6.2 Required Outlets and Receptacle Spacing in Dwellings
Key Takeaways
- NEC 210.52(A)(1) requires receptacles in dwelling habitable rooms so that no point measured horizontally along the floor line of any wall space is more than 6 feet from a receptacle outlet.
- NEC 210.52(A)(2) defines wall space as any space 2 feet or more in width, the space occupied by fixed panels in walls excluding sliding panels, and the space afforded by fixed room dividers such as railings and counters.
- NEC 210.11(C) requires at least two 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits, one 20-ampere laundry circuit, one 20-ampere bathroom circuit, and one 20-ampere garage circuit in dwelling units.
- NEC 210.52(C)(1) requires a receptacle at each kitchen counter wall space 12 inches or wider, positioned so no point along the wall line is more than 24 inches measured horizontally from a receptacle outlet.
- NEC 210.52(D) requires at least one receptacle within 36 inches of the outside edge of each bathroom basin, and 210.52(E) requires accessible outdoor receptacles at the front and back of one- and two-family dwellings not more than 6.5 feet above grade.
The Purpose of Part III
Article 210 Part III specifies where receptacles must exist, independent of load. The goal is to make extension cords unnecessary. These rules are minimums; nothing prevents adding more.
The 6-Foot Rule — 210.52(A)
210.52(A)(1) Spacing. Receptacles shall be installed such that no point measured horizontally along the floor line of any wall space is more than 1.8 m (6 ft) from a receptacle outlet.
The practical translation: a receptacle within 6 feet of each end of a wall, and no more than 12 feet apart thereafter, because the 6-foot reach works in both directions.
210.52(A)(2) Wall Space. As used in this section, a wall space shall include the following:
- Any space 2 feet (600 mm) or more in width, including space measured around corners, and unbroken along the floor line by doorways, fireplaces, and similar openings;
- The space occupied by fixed panels in walls, excluding sliding panels;
- The space afforded by fixed room dividers such as freestanding bar-type counters or railings.
A wall segment less than 2 feet wide is not a wall space and needs no receptacle.
210.52(A)(3) Floor Receptacles. Receptacle outlets in or on floors shall not be counted as part of the required number unless located within 18 inches (450 mm) of the wall.
210.52(A)(4) Countertop and Similar Work Surface Receptacle Outlets. Receptacles installed for countertop and similar work surfaces as specified in 210.52(C) shall not be considered as the receptacle outlets required by 210.52(A)(1).
Counting Example
How many receptacles are required along an unbroken 14-foot living-room wall?
A receptacle at the 6-foot mark covers 0 through 12 feet. The point at 14 feet is then 2 feet beyond coverage. One receptacle cannot be both within 6 feet of the 0-foot end and within 6 feet of the 14-foot end, because that would require it to be at or below 6 feet and at or above 8 feet simultaneously. Two receptacles are required.
For a 24-foot wall: receptacles at 6 and 18 feet cover it — two are enough, since 6 + 12 = 18 and 18 + 6 = 24.
Required Dwelling Branch Circuits — 210.11(C)
| Circuit | Section | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small appliance | 210.11(C)(1) | Two or more 20 A | Serve all receptacles in kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room, or similar area |
| Laundry | 210.11(C)(2) | One 20 A | Supplies laundry receptacle outlets required by 210.52(F); no other outlets |
| Bathroom | 210.11(C)(3) | One 20 A | Supplies bathroom receptacle outlets; no other outlets, with an exception permitting a single bathroom's other equipment |
| Garage | 210.11(C)(4) | One 120 V, 20 A | Supplies receptacle outlets required by 210.52(G)(1) in attached garages and detached garages with electric power |
210.52(B)(1) requires the two or more small-appliance branch circuits to serve all receptacle outlets covered by 210.52(A) and (C)(1) in the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room, or similar area, plus the refrigeration equipment receptacle.
210.52(B)(2) states these circuits shall have no other outlets — with exceptions for a receptacle installed solely for the electric supply to and support of an electric clock, and for receptacles supplying gas-fired ranges, ovens, or counter-mounted cooking units.
210.52(B)(3) requires at least two of the small-appliance branch circuits to serve the kitchen countertop receptacles required by 210.52(C).
Countertops and Work Surfaces — 210.52(C)
(C)(1) Wall Spaces. A receptacle outlet shall be installed at each wall countertop and work surface that is 12 inches (300 mm) or wider. Receptacle outlets shall be installed so that no point along the wall line is more than 24 inches (600 mm) measured horizontally from a receptacle outlet in that space.
The 24-inch figure is the reach in each direction, so the practical maximum spacing between countertop receptacles is 48 inches. Any countertop 12 inches or wider needs at least one.
