Electrical Outlet Height From Floor Code

A common height for a wall outlet is between 12 to 18 inches aff above finish floor.

Electrical outlet height from floor code. The national electrical code does not have any specific height requirement although it may recommend particular heights depending upon whether you are fitting a commercial or residential outlet. The national electric code doesn t establish a minimum standard outlet height in the basement or in any other part of the house but the rule of thumb followed by most electricians is to place the outlets 16 to 18 inches above the floor. A 20 amp receptacle is designed to accept the special plug on heavier use appliances and if such an appliance plugs into a 15 amp circuit there is a danger of drawing too much power and. Although the national electrical code nec has many very precise regulations for most aspects of residential wiring it does not specify one height for standard wall outlets receptacles or for light switches.

Some states such as california require this minimum height. You have a standard height of 16 to the top of the outlet box and a standard height of 48 to the top of the switch box. Garage electrical outlet location. Electrical code and box heights.

There is no code on the height of electrical outlets. As a result heights are often a matter of convention or preference. If you haven t installed the flooring yet be sure to add the thickness to the height measurement. Then there are custom heights in which different company use accordingly to the home owner or builder.

In the garage electrical outlets should be 18 or more above floor level. However your local electrical code is the ultimate voice with these matters. For convenience outlets such as those fitted in the kitchen you will find that these are around 42 inches in height or over the surface of your work tops. Electrical code citation for electrical outlet height in garages jan 6 2015 kevin o hornett said.

There is no danger to installing 15 amp outlet receptacles on a 20 amp circuit in fact this is the standard practice but under no circumstances should a 20 amp receptacle be installed on a 15 amp circuit. Remodeling and upgrading home electrical wiring when upgrading home electrical wiring or remodeling the actual height can be adjusted so the elevations of the switches and outlets will match other existing outlets and switches. In rare instances outlets are still installed in baseboards and in the floor with proper box covers.