The National Electrical Code (NEC) sets specific requirements for kitchen outlets to ensure safety and functionality. In this article, we explain the basics of these provisions. The regulations for kitchen outlets are also stated in the NEC 210 article on branch circuits.

Key Requirements For Kitchen Outlets

Countertop Receptacles:

• Receptacles must be installed so that no point along the countertop is more than 24 inches from an outlet. This typically means placing outlets at most 48 inches apart.
• Outlets should be positioned no higher than 20 inches above the countertop surface. For countertops 12 inches wide or more, at least one receptacle is required.

Kitchen Islands and Peninsulas:

• As of the 2023 NEC, installing receptacles on kitchen islands and peninsulas is optional. However, if no receptacle is installed, provisions must be made for future installation, such as running wiring to a junction box with a blank cover labeled for future use.
• If installed, receptacles can be located on or above the countertop surface, but not more than 20 inches above it. Alternatively, they can be installed below the countertop, provided they are no more than 12 inches below and there is no overhang greater than 6 inches.

GFCI Protection:

• All kitchen receptacles serving countertop surfaces must have Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection to prevent electric shock hazards.

AFCI Protection:

• All 15- and 20-amp, 120-volt circuits supplying outlets in kitchens require Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) protection to mitigate fire risks associated with arcing faults.

Tamper-Resistant Receptacles:

• All 15- and 20-amp receptacles in kitchens must be tamper-resistant to protect against accidental insertion of foreign objects, enhancing child safety.

NEC Requirements for Different Kitchen Circuits

Now, let's review the most famous circuits in the kitchen. We'll focus on different requirements, including voltage, ampacity, and GFCI/AFCI protection:

Small Appliance Circuits

• Purpose: Serve countertop outlets for appliances like toasters, blenders, and coffee makers.
• Requirements:
• Dedicated circuits: NEC mandates at least two 20-amp, 120-volt circuits for small kitchen appliances. The kitchen has higher power requirements for small appliances compared to other rooms in the home.
• Spacing: Outlets should be placed so no point along the countertop is more than 24 inches from an outlet, typically resulting in outlets no more than 48 inches apart.
• GFCI Protection: All countertop outlets must have GFCI protection to prevent electric shock.
• AFCI Protection: AFCI protection is also required for kitchen outlets to prevent fire hazards from occurring.

Kitchen Lighting Circuits

• Purpose: Powers overhead and under-cabinet lighting. Lighting cannot be placed on a basic kitchen GFCI circuit; you need to have a separate circuit for lighting. The reason for this is that other small appliances on the basic circuit can turn off the lighting. At least one circuit is required.
• Requirements:
• Circuit Size: Usually 15-amp, 120-volt circuit. The circuit can have more amperage depending on the specific requirements for specific types of lighting.
• AFCI Protection: Required to prevent fires from arcing faults.

Refrigerator Circuits

• Purpose: Dedicated circuit to power the refrigerator.
• Requirements:
• Dedicated Circuit: Typically 15 or 20 amps, 120 volts.
• GFCI Protection: Only required if the outlet is within 6 feet of a water source, per NEC.
• AFCI Protection: Generally required in kitchens. All 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-amp circuits supplying outlets in residential kitchens have AFCI protection as per NEC 210.12(A), including the refrigerator circuit.

Dishwasher Circuits

• Purpose: Dedicated circuit for the dishwasher.
• Requirements:
• Dedicated Circuit: Generally 15 or 20 amps, 120 volts. It has to be wired with a 14/2 cable, usually NM-B. Higher amperages are allowed depending on the dishwasher model.
• GFCI Protection: Required if within 6 feet of a sink.
• AFCI Protection: Required for all kitchen appliance circuits.

Microwave Circuits

• Purpose: Powers the microwave oven.
• Requirements:
• Dedicated Circuit: 20-amp, 120-volt circuit. The common cable to serve this circuit is 12/2 NM-B.
• GFCI Protection: If the microwave is located within 6 feet of a water source, GFCI protection is required.
• AFCI Protection: Required, per NEC, to prevent fire hazards.

Range or Oven Circuits

• Purpose: Supplies power for the electric range or oven.
• Requirements:
• Dedicated Circuit: Typically 50-amp, 120/240-volt circuit for electric ranges. This is the largest dedicated circuit in the entire kitchen.
• GFCI Protection: Not typically required for ovens unless specified by local code.
• AFCI Protection: Required.

Garbage Disposal Circuits

• Purpose: A dedicated circuit will power the garbage disposal.
• Requirements:
• Dedicated Circuit: Typically 15 or 20 amps, 120 volts. 14/2 NM-B is common for more common 15-amp circuits.
• GFCI Protection: Required if located within 6 feet of a water source.
• AFCI Protection: Required to prevent fire hazards.

Kitchen Island or Peninsula Circuits (If Outlets are Installed)

• Purpose: Powers outlets on kitchen islands or peninsulas, typically for small appliances.
• Requirements:
• Dedicated Circuit: Part of the 20-amp small appliance circuits, if included.
• GFCI Protection: Required for all outlets on islands or peninsulas.
• AFCI Protection: Required, per NEC.

NEC 2023 Changes For Kitchen Outlets

Here is what changed for kitchen outlets in the most recent NEC:

No Requirement for Mandatory Receptacles:

• The 2023 NEC removed the mandate for receptacles on kitchen islands and peninsulas, which means no receptacle is required by default. This is a major shift from previous editions, which specified at least one receptacle based on counter size and layout.

Allowed Locations for Receptacles:

• Receptacles can be installed in three approved ways:
• On or above the countertop or work surface, but at most 20 inches above.
• Embedded within the countertop or work surface using a receptacle assembly designed for that use.
• Future provision only (no immediate outlet installed but wired for later use).
• Notably, outlets can no longer be installed below the countertop or work surface. This change was based on safety data highlighting injuries caused by power cords in lower outlet installations.

Changes That Still Stand From NEC 2017 and NEC 2020

• If a receptacle outlet is to be installed, it can be integrated directly into the countertop or work surface, provided a receptacle assembly listed for countertop or work surface applications is used. this was first introduced in NEC 2017.
• For peninsula counters, measurements are still taken from the connected perpendicular wall rather than the “connecting edge.” This change was first introduced in the 2017 NEC and is maintained in the 2023 version.
• All receptacle outlets for islands and peninsulas, if installed, continue to require GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection due to proximity to water and AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection to prevent fire hazards. This was first established in NEC 2017.