Required Receptacle(s) for a Walk-In Closet Island?

[jar546]

If a large walk in closet has an island planned with a countertop work surface, are receptacles required for that work surface?

Obviously ironing or steaming would be common sense, but are receptacles required?

 

[Joe.B]

Debatable. It's going to come down to your definition of "similar". Is the area you're describing similar to a kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, or dining room? In this hypothetical if I was making the call, I would say yes, the walk-in closet is similar to a pantry.

 

[wwhitney]

In this hypothetical if I was making the call, I would say yes, the walk-in closet is similar to a pantry.

So not only are you going to require a receptacle, you are going to require it on an SABC?

I would say that a walk-in closet is obviously not similar to a pantry in the context of 210.52(C), as storing food is different from storing clothes. So there are no required receptacles, and it would be a violation of 210.52(B)(2) to put any optional receptacles in the walk-in closet on an SABC.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Joe.B]

So not only are you going to require a receptacle, you are going to require it on an SABC?

Did I say that? No, I would not require that at all. But I would require outlets in a space where obviously someone intends to do some kind of work. Why else would you create a "countertop work surface" if you don't intend to do stuff there. Inevitably someone will need an outlet for something, it's a lot easier to require one now then for someone to have to put one in later. But obviously no, it would not be part of any SABC.

I would say that a walk-in closet is obviously not similar to a pantry in the context of 210.52(C), as storing food is different from storing clothes.

Yes, it's debatable. So, debate we shall It's a small room accessory to an adjacent use, primarily for storage and occasional work. In the case of a kitchen, it's adjacent to the food preparation area, therefore, will be used primarily for food storage and occasional work related to food prep. In the case of the walk-in closet, it's adjacent to a bedroom and therefore will be used primarily for clothes storage and occasional clothes related work. In a small house a pantry or closet will likely be very small and not suitable for work, therefore not having any work areas. In a large house there would likely be plenty of room for that, so plan accordingly. I argue they are very similar.

 

[ICE]

Neither a closet or pantry require a receptacle. Size makes no difference. I have both and have never used them.

 

[Joe.B]

Neither a closet or pantry require a receptacle. Size makes no difference. I have both and have never used them.

Normally I would agree. But what about if the pantry or closet is very large and they are installing countertop "work areas", then would you require outlets?

 

[ICE]

then would you require outlets?

No. Well I suppose I should clarify since this thread was started by Jeff and he is cagey. Unless the latest code (which I do not have) requires a receptacle in a closet or pantry I would not.

 

[ICE]

Obviously ironing or steaming would be common

Our clothes dryer does that for us.

 

[wwhitney]

Did I say that? No, I would not require that at all. But I would require outlets in a space where obviously someone intends to do some kind of work.

The only language in the NEC that requires a receptacle for a countertop in a non-bathroom is in 210.52(C). Receptacles required by that section need to be on an SABC. So if you are requiring a receptacle, you should be requiring it to be on an SABC.

I argue they are very similar.

Your argument was basically an SAT type analogy, that walk-in closet : bedroom :: pantry : kitchen, which I don't disagree with. But in order to require a receptacle for the worktop, you need to find that the room is similar to "kitchens, pantries, breakfast rooms, (or) dining rooms," per the 210.52(C) language. Which it is not. It would be similar to a bedroom, just like a pantry is similar to a kitchen, and there is no NEC requirement for countertop receptacles in bedrooms.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Joe.B]

I believe you have it backwards.

"210.52 Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlets" is subdivided by capital letters first. (A) through (I). Then each subsection is divided by numbers, such as (A)(1), (A)(2), etc. The SABC requirements are part of subsection (B), not (C). (C) stands on its own and is not contingent on (B), just like (F) is not contingent on (E).

 

[wwhitney]

I believe you have it backwards.

Let's take it from the top. If you say that a countertop receptacle is required for the island in the walk-in-closet, what NEC section specifies that requirement?

