Electrical Code Outlet Heights
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- Опубликовано: 7 июн 2024
- Electrical Code Outlet Heights.
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These videos are created as educational and entertainment videos on this channel. In no case are we suggesting that you do your own electrical work without a proper license to do so. Please consult your local licensed tradesperson. Conquerall Electrical Ltd is liable for incorrect information, assumes no liability for damage or injury. Check with the inspection authority and building codes in your local area. Conquerall Electrical Ltd will not be held liable for any accidental damage, negligent or injury resulting from equipment, information, electrical, tools, fire, recommended products or any items contained in this video. The information provided is based of CEC knowledge and not NEC. We are a Canadian based company. 
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Thanks for the quick run down of various common requirements. Straight & to the point, no distracting music, and no wasted time. Just the way I like it. Thank you!
I LOVE this video. No music, no bloviating or self-aggrandization, simply the facts, clear and concise. Even if I'm not required to do it according to code, normally there are excellent reasons for the code standards. I found that Michigan Standards are not the same as those posted here, but I didn't know the areas controlled by code before this. I learned that in Michigan usually actual installation is governed by more than code. Incorporating ADA (American Disabilities Act) and HUD (Housing and Urban Development) code where practical is also done.
I just did the inside of my garage with clear-coated OSB by setting the outlets and switches at 48 5/8" so that the bottom OSB sheets, 1/2" off the floor, wouldn't require any notching for outlets, only the top sheets. My 220v Air Compressor, welder, and EV outlets are breaker-panel height. However, now I'm doing my basement, which is why I'm here.
Thanks TONS for spending your time to share with us the things we need to consider when wiring. You deserve a lot more likes than I see after 5 months.
Great video. Short and sweet. Thank you
Last few houses that I wired up installed the top of real deal fiberglass wall cases ( & not the garbage blue light special flimsy boxes ) exactly 20" to top of the boxes ( thus was over 15 years ago ). Carpenter doing the sheet rocking really appreciated every receptacle wall case were exactly 20" off floor. Told me some lazy sparkies had boxes over a inch difference in the same room.
Ootlet was the first clue this was a Canadian channel. Great info dude.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣💀💀💀💀💀
In order to meet the 48” counter requirement, the inspector in our city required us to put an outlet directly behind the sink, despite the fact that if you ever plugged anything into it, you’d end up draping the cord through the sink.
What a jackass!
Excellent. My friend is about to wire his own new house and we need to be "up to date" on the code. THANKS!!
Thank you for explaining the reasoning!
Thank you for doing this.....
good stuff!!!!! more please
Thanks for the info, great video!
Clear, concise and informative. Excellent content and video.
For those in California: Cali Building Code 1136A.1 Receptacle Heights:
Electrical receptacle outlets on branch circuits (30 amp or less) shall be located no more than 48" measured from the top of the receptacle box nor less than 15" measured from the bottom of the receptacle outlet box to the level of the finished floor or working platform. *(watch your finished floor heights during rough in! ) ... Switch boxes shall be located no more than 48" measured from the top of the box nor less than 15" measured from the bottom of the box to the level of the finished floor or working platform.
WOAH!!! I DID NOT KNOW THAT PATTON OSWALT IS AN ELECTRICIAN/AND OR ELECTRICAL INSTRUCTOR!!!! KILLER
Interesting update. Ill have to see if my province has followed this.
BTW: in my garage and basement I put them in at 4 ft, so I can put 4x8s against the wall, and still plug in saws, etc.
Building code or electrical?
@@f.davidrobertson9648 : My convenience. It was inspected and passed. Also, against code, I put a hall light on the sump pump circuit, to make that circuit easy to check. Also passed inspection.
the orange cable's entry into the (dryer?) outlet - where is the cable clamp for the box entry? It looked like the wrong type of box fitting for Romex.
What's with the plastic around some of the boxes?
Would the 4ft also apply to 240v receptacles in the the garage?
What about putting an outlet in a closet or pantry. Does that change anything?
Nice video
50" is a very high switch. I have one in my (remodeled) basement and it annoys me every time I use it. The rest of the 1970's house is 44".
Are the measurements you gave center lined to rhe box
Newbie question. Receptacle heights: 16", 44" etc. Is this measurement from a finished floor or sub floor? What tolerances are allowed, I.e. 2", 4", 1-1/2" ?
