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

Quote:

Originally Posted by theholycow

Who wants to bend over to plug things in?

fgts do

Quote:

Originally Posted by theholycow

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..

Quote:

Originally Posted by theholycow

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?

Quote:

Originally Posted by theholycow

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.

Quote:

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 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juan!

Fts put plugs on ceiling

shootermcgavin003 · 11-28-2010, 05:54 PM

we dont need powa this ky

BillyJeanKing · 11-28-2010, 05:55 PM

too busy fakkin cousins

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by KOURKE

too busy fakkin cousins

.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

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

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

11-26-2010, 03:45 PM	#1
theholycow Bovinus Administratus Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greener pastures Posts: 32,377	Why are electrical outlets placed low on the wall? 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? __________________

11-26-2010, 08:12 PM	#4
MikeH waffler Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 10,917	Re: Why are electrical outlets placed low on the wall? Biggs be speakin da truf

11-26-2010, 09:06 PM	#6
stonehenge Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hoenn Posts: 85,082	Re: Why are electrical outlets placed low on the wall? Fts put plugs on ceiling __________________ \| Smilies To-Do \| MAL (bishplz) \| Current PS+ Free Games\|

11-28-2010, 05:45 PM	#7
shootermcgavin003 Pro Golfer Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: In the hole, every time. Posts: 20,687	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. __________________ I eat pieces of shit like you for breakfast.

11-28-2010, 05:54 PM	#9
shootermcgavin003 Pro Golfer Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: In the hole, every time. Posts: 20,687	we dont need powa this ky __________________ I eat pieces of shit like you for breakfast.

11-28-2010, 05:55 PM	#10
BillyJeanKing Sneakers O'Toole Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: .............. Posts: 40,600	too busy fakkin cousins

11-28-2010, 06:14 PM	#12
.GARY. . Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA Posts: 9,884	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.

11-28-2010, 06:19 PM	#13
theholycow Bovinus Administratus Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greener pastures Posts: 32,377	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. __________________

11-28-2010, 06:30 PM	#14
.GARY. . Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA Posts: 9,884	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

11-28-2010, 06:31 PM	#15
shootermcgavin003 Pro Golfer Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: In the hole, every time. Posts: 20,687	12 is the max 6 is recommended and again 18 in high is the way to go cause most cords wont reach alot higher __________________ I eat pieces of shit like you for breakfast.

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