Kitchen renovation: Hiding outlets on islands

Thanks so much for looking up the code, @YTE. I’m going to show this to our electrician. We had to build out the back a bit to hide all the plumbing and electrical, but probably could have put a bit of extra storage in it. Ah, next renovation! (if there ever is such a thing…) The plan was to put the outlet in the filler space til electrician today shot it down. Here’s another view.

http://cdn.brownstoner.com/510868f74274b-processed-islandview.jpg

lkpe

in Bath & Kitchen 12 years and 3 months ago

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lkpe | 12 years and 3 months ago

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Wanted to ask the community for some creative ideas to hide electrical outlets on the side of kitchen islands, as required by NYC code. I planned on doing a marble “waterfall” (aka, marble down the side of the island), so this is going to be pretty unsightly I think. I saw on The Old House that they built a little cover out of wood so it blended in – but am curious what others have done to camoflauge outlets? Thanks in advance.

daveinbedstuy | 12 years and 3 months ago

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I’d love to see some pics of this island when you are done…the marble waterfall sounds great.  How  about adding a 4-6″ filler on each end (are outlets required on both ends?) of the cabinet doors to the length of the island so that you can mount the outlets on the “door side” which typically faces the other counter?

lkpe | 12 years and 3 months ago

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Unfortunately, NYC code is that outlets need to be on each end of the island – the vertical side (if that makes sense), so every island has two. Will post pics once it’s done.

curated | 12 years and 3 months ago

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Dave’s idea is what we usually do when a client doesn’t want outlets on the sides of the island. Put a temporary counter and then after final electrical signoff install the marble counter.

sethamin | 12 years and 3 months ago

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Maybe you can put an angled plugmold underneath the island countertop overhang? Not sure if that’ll meet code, though.

lkpe | 12 years and 3 months ago

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Good ideas, thank you! We have the sink on the island, so the plumber won’t hook everything up til the countertops are installed. But I like the thought of not putting the waterfall side in til after the inspection is signed off on, and moving the outlet. I’m going to talk to the countertop installers. Also, here’s a pic of the kitchen in progress, and the location of said outlet.

http://cdn.brownstoner.com/51083ac34fe30-processed-island.jpg

jockdeboeraia | 12 years and 3 months ago

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There are pop up outlets, that I think you can cover with the material of choice.  Talk to the electrican.

yte | 12 years and 3 months ago

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I don’t believe you need one on either end of the island. My understanding of the intent of this code is that they dont want you draping small appliance power cords across the kitchen isles (i.e. from the backsplash in the fridge wall across to the island in this photo) as this presents a safety/trip hazard. Having said this, why not put an outlet in the filler panel that hides the void created by the column? Although if it were me, id use this space for horizontal wine/bottle storage (or tray storage), but you can always just use the top 6″ (apron) for the outlet…..

yte | 12 years and 3 months ago

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PS. i would also put 10″-12″ deep storage on the back of the island instead of the firring and paneling i see in the photo. Even if the counter overhangs to create seating (as im sure is the intent) this is still incredibly valuable storage…..and a lot of it!

yte | 12 years and 3 months ago

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See Code section below. Since the space behind your sink will be greater than 12″ it looks like you only need one outlet…. 2011 NEC 210.52(C) Countertops. In kitchens, pantires, breakfast rooms, dining rooms, and similar areas of dwelling units, receptacle outlets for countertop spaces shall be installed in accordance with 210.52(C)(1) through (C)(5). (1) Wall Countertop Spaces. A receptacle outlet shall be installed at each wall countertop space that is 300 mm (12 in.) or wider. Receptacle outlets shall be installed so that no point along the wall line is more than 600 mm (24 in.) measured horizontally from a receptacle outlet in that space. Exception. Receptacle outlets shall not be required on a wall directly behind a range, counter-mounted cooking unit, or sink in the installatin described in Figure 210.52(C)(1). (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. (3) Peninsular Countertop Spaces. At least one receptacle outlet shall be installed at each peninsular countertop space with a long dimension of 600 mm (24 in.) or greater and a short imension of 300 mm (12 in.) or greater. A peninsular countertop is measured from the connecting edge. (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). If a range, counter-mounted cooking unit, or sink is installed in an island or peninsular countertop and the depth of the countertop behind the range, ounter-mounted cooking unit, or sink is less than 300 mm (12 in.), the range, counter-mounted cooking unit, or sink shall be considered to divide the countertop space into two separate countertop spaces. Each separate countertop space shall comply with the applicable requirements in 210.52(C). (5) Receptacle Outlet Location. Receptacle outlets shall be located on or above, but not more than 500 mm (20 in.) above, the countertop. Receptacle outlet assemblies listed for the application shall be permitted to be installed in countertops. Recceptacle outlets rendered not readily accessibly by appliances fastened in place, appliance garages, sinks or rangetops as covered in 210.52(C)(1), Exception, or appliances occupying dedicated space shall not be considered as those required outlets. Informational Note: See 406.5(E) for requirements for installation of receptacles in countertops. Exception to (5): To comply with the conditions specified in (1) or (2), receptacle outlets shall be permitted to be mounted not more than 300 mm (12 in.) below the countertop. Receptacles mounted below a countertop in accordance with this exception shall not be located where the countertop extends more than 150 mm (6 in.) beyond its support base. (1) Construction for the physically impaired. (2) On island and peninsular countertops where the countertop is flat across its entire surface (no backsplashes, dividers, etc.) and there are no means to mount a receptacle within 500 mm (20 in.) above the countertop, such as an overhead cabinet.