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    rethabs's Avatar
    rethabs Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jul 15, 2009, 09:28 PM
    Height of outlets and switches
    I have a homemade partial log cabin that we are building on to. I have a simple question- What is standard height of outlets and light switches? There is nothing standard in this house and it has been a few years since I studied electrical.
    ohb0b's Avatar
    ohb0b Posts: 215, Reputation: 14
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    #2

    Jul 16, 2009, 01:20 AM
    There is no "standard" height for switches and receptacles in the NEC, I haven't ever seen a local code specify a height either. Just decide on a height and make them all the same.


    In a commercial installation, the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) does have height requirements:

    HTML Code:
    http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm#4.27
    creahands's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
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    #3

    Jul 16, 2009, 01:41 AM

    Don't know if it is code in my area, but outlets are normally set at 14'' and switches at 48''

    This is not in kitchen as height is controlled by counter top.

    Chuck
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
    		  
    #4

    Jul 16, 2009, 04:43 AM

    Most common I see is 18" to the center for recepticles, 48" to the center for switches. For the recepticles, mark at 20" to the top of the box, this will result in a 4" box to be 18 to the center, easier to see the edge of a box than the center of a box. 42 for kitchen and bath unless fixtures/counters or taste require other.
    80 to center for porch and wall lights. Can be adjusted to ceiling heights/taste.
    rethabs's Avatar
    rethabs Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Jul 16, 2009, 05:58 AM

    Thank you all for your help. I knew I wanted them all the same, but I did not want them to look out of place. Also the wall light info helps since I will be getting to them later. Thanks again. Retha
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #6

    Jul 16, 2009, 08:02 AM

    No code for this but best practices have been well stated by these post. You log home will dictate some of the outlet and switch locations since its best to place the box dead center in the log. How thick is the log and is it full or veneer?
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