putting an outlet in a ceramic tile floor

Posted by Toller on December 1, 2005, 10:33 pm

My wife is nagging me for an outlet in the entryway. The only possible
place for it is in the ceramic tile floor. I have a lot of questions...

1) How do I do the cut out? I have a bit for my rotary tool that claimed to
be made for cutting ceramic tile. Anyone used one of these? Is is
reliable? I don't want to start something i can't finish, or shatter the
tile. It is 1/4" so i could use my router instead of the rotary tool.
Would that be a good choice? Would I crank the speed down to match a rotary
tool? How do I make the initial hole; a carbide drill?
Any other suggestions?

2) Any electrical code relevant to a floor outlet? I suppose GFCI would be
a good choice, anything else?

thanks.

Posted by tom on December 1, 2005, 10:49 pm

How would you run the supply, from the basement? Drill bits
specifically for tile and glass are available at your local hardware
store. Get your box in hand before you drill or rout. I'd run the GFCI
upstream from the outlet in the floor, as it's easier (for me) to find
protective covers for regular outlets. Tom

Posted by m Ransley on December 1, 2005, 10:57 pm

You know what will happen when she mops the floor or kids play, 120v.

Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on December 1, 2005, 11:09 pm

> How do I make the initial hole; a carbide drill?

Yes, even a plain HHS drill will work.

> 2) Any electrical code relevant to a floor outlet? I suppose GFCI would
> be a good choice, anything else?

Yes, a floor outlet cannot be just in the floor facing up. There are
housings made for that type of application that sit on top of the floor.

Posted by Steve Kraus on December 2, 2005, 12:18 am

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:

> Yes, a floor outlet cannot be just in the floor facing up.

No but there are recessed fittings that have them facing upwards.

> There are housings made for that type of application that sit on
> top of the floor.

Yes, a much better solution for this situation although the whole thing may
not be such a great idea depending how close to the door we're talking. If
it's where people come in with dripping shoes, coats, and umbrellas, and
maybe snow/slush it's a very bad idea. GFI a must of course. I wonder why
the outlet can't be conventionally mounted in one of the walls. Presumably
he has access to a basement or crawlspace underneath if he's proposing a
floor outlet.

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