Simple and Discreet Countertop Power
A new code-compliant, spill-safe outlet from Legrand offers a sleek solution for a kitchen island plug.
While it sometimes seems like there is no place in a home where an outlet isn’t required, the National Electric Code (NEC) no longer allows you to install one below the countertop of a kitchen island or peninsula. This change was due to the high number of accidents caused by children grabbing hold of those dangling cords connected to cooking appliances.
The NEC does provide an out: Outlets are no longer required at all on islands and peninsulas. But considering all the countertop appliances we use today, most cooks will want one. One option is to design an island or peninsula with a raised bar on one side and install an outlet between the main countertop and the raised top. But this is a big design decision to make, especially if power is only needed to blend the occasional smoothie.
Another approved option is a pop-up countertop outlet, but I think most are a bit clunky. That’s why I was impressed with the innovative solution I found at the Legrand booth at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), which runs in conjunction with IBS.
These Legrand countertop outlets, which sell under the Pass & Seymour brand, feature a single receptacle that sits nearly flush on the surface of the countertop. While the NEC does not allow common outlets to be installed face up on a kitchen countertop, these tamper-resistant outlets have passed the UL spill test and are designed to take in water and drain it out without short-circuiting. That said, I think the optional lid is a nice touch that adds a bit of extra protection.
The inner receptacle can be easily changed out for a different color, and the lid comes in a variety of finishes to match your other kitchen fixtures. The outlets and accessory lids are planned to be available in late June, with final pricing to come. Like all kitchen outlets, these need to be installed on a GFCI-protected circuit.
— Brian Pontolilo; Fine Homebuilding editorial director
RELATED STORIES
