Proper Height Off The Floor For Outlets

Installing electrical boxes for outlets.

Proper height off the floor for outlets.

Height of wire passage hole through studs above where electrical receptacles will be installed. Measure 48 inches from the floor with a tape measure and make a mark on the wall or the stud for the center of the box using a pencil. The average height for light switches is 46 inches from the floor to the center of the switch box. This is also true for counter top outlets in the kitchen and bathroom where switches and outlets are at the same height.

If you are setting box heights prior to the installation of the subfloor floor covering or any underlayment be sure to account for this expected height difference. The national electric code doesn t establish a minimum standard outlet height in the basement or in any other part of the house but the rule of thumb followed by most electricians is to place the outlets 16 to 18 inches above the floor. For example in canada the center of the receptacle box must be at least 14 inches above the floor and in california the bottom of the box must be at least 15 inches above the floor. A common height for a wall outlet is between 12 to 18 inches aff above finish floor.

The height of the outlet should be high enough to clear the built in backsplash on the countertop but no higher than 18 inches from the top of the countertop work surface. On 2019 07 07 by mod thanks for the interesting question. Why are some outlets in the bedrooms six feet off the floor in my 1942 house by the windows. In rare instances outlets are still installed in baseboards and in the floor with proper box covers.

California also sets a maximum height 48 inches to the top of the box the same as required by the ada. The average height for outlets is 12 inches from the floor to the center of the. Some states such as california require this minimum height. There is no danger to installing 15 amp outlet receptacles on a 20 amp circuit in fact this is the standard practice but under no circumstances should a 20 amp receptacle be installed on a 15 amp circuit.

Not everyone follows the same guidelines. The standard height for wall outlet boxes is about 12 inches from the top of the floor covering to the bottom of the receptacle box or 16 inches to the top of the box. If the floor is unfinished add the thickness of the floor.