Receptacle Spacing In Single Family Dwelling Units
February 24, 2006
Q: I’m finishing my basement and getting ready to wire it. Where do I begin my measurement for the first receptacle, do I start where the door stops against the wall when the door is open?
A: No. All measurements must be taken along the wall where it starts at the door opening. This generally results in a receptacle being located about 3 or 3.5 feet from the edge of the door when it is open. Previous issues of the National Electrical Code used the phrase “useable wall space,” but these words no longer appear.
This is the requirement as it now appears in 210.52(A)(1): “Spacing. Receptacles shall be installed so that no point measured horizontally along the floor line in any wall space is more than 1.8m (6 feet) from a receptacle outlet.”
Part (2) of 210.52(A) clarifies the meaning of “wall space,” and reads like this: “Any space 600mm (2 feet) or more in width (including space measured around corners) and unbroken along the floor line by doorways, fireplaces and similar openings.” Notice that there is no exception for wall space that is located behind a door when it is open.
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