Electrical Switch Distance From Floor

Installing electrical boxes for light switches.

Electrical switch distance from floor.

A 20 amp receptacle circuit for plug in appliances. For example switches sometimes are installed to control the current running to an outlet in order to turn a floor lamp on or off. Electrical code and box heights. These are the most common wall switches you use in your home.

The ada light switch height ranges refer to the recommended distance from the floor to the operable part of a light switch rather than the top or bottom of the cover usually the centerline for. The average height for light switches is 46 inches from the floor to the center of the switch box. The minimum allowable height according to the fair housing act is 15 inches from the floor. When the switch is over a counter that has a knee space and the counter depth exceeds 20 inches the maximum height of a switch is reduced to 44 inches.

All receptacles must be afci and gfci protected either by circuit breakers or individual receptacles that offer afci and gfci protection. Placing the bottom of the switch box at 48 inches from the floor means that the top of the box will fall at 52 inches above the floor. 1000 cherrington parkway moon township pa 15108 united states tel. A 15 amp circuit is minimum but this is often a 20 amp circuit especially if there is a heat lamp integrated into this circuit.

The switch box can installed so either its top or bottom is at the 48 inch mark or it may be centered on the mark. Although the national electrical code nec has many very precise regulations for most aspects of residential wiring it does not specify one height for standard wall outlets receptacles or for light switches. However your local electrical code is the ultimate voice with these matters. Installing electrical boxes for light switches and wall outlets.

As a result heights are often a matter of convention or preference. Carpenters installing wallboard can easily cut openings in the panels to fit around the switch box. Then convert this distance to the blueprint s scale. Measure the distance from the nearest corner of the room to the place you plan to put the switch.

Light fixtures and wall switches must be on a separate circuit. If the counter has no knee space the counter width shouldn t exceed 24 inches and the. 5 main types of electrical switches explained.