Looking through the NEC, the only section on countertop receptacles that I find that would apply to a dwelling unit outside of a bathroom is 210.52(C). That says (2017 text for easy of copying): "In kitchens, pantries, breakfast rooms, dining rooms, and similar areas of dwelling units, receptacle outlets for countertop and work surfaces shall be installed in accordance with 210.52(C)(1) through (C)(5)." So if you have the authority to interpret that, and you decide that a walk-in closet is similar to a pantry (I disagree), then absolutely 210.52(C) would require countertop receptacles (except not for the 2023 NEC, which somewhat controversially removed the requirement for island receptacles, in lieu of a provision for a future receptacle).

But then 210.52(B)(1) says (again 2017 text, emphasis mine) "In the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room, or similar area of a dwelling unit, the two or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits required by 210.11(C)(1) shall serve all wall and floor receptacle outlets covered by 210.52(A), all countertop outlets covered by 210.52(C), and receptacle outlets for refrigeration equipment." So if you are using 210.52(C) to require a walk-in closet island receptacle, then 210.52(B)(1) requires that receptacle to be on an SABC. Which IMO shows the incongruence of requiring a receptacle in the first place.

Of course, perhaps I've overlooked part of the NEC, and there is a different section that would require a receptacle for an island in a walk-in closet. If so, none of the above applies, and I look forward to hearing what section it is.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Joe.B]

We're reading the same code, and we are quoting the same sections, and we interpret them differently. Hence, debatable. I'll try to break it down Barney style:

210.52 says outlets required as follows....

210.52(A)(4) says outlets installed per 210.52(C) don't count towards other required outlets.

210.52(C) is the debatable part, but if it's determined to be required then it spells it out. Nowhere in (C) does it mention SABC.

I say the scenario posted by Jeff qualifies, therefor outlets are required. You say not. Cool, in my jurisdiction I make the call. Outside my city limits, not my problem.

 

[wwhitney]

210.52(C) is the debatable part, but if it's determined to be required then it spells it out. Nowhere in (C) does it mention SABC.

No, 210.52(C) itself does not, but 210.52(B)(1) says that all the receptacles covered by 210.52(C) must be on an SABC. So if you are requiring the receptacle under 210.52(C), then 210.52(B)(1) requires it to be on an SABC. There's no ambiguity, I bolded the part of 210.52(B)(1) that spells it out.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Joe.B]

(B) is titled "small appliances". Clearly a kitchen is an area where small appliances will be used. Therefor when looking at requirements covered by both (B) and (C), then yes, both apply. (B) references "... circuits required by 210.11(C)(1) shall..." then goes on to reference 210.52(C).

210.11(C)(1) says "in addition to the number of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, two or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits shall be provided for all receptacle outlets specified in 210.52(B)."

In the scenario that @jar546 presented, I argue that 210.52(B) does not apply. Jeff, you started this, what say you?

 

[wwhitney]

In the scenario that @jar546 presented, I argue that 210.52(B) does not apply.

How can you argue it does not apply? It's a very clear logical chain:

1) You've decided that the walk-in closet is similar to a pantry.
2) 210.52(C) applies to rooms similar to a pantry, and requires countertop receptacles.
3) 210.52(B)(1) applies to rooms similar to a pantry, and requires any receptacle covered by 210.52(C) to be on an SABC.

End of story.

I agree that 210.52(B) is titled "small appliances". That title, plus the fact that it applies to all receptacles covered by 210.52(C), along with the content of 210.52(C) and 210.52(B)(1), tells me that the type of similarity to a pantry that is being referred to by 210.52(C) and 210.52(B)(1) is the property of "being a place where you might be expected to use a small appliance on a countertop."

I guess you could take the position that an iron is a small appliance, and you are likely to use an iron on a countertop in a walk-in closet, so it's all logically consistent, as long as the receptacle you require is on one of the 20A SABCs.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Joe.B]

Sure, if they give me any indication that small appliances would be used, then yes, I would apply (B). Otherwise, I would not. I definitely would not take the position that an iron is a small appliance, otherwise every bedroom would be subject to SABC requirements. By that argument then a TV would also count?

