Switch Box Height
The average height for light switches is 46 inches from the floor to the center of the switch box.
Switch box height. As a result heights are often a matter of convention or preference. As shown in the pictures above there are varying mounting heights for switches depending on the application. 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. Installing electrical boxes for outlets.
To satisfy the accessibility requirements of the fair housing act however the switch itself should be. For example in canada the center of the receptacle box must be at least 14 inches above the floor and in california the bottom of the box must be at least 15 inches above the floor. Many builders position switch boxes so the bottom of the box is 48 inches above the floor. The switch the box around the slider switch position.
If the counter has no knee space the counter width shouldn t exceed 24 inches and the. What are the ada height requirements for switch mounting. Is it 42 inches max. This allows the switch to clear a standard countertop.
Electrical code and box heights. When the switch is over a counter that has a knee space and the counter depth exceeds 20 inches the maximum height of a switch is reduced to 44 inches. However your local electrical code is the ultimate voice with these matters. The height from the floor to the middle of the switch plate should not exceed 48 inches and the minimum height should not be less than 15 inches.
Adjust the height of switches mounted over countertops. This is also true for counter top outlets in the kitchen and bathroom where switches and outlets are at the same height. California also sets a maximum height 48 inches to the top of the box the same as required by the ada. The average height for outlets is 12 inches from the floor to the center of the.
Since the standard height of most base cabinets with countertop is about 36 inches this means that the bottom of the switch box should fall at least 40 inches above the floor. Generally speaking wall switches should be about 4 inches above the countertop.