Talk about control freaks, still fighting with the dresser to plug up a phone charger.
it's better for you health and state of mind to keep electronics away from where you sleep
Hi,
Does the new outlet height code applies to new built only, or also for existing houses in case of finishing a basement
That varies from area to area. Here in Canada its any new circuit. So if it is an old reno we must install the new outlet at code height.
Is this to the bottom of the receptible?.
thanks
I take it this is in Canada.
In the US NEC is 18" to center aff and 42 to center aff.
Which has been around for a number of years in the US.
I think he's referring to the bottom of the box. should have said 18" though. If for whatever reason you need to use a 4/11 box and you do 16" to bottom, that one receptacle is going to be a completely different height.
The NEC does not mandate wall outlets to be 18" AFF. If it did we wouldn't have floor outlets. Please identify the section in the code that you feel indicates this.
Where in NEC is this specified? What Code article/section?
I've been doing electrical for over 40 years, and have never seen any specific height requirements. Also, I have (in hand) the new '23 Code, and can find NO references to any specific heights (excepting kitchens, counter-tops, and other raised "work" areas).
Please elaborate!
Thanks
@@Calico5string1962 I have also wired houses here in the USA for about 35 years and no dimensions are called out. I wired a high end house about 7 years ago and the builder wanted the receptacles in the 10" high baseboard. No problem with the inspector but a pain in the butt to install. I marked the floor where the wire sub outs were and cut the baseboard for the receptacles boxes with a Rockwell multi tool. Very labor intensive.
Great video, is the device minimum height of 16" for receptacles to the bottom of the box or top? The 44 inches for wall switches will look a bit silly in a bathroom next to a counter. Yikes
Bottom of the box. Those are 4" tall boxes which puts the box top edge at the drywall seam if sheets are hung horizontal.
@@michaelduy9055 interesting, I live in Ontario spoke with an electrician and he wasn't aware. Wondering if this is provincial specific only
@@marcelmed4574 I was commenting "bottom" on the 44" switch box height. I'm in the states, and meeting the drywall seam is just how I've done it. I'm retired, and last I knew, box height was not covered in the NEC. ADA suggests 18" for receptacle box height. I am not clear if it is bottom of the box or not. I've set my receptacle heights to match my hammer (16") to the bottom of the box.
Which NEC code cycle is that?
Just checking in - are there any changes to basement outlets?
The current code is every 12 feet of finished wall space. I'm not sure what the new 2024 code will say which is enforced in May of this year here in Canada.
16" to where? bottom, top, or center?
Just curious: Only in new construction and full remodels? Do exceptions exist for adding receptacles to existing ones without a full remodel?
Imagine coming into a room with three receptacles at 14in height and two newer ones at 16in height. Same for light switches.
Surely there must be exceptions for that kind of stuff.
This is only on new construction. Remodels do not apply unless they are larger enough to get the local building inspector involved which is where these additional requirements came from.
thanks
So there's really nothing in the nec regarding code height. It's the ADA that specifies heights for switches and receptacles. In most residential the receptacles are usually 12" from the sub floor to the bottom of the box. Why? Because your hammer length for a 16 oz klien, Stanley, or plumb brand hammer is 12" to the claw. Then you just bump your claw against the stud which leaves a mark. That will be 12" off the sub floor. Just be sure if more than one guy is doing the rough in boxing that everyone has the hammer that makes that mark at that height.
I think he's in the 51st state, eh?
Receptacles along the kitchen countertop need to be spaced no more than 4' between receptacle outlet boxes. Small appliances have 24" cords, not 36" cords. NEC 210.52.
CEC man we are in Canada
Yes but the appliances are very similar and same length of cord.
Are you in America or not?
We don't have those codes here.
Are your measurements to the Bottom or the Center of the devices?
Bottom
Please add a code reference from the NEC for these heights, as I am not aware of any height requirements in the last 5 code books.
No NEC there . He’s in Nova Scotia Canada. It’s the Canadian electrical code CSA
@@Peter-.H This is an important detail to know. People need to know their local codes.
Curious if you can put an outlet on the wall 7 feet off the floor next to a wall mounted garage door opener. Or foes it need to be on the ceiling.
outlets for special needs can be wherever they are convenient for that device. Just be sure it meets code requirements in your area. Be aware that any receptacles in a garage now need to be GFCI, where only a few years ago a high mounted outlet was exempt. (was 6 feet above concrete floor) BTW, I ran into an issue with a door opener sharing a GFCI circuit with an outlet on the exterior of my garage. Workers were on site while I wasn't home and tripped the GFCI while the garage was closed. Basically, I got home and was locked out. My point here is to think ahead a little. Maybe a dedicated circuit isn't so farfetched, right?
