Electrical outlet placement in full overlay kitchen cabinets

last year

We are redesigning our kitchen cabinets with a full overlay. The sink is on the island which currently has a ledge where the electrical plugs are. We are dropping the countertop to be one height so won’t have that option anymore. The electrician says we need to put a plug within 12 inches of the sink. Ideas for how we can do that without a close enough backsplash, an apron sink, and full overlay cabinets?

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A G

last year

last modified: last year

I recently saw a photo where the outlets were on a strip just under the countertop. i’ll see if i can find that. Maybe it would be an option for you, for the cabinets on either side of the sink.

edit: found the pic

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Comments (12)

darbuka
last year
last modified: last year
Island Outlets

”Where do outlets go on an island?Your standard electric socket is simply installed into the side of your kitchen island. The advantage you would get from installing this type of outlet is that the countertop of your kitchen island is unobstructed.”
KW PNW Z8
last year
I have a 10’+ angled island that was dropped from bar height on seating side to all counter height, The outlets were in the riser for the raised bar behind sink & on each side of sink. I have an outlet on each end of the island as well as pendant light switch on one end. They’re on the side just under the top, I have a DW at one end & drawer at the other end. The outlets fit with no issues either to DW or drawer. I have an air switch button close to faucet for garbage disposal on the island surface.
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anj_p
last year
I would read up on the electrical code in your area and maybe check the credentials of your electrician. Generally there are no placement requirements, just a certain number per square feet of counter. I have 3 not counting the dw and garbage disposal and they are at the ends.
megesp
Original Author
last year
Thank you all - I live in NC and the electrician said that it needed to be within 12 inches of the sink, so the ends of the counter wouldn't work as those are several feet away from the sink.
PRO
Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc.
last year
I'm not familiar with North Carolina code enforcement, but what your electrician is suggesting does not seem correct for island outlet placement. Please call your local building department for confirmation.
anj_p
last year
I agree with @Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc.. Unless North Carolina uses a VERY different code from the rest of the country, your electrician is incorrect.

I would not want a plug mold along the entire length of my counter. The person who did that did it because they have a waterfall island and didn't want outlets in the waterfall. Went a bit overboard I think.
megesp
Original Author
last year
@Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc.and @anj_p I would LOVE for you to be correct :) I will dig deeper. My designer said the same thing - she had never heard this requirement before.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
last modified: last year
IMO the electrician is wrong and I have never heard of an outlet needing to be with 12" of a sink in fact that sounds dangerous unless this for a garburator maybe . So a bit more info please . I usually just do the outlets in the ends of the iland in a panel next to the end cabinets . I alwways passes code . I have 2 sinks in my island no garburator we do have a wall at the end of the "island" and had 2 more outlets put there . They were not required/So one on each side neat the stools and the other 2 in the backsplash under the TV All are GFI
chispa
last year
My electricians (who I wouldn't say are up to date with new products) put this small discreet outlet at the end of my island. The other end has stools so no outlet and no outlet near the prep sink. It is the only outlet on the island.
Super Lumen
last year
last modified: last year
The outlet does not need to be 12" from the sink, your electrician is not "maybe" wrong about this, he is absolutely wrong. Period. There are however distance requirements from the countertop as others have posted.

Now, you do need an outlet on the island however. In my experience, when I do use outlets on a fixed island, it is annoying to have the cords hanging over the side where people, dogs, kids, etc. can hit them and pull things off the top. I'd suggest getting a countertop GFCI pop-up outlet put in. They are NOT cheap for a good one, expect to pay several hundred just for a high quality module that looks nice and is well made, and then add the cost for the cutout to your granite work, but they are worth it IMO.
B Lott
last year
Hi @superlumen! I’ve been thinking about pop ups on my island and I wondered about water / spills when the plug is “popped” down? Do you know if this is a problem for these pop up outlets? Are they flush with a seal or something to protect them? I think they are SO clever but kids can be clumsy, so…. :) Any additional feedback on manufacturers etc is much appreciated!

Electrical outlet placement in full overlay kitchen cabinets

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darbuka

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