Just some background for you. Originally the propsal was 2-120 during the 1990 ROP stage which called for more receptacle outlets serving the kitchen counter area. During the 1990 ROC stage it was expanded to add the terms island and Peninsular to the mix and where that language actually began. The justification in proposal 2-120 was used to expand receptacle coverage. I have posted them both for you below but you can find them in the 1989 ROC and ROP stages.
Here is the ROC that started adding the terms Island and Peninsular and expended on the accepted proposal 2-120.
2- 679 - (210-52(b)): Accept
SUBMITTER: Robert H. Kels, First State Inspection
Agency, Inc.
O~_QH_MEN_ff!__Q_N PR~_POS~L_NO. : 2-120
RECOMMENDATION: This proposal should be accepted with
editorial changes. Revise the Section to read,
"In kitchens and dining areas of dwelling units a
receptacle outlet shall be installed at each counter
space wider than 12 inches. "Receptacles shall be
installed that no point along the wall line is more
than 24 inches, measured horizontally from a receptacle
oultet in that space. Island and peninsular counter
tops 12 inches or wider shall have at least one
receptacle for each four feet of counter top."
New text in quotation.
SUBSTANTIATION: The substantiation for the proposal
makes a lot of sense, as do Mr. Cunningham's comments.
Perhaps the suggested changes would be satisfactory.
Island and peninsular counter tops create problems of
their own when it comes to receptacles. Appliances are
not generally left connected at these areas anyway. A
lot of islands are built with cabinet doors and drawers
on all sides, and some are angled so that it is almost
impossible to locate receptacles in them. Mr.
Vaughan~s comments are very confusing to me. First he
tells us how many outlets he puts in, then tells us
that he has been called back to install more, but s t i l l
votes against proposal. Cost should have nothing to do
with safety, and appliance cords are getting shorter.
p__~NEL ACTION: Accept.
PANEL STATEMENT: Accept, and editorially add "so"
after "be installed".
VOTE ON PANEL ACTION; Unanimously Affirmative.
And here is the original proposal 2-120 for everyones enjoyment.
SUBMITTER: Frank K. Kitzantides~ National Electrical
Manufacturers Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise the f i r s t sentence by adding
"and located so that no point along the counter space
is more than 24 inches (609 mm), measured horizontally
from a receptacle outlet."
SUBSTANTIATION: An ever increasing number of
electrical appliances are requiring dedicated outlet
receptacles for full time power. Programmable coffee
makers, radios and microwave ovens require power full
time in order to operate a clock circuit and a memory
circuit for programs. This means that so~e outlets are
no longer available for the temporary use of portable
mixers, can openers, electric knives, blenders,
toasters, waffle irons, fry pans, etc. The requirement
for more dedicated outlets promotes the use of cube
taps and other multiple outlet adaptors. Since more
counter top outlets are now required, the N.E.C. must
keep pace with new technology. Many portable
appliances are now supplied with 18" cords which would
also make this change desirable.
PANEL ACTION: Accept.
VOTE ON PANEL ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 8
NEGATIVE: Cunningham, Rao, Vaughan.
EXPLANATION OF VOTE:
CUNNINGHAM: The Code Panel Accepted this proposal
with the understanding that this would result in a
maximum distance between counter top receptacle outlets
of 48 inches. However, a close examination of the
wording could lead to an interpretation that the 24
inches could be a radius from the receptacle outlets.
This would make it impossible for space on a counter
deeper than 24 inches to comply unless surface mounted
receptacles were installed.
I am voting against the Panel action because the
wording could be interpreted to require more
receptacles than the panel, and perhaps the proposer
i n i t i a l l y intended.
RAO: Tile proposed wording is not clear.
VAUGHAN: As a volumne electrical contractor, having
installed 4 or more duplex receptacles, constituting 8
or more receptacles, on 2 or more 20 ampere circuits in
over 60,000 residential dwelling units during the past
33 years, we have received many requests from many of
the home buyers for the need for additional receptacle
outlets in kitchens. Electrical requirements should
most certainly be based on overhwhelming substanciated
requirements, not on an unlikely rare requirement.
Furthermore, with the mixture usage of a very few short
cords with the longer cords, the present 8 or more
receptacles would be more than adequate to cover the
home owners requirements Thisproposed additional
requirement would needlessly increase the receptacles,
in some instances, over 25% in kitchens, resulting in
the primary financial benefit going to the
manufacturers, with no additional safety, and the
additional unnecessary costs being imposed upon the
home owner.
