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Outlet minimum height above counter

joeboldt | Posted in Code Questions on December 16, 2019 02:22pm

We are remodeling a kitchen. On one wall, we have counter tops that are 36″ above the floor. On the other side, facing the counter top will be a bar. So the bar and counter top share opposite sides of a stub wall. The recommended height for breakfast bars seems to be 42″. That means there is 6″ from the top of the bar to the top of the counter. If I take away the 1 3/4″ that makes up the bar, the 1 1/2″ that is the top of the stub wall, that leaves 2 3/4″ in which to squeeze an outlet box above the counter. Outlets are about 2 1/4″ wide if placed horizontally, leaving about 1/2″ above the counter. Is that far enough above the counter?

Thanks,
Joe

Reply

Replies

  1. User avater
    Mike_Mahan | Dec 20, 2019 11:26am | #1

    you are putting too much importance into recomendations. 36" is fine for a breakfast bar. You just buy kitchen stools which are made for a 36" counter and not bar stools which are made for 42". You could also make the counter 40" which should be fine.

  2. jlyda | Dec 22, 2019 11:33am | #2

    There’s not really a requirement for height (at least not in my area). Just needs GFCI protection, but all the plugs on kitchen counter require that regardless of height.

  3. Rainey_Creek | May 18, 2020 08:12pm | #3

    Those receptacles would also need to be AFCI protected if they are replacing existing or new. Its been a requirement of the NEC since 2014 that any replacement receptacle in a area that requires GFCI and or AFCI to be replaced with GFCI and or AFCI.

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