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Countertop outlets.

MASSDRIVER

MASSDRIVER

REGISTERED
Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
1,532
Location
Esparto, CA
So, this is a resale remediation on a non permitted kitchen.

I have to install new gfi outlets each side of the sink per the 2 foot rule. But I would rather not have to cut into the granite, because I'm lazy like that.

So, the cabinet you see is 30 inches above the countertop.

Can I meet code by installing under cabinet outlets under there? I've done it on standard height cabinets but not a pass through like this. Can you provide a code reference?

Thanks,

Brent.
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Frank said:
Fake column from countertop to cabinet to hold the outlet?
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What I have discovered with this resale crap is that whatever the hardest most impossible way to do something is, that's what the Lord Baby Jesus in the manger, with his Little Einstein book, wants you to do.

Brent.
 
Around these here parts the granite people cut the holes for the receptacles where they need to be and the wiring is already in place before the granite arrives. This must be one of them there situations where the left hand did not know what the right hand was doing.
 
jar546 said:
Around these here parts the granite people cut the holes for the receptacles where they need to be and the wiring is already in place before the granite arrives. This must be one of them there situations where the left hand did not know what the right hand was doing.
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That's one of them there non-permitted kitchens that is now in a home that wants to be for sale, but the city checks the records and finds out the blood money was never ponied up, so a permit is pulled and it's brought up to current codes. Even if there are only 3 circuits in the kitchen and no outlets on the counter, granite be damned :)

Brent.
 
Yep, pay me now or pay me later. No permit = non-compliant installation. It's just a lot harder to do it now than if they would have done it during renovation. Lesson learned $$$$$$$$$$$
 
Sorry Brent, but that is what they get for doing it without a permit (not that the permit would make them do it correctly, it just would have been caught sooner)....At least you should be charging accordingly....Like Frank said, there are alternatives they might just not be what the customer wants and they should pay accordingly for what they want and what is legally required.........10" "soffit" or shelf?
 
IRC2012, Receptacle outlet location E3901.4.5, read exception, might make you a hero a second time! I'm losing track:0

pc1
 
& = & = &



" ...Can you provide a code reference?"
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Assuming that the California Electrical Code models the NEC fairly closely,you can look at Article 210.52©(5) [ <---- that section came from the `08 NEC ].



& = & = &
 
Stopped chewing 28 days ago, after 25 years, boy do I miss it, still walk around patting my pocket to see if it is there:)
 
Chad Pasquini said:
Stopped chewing 28 days ago, after 25 years, boy do I miss it, still walk around patting my pocket to see if it is there:)
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Dip is the only thing keeping a few of my cohorts alive. So technically it's health food... Just not for me.

Brent.
 
MASSDRIVER said:
Dip is the only thing keeping a few of my cohorts alive. So technically it's health food...
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I make my own. I favor Lipton onion soup and sour cream.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I would get them to hire a granite company to cut the granite. I would not touch it. The sillite receptacles would be a great alternative except it would be impossible to mount to the granite. The screw holes are at a good angle but they are very tiny and need wood to attach too. They are TR and listed-- I don't think silicone is an option for fastening. LOL.

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What exactly are you anticipating they will be plugging in there?

The intent of the spacing is to effectively eliminate the need for extension cords.

Being that we are looking at a surface that will not likely have any appliances placed on it (certainly not in the middle), I'm wondering if a variance or waiver might not be a reasonable alternative.
 
JBI said:
I'm wondering if a variance or waiver might not be a reasonable alternative.
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I'm not aware of a variance or waiver available for an electrical code violation.

Is it possible that the kitchen renovation didn't change the counter layout? If that were the case and there were no outlets before....well then, a permit isn't required to replace cabinets and counters.

On the other hand, if the work was a remodel and there is now a counter where there was none, they need to follow the code.
 
Good Call ICE!

ICE said:
I'm not aware of a variance or waiver available for an electrical code violation. Is it possible that the kitchen renovation didn't change the counter layout? If that were the case and there were no outlets before....well then, a permit isn't required to replace cabinets and counters.

On the other hand, if the work was a remodel and there is now a counter where there was none, they need to follow the code.
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Countertop outlets.

Morning update:

Thanks for all replies. So to respond to all, my main question was can under cabinet outlets meet code for countertop outlet requirements. As long as you don't exceed 20" you can do that. As for access, as an inspectigator that beat me like a rented mule, but I highly respected once said "level of difficulty is not my problem."

He was a dick.

In this case, I'm sure the inspector would just tell me the backsplash is a fine place for outlets, thank you very much.

So there they are. Cutting the stone is not that difficult, just risky, and more involved because I had to face cut it rather than over it the back side.

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db34783691294f866fa60fb8cfe4a7cc.jpg


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