210.52(C) Countertops and Work Surfaces.

Each 12 inches of multioutlet assembly containing two or more receptacles installed in individual or continuous lengths shall be considered to be one receptacle outlet.
Click to Enlarge
Each 12 inches of multioutlet assembly containing two or more receptacles installed in individual or continuous lengths shall be considered to be one receptacle outlet.

Code Change Summary: Revised code language on receptacle placement for countertops and work surfaces.

In the 2020 NEC®, the rules in 210.52(C) have been completely reorganized in an attempt to provide clarity. Section 210.52(C) applies to countertops and work surfaces, but the additional subsections under the purview of 210.52(C) include:

The first change is to the parent text in 210.52(C) which now makes it clear that the receptacles installed in kitchens, pantries, breakfast rooms, dining rooms, and similar areas of dwelling units, for countertop and work surfaces that are 12 inches or wider, cannot be considered as the receptacle outlets required for the regular wall space by 210.52(A).

In addition, where using multioutlet assemblies in the above areas, each 12 inches of multioutlet assembly containing two or more receptacles installed in individual or continuous lengths shall be considered to be one receptacle outlet (see image).

Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2020 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.

2017 Code Language:

210.52(C) Countertops and Work Surfaces. In kitchens, pantries, breakfast rooms, dining rooms, and similar areas of dwelling units, receptacle outlets for countertop and work surfaces shall be installed in accordance with 210.52(C)(1) through (C)(5).

2020 Code Language:

210.52(C) Countertops and Work Surfaces. In kitchens, pantries, breakfast rooms, dining rooms, and similar areas of dwelling units, receptacle outlets for countertop and work surfaces that are 300 mm (12 in.) or wider shall be installed in accordance with 210.52(C)(1)through (C)(3) and shall not be considered as the receptacle outlets required by 210.52(A).

For the purposes of this section, where using multioutlet assemblies, each 300 mm (12 in.) of multioutlet assembly containing two or more receptacles installed in individual or continuous lengths shall be considered to be one receptacle outlet.

Did You Like This? Let Us Know With A Like! Thanks!

210.52(C) Countertops and Work Surfaces.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Which of the following is true for a duplex receptacle of a multioutlet assembly installed under the kitchen counter as in the image?

A: It can count as the required wall receptacle from 210.52(A).
B: It must be supplied by a 15-amp branch circuit.
C: Each 12 inches of multioutlet assembly containing two or more receptacles installed in individual or continuous lengths shall be considered to be one receptacle outlet.
D: It is not permitted to be GFCI protected.
Please register or sign in for electrical continuing education courses.

If you were already signed in, your session probably expired, please sign back in.