Click to Enlarge Hazards from having receptacles on islands and peninsulas have made them optional in the 2023 NEC.
Code Change Summary: The requirement to have receptacles serving a kitchen island or peninsula is now optional.
In the 2020 NEC®, a dwelling unit kitchen island or peninsular countertop required at least one receptacle outlet for the first 9 ft2, or fraction thereof, of the countertop. An additional receptacle outlet was required for every additional 18 ft2, or fraction thereof, of the countertop.
Furthermore, at least one receptacle outlet was required within 2 feet of the outer end of a peninsular countertop. Additional required receptacle outlets were permitted to be located as determined by the installer, designer, or building owner.
In the 2023 NEC® installing a receptacle at a kitchen island or peninsular countertop or work surface is completely optional.
Revised Section 210.52(C)(2) now states that “IF” receptacles are installed to serve an island or peninsular countertop or work surface, they must be installed in accordance with the rules in Section 210.52(C)(3) below:
- Installed on or above the countertop or work surface, but not higher than 20 inches above the countertop or work surface
- Installed in a countertop using receptacle assemblies listed for use in countertops
- Installed in a work surface using receptacle assemblies listed for use in work surfaces or listed for use in countertops
If a receptacle is not provided for an island or peninsular countertop or work surface, provisions must be provided at the island or peninsula for the future addition of a receptacle to serve the island or peninsular countertop or work surface.
This revised code language was accepted due to reports (compiled from 1991 to 2020) of injuries and burns resulting from tipping and spilling the contents of countertop cooking appliances. Some injuries reported included accidentally snagging an appliance power cord while walking by, while others were from children pulling on appliance cords and dumping the contents of crock pots or hot plates. Ten incidents resulted in death.
The revised language, requiring “provisions” to be made at the island or peninsula for the future addition of a receptacle if one is not installed, is subjective and may be difficult to enforce. Some inspectors may require an empty conduit stubbed up into the island or peninsula cabinet. Others may ask for a coil of NM cable to be run from a kitchen wall receptacle to the island or peninsula and left unterminated at each end.
The revised code language contains no provisions for installing receptacles below the countertop as previously permitted in Section 210.52(C)(3)(3) of the 2020 NEC®.
Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.
2020 Code Language:
210.52(C)(2) Island and Peninsular Countertops and Work Surfaces. Receptacle outlets shall be installed in accordance with 210.52(C)(2)(a) and (C)(2)(b).
(a) At least one receptacle outlet shall be provided for the first 9 ft2, or fraction thereof, of the countertop or work surface. A receptacle outlet shall be provided for every additional 18 ft2, or fraction thereof, of the countertop or work surface.
(b) At least one receptacle outlet shall be located within 2 feet of the outer end of a peninsular countertop or work surface. Additional required receptacle outlets shall be permitted to be located as determined by the installer, designer, or building owner. The location of the receptacle outlets shall be in accordance with 210.52(C)(3).
A peninsular countertop shall be measured from the connected perpendicular wall.
210.52(C)(3) Receptacle Outlet Location. Receptacle outlets shall be located in one or more of the following:
(1) On or above, but not more than 20 inches above, the countertop or work surface.
(2) In countertop or work surfaces: Receptacle outlet assemblies listed for use in countertops or work surfaces shall be permitted to be installed in countertops or work surfaces.
(3) Below countertop or works surfaces: Not more than 12 inches below the countertop or work surface. Receptacles installed below a countertop or work surface shall not be located where the countertop or work surface extends more than 6 inches beyond its support base.
Receptacle outlets rendered not readily accessible by appliances fastened in place, appliance garages, sinks, or rangetops as covered in 210.52(C)(1), Exception, or appliances occupying assigned spaces shall not be considered as these required outlets.
2023 Code Language:
210.52(C)(2) Island and Peninsular Countertops and Work Surfaces. Receptacle outlets, if installed to serve an island or peninsular countertop or work surface, shall be installed in accordance with 210.52(C)(3). If a receptacle outlet is not provided to serve an island or peninsular countertop or work surface, provisions shall be provided at the island or peninsula for future addition of a receptacle outlet to serve the island or peninsular countertop or work surface.
210.52(C)(3) Receptacle Outlet Location. Receptacle outlets shall be located in one or more of the following:
(1) On or above, but not more than 20 inches above, a countertop or work surface
(2) In a countertop using receptacle outlet assemblies listed for use in countertops
(3) In a work surface using receptacle outlet assemblies listed for use in work surfaces or listed for use in countertops
Receptacle outlets rendered not readily accessible by appliances fastened in place, appliance garages, sinks, or rangetops as covered in 210.52(C)(1), Exception No. 1, or appliances occupying assigned spaces shall not be considered as these required outlets.