Building codes are in place for good reasons, and those requirements extend to electrical outlet spacing. These rules exist to keep homes safe while providing the electricity that families need. It’s important to recognize whether or not your home is up to the electrical codes. Otherwise, you will want to call an electrician in Owings Mills to get things straightened out. Here are some of the rules for outlet spacing.
Electrical Outlet Spacing
There are a lot of reasons to use outlets in bathrooms. Sometimes it feels like you can’t have enough of them. There needs to be an outlet within three feet of the outside wall, and it is usually located above the countertop. That is not always possible, but it is the most popular placement.
In the kitchen, outlets need to be no farther apart than 48 inches. But the outlets need to be no more than 20 inches above the countertop although there are exceptions to that rule. The kitchen is another place where electrical outlet spacing is relevant to the function of the space.
General living areas include living rooms, hallways, bedrooms, and so on. The outlets in these spaces should be no more than 12 feet apart so that appliances aren’t too far away from any outlet. Extension cord use comes with the risk of fire, therefore, it is important to be able to place items close to outlets for direct use. Hallways that are 10 feet long or longer need to have at least one outlet, usually at the mid-point.
It can be rather confusing to go through your house and figure out whether or not you have enough outlets in the right rooms or have the correct electrical outlet spacing that suits the current codes.
Contact Tim Kyle Electric
If you need assistance with installing or upgrading electrical outlets, you can always call an electrician in Owings Mills for advice. Tim Kyle Electric is here to help you with your questions, and we can give you an in-home consultation to check on code regulations and guidelines. Contact us today.