The accessibility of all appliances defines the excellence of your kitchen.
However, the electrical layout can reduce efficiency, especially if it’s not properly lit or there are not enough outlets at good locations.
All these should be considered while constructing your kitchen because you will have to deal with the imperfections for years as soon as you are done building.
If you are renovating your kitchen or building one, you must be wondering how high your electric outlet should be.
This article will explain the standard outlet height for kitchen countertops and the code for kitchen countertop outlets.
The standard height is 20 inches above the counter. This requirement ensures a plug available for any electrical appliance with a standard length cord. There is no minimum height required for outlets above the kitchen counter. These outlets should be enough to activate all electrical appliances in the kitchen.
How High Should Outlets Be Above Countertop?
When building or renovating your kitchen, you ought to give importance to the electric system and installing outlets. Using extension cords is dangerous, and it might not be convenient for you.
No matter how many the outlets are, they would be useless if they were not located at the right height. You should make sure the outlets are located at the right heights.
Electrical codes have made having more outlets per foot space a necessity in the kitchen because you may have to plug in many appliances.
However, there is no specific outlet placement over a kitchen counter. You can install outlets from 15 to 20 inches above the countertop work surface following the national electric code.
This action enables any appliance plugged anywhere on the kitchen counter with a cord having the standard length of 24 inches to reach an outlet without an extension cord.
They should not be installed higher than 20 inches from the top of the kitchen counter.
If you have peninsular counter spaces in your kitchen, place one electric outlet at each extended kitchen countertop.
Kitchen Counter Outlet Height Floor
The national electrical code says not much about the height of an electrical outlet above the kitchen floor.
There are only restrictions on the heights of outlets above and below countertops. However, the Americans with Disability Act has special requirements for receptacle heights.
There are no special requirements regarding the height of the receptacle outlet required from a kitchen floor.
The Americans with Disability Act(ADA) specifies 15 inches as the minimum height and 48 to 54 inches as the maximum height.
Most building constructors adhere to the ADA rules to ensure that all outlets are accessible to people with disabilities.
The height of the kitchen counter outlet from the floor mostly depends on preference. Electricians fix these outlets within a widely accepted range.
They can be slightly raised or lowered due to the above-mentioned circumstances.
What Is Standard Countertop Height?
Countertop height is the measurement taken from your floor to the surface of your counter.
There are standards for installing your counters, but the height of your countertop would depend on factors like your height and that of your household to prevent health problems like back pain from bending if the counters are too low.
Different factors determine what height of countertop would be suitable for you. You should measure what standard heights are to determine what would be best for you.
The standard countertop height is 36 inches(three feet above floor level) for kitchens and 32 inches for bathrooms.
Using this measurement will make your renovation better following installation standards.
The manufacturers of kitchen cabinets model their products with a height of 34.5 inches, and countertops have a thickness of 1.5 inches.
This 36-inch is the height that would be convenient for an average person.
If you find out that the standard height would be too low or high after the measurement, there are available options for you.
What Is The Code For Kitchen Countertop Outlets?
Electrical codes are rules that tell exactly how the different parts of an electrical system should be installed.
These codes are aimed at building better functioning and safer kitchens. Most local electrical codes are based on the national electrical codes.
The national electrical code is a model code that gives guidelines that local communities adopt to model their residential codes.
The electrical code specifies outlet spacing requirements and what types of outlets to use in different house parts.
For kitchen countertop outlets, the code requirement is that they should not be more than 48 inches away from each other.
It’d be best for a countertop that is 12 inches wide to have an outlet on the wall at its back. Also, you should not position the outlets higher than 20 inches above the countertop work surface.
This spacing depends on the length of the electrical cords of most kitchen appliances.
This action prevents homeowners from stretching too far and increasing the chances of tripping, breaking the cord, electric shock, and fire hazards.
Conclusion
Installing electrical outlets at standard heights is necessary for easy access and the convenience of homeowners. Code requirements for wall outlets often differ between communities.
You should follow the recommendations of the electrical code. Install the outlets between 15 and 20 inches from the countertop surface. Also, make sure all outlet boxes are fixed at the same height.
