An electrical contractor installing receptacle outlets in dwellings must follow the requirements in Section 210.52; and they must watch out for some hidden “gotchas.” Failure to recognize these can be costly if not dealt with before the concrete floor is poured or at the rough-in stage once the house is framed out.

Every National Electrical Code cycle, Panel 2 is inundated with public inputs and comments, resulting in pertinent changes in receptacle layout requirements. Be aware that many municipalities will skip a cycle, such as going from the 2017 NEC to the 2023 NEC. An electrical contractor or electrician may not be familiar with specific and very important changes that have occurred in that skipped version.

Section 210.52

The introductory text to 210.52 states that this section provides requirements for 125V, 15A and 20A receptacle outlets. Often overlooked is the following requirement: the receptacles required by this section are in addition to any receptacle controlled by a listed wall-mounted control device installed in accordance with 210.70(A)(1), Exception No. 1. 

This exception states the following: “In other than kitchens, laundry areas, and bathrooms, one or more receptacles controlled by a listed wall-mounted control device shall be permitted in lieu of lighting outlets.”

Outlet spacing requirements

In other words, if an electrician installs a switch that controls one half of a duplex receptacle, the other half is hot all of the time and provides compliance with the required spacing. However, if both halves are controlled by a wall switch or other wall-mounted control device, such as an occupancy sensor, an additional unswitched receptacle must be installed to meet the receptacle outlet spacing requirement. Many electricians would miss this on rough-in and then would be required to add the additional outlet or outlets at the trim stage. That could be very expensive or even impossible, depending on the home’s construction.

Holiday observances

Holidays may be celebrated differently by region, which could require special or additional outlets to be added to the receptacle layout requirements. For example, in New England, an electrical candle is often placed at each window of the home during holidays, so an extra switched receptacle outlet might be placed under each window. A single or duplex receptacle outlet, if installed and switched, would not count as the required receptacle outlet as far as the required layout as noted in the above paragraph.

Often misunderstood text

A specific change in 210.52(A)(2) of the 2023 NEC also affects the layout of receptacles. The requirement states that a wall space for receptacle layout includes any space 2 feet or more in width, including space measured around corners, but does not include any wall that is unbroken along the floor line by doorways and similar openings, fireplaces, stationary appliances and fixed cabinets that do not have countertops or similar work areas. 

The text in this subsection is often misunderstood as saying the wall space requiring receptacles includes these areas, but it is just the opposite and doesn’t include these areas. “Stationary appliances” has been added to the areas that do not count as wall spaces. The use of stationary appliances indicates that the appliance is not required to be bolted down, although many are bolted or screwed into the cabinets. The definition of “stationary” (as applied to equipment) is equipment that is not moved from one location to another in normal use, such as refrigerators, dishwashers and garbage compactors.

Section 210.52(A)(4) also contains requirements that may be misunderstood. This section states that receptacles installed for countertops and similar work surfaces in the kitchen or dining counter areas cannot be considered as receptacle outlets for an adjacent wall area. For example, a wall space 2 feet or more in width at the end of the countertop must have a separate receptacle, usually installed within 18 inches of the floor, and you cannot use the countertop receptacle for that function.

Sometimes an electrician will install a duplex receptacle at countertop level with half of the receptacle behind the refrigerator for it to use, and the other half meant for the countertop. The additional load required for the refrigerator, and its motor’s startup current, may cause problems with other kitchen appliances. Some appliance and refrigerator manufacturers may also require a separate circuit for these loads, so check with the manufacturer if you know a specific appliance will be used.

I have covered a few of these issues in this article, but spend some time reviewing the changes to the NEC for each Code cycle so you are familiar with any pertinent changes in skipped and new cycles.

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