@rupe53, you don't need a dedicated unless you're using a GFI breaker. Just tap into it before the GFCI receptacle. Line side not load side. Load side makes anything downstream a slave to the GFCI receptacle and will go off when tripped.
@@lm5085 under the old code you could do that. The new code is ALL outlets in a garage must be GFCI protected.
AND Canada still allows dangerous mounting of circuit breaker paneks sideways so the entire top row of circuit breakers while in the up off pisition could rlectrocute a homeowner who turns iff a breaker to perform work snd sonething falls & hits that breaker power comes on.
4 foot height in garage to get receptacle out of the range of any explosive fumes that may be present from gas or oil leaks , which ensures that while plugging in or unplugging possibly creating a spark will not ignite any gases present.
That’s for the positive info from one pro to another. Have a great day.
I realize this is a year-old video, but nothing substantial has changed in the last 12 months, with respect to the NEC.
Is this for the US, or in Canada? (You have a bit of a Canadian accent... "ootlet" and "aboot"...😅).
Neither the 2020 nor 2023 NEC have any requirements (that I can find) regarding specific heights for receptacles (except above counters, work areas, etc.).
Can you please cite some specific, applicable Code articles and/sections where you find this info?
These are specific codes to Nova Scotia Canada, the heights are deemed in addition to the electrical code by the building code for wheelchair access. Check with your local province or state to see if any apply.
What is an oatlet? In the video you showed receptacle locations.
It’s an outlet but in Canada
Hi I was hoping to get your opinion on what to do about a old home?
I have a small 2 bedroom 1 floor house that was built in the 50s and still actually has some nob and tube circuits in the home
I had a electrician come in and he actually gave me a quote of 30k to do a complete rewire which is far out of my reach
I don’t really understand why this is so extreme but I think I’m my situation I might be better off just having a safe electrical system vs a everything to code ?
What happens once I let anyone in my home can I be shut down for not being to code?
Someone advised me to not ever have a inspection and to look at wiring everything myself in this situation.
Do you have any advice or opinion on my situation you could share with me?
Insurance on the house won't pay if is not up cod in case of fire cause by old wiring sistem nob and tub
@@andrewbrindescu6666 If insurance wrote a policy and accepted payment, then they have to pay. They may choose not to insure you in the first place, but that is a different matter than not honoring a claim.
Is it 16” to top of box or bottom of box?
Same with switches?
Bottom. Same with switches.
Always put the receptacle boxes at 19 the switches at 44 and in the bathrooms 47 and then kitchens 47
Is that 16 to the bottom of outlet or mid outlet or top.
He mentioned in one comment, bottom.
I like that all of the electrical boxes in the video are metal, not plastic.
You failed to cover the receptacle for the eye level oven. How high off the floor for 240 volt oven? Thanks
Check for your own details! In other words hand feed Yourself!
Manufactures specs. The manual will always show the recommended location. This goes for all appliances.
2 ft cords..and 4 ft space on countertops...
when you say that an receptacle needs to be 16" from the floor, is it to the bottom / middle or top of the outlet box or is it even that critical. Thank you and keep the videos coming. Its nice to have some Canadian content here.
It’s for ADA so they can be reached in a wheelchair. So bottom of outlet box at 18 inches, switches are 48” max height.
He mentioned that the numbers are to the bottom of the item.
Great question. That's important to clarify. And to reply to another reply, actually, I don't think he mentioned anything about the measurements going to the bottom of the "item". He only mentioned "from the floor".
Can the receptacles be higher than 18" from the floor? I have seen power outlets 3 feet off the floor in office buildings for example.
I am pretty sure is to center line of such receptacle and or switch.
Hey brother. I am in the U.S. The requirements you mentioned are not what I am use to. Please let everyone know where you are. Thank you.
Sounds like Canadian Code to me
@@perryanthony : Yes he mentioned Canada in one comment.
Garage door openers don’t have to mounted to the ceiling.
Sir please mention the code /page number for box heights of CEC-2021 BOOK
light switches are 52 inches ,receptacles are 18 inches ,kitchen gfi's are 42 inches .dryer and washer are 42 inches and lastly range receptacle is 3 inches off the floor with 1 1/2 block where i work at canada
And those are measurements to bottom. In the US this would mean the light switches are not ADA accessible, that is wheelchair. 48" inches maximum from floor to operable part of the switch. He also mentioned the NEW height for switches is 44 inches NOT 52.
