedding Registry?

Find out how to ask guests for less traditional wedding gifts

Sponsored

More Discussions

How much is reasonable to replace an exhaust fan in a bathroom?

15

Is Hubbell the only UL listed pop-up outlet for NYC Kitchen island?

4

challenging lighting situation - under upper flight of stairs

13

I need a pop up outlet on my island, but they are HUGE!

6

Question about an outdoor flood light socket

0