Mounting Height Above Floor Electrical Outlets

If the floor is unfinished add the thickness of the floor.

Mounting height above floor electrical outlets.

Wednesday july 11 2018 the national electric code nec now requires a minimum of two exterior receptacles for a home located at the front and back and usually on the wall of the house and they must be gfci protected for shock prevention and have an in use or weatherproof cover. 15 minimum receptacle height above floor for ada. For example in canada the center of the receptacle box must be at least 14 inches above the floor and in california the bottom of the box must be at least 15 inches above the floor. If you are setting box heights prior to the installation of the subfloor floor covering or any underlayment be sure to account for this expected height difference.

The national electric code doesn t establish a minimum standard outlet height in the basement or in any other part of the house but the rule of thumb followed by most electricians is to place the outlets 16 to 18 inches above the floor. Measure 48 inches from the floor with a tape measure and make a mark on the wall or the stud for the center of the box using a pencil. Remodeling and upgrading home electrical wiring when upgrading home electrical wiring or remodeling the actual height can be adjusted so the elevations of the switches and outlets will match other existing outlets and switches. 14 to center of receptacle above floor in canada higher allowed.

The standard height for wall outlet boxes is about 12 inches from the top of the floor covering to the bottom of the receptacle box or 16 inches to the top of the box. The average height for outlets is 12 inches from the floor to the center of the outlet box. What is the minimum height for an exterior receptacle outlet. Min 6 1 2 above grade outdoors.

15 minimum receptacle height to bottom of outlet box california. 9 low side reach minimum height above floor for ada. Not everyone follows the same guidelines. California also sets a maximum height 48 inches to the top of the box the same as required by the ada.

Some states such as california require this minimum height. In rare instances outlets are still installed in baseboards and in the floor with proper box covers.