That is way too high for light switch. 48” top of the box is most comfortable.
Yah he isn't going by electrical code, maybe it is more of an interpretation from inspectors or a local building code. I do similar for all my jobs, 52 inch top of box for switches, 18 inch top of box for receptacles, 45 inch top of box for kitches, 42 inch top of box for vanities. These are all my standards not code, the range receptacle actually has the code for it of 130mm (5 in)to center of box. Dryers/ range hoods and all those would be to specific orientation of what the client is putting in whether stuff stacks or if cabinets are different heights.
Some local areas will have building codes that are required for wheelchair access in commercial/public areas.
@@kylelarson6054 its good to know another things from people:)
Are these dimensions to the bottom of the box?
bottom
can u show me where in the code it says about outlet height?
oh i just saw this is for Canada. not the US. interestin.
There is no NEC requirement for minimum spacing ABOVE the floor, but ADA asks (and California now requires) a 15” minimum. I sometimes drop a receptacle outlet at 10-12 inches if a bed were to be placed on a wall.
That is because we are in Canada
@@conquerallelectrical I thought the 600 mm was a dead giveaway🙂
I'm not anything close to being an electrician. So forgive my lack of knowledge on this, BUT....are these measurements to the bottom, middle, or top of the box?
bottom it is the CEC and it is specific to year province depending on the induvial inspector requirements. @@adollarshort1573
In the U.S. we go to the center.@@adollarshort1573
There's a requirement? What if you have your own idea of what's useful?
Thanks everyone for the comments. We are in Canada as mentioned in the description. Many of the code heights in this video are additional building code and electrical inspection requirements by our local inspectors. Many of them are for practicality. We use metal boxes as they provide a better bond than plastic and also a longer burn time invade the breaker or device malfunctions and melts or arcs. We use gang boxes for ease of adding later. Additional switches etc.
we do loops in our wires under 150 mm to allow for moving of the switch or plug without having to reset run the entire wire if the client would like it moved up or down left or right after the fact.
You keep saying code! What code are you saying has these mounting heights? It’s not NEC in USA.
sounds like he's in Canada, since he's using metric also.
One hammer high.
Where are you getting your information. As far as I know there is no exact height requirements in the NEC.
Canadian, right in the description
Did you know that there is a code hight for a threshold in a shower stall to accommodate the handicap?
It's so flipping low that the shower curtain won't stay inside.
There is a point to which this stuff has become absolutely ridiculous. I want to build some of this stuff, like my shower threshold to the damn hight I want it. Ya know, so that it works!
Of course there is and I have seen them built. However why are you concerned about that in your own home? I live in SoCal and about to remove the tub and install a shower, but I plan to use a pan with a low dam and tile the walls. Being an old dog I plan to add a couple of grab bars and maybe a small bench. I’m not required to meet Disabled regs in my own house. And I hate shower curtains probably install a quality shower door. Good luck.
This a Canadian Electrical Code?
Is this US or Canadian or….
Canada
What is the highest you can place a receptacle?
There is no max height for special needs items. (wall clocks, emergency lights, door openers, wall mounted TV sets, etc) OTOH, you do need to meet the code for normal outlet placement. Typically, that's a plug for every 12 running feet of wall, so many per running feet of hallway, every 6 feet on a counter top, etc.
@@rupe53 Thank you
What about outside a NEMA outlet for EV, any requirements?
When I started it was 12", they just keep raising them higher and higher... 😂
The obvious problem is when you have a bed, the outlet will now be hitting the mattress causing a fire hazard, brilliantly thought out!!!
@@BrJon-uh8cm Um, maybe don't put a bed next to one or put those kid-proof plastic caps in it?
@@stevepettersen3283 If you know about laying out outlets, that would be impossible. True you could put child proof caps on the plugs BUT YOU NEED TO PUT IDIOT PROOF COVERS ON THE RECEPTACLES! Remember they will be housing your weekend warrior and the good natured housewife, who will plug in a nightlight or toaster, and push the bed up against it... 🫣 I actually saw this, aa fire caused by a nightlight catching a bed on fire, luckily the mattress was pulled out of the house before it ignited , it did cause thousand of dollars in smoke damage.
So the switch box is now in the lower sheet of drywall, rather than in the upper sheet. I hope it doesn't have to cut into both sheets . . . just sayin'
50 " ??? wtf I like 44" to center for switches and outlets 18" to center BTW what measurements are you giving center ??
