Quick links: | Article 210.52 (C)(2) | NEC Requirement | NEC 2023 code change/intention | Rationale for change

• 210.52(C)(2) Island countertop spaces and 210.52(C)(3) Receptacle outlet location 

Receptacle on the island or peninsula countertop 210.52 provides requirements for 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacle outlets for dwelling units.  It is in first level subdivision (C), countertops and Work Surfaces, where we find the requirements for kitchens, pantries, breakfast rooms, dining rooms, and similar areas of dwelling units, addressing receptacle outlets for countertop and work surfaces that are 12 in. or wider. 

Second level subdivision (2) addresses Island and Peninsular Countertops and Work Surfaces.  Receptacle placement for these applications is optional but if a receptacle is installed in an island or peninsular countertop and work surface, it must be installed on or above, but not more than 20 in. above, the countertop or work surface, In a countertop using a receptacle outlet assembly listed for countertops, or in a work surface using a receptacle outlet assembly listed for use in work surfaces or listed for use in countertops.  You cannot place the receptacle below the countertop to serve the countertop or work surface.

• Receptacle on the island or peninsula countertop is optional but if placed, the receptacle must be in a specific location which is not on the face of the cabinet below the countertop.
• 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.
• The gray area still exists between what is a wall countertop space and what is a peninsular countertop space when determining whether you need a receptacle for a space on the wall to serve the countertop portion of the peninsula.   

During the 2023 Code cycle, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) brought data to the panel that demonstrated a significant number of injuries where children were pulling appliances off of these surfaces. A task group was assembled between the first and second draft to address this data. The CPSC data showed reports beginning in 1991 and they were specifically asked to research and find data that preceded 1991 to determine if these statistics preexisted the requirement for a receptacle at these locations within the National Electrical Code. The CPSC was not able to uncover statistics that preceded this date.