What is code for electrical outlets in kitchen?

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.

Does every outlet in a kitchen need to be GFCI?

Not all your kitchen outlets need to be the GFCIs, but they are required to be if they're within six feet of a kitchen sink or if they serve a countertop. Near laundry room sinks. Any receptacles within 6 feet of a sink or washing machine should be GFCIs.

How many outlets can I put on a 20 amp kitchen circuit?

The answer to the question how many outlets on a 20 amp circuit is ten outlets. Always comply with the 80% circuit and breaker load rule, allowing a maximum load of 1.5 amps per receptacle. Remember that your circuit, wire sizes, and outlets must be compatible to avoid overheating and electrical hazards.

Do kitchens require special outlets?

A dedicated circuit for your oven range is also essential in a kitchen. The cooking area requires a 50 amp, 240 volt circuit to supply power to the range and oven. A special range outlet is also required.

How many outlets should be in a kitchen?

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.

2020 NEC Kitchen Outlet Rules

How far should outlets be from kitchen sink?

Kitchen Outlets

This applies even if there isn't a nearby sink, such as on a bar or island. Additionally, no point on the wall should be farther than 24 inches from an outlet in either direction (meaning 4 feet total between outlets), so you must have an outlet within 2 feet of the kitchen sink.

How high should outlets be above countertop?

On countertop outlets, it is standard to install outlet boxes so the tops are between 15 and 20 inches from the countertop surface. Make sure all outlet boxes are set at exactly the same height, since these outlets will be highly visible.

Are 20 amp outlets required in kitchen?

Must kitchen outlets be 20 amp? Kitchens must have at least two 20 amp outlets. These outlets are used to power high voltage appliances such as toasters, blenders, and microwave ovens. The best way to identify a 20 amp outlet is to find the horizontal slot extending from the vertical slots.

What is code for GFCI outlets in kitchen?

210.8(A)(6) for dwelling units only requires GFCI protection for 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles installed to serve dwelling unit kitchen counter surfaces. However, 210.8(B)(3) requires all 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles in a commercial kitchen to be GFCI-protected.

Can kitchen lights be on same circuit as outlets?

Generally a properly wired home should have dedicated lighting circuits that are apart from receptacles. Overloaded neutrals are fire hazards.

Does a refrigerator need a GFCI?

In a dwelling unit (residential), GFCI protection is only required for kitchen receptacles that serve the countertop surfaces. There's no requirement to GFCI protect receptacles that serve a refrigerator. Unless the fridge is plugged into a countertop receptacle.

What is code for installing electrical outlets?

The US National Electrical Code, Section 210.52, states that there should be an electrical outlet in every kitchen, bedroom, living room, family room, and any other room that has dedicated living space. They must be positioned at least every twelve feet measured along the floor line.

Can a microwave and refrigerator be on the same circuit?

According to the 2020 version of the NEC, you can't power a microwave and refrigerator on the same circuit because each of these appliances requires a dedicated circuit, which is one shared by no other appliances or lights.

How far from a sink DO YOU NEED A GFCI?

Kitchens – All receptacles located near major appliances and the sink should be of the GFCI variety. As a rule of thumb, any outlet within six feet of the sink should be a GFCI outlet.

Is GFCI required under sink?

210.8(A) requires receptacles serving the kitchen countertop to be GFCI protected. It also requires GFCI protection for receptacles within 6' of a sink, but only sinks not in a kitchen.

Do garbage disposals need GFCI?

The National Electrical Code (NEC) does not require a garbage disposal to have GFCI protection. GFCI protection for this appliance is optional. The vibration caused by the operation of a garbage disposal can cause electrical connections to separate.

Where are GFCI outlets required 2020?

The NEC mandates GFCI protection in many areas of the home: bathrooms, garages, outdoor receptacles, crawl spaces, basements, kitchens and anything within six feet of a sink or water source. While that may seem like a lot, the entirety of a home is not covered.

Do kitchen counter receptacles need to be AFCI?

Does every receptacle in my home have to be a Dual Function AFCI/GFCI? No. The latest National Electrical Code requires both AFCI and GFCI protection only in kitchens and laundry rooms.

Should I use 15 amp or 20 amp outlets?

You can use a device that has a 15-amp plug with either a 15- or 20-amp receptacle. Standard 15-amp receptacles are suitable for typical household appliances, lamps and other accessories. A 20-amp receptacle is for heavy-duty appliances and power tools, such as air compressors.

Does microwave need 20 amp outlet?

The microwave oven needs a dedicated 20-amp, the 120/125-volt circuit to feed it. This will require 12/2 NM wire with a ground. Microwave ovens come in different varieties and sizes. Some are countertop models, and other microwaves mount above the stove.

Why do electricians install outlets upside down?

Electricians may position the outlet in an upside-down position so that you can quickly identify the switch-controlled receptacle. Since it stands out visually to most people right away – it provides convenience to the occupants to easily remember which outlet is switch controlled.

How far does an outlet have to be from a stove?

In a kitchen where the countertop extends to the sink, there will be a receptacle within 24 inches of the sink, and in a kitchen with an electric stove, there will be a receptacle within 24 inches of the stove.

Can an outlet be behind a kitchen sink?

The building codes have no restriction on how far away a receptacle outlet must be from a sink. It is not recommended that a receptacle be directly behind a sink because of the possibility of the a cord that is damaged falling into water in the sink but, again, there is no restriction against it.

How close can an outlet be to a corner?

The National Electrical Code requires that you have an electrical outlet within 6 feet of the corner of the wall and at least 12 feet from the same wall. That's the minimum requirement for living space.