Where in Nova Scotia Canada man and they are building code requirements in addition to Cec. Bottom of box
What state are u in?
He mentioned Canada in one comment.
Is that the rabbit from Donnie darko @1:58 ?nappin on the job? Lazy rabbits
Well once he mentioned Millimeters ya know he's not US plus who uses metal boxes like this in the US?
Wish I was in the US…. Freakin cold up here eh
Is Canada and USA the same
Never
@@CastingandPraying what is different far as code goes
are these changes in the upcoming 2024 cec?
No receptical code restriction to my knowledge in Wisconsin.
Or Tennessee
Well, that finally answers the question ... what came first;, the garage door installer, or the electrician?
هناك اختلاف كبير مع المعايير الاوروبية
Do you use a laser level for mounting numerous boxes on a wall? I had an industrial electrician mount 4 or 5 boxes on one kitchen wall, and NONE of them were level with each other. People have to be better than that, when there's drywallers, cabinet installers, and tile guys to consider, not to mention the homeowner, whos going to be staring at a F-up forever after.
I use a story stick. A 1.5" x 1/4" x 5' with marks at all the different box tops. Just use a sharpie to xfer the reference lines to the stud. Make your own reference line for special circumstances like workshop tables etc.
@@blackmanops3749 A story stick is okay IF the floor is level. Cabinet installers are going to install boxes and countertops level, and if there's a row of uneven receptacles above the countertop, it's easily seen.
Everybody should be using a laser level.
You need to say you are using Canadian standards, notUS.
It does right in the description
I’m viewing on an IPad and there’s no info that this is Canadian code.
No way I want my countertop to be 36 inches from the floor. 42" is about perfect.
And I want the outlet 12" above the countertop surface.
Wall outlets - 16" is ok in usual settings but I want some 48" up. Same with switches (48").
You can replace the dryer cord with a longer one. Every one I have seen had a 4-5 foot cord on them. And you can get 6-8 foot ones. Same with electric stove cords.
In a garage I want outlets & switches no less than 48" off the floor to help prevent accidental mechanical damage.
Author did not reveal how the heights are calculated.
Is that at the bottom of the box or the middle of the box?
Also, at what floor height?
Electrical roughins are with bare floors and no tile or carpet/padding.
Vinyl tiles are thin but some people want the 1/4" thick stone tiles.
Same with carpeting and padding.
Personally I could care less about handicrapped requirements. They ain't going to live there.
Watch the video close as he gives measurements, and you can see all of his marks are at the bottom of the boxes. Rough-in measurements are always from the rough floor, not the finished floor. BW, he is in Canada so it will be slightly different that USA.
Hahaha I'm like 16 inches what it's always been 😂 and 48" to the top for switches. I was wondering where you are from 😮😂
To the top? Bottom?
bottom
I don’t know…all that extra cable above the boxes seems unnecessary, how many wires are going to burn up where you need to pull down extra wire to repair it….. it’s probably not gonna pull down very easily most likely get stuck
Looks like you're running 12 gauge and 14 gauge together
Yes we are permitted to do that in Canada providing they are on different circuits from the panel. For example 20 amp T-slots on counter combine with 15 amp under counter lights in a 2 or 3 gang.
You keep using the words outlet, receptacle, and plug all interchangeably. Those are all different things. And for years now kitchen countertop receptacles could be no more than 48" apart, there is no way they changed it to 6' apart. My last book is the 2020, I'm going to order the 2023 right now because of this video.
Really millimeters what country are you in last I checked the USA uses inches
What code number are those?, No code about heights.... you forget the height for tvs.. still 16 in?
do your own research! Damm.
I don't think there are any restrictions for outlets at special heights (wall mounted TV, microwave on a shelf, etc) provided you also meet the standards for outlets elsewhere in a room. BTW, he is in Canada so slightly different code.
6 feet apart for counter top plugs is stupid and I would fire an electrition for that ignorance
A handicapped person could care less about a 2-inch difference in receptacle location!!
ideally 36 " from floor would be the correct location. This electrical code change has nothing to do with handicapped people sitting in a wheelchair or a walker!!.. .
Blah whatever, nonsense
He forgot backsplash height
Funny in the old days we would use a hammer to measure the bottom of the box to the floor now today you need a laser line to mount your boxes. Is it really progress, who knows but it keeps a lot of people employed in the bloated government.