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Posted by Goedjn on November 28, 2006, 12:21 pm
>Can any one tell me if there is a code requirement specifying that
>electrical outlets must be placed within X number of feet next of a
>doorway ? Thanks for your help.
Not specifically, in the NEC. The only spacing requirement
is that, for any point at the base of any wall more than 23"
wide, there must be an outlet within 6' that you can get to
without crossing a doorway.
That ends UP meaning that there has to be an outlet within
6 feet of the door, unless there are other doors breaking
up the wall. You could easily, for instance, design
a mudroom/entry with three doors, a closet, and a stairway
leading off in various directions such that there's no
place you're required to have an outlet.
But you ought to have one anyway. Put it in the same box
as a light switch if you have to.
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Posted by Beachcomber on November 28, 2006, 3:07 pm
>Not specifically, in the NEC. The only spacing requirement
>is that, for any point at the base of any wall more than 23"
>wide, there must be an outlet within 6' that you can get to
>without crossing a doorway.
>
>That ends UP meaning that there has to be an outlet within
>6 feet of the door, unless there are other doors breaking
>up the wall. You could easily, for instance, design
>a mudroom/entry with three doors, a closet, and a stairway
>leading off in various directions such that there's no
>place you're required to have an outlet.
>
>But you ought to have one anyway. Put it in the same box
>as a light switch if you have to.
It is worth remembering that the point of these NEC requirements is to
discourage the use of extension cords.
Just a few decades ago, many extension cords were of the cheap, crummy
"zip cord" type, thin 18 g. wires, thin insulation with plastic
multi-outlet receptacles on the end. The were easily overloaded and
started many fires even though they carried the UL seal of approval.
Also... In addition to overloads, these cords were easily damaged by
kids, chewed on by pets, smashed by furniture, and tread on by being
placed under carpets.
For those of you who are old enough to notice, you can't buy these
cheap extension cords new anymore. New extension cords are all of a
miniumum thickness and conductor size. Still, it is desirable not to
have to use an extension cord, if possible, and avoid having to use
one in a permanent situation at all costs.
If you have a new home, the reason your kitchen counter is full of
electrical outlets is that the authorities absolutely don't want you
using an extension cord to plug in a deep fryer or your George Foreman
electric grill. Notice also that these days, all of these appliances
come with short cords (about 2 feet or so) which are intended to be
used with this bountiful multiplicity of kitchen outlets.
Beachcomber
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Posted by on November 28, 2006, 3:54 pm
Beachcomber wrote:
> It is worth remembering that the point of these NEC requirements is to
> discourage the use of extension cords.
>
> Just a few decades ago, many extension cords were of the cheap, crummy
> "zip cord" type, thin 18 g. wires, thin insulation with plastic
> multi-outlet receptacles on the end. The were easily overloaded and
> started many fires even though they carried the UL seal of approval.
>
> Also... In addition to overloads, these cords were easily damaged by
> kids, chewed on by pets, smashed by furniture, and tread on by being
> placed under carpets.
>
> For those of you who are old enough to notice, you can't buy these
> cheap extension cords new anymore. New extension cords are all of a
> miniumum thickness and conductor size. Still, it is desirable not to
> have to use an extension cord, if possible, and avoid having to use
> one in a permanent situation at all costs.
BC:
Well, the wires may be bigger, but inexpensive extension cords are
still
made from zip cord, which can still be pet-chewed and door-
smashed. Any flexible cord trailing across a floor or under a carpet,
whether zip cord or SO cable, is more in harm's way than permanent
wiring
would be (though you'd have to work fairly hard on the SO cable (: ) so
I
guess the objection still stands. Anyway a big mess of extension cords
looks like heck.
Cordially yours:
G P
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Posted by Mark Lloyd on November 28, 2006, 4:49 pm
>
>>Can any one tell me if there is a code requirement specifying that
>>electrical outlets must be placed within X number of feet next of a
>>doorway ? Thanks for your help.
>
>Not specifically, in the NEC. The only spacing requirement
>is that, for any point at the base of any wall more than 23"
>wide, there must be an outlet within 6' that you can get to
>without crossing a doorway.
>
>That ends UP meaning that there has to be an outlet within
>6 feet of the door, unless there are other doors breaking
>up the wall. You could easily, for instance, design
>a mudroom/entry with three doors, a closet, and a stairway
>leading off in various directions such that there's no
>place you're required to have an outlet.
>
>But you ought to have one anyway. Put it in the same box
>as a light switch if you have to.
I have one like that. It's often in exactly the right place for an
outlet.
--
27 days until the winter solstice celebration
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com
"Unlike biological evolution. 'intelligent design' is
not a genuine scientific theory and, therefore, has
no place in the curriculum of our nation's public
school classes." -- Ted Kennedy
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Posted by hallerb@aol.com on November 30, 2006, 11:06 am
Remember the NEC is about SAFETY.
Convenience is another matter altogether
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