Floor outlet for countertop appliances on kitchen island?

[street]

NEC does allow receptacles on the side of kitchen islands. If the state you live in has code that doesn't allow it then you have to follow state code.

Floor is a bad idea unless there is a cover over the receptacle that requires a method to open the cover.

 

[COcheesehead]

Floor and many side outlets are now forbidden by code. It is too easy for a youngsters to grab an electric cord and pull something down on himself/herself. Or end up electrocuted.

This is true. We just got CO on our new house without them. The electrician is coming back next week to install two side outlets in the island after the fact.

 

[Sorcerer]

That will depend on the electrician. I have run into cases where an electrician refused to do work that wasn't code. But IMO no homeowner should be afraid to do this kind of trivial work themselves. IMO every homeowner should spend the $10 for the latest edition of "Wiring Simplified." (Amazon.com)

The scariest/hardest part is cutting out the rectangle in the cabinet itself for the gang box. If you slip up and the blade walks across the cabinet, that's not something you can cover up. If you screw up electrical, you can pull it out and start over. It's all concealed. Plus, wiring is relatively cheap in the grand scheme of things.

We had someone install our cabinets. They did the cut outs on the island sides and I ran the wiring.

 

[Gumby]

Our kitchen island is 9 feet long. The last foot of it is raised up by about 8 inches, for two reasons. First, it blocks our vision from the dining room during dinner so we don't see all the mess on the island. And, more importantly, it gives us a vertical wall on the backside where our outlets reside. I have posted a picture before. If I can find it, I'll post again. You could also just search "kitchen island " by Gumby and it should come up.

 

[SnowballCamper]

If I encountered this problem, I'd have an extra circuit run to the island for some future expansion thingamajig. Then after move in install the outlet myself. I'm sure once you're settled you can find an old salty DIYer that would do the work for an appropriate favor in return. This is how we got our hot tub wiring installed... I walked over to the closest construction site when the electrical crew was there and found a guy willing to do it. I guess you just have to be comfortable with such an arrangement. I do like option one in post #10.... but isn't that an outlet on a kitchen island? I agree floor outlets are generally not a good idea in residential settings, especially in a kitchen.

 

[Jerry1]

This matters to me as we will be doing our kitchen, with an island, this year. The existing island has an outlet on each end and I would want to replicate that. Thankfully, I have a brother and some friends that are electricians. I’ll probably do something as mentioned in post 13. Good point about checking State Code versus NEC. Maybe Michigan is still following NEC (thanks Street). I can assure you, there will not be a pop up outlet in my island.

ETA:
I just read this requirement from an AI search, do it requires further confirmation that “Future Provision Required: If you do not install an outlet, you must still provide a "future provision" (like a junction box and conduit) so one can be added later without major demolition.”. Which is hilarious because that’s just asking someone to put the plugs in later in whatever fashion they want.

I wonder if there’s any kind of grandfather provision given that my current island has the outlets.

 

[RunningBum]

Another option is to design your kitchen without an island. I have a wide peninsula between the kitchen and dining area, though probably the side mounted outlet at the end and underneath at the "L" wouldn't be allowed there either in a new house.

I like the raised counter idea to have outlets on the side there. Now that I think about it, I kind of wish I'd done that on my peninsula, since that'd be a more convenient place for outlets.

 

[Jerry1]

I like the raised counter idea to have outlets on the side there. Now that I think about it, I kind of wish I'd done that on my peninsula, since that'd be a more convenient place for outlets.

I agree with this and given that we're in the design phase, we will look at whether or not we can integrate something like that. It's certainly not that way right now, but maybe it could work and it may be even better.

 

[TrvlBug]

... ... I have a wide peninsula between the kitchen and dining area, though probably the side mounted outlet at the end and underneath at the "L" wouldn't be allowed there either in a new house... ...

When we did a major remodel 10 years ago, I wanted a bookcase at the end of the peninsula with outlets to charge our itoys. Inspector told the contractor it wasn't allowed per code but let it slide! There were a couple of other things we had to do per code, but changed them after we passed inspection.

 

[Sorcerer]

Do people actually get inspections? We redid our entire house, inside. Not one inspection was done. Not even for the kitchen. Then again, I live in the woods with no nearby neighbors.

Is it even necessary?

 

[JoeWras]

This change in the NEC has electricians buzzing on the forums. It has evolved rapidly over the last 20 years from you "must" have outlets on the side to now, no side outlets and no requirement to have any, except at least a stub box for future expansion (option 3 of the picture above).

A few things:
- Electricians don't like the pop ups either because they are not counter cutters or carpenters
- An island and peninsula are the same per code. New requirement is in force for peninsulas too.

We would be dead without our outlet on the side of our peninsula (1980 home). It is the most used outlet of the day.

 

[Dash man]

We’re in the process of designing our new kitchen for remodeling this year. The two designers we’re working with have shown us the outlets can be tucked under the counter edge on the side, hidden.

