What Are The Code Requirements?

fr8train

Hey guys, I hope you can help me out here. What is the required height off the floor for receptacle boxes and light switches? I am totally gutting my place and remodeling, and I am ready to start putting things back together. I am a drywall finisher by trade, but I never measured these things, LOL. I am not going to do the the wiring, but I can install the boxes, etc, in the mean time. I'm doing this on my own time, so just trying to do what I can when I get a chance too. Any help would be great. I know it's probably in here somewhere if I searched, but it's 2:30 a.m. and I don't have the patience right now to read through a bunch of posts to find it.

Also, I'm in central PA

Thanks again
Mike

idoelectric

For receptacles, there is no rule on height off the floor . Code requires switches to be no higher than 6' 7' off the floor.

JohnJ0906

There are also ADA requirements. (Americans with Disabilities Act) This wouldn't be an issue in single family dwellings, but could be in other occupancies.

I don't know the requirements off the top of my head, and can't seem to find it with a quick Google, but they have probably been posted here before.

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John from Baltimore
"One Day at a Time"
All replies based on the 2008 NEC

Teetorbilt

4.2.5* Forward Reach. If the clear floor space only allows forward approach to an object, the maximum high forward reach allowed shall be 48 in (1220 mm) (see Fig. 5(a)). The minimum low forward reach is 15 in (380 mm). If the high forward reach is over an obstruction, reach and clearances shall be as shown in Fig. 5(b). Appendix Note

4.2.6* Side Reach. If the clear floor space allows parallel approach by a person in a wheelchair, the maximum high side reach allowed shall be 54 in (1370 mm) and the low side reach shall be no less than 9 in (230 mm) above the floor (Fig. 6(a) and (b)). If the side reach is over an obstruction, the reach and clearances shall be as shown in Fig 6(c). Appendix Note

http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm#4.2

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JohnJ0906

Thank you Teetor.

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John from Baltimore
"One Day at a Time"
All replies based on the 2008 NEC

Electricmanscot

As an electrical contractor it would be of no help to me to have the boxes installed by someone else. In fact it would proabbly be more work for me for two reasons.

#1 I would have to change boxes that were not the proper size or in the correct locations.

Or #2 I would have to spend time with you telling you exactly what and where, when I could just nail the box up myself faster than it would take to go over everything with you..

Speedy Petey

I know. Folks think they will save all this money by doing some of the job themselves. I hear that all the time: "I'll set the boxes and pull the wire. You can do the "hook-ups"".
I politely say: NO thank you.

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Teetorbilt

In most places you CAN do the wiring in your own home, even build your home from the dirt up.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Speedy Petey

While this is true please don't ask to "help" me.

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Electricmanscot

Doesn't mean that you should

220/221

16" and 48" to the bottom is what I generally do.

If I had it my way, the receps would be at 48" too for easy installation.

__________________
Just because it's within code doesn't make it safe.

Just because it's against code doesn't make it unsafe.

neolitic

And Mama be wonderin'
why do my living room
look like a garage!

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(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

220/221

Mamma would love it. No more bending over to plug in the vacuum

__________________
Just because it's within code doesn't make it safe.

Just because it's against code doesn't make it unsafe.

neolitic

Yo' Mama!

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Put your location in your profile!
(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

Teetorbilt

Could you imagine what it would look like to have your average entertainment center or computer station plugged in at 48"?

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Celtic

That is not entirely true ...
210.52
210.52(C)(5)

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mdshunk

Mike, curious to know where you're at? I'm on the Franklin/Cumberland county line.

fr8train

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. As far as would it be faster to just have the electrician do everything, it probably would, if I was doing the entire house at once, since I'm paying out of pocket as I go, wiring one room at a shot is what's going to happen. Also, the guys helping me do this are coworkers at my plant, they are all licensed in the various trades, electrical and plumbing etc etc. Therefore I get their assistance as they become available.

MdShunk, we talked before, I live in Tower City, you said that you used to work at AMP here. So I'm in Schuylkill County, if I were to spit in a westerly direction, I could probably get Dauphin County, LOL.

Thanks again,
Mike

Bubbles

Sounds weird but I use my belly button to bottom of switches and Top of Hammer O' Day for bottom of rec. It turns out real close to 48" and 16" if I use a tape measure. As long as I don't shrink during the day or I accidently grab another hammer I'm fine..

mdshunk

Yeah, that is weird. Are you sure you're not gay? If I saw a guy putting his belly button near a stud all the time, I'd immediately peg him for queer.