(C)(2) Island Countertop Spaces and (C)(3) Peninsular Countertop Spaces. At least one receptacle outlet shall be installed at each island and each peninsular countertop space with a long dimension of 24 inches or greater and a short dimension of 12 inches or greater. Peninsular countertop length is measured from the connecting edge.
(C)(4) Separate Spaces. Countertop spaces separated by rangetops, refrigerators, or sinks shall be considered as separate countertop spaces in applying the requirements. A sink or range that breaks the counter starts a new counting run.
(C)(5) Receptacle Outlet Location. Receptacles shall be located not more than 20 inches (500 mm) above the countertop or work surface. Receptacles shall not be installed in a face-up position in or on countertop surfaces or work surfaces unless listed for that application. Specific allowances exist for installations below a countertop where the counter is a construction for the physically impaired or where an island or peninsular countertop has no means of mounting above.
Other Required Receptacle Locations
210.52(D) Bathrooms. At least one receptacle outlet shall be installed in bathrooms within 36 inches (900 mm) of the outside edge of each basin. The receptacle outlet shall be located on a wall or partition adjacent to the basin or basin countertop, located on the countertop, or installed on the side or face of the basin cabinet not more than 12 inches (300 mm) below the countertop. Receptacles shall not be installed in a face-up position unless listed.
210.52(E) Outdoor Outlets. For a one-family dwelling and each unit of a two-family dwelling that is at grade level, at least one receptacle outlet readily accessible from grade and not more than 6.5 feet (2.0 m) above grade shall be installed at the front and back of the dwelling. (E)(2) requires balconies, decks, and porches accessible from inside the dwelling unit to have at least one receptacle outlet within the perimeter, not more than 6.5 feet above the surface. (E)(3) requires each dwelling unit of a multifamily dwelling at grade level with individual exterior entrance/egress to have at least one outdoor receptacle.
210.52(F) Laundry Areas. At least one receptacle outlet shall be installed in areas designated for the installation of laundry equipment.
210.52(G) Basements, Garages, and Accessory Buildings. For a one-family dwelling: (1) at least one receptacle outlet shall be installed in each vehicle bay of a garage, not more than 5.5 feet (1.7 m) above the floor; (2) at least one in each separate unfinished portion of a basement; (3) at least one in each accessory building with electric power.
210.52(H) Hallways. In dwelling units, hallways of 10 feet (3.0 m) or more in length shall have at least one receptacle outlet. The hall length is measured along the centerline of the hall without passing through a doorway.
210.52(I) Foyers. Foyers that are not part of a hallway and have an area greater than 60 square feet (5.6 m squared) shall have a receptacle located in each wall space 3 feet or more in width that is unbroken by doorways, floor-to-ceiling windows, and similar openings.
Lighting Outlets — 210.70
210.70(A)(1) Habitable Rooms. At least one wall switch-controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in every habitable room, kitchen, and bathroom. Exception No. 1 permits a switch-controlled receptacle in place of a lighting outlet in other than kitchens and bathrooms.
210.70(A)(2) Additional Locations. At least one wall switch-controlled lighting outlet is required in hallways, stairways, attached garages, and detached garages with electric power; at outdoor entrances or exits with grade-level access; and where a stairway between floor levels has six risers or more, a wall switch at each floor level and landing level that includes an entryway to control the stairway lighting outlet.
210.70(A)(3) Storage or Equipment Spaces. At least one lighting outlet containing a switch, or controlled by a wall switch, shall be installed in attics, underfloor spaces, utility rooms, and basements where these spaces are used for storage or contain equipment requiring servicing, with the lighting outlet located at or near the equipment.
210.70(C) All Occupancies. At least one lighting outlet containing a switch or controlled by a wall switch shall be installed in attics or underfloor spaces used for storage or containing equipment requiring servicing.
Arctic Entries and Alaska Practice
Alaska dwellings very often have an arctic entry — an unheated or semi-heated vestibule between the outdoors and the living space. Nothing in Article 210 creates a special category for it, so the correct analysis is by function. If it is a habitable room, the 210.52(A) 6-foot rule applies; if it functions as a hallway 10 feet or more in length, 210.52(H) applies; if it is a storage or utility space, 210.70(A)(3) governs the lighting outlet. If a receptacle in that space qualifies as an indoor damp or wet location it falls under 210.8(A)(11) for GFCI protection, covered in the next section.
A kitchen counter wall space runs 8 feet without interruption. Under NEC 210.52(C)(1), what is the minimum number of receptacle outlets required?
Which set of dedicated 20-ampere branch circuits does NEC 210.11(C) require in a dwelling unit?
Under NEC 210.52(A)(2), what is the minimum width of a wall segment before it counts as wall space requiring a receptacle?
How far above the finished floor may a required receptacle be located in a one-family dwelling garage vehicle bay under NEC 210.52(G)(1)?