Overview

Kitchen island and peninsular countertops/worksurfaces add invaluable work space to any kitchen. They provide a space that can be used for meal preparation, as well as a space for additional kitchen appliances to be plugged in and utilized. Because of this common functionality, a receptacle has been required to serve these locations. Unfortunately, this requirement has led to cases where children have pulled the appliance cord out of the receptacle, resulting in the hot contents of cooking appliances being spilled on the children. Because of this, the 2023 NEC no longer allows receptacles to be installed below the countertop worksurface.

Applying the 2023 Code

The 2023 NEC no longer requires receptacles to serve island and peninsular countertops, and has made them optional. If receptacles are not to be installed, provisions must still be made so they can be added in the future. This means either a raceway, or an NM cable terminated in an accessible junction box, must be available at the island/peninsular countertop. If receptacles are desired, they must be installed in/on the countertop/worksurface using receptacles listed for such a location. In the past, receptacles would have been installed in the face of the cabinet, right under the countertop. This is no longer permitted, as children have inadvertently pulled the appliance cord out of the receptacle and spilled hot contents on themselves- resulting in burns, and in a few cases, death.

What’s New for the 2023 NEC?

2020 NEC

In the 2020 NEC Section 210.52(C)(2) and (C)(3) read:

(2) Island and Peninsular Countertops and Work Surfaces.

Receptacle outlets shall be installed in accordance with 210.52(C)(2)(a) and (C)(2)(b).

(a)At least one receptacle outlet shall be provided for the first 0.84 m2 (9 ft2), or fraction thereof, of the countertop or work surface. A receptacle outlet shall be provided for every additional 1.7 m2 (18 ft2), or fraction thereof, of the countertop or work surface.

(b)At least one receptacle outlet shall be located within 600 mm (2 ft) of the outer end of a peninsular countertop or work surface. Additional required receptacle outlets shall be permitted to be located as determined by the installer, designer, or building owner. The location of the receptacle outlets shall be in accordance with 210.52(C)(3).

A peninsular countertop shall be measured from the connected perpendicular wall.

(3) Receptacle Outlet Location.

Receptacle outlets shall be located in one or more of the following:

(1) On or above countertop or work surfaces: On or above, but not more than 500 mm (20 in.) above, the countertop or work surface.

(2) In countertop or work surfaces: Receptacle outlet assemblies listed for use in countertops or work surfaces shall be permitted to be installed in countertops or work surfaces.

(3) Below countertop or works surfaces: Not more than 300 mm (12 in.) below the countertop or work surface. Receptacles installed below a countertop or work surface shall not be located where the countertop or work surface extends more than 150 mm (6 in.) beyond its support base.

Receptacle outlets rendered not readily accessible by appliances fastened in place, appliance garages, sinks, or rangetops as covered in 210.52(C)(1), Exception, or appliances occupying assigned spaces shall not be considered as these required outlets.

2023 NEC

In the 2023 NEC 210.52(C)(2) and (C)(3) now reads as follows

(2) Island and Peninsular Countertops and Work Surfaces.

Receptacle outlets, if installed to serve an island or peninsular countertop or work surface, shall be installed in accordance with 210.52(C)(3). If a receptacle outlet is not provided to serve an island or peninsular countertop or work surface, provisions shall be provided at the island or peninsula for future addition of a receptacle outlet to serve the island or peninsular countertop or work surface.

(3) Receptacle Outlet Location.

Receptacle outlets shall be located in one or more of the following:

(1) On or above, but not more than 500 mm (20 in.) above, a countertop or work surface

(2) In a countertop using receptacle outlet assemblies listed for use in countertops

(3) In a work surface using receptacle outlet assemblies listed for use in work surfaces or listed for use in countertops