Francis Vineyard
REGISTERED
Do you agree with this interpretation where if a kitchen island or peninsula may be considered as a wall space for the dining room?
My opinion was this wall space is not counted as such unless it has a bar-type counter.
Do you allow a receptacle at either end of the counter top to serve both one and the same kitchen and dining room?
4. 210.52 Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlet Requirements
A change to the wall spacing requirements has been made to address fixed cabinets, and the wall spacing requirements have been clarified.
210.52(A)(2) Definition of Wall Space.
(1) Any space 2 ft or more in width, unbroken along the floor line by doorways and similar openings, fireplaces, and fixed cabinets.
(2) The space occupied by fixed panels in exterior walls.
(3) The space occupied by fixed room dividers, such as freestanding bar-type counters or guard rails.
(3) Floor Receptacle Outlets. Floor receptacle outlets aren’t counted as the required receptacle wall outlet if they’re located more than 18 in. from the wall.
(4) Countertop Receptacles. Receptacles installed for countertop surfaces as required by 210.52© can’t be used to meet the receptacle requirements for wall space as required by 210.52(A). (click here to see Fig. 4)
Analysis: The substantiation for the change to (A)(2)(1) is to deal with kitchen cabinets. Obviously, the Code doesn’t expect a receptacle installed in front of lower kitchen cabinets to satisfy the wall space receptacles of this section. While this makes sense — and seems to be a clarification that’s worth making — it also brings with it technical changes as well. For example, built-in bookcases often consume entire walls in dwelling unit libraries, studies, offices, and similar rooms. With this change, it seems receptacles are no longer required in such bookcases.
Changes made to 210.52(A)(4) have been done to address a fairly odd situation. It’s quite common for a kitchen peninsular or island countertop to create a “wall” between the kitchen and dining room (or other room). When this occurs, 210.52(A)(1) requires receptacles on the back of the peninsula or island in order to accommodate the dining area. In previous NEC editions, the required countertop receptacle could be used to satisfy this requirement, provided the receptacle wasn’t higher than 5½ ft above the floor [210.52(4)]. This not only made for a Code-compliant installation, but also an invitation to have cords stretched across the dining room in order to reach the elevated receptacle. This change eliminates that loophole from the NEC and clearly states that the required countertop receptacles required by 210.52© are in addition to any receptacles required in other parts of 210.52(A).
http://ecmweb.com/nec/2011-nec-changes-20101101/
My opinion was this wall space is not counted as such unless it has a bar-type counter.
Do you allow a receptacle at either end of the counter top to serve both one and the same kitchen and dining room?
4. 210.52 Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlet Requirements
A change to the wall spacing requirements has been made to address fixed cabinets, and the wall spacing requirements have been clarified.
210.52(A)(2) Definition of Wall Space.
(1) Any space 2 ft or more in width, unbroken along the floor line by doorways and similar openings, fireplaces, and fixed cabinets.
(2) The space occupied by fixed panels in exterior walls.
(3) The space occupied by fixed room dividers, such as freestanding bar-type counters or guard rails.
(3) Floor Receptacle Outlets. Floor receptacle outlets aren’t counted as the required receptacle wall outlet if they’re located more than 18 in. from the wall.
(4) Countertop Receptacles. Receptacles installed for countertop surfaces as required by 210.52© can’t be used to meet the receptacle requirements for wall space as required by 210.52(A). (click here to see Fig. 4)
Analysis: The substantiation for the change to (A)(2)(1) is to deal with kitchen cabinets. Obviously, the Code doesn’t expect a receptacle installed in front of lower kitchen cabinets to satisfy the wall space receptacles of this section. While this makes sense — and seems to be a clarification that’s worth making — it also brings with it technical changes as well. For example, built-in bookcases often consume entire walls in dwelling unit libraries, studies, offices, and similar rooms. With this change, it seems receptacles are no longer required in such bookcases.
Changes made to 210.52(A)(4) have been done to address a fairly odd situation. It’s quite common for a kitchen peninsular or island countertop to create a “wall” between the kitchen and dining room (or other room). When this occurs, 210.52(A)(1) requires receptacles on the back of the peninsula or island in order to accommodate the dining area. In previous NEC editions, the required countertop receptacle could be used to satisfy this requirement, provided the receptacle wasn’t higher than 5½ ft above the floor [210.52(4)]. This not only made for a Code-compliant installation, but also an invitation to have cords stretched across the dining room in order to reach the elevated receptacle. This change eliminates that loophole from the NEC and clearly states that the required countertop receptacles required by 210.52© are in addition to any receptacles required in other parts of 210.52(A).
http://ecmweb.com/nec/2011-nec-changes-20101101/
