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I have one of those store-bought islands in my kitchen and want to install an electrical outlet for small appliences (e.g. mixer, blender) into the side, but I still want to be able move the island to sweep or mop under it. I’m thinking of using a power cord wired into an outlet inside an electrical box, mounted to the cabinet which I’ll plug into a floor outlet in the ceramic floor. My question is this- is this within code? If I use a GFCI oulet in the floor? Thanks!
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If the island isn't attached to the house, then my vote would be yes, it's ok.
Mounting an outlet in the floor is strictly taboo. I personally wouldn't want to mop the floor around an outlet GFfCI or not. What would happen if you spilled the wash bucket? Plus crumbs, dirt and dust from the island will certainly find their way into the outlet. What I would suggest is buying a decorative outlet box like you see for outside applications (their waterproof). Hardwire it through the ceramic floor to the basement. Then mount your GFCI in the box either vertically or horizontally depending on what box you choose. Mount your outlet on the island as you intended and your good to go! The box has a spring loaded cover so when you move the island to clean you won't have to worry about getting electrocuted.
Interesting questions raised.
TAboo? Floor mounted outlets are legal (certainly in some locations). It is legal in your livingroom which typically are carpeted. Kitchens typically are vinyl or tile or wood. But some living spaces are tile or wood as well. And "what if you spilled your wash bucket in the livingroom? So it can not be "TABOO" to have floor mounted outlets just becuase you have a tile, wood or vinyl floor? So is it or is in not truely illegal to have floor mounted outlets in a kitchen?
I am with you, I would see little need for it and probably would not wish to mop around one, but is it legal?
I recently installed about 65 floor boxes in a church....into a wooden floor...and NOBODY makes a flush trim for wooden floors, the trims are meant for carpeting....all of the boxes had to be installed on the subfloor..... longer adjusting screws had to be ordered, (at $3 a piece X4 X65)......and the maple flooring had to be routed so the trim would lay flush, what a headache... about 3 hrs per boxIs this kitchen idea legal ? I can't find anything that says no...Is it practical?.....no ! ..... will a floor box work ?
Since they are not rated for wet /damp locations .......no
I recently installed about 65 floor boxes in a church....into a wooden floor...and NOBODY makes a flush trim for wooden floors, the trims are meant for carpeting...
We've always used flush trims for hardwood floors. Heck, even Lowes sells a brass flush trim that works with hardwood.
Lowes....? didn't go to Lowes....do you remember the brand ?the ones in the church had a 3/16 lip that would not recess flush, from Walker
I put in 9 floor boxes - got them from Lowe's and HD. HD was about $5 cheaper. They are Leviton. About $22 as I recall. The boxes are deep, so they don't fit over a joist, and the outlets are 15amp simplex. Gasket and brass cover fits nicely on hardwood floors. We put them in wherever we took out one of the ancient outlets, rather than patch the floor. Plus the walls are brick.
I stand half---- corrected. Checked in the NEC and floor mounted receptacles are legal as long as they are watertight. i.e. like the ones you see with the brass screw in covers. Still I wouldn't personally install one. As long as their uncovered and something is plugged into it you still run the rist of spilling something on them.
By the way are you a Gin or Vodka man? (I'm assuming your a guy...)
some folks think that would fit the ticket ......being watertight.... you know, like I do, that the rating is not watertight when the cover is off
Hammered: Thanks for you thoughts. I too would just plain not want a floor outlet in a kitchen. Just curious about the legality of it.
Gin or Vodka? You had me going for a minute. Actually I have not had a martini in more than 20 years and if I remember correctly, I hated it. LOL! However, I do like Gin and tonics, or just gin and lime juice (gives you a good pucker!)
My handle you ask? No . . . swelled head, and I don't run around saving the world for MI6. I just like the expression. Kind of fun.
If it was permanently attached, you wouldn't NEED to sweep or mop under it. If you want it portable, why would you want to run a temporary cord to the island when you could just run a temporary cord to your appliance?
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I've been in juisdictions where a prior floor-mounted receptacle was required by the elec inspector to be removed from an old yellow pine t&g floor, and I've done designs in jurisdictions where the inspector has required one to be added! I've also had inspectors who've said that horizontal receptacles are not permitted in a kitchen (chance of stuff spilling in them). I can't say who was right and who was wrong, but they were all right in that they were in a position to tell me what they'd allow. Lesson in all of this...check with the local inspector to see which rule book they're following.
How about this, similar to what was suggesed before:
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Basicly an opening is cut in the floor, and an exterior outlet box is installed in that opening. The outlet is against a joist or blocking, and when unplugged is "weather" resistant. This way will be easily accessable and safe around water.
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!