Island receptacle

[chris mc]

Codeman, I have an island 6'-6"x 24" with a 30" downdraft in the center leaving 24" of countertop on either side, there is about 2" of countertop behind the cook top (back panel of the cabinet and granite overhang).

Does this island require more than one receptacle? We are under the 2006 IRC and the 2008 NEC.

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

Hi Chris,

island 6'-6"x 24" with a 30" downdraft in the center leaving 24" of countertop on either side, there is about 2" of countertop behind the cook top (back panel of the cabinet and granite overhang).

Yes.
From the 2008 NEC: (underlining and bold are mine)
- 210.52 Dwelling Unit Receptacles Outlets.
- - (C) Countertops.
- - - (2) Island Countertop Spaces. At least one receptacle shall be installed at each island countertop space with a long dimension of 600 mm (24 in.) or greater and a short dimension of 300 mm (12 in.) or greater.
- - - (4) Separate Spaces. Countertop spaces separated by rangetops, refrigerators, or sinks shall be considered as separate countertop spaces in applying the requirements of 210.52(C)(1), (C)(2), and (C)(3).


Yes.
From the 2006 IRC: (underlining and bold are mine)
- E3801.4.2 Island counter spaces. At least one receptacle outlet shall be installed at each island counter space with a long dimension of 24 inches (610 mm)or greater and a short dimension of 12 inches (305 mm) or greater. Where a rangetop or sink is installed in an island counter and the width of the counter behind the rangetop or sink is less than 12 inches (300 mm), the rangetop or sink has divided the island into two separate countertop spaces as defined in Section E3801.4.4.
- E3801.4.4 Separate spaces. Countertop spaces separated by range tops, refrigerators, or sinks shall be considered as separate countertop spaces in applying the requirements of Sections E3801.4.1, E3801.4.2 and E3801.4.3.

[chris mc]

Thanks Codeman, no gray area on that one.

One more question for clarification, I am reading this as long and short dimension is measured in either direction. In other words, since most cabinets are 24" deep if the range had only a 12" cabinet on either side it would still require 2 receptacles?

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

One more question for clarification, I am reading this as long and short dimension is measured in either direction. In other words, since most cabinets are 24" deep if the range had only a 12" cabinet on either side it would still require 2 receptacles?

Correct, and that is also the size of the countertop space and not the cabinet, so they could install a smaller-than-24 inch deep by 12 inch wide cabinet with an overhang (as all countertops have) and if the countertop space is 24 inches or greater by 12 inches or greater, each side would still require a receptacle outlet.

However, because of the use of the word "and" between the "24 inches or greater" "and" "12 inches or greater", they could install a 48 inch by 11 inch countertop space and a receptacle outlet would not be required - but that would be a weird cabinet anyway. Those dimensions are based on standard depth cabinets which are at least 12 inches wide. This is the same as has been in the code for decades: a 12 inch or wider cabinet, as an example would be a small cabinet of 12 inches or greater next to a range at the end of the countertop area, making the 12 inch wide countertop space the end and requiring a receptacle outlet. All they did was apply the same rule of old to islands.