Peninsula Receptacles per the 2017 NEC, The wall will do.

Peninsula Receptacles per the 2017 NEC, The wall will do.

With every new code cycle comes change. A recent change to receptacle layout in the kitchen was that when you had a peninsula you would measure for the connecting edge from the counter to start the area for the required receptacle.




2014 NEC 210.52(C)(3) Peninsular Countertop Spaces.

At least one receptacle outlet shall be installed at each peninsular countertop space with a long dimension of 600 mm (24 in.) or greater and a short dimension of 300 mm (12 in.) or greater. A peninsular countertop is measured from the connecting edge.

This would mean you need a receptacle to be located somewhere on the peninsula area, typically the end of the peninsula. Which in my home is one the kitchen receptacles that get used the most.

Now with the 2017 NEC you will now start you area of measurement from the “perpendicular wall”, which means the receptacle on the wall at this counter location will suffice for the required receptacle peninsula.

Measuring the peninsula

2017 NEC 210.52(C)

(3) Peninsular Countertop Spaces. At least one receptacle outlet shall be installed at each peninsular countertop long dimension space with a long dimension of 600 mm (21 in.) or

greater and a short dimension of 300 mm (12 in.) or greater. A peninsular countertop is measured from the connected perpendicular wall.

From a code panel member- “The language as written in 210.52(C)(3) allows the wall receptacle at the connecting edge of the peninsular countertop to serve the base countertop as well as the peninsular countertop, regardless of the length of the peninsular countertop.”

I am not sure how I like this new rule as I feel having a receptacle at the end of the peninsula was very useful in the kitchen.

Washington State had an exception to this rule if the peninsula was 6 feet or less to add an additional receptacle where the peninsula connects. I think would have been a better alternative than just removing the requirement completely.

Washington State amendment-

WAC 296-46B-210

052(C) Countertops.

(7) If it is impracticable to install the outlet(s) required in NEC 210.52 (C)(3), a receptacle is not required on any peninsular counter surface as required by NEC 210.52 (C)(3) so long as the peninsular counter area extends no farther than 6' from the face of the adjoining countertop. Any outlet(s) eliminated using this subsection must be installed in the wall space at the point where the peninsula connects to the wall countertop in addition to the outlets required by NEC 210.52 (C)(1).

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If you find any errors or have additional information that would expand on any code, building standards or manufacturer requirements please let me know.

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