If you plan on multiple recess can lights, follow the above rule. Also, be sure to bore through the studs leaving as close to one inch from the outside edge to prevent dammage to the wires when the drywall (etc) is nailed or screwed to those studs. When stapeling the wires, hit the stple gently to just hold the wire in place..not so tight to cause possible damage to the wires. Lastly, leave at least 8 - 10 inches of wire in each junction box for your electrician to work with.

I would suggest before you begin cutting or using any materials that you purchase a home wiring book from perhaps Better Homes or any of the other ones you find at the big box stores in their library section. This will give you a much better idea of exactly what kind of wires you need, how to place them in the room, and provide you with enough knowledge so when you do get the electrical contractor in you will have a better understanding and appreciation for the work that they will be doing for you.

of distributing receptacle and lighting outlets throughout

the dwelling. This chapter covers receptacle outlet spac-

ing, GFCI and AFCI protection, lighting outlet locations,

raceway and box fill limitations, box and panel board

installation, equipment grounding, and flexible cords.

Purpose

The intent of Chapter 38 is to protect occupants fromfire,

electrical shock, and accidents. By eliminating the need

for extension cords, by providing adequate lighting, and

by requiring equipment grounding and GFCI and AFCI

protection, the code substantially increases the level of

safety in homes.

SECTION E3801

RECEPTACLE OUTLETS

E3801.1General. Receptacle outlets shall be provided in ac-

cordance with Sections E3801.2 through E3801.11. Recep-

tacle outlets required by this section shall be in addition to any

receptacle that is part of a luminaire or appliance, that is lo-

cated within cabinets or cupboards, or that is located over 5.5

feet (1676 mm) above the floor.

Permanently installed electric baseboard heaters equipped

with factory-installed receptacle outlets, or outlets provided

as a separate assembly by the baseboardmanufacturer shall be

permitted as the required outlet or outlets for the wall space

utilized by such permanently installed heaters. Such recep-

tacle outlets shall not be connected to the heater circuits.

❖ Section E3801 covers the requirements for the loca-

tions of receptacle outlets. A receptacle that is built in

or is an integral part of light fixture, appliance, or cabi-

net is not counted as one of the outlets required by this

section. However, a factory-installed receptacle in a

baseboard heater is permitted to serve as one of the

required outlets, but such a receptacle must not be

connected to the circuit supplying the heater.

A baseboard heatermust not be installed on the wall

below a receptacle outlet unless specifically listed for

such installations. Where a cord is plugged into a re-

ceptacle, it could drape over the baseboard heater or

come into contact with it; thus, the cord would become

hot, which could melt or weaken the insulation and

create a possible fire or shock hazard. If the plan calls

for baseboard heaters, the required receptacles must

be either integral with the heater or be positioned so

that cords will not contact the heater.

E3801.2 Convenience receptacle distribution. In every

kitchen, family room, dining room, living room, parlor,

library, den, sun room, bedroom, recreation room, or similar

room or area of dwelling units, receptacle outlets shall be

installed in accordance with the general provisions specified

in Sections E3801.2.1 through E3801.2.3. See Figure

E3801.2.

❖ The receptacles in all rooms of a dwelling unit except

bathrooms and laundry rooms are referred to as con-

venience receptacles. This section and the following

three subsections cover the location and spacing re-

quirements for convenience receptacles. There is no

minimum or maximum number of receptacles for a

room. There is no height requirement for convenience

receptacles except that any receptacle located over

51/2 feet above the floor is not counted. There are cer-

tain height requirements for accessibility standards;

however, they usually do not apply toa privatedwelling

unit. Although there are specific requirements for

countertop receptacles in a kitchen, the location and

spacing of all other receptacles in kitchens and dining

areas are included in these provisions.

E3801.2.1 Spacing. Receptacles shall be installed so that no

point along the floor line in any wall space is more than 6 feet

(1829 mm), measured horizontally, from an outlet in that

space. Receptacles shall, insofar as practicable, be spaced

equal distances apart.

❖ This requirement is intended to eliminate the need for

extension cords. In any of the rooms listed (or a similar

area of a dwelling), a lamp, appliance, radio, TV, or

other electrical appliance can be placed at any point

along the floor line, and a receptacle will be available

within six feet of that location. It is important to not cut

corners when measuring. The floor line is measured

along the wall all the way into and around corners.

Where a door opens against a wall, it may seem rea-

sonable to begin the measurement at the end of the

door swing, about 30 to 36 inches (762 to 914 mm)

from the hinged side of the door casing, but the code

requires that the wall space be counted all the way to

the door jamb.

E3801.2.2 Wall space. As used in this section, a wall space

shall include the following:

1. Any space that is 2 feet (610 mm) or more in width, (in-

cluding space measured around corners), and that is un-

POWER AND LIGHTING DISTRIBUTION

38-2 2003 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE COMMENTARYVOLUME 2

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

FIGURE E3801.2

GENERAL USE RECEPTACLE DISTRIBUTION

❖ See the commentary for Section E3801.2.

broken along the floor line by doorways, fireplaces, and

similar openings.

2. The space occupied by fixed panels in exterior walls, ex-

cluding sliding panels.

3. The space created by fixed room dividers such as railings

and freestanding bar-type counters.

❖ An appliance or lamp, for example, could be placed in

front of the fixed portion of a sliding door, which must

be counted as wall space for determining the spacing

requirements of receptacle outlets. An example of a

fixed room divider is a railing installed along an open

balcony or loft. Appliances could be placed by the

homeowner along the railing, and a receptacle must

be installed at a point no further than six feet from any

point along the railing. A floor outletmay be necessary

in this situation.

E3801.2.3 Floor receptacles. Receptacle outlets in floors

shall not be counted as part of the required number of recep-

tacle outlets except where located within 18 inches (457 mm)

of the wall.

❖ Where the furniture layout is known, floor receptacles

are sometimes located in themiddle of a room. For ex-

ample, power may be required for a lamp on an end

table at each end of a couch that is placed away from

the walls of a living room. Such receptacles are not

counted as part of the required number of receptacles

as measured along the wall line. In the example under

Section E3801.2.2 above, a floor outlet must be

installed a maximum of 18 inches (457 mm) from the

railing to count as the required receptacle.

E3801.3 Small appliance receptacles. In the kitchen, pantry,

breakfast room, dining room, or similar area of a dwelling

unit, the two or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch cir-

cuits required by Section E3603.2, shall serve all receptacle

outlets covered by Sections E3801.2 and E3801.4 and those

receptacle outlets provided for refrigeration appliances.

Exceptions:

1. In addition to the required receptacles specified by

Sections E3