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View Full Version : Why are electrical outlets placed low on the wall?


theholycow
11-26-2010, 03:45 PM
I've been googling to find out why electrical outlets are normally placed near the floor. I thought it might be required by code but it seems not.

Who wants to bend over to plug things in?

Shouldn't electrical outlets be placed too high for small children to reach?

Shouldn't they be above furniture so they won't become inaccessible?

Shouldn't they be higher in case of a flood?

Cez★
11-26-2010, 07:28 PM
rofl
i wondered that too.

one of my outlets is pretty high up. dw more like that.

my friend redid his room and put them up high too

Biggs
11-26-2010, 07:55 PM
Who wants to bend over to plug things in?
fgts do

Shouldn't electrical outlets be placed too high for small children to reach?
Evolution. Gets rid of those who are not smart enough themselves or have stupid parents. Cleans up the gene pool a little..

Shouldn't they be above furniture so they won't become inaccessible? Who wants to look at outlets & cords hanging everywhere when you're relaxxing in your living room?

Shouldn't they be higher in case of a flood?
Why would people of not cut the breaker box off before the water got that high?
Better yet, why buy a house in a flood zone?!?

MikeH
11-26-2010, 08:12 PM
Biggs be speakin da truf

.GARY.
11-26-2010, 09:02 PM
This information is from Mike holt and its from the National Electrical Code which I had to learn when I was an electrician.

Q3. Is there a code requirement as to the height of a receptacle outlet?

A3. No, unless the receptacle is specifically required by the NEC. For example, the required wall receptacle outlets for a dwelling unit shall not be located above 5.5 ft [210.52]. Required dwelling unit kitchen counter top receptacles shall not be located more than 20 in. above the countertop [210.52(C)(5)], and required outdoor receptacles for one and two family dwellings shall not be located more than 6.5 ft above grade [210.52(E)].

stonehenge
11-26-2010, 09:06 PM
Fts put plugs on ceiling

shootermcgavin003
11-28-2010, 05:45 PM
well most things that are plugged in are on the ground or where at one time anyhow floor lamps tvs stereos fridges heaters etc.... if you had the plug 6 feet up and had a 3 foot cord it would be stupid. also can hide them better on the ground.

BillyJeanKing
11-28-2010, 05:49 PM
cao makes good points pero an outlet in the middle of a wall would look awkward

who wants a cord all up in there face???

---------- Post added at 11:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:47 AM ----------

Fts put plugs on ceiling

:roflmao:

shootermcgavin003
11-28-2010, 05:54 PM
we dont need powa this ky

BillyJeanKing
11-28-2010, 05:55 PM
:word:

too busy fakkin cousins

shootermcgavin003
11-28-2010, 05:58 PM
:word:

too busy fakkin cousins

:dickslinger:

.GARY.
11-28-2010, 06:14 PM
Outlets should be every 6' and when I did rough ins I set them around 18" high. They are 6' O.C. because an appliance/fixture cord is typically 3' in length and with that you can pretty much put whatever you want wherever in a room and not have to run and extension cord to it and setting them at 18" you wont have the unsightly mess of stuff plugged into it in your viewing area.

theholycow
11-28-2010, 06:19 PM
What I read about code is that they're 12' apart because appliance cords are 6', but even that only works if the appliances are at the same height.

Anyway, I'd rather see ugly outlets halfway up the wall than have to bend over, struggle behind furniture, and worry about children getting electrocuted. Plus, I have to run extension cords for the pile of DVD, VCR, clock, cable box, etc on top of my tv.

.GARY.
11-28-2010, 06:30 PM
:fp2: JEEZ, You are right, its 12' and not 6'. Atleast my reasoning is still the same just with the wrong numbers. Damnit man I'm getting old :nono:

shootermcgavin003
11-28-2010, 06:31 PM
12 is the max 6 is recommended

and again 18 in high is the way to go cause most cords wont reach alot higher