210.52
Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlets
The intent of 210.52 is simple: a person should be able to plug in a lamp or appliance anywhere in a dwelling without running an extension cord across the room. The general rule in 210.52(A) says that no point measured horizontally along the floor line of any wall space may be more than 6 feet from a receptacle outlet. Since a receptacle serves 6 feet in each direction, that means receptacles must be spaced no more than 12 feet apart along a continuous wall. Any wall space 2 feet or wider needs its own receptacle. Kitchen countertops get the stricter 2-foot rule under 210.52(C) — no point along the wall line behind the countertop may be more than 24 inches from a receptacle. Islands and peninsulas with a long dimension of 24 inches or more and a short dimension of 12 inches or more require at least one receptacle. Bathrooms under 210.52(D) require at least one receptacle within 3 feet of the outside edge of each basin. Outdoors under 210.52(E) requires at least two receptacles — one front, one back — accessible from grade level, plus one on each balcony, deck, or porch accessible from inside. Basements and garages under 210.52(G) each require at least one receptacle, with garages needing one receptacle in each vehicle bay. Hallways 10 feet or longer under 210.52(H) need at least one receptacle. The small-appliance rule in 210.52(B) requires a minimum of two 20-ampere branch circuits to serve all kitchen, dining room, pantry, and breakfast room wall and countertop receptacles.
When You Need This
- Laying out receptacle locations during residential rough-in — this section drives every outlet placement decision
- Planning a kitchen remodel and determining how many countertop receptacles are required for the new layout
- Adding an island or peninsula to a kitchen and figuring out if it needs a receptacle (hint: it almost always does)
- Finishing a basement and needing to know the minimum receptacle count for habitable rooms, garage bays, and hallways
- Studying for the journeyman or master electrician exam — 210.52 questions appear on virtually every residential code test
Key Points
Common Mistakes
Measuring the 6-foot distance from the center of the receptacle instead of from the edge of the receptacle — the code measures to the receptacle, not its center
Forgetting that any wall space 2 ft or wider needs its own receptacle, even small segments between two doors
Placing a kitchen countertop receptacle more than 20 inches above the countertop surface or more than 12 inches below it
Not providing a receptacle on a kitchen island because it seems small — any island 24 in. x 12 in. or larger requires one
Putting both required outdoor receptacles on the same side of the house — one must be front, one must be back
Running kitchen countertop receptacles on a 15-ampere circuit instead of the required 20-ampere small-appliance circuit
Exam Tip
The exam loves to test the 6-ft/12-ft wall rule and the 2-ft countertop rule. Remember: 6 ft is the maximum distance from any point on the floor line to a receptacle (general rooms), and 24 inches is the maximum from any point on the countertop wall line (kitchens). Islands need a receptacle if they are at least 24 in. long and 12 in. wide. Hallways need a receptacle only if they are 10 ft or longer. Bathrooms need one within 3 ft of each basin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Doorways, fireplaces, and similar openings break the wall into separate wall spaces. Each resulting wall space that is 2 feet or wider must be evaluated independently, and no point along its floor line can be more than 6 feet from a receptacle.
No. Section 210.52(B) requires that all receptacle outlets along kitchen, dining room, pantry, and breakfast room walls be served by at least two 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits. These circuits cannot supply lighting or outlets in other rooms (with a few minor exceptions like a clock outlet or an electric range receptacle).
Yes. Per NEC 210.8(A)(1), all 125-volt 15- and 20-ampere receptacles in bathrooms must have GFCI protection. The receptacle required by 210.52(D) within 3 feet of the basin must be on a dedicated 20-ampere circuit or on a general bathroom branch circuit per 210.11(C)(3).
Inline Tools
Dwelling Load Calculator
Calculate residential service load per NEC 220
Related Code Sections
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