 

[freedomatlast]

Floor outlet is not a good idea, especially for kitchens. I'd put side outlets in the island after the house is built. The new rules, regulations and codes are getting more ridiculous every year and often make situations even more dangerous.

 

[latexman]

NEC does allow receptacles on the side of kitchen islands. If the state you live in has code that doesn't allow it then you have to follow state code.

Under the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), receptacles are no longer permitted on the sides of kitchen islands below the countertop level.

While some local jurisdictions may still be operating under the 2020 NEC (which permitted side-mounted outlets within 12 inches of the top), the 2023 update has banned this practice to enhance safety. Always consult your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) for specific requirements.

 

[JoeWras]

Under the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), receptacles are no longer permitted on the sides of kitchen islands below the countertop level.

While some local jurisdictions may still be operating under the 2020 NEC (which permitted side-mounted outlets within 12 inches of the top), the 2023 update has banned this practice to enhance safety. Always consult your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) for specific requirements.

Yeah, it is only a matter of time. My state applies NEC after a many years delay too, but eventually accepts it with minor amendments. The writing is on the wall, these outlets will go away. If your state still allows it, get building fast before the code catches up.

My state is still on the 2020 NEC and is working towards adopting 2023 sometime very soon.

 

[freedomatlast]

I can't think of any scenario where a floor outlet would be safer than a side outlet. In fact, in almost all scenarios, a floor outlet would be more dangerous. Common sense over code.

 

[street]

Under the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), receptacles are no longer permitted on the sides of kitchen islands below the countertop level.

While some local jurisdictions may still be operating under the 2020 NEC (which permitted side-mounted outlets within 12 inches of the top), the 2023 update has banned this practice to enhance safety. Always consult your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) for specific requirements.

Interesting!! I still thought NEC still allowed them but of course there is code to follow when doing so. I know they are still installed in new homes and which are inspected by the state electrical inspector.

I will research that but my understanding NEC still allowed. Thanks

Yes, I just looked and that code has changed > sorry for the bad info.

 

[Flieger]

My state follows 2020 NEC with their own 2023 amendments. We had both (a floor, and 2 side Island receptacles) installed during our 2021/2022 build.

The floor was done in my Study for under the desk power and I would do it again.

Flieger

 

[pb4uski]

The scariest/hardest part is cutting out the rectangle in the cabinet itself for the gang box. If you slip up and the blade walks across the cabinet, that's not something you can cover up. If you screw up electrical, you can pull it out and start over. It's all concealed. Plus, wiring is relatively cheap in the grand scheme of things.

We had someone install our cabinets. They did the cut outs on the island sides and I ran the wiring.

That's where a multi-tool is useful for cutting the opening for the electrical boxes on the side of the cabinet. Or drill a hole for each corner and use a jigsaw to cut the line between the drilled holes. Just make sure to drill slightly inside each corner.

 

[latexman]

Yes, I just looked and that code has changed > sorry for the bad info.

Not bad info, not even outdated info yet, your state or local authority must follow an earlier version of the NEC. Possibly it was info that did not anticipate possible future changes to the local regulations. That’s for an expert, which I am not!

 

[pb4uski]

Do people actually get inspections? We redid our entire house, inside. Not one inspection was done. Not even for the kitchen. Then again, I live in the woods with no nearby neighbors.

Is it even necessary?

Some jurisdictions require inspections. Many rural areas don't. When we rebuilt every month summer home no inspections would required. But, the electrician was very strict and staying within code. I suspect the license and powers of red than the riot act.

 

[target2019]

The one time I encountered an island with outlets, one was inside a drawer where phones could be charged. That was about 15 years ago.

The pop-up concept seems unwieldy to me at first glance.

New construction my daughter bought has no outlets. Now I know why.

 

[Sunset]

What about a hole in the counter top and then outlets inside, would work for things a person doesn't mind plugged in all the time like a coffee maker. Similar to those desk holes for wires.

Could have a narrow door for access to the plugs, so not behind a pile of pots.

 

[1242Vintage]

We debated about outlets on the island (top or side or floor) when we remodeled the kitchen. Ended up not putting any outlets on the island or at the base on the floor and haven’t missed them.

All portable electric appliances are used on the back counter. And when done, appliances go back in the pantry.

The island is a slab of blue marble with a large stainless steel six burner grill in the middle. It’s a nice clean design and is the centerpiece of the kitchen.

 

[OldShooter]

Our island is a full slab the long way (about 10' IIRC) and maybe 5' or 6' the short way. We have plugmold outlet strips under the end edges and plug in things like the Instant Pots for use, then put them away afterwards. Cords hang straight down completely out of the way. The island surface is completely clear rectangle (of this stuff Inventory - slab - Stone Source) except for the kitchen sink facing the induction cook top. DW's pullout desk is under one end on the long side with electrical outlets and a hard-wired Ethernet port, then we have a sort of snack bar with a couple of stools is under the other end.

The slab took four of the stone company's guys to lift into position. Their estimate was it weighed 1,000#.