 

[Joe.B]

How can you argue it does not apply? It's a very clear logical chain:

Yeah, well, that's like, just your opinion man...

 

[wwhitney]

Sure, if they give me any indication that small appliances would be used, then yes, I would apply (B).

Not your choice. If (C) applies to a room, then (B) applies to the room. The scoping language in each section is identical: "In the kitchen, pantry, breakfast
room, dining room, or similar area of a dwelling unit . . ."

Cheers, Wayne

 

[wwhitney]

Yeah, well, that's like, just your opinion man...

The only opinion that has come up in this discussion so far is whether a walk-in closet is similar to a pantry or not. I agree that is an opinion or judgement that the person applying the NEC needs to make, and we can differ on that choice. But the logical consequences of that choice are not just opinion.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Joe.B]

Not your choice.

Within my city limits it is.

You don't have to agree with me, you're entitled to your opinion. Obviously, we are not going to agree, and apparently nobody else cares about this thread so I'm going to drop out on this.

Cheers

 

[wwhitney]

Within my city limits it is.

If you have that legal responsibility, I would hope that you would strive to make logical decisions. I don't understand why you are fighting the idea that if 210.52(C) applies, it is only logical that 210.52(B)(1) applies.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[jar546]

Not all homes are traditional. In the case below, this walk-in closet is several hundred square feet and includes two islands used for ironing, steaming, and preparing clothing. Do you think that receptacles were planned for these islands because they made sense or because they were required by code?

 

[jar546]

So, yes, they did add receptacles to the island. But the question remains; did they have to?

 

[jar546]

We’ve been debating whether receptacles are required in islands located inside large walk-in closets just because they have a countertop and might be considered a work surface. Here’s what the NFPA 70, section 210.52(C)(2) says:

“Receptacle outlets, if installed to serve an island or peninsular countertop or work surface, shall be installed in accordance with 210.52(C)(3). If a receptacle outlet is not provided to serve an island or peninsular countertop or work surface, provisions shall be provided at the island or peninsula for future addition of a receptacle outlet to serve the island or peninsular countertop or work surface.”

Also, here’s more from section 210.52(C):

“In kitchens, pantries, breakfast rooms, dining rooms, and similar areas of dwelling units, receptacle outlets for countertop and work surfaces that are 300 mm (12 in.) or wider shall be installed in accordance with 210.52(C)(1) through (C)(3) and shall not be considered as the receptacle outlets required by 210.52(A).”

So, here are my thoughts:

The main intent of 210.52(C) is to ensure areas like kitchens, pantries, breakfast rooms, and dining rooms have enough receptacle outlets for appliances and other electrical needs. These are the areas typically associated with food preparation and related activities.

Now, a walk-in closet with an island and countertop doesn’t naturally fit into these categories. Walk-in closets are used for clothing storage and dressing, not for food prep or similar electrical needs. While the code does mention “similar areas,” a closet doesn’t seem to be what they had in mind.

The term “work surface” in this context is likely referring to surfaces where food preparation or similar activities occur. An island in a walk-in closet might be used for folding clothes or organizing accessories, but that doesn’t align with the typical activities envisioned by the code for “work surfaces” in kitchens and dining areas.

From what I’ve seen in the industry, most interpretations and applications of the NEC align with the specific use cases mentioned in the code. Receptacle requirements in walk-in closets are generally governed by other sections of the code that address general lighting and convenience outlets in habitable spaces.

After consulting with some electrical inspectors and other pros, it seems there’s a consensus that walk-in closets do not fall under the requirements of 210.52(C) for countertop and work surface receptacles. The intent of the code is safety and functionality in areas where significant electrical use occurs, like kitchens and dining areas, not closets.

So, based on the code language and typical interpretations, receptacle outlets are not required on islands or countertops in large walk-in closets just because they might be considered a work surface. If there are specific local amendments or interpretations by your AHJ, it’s always good to check with them for a definitive ruling. But from a general code perspective, the requirement doesn’t extend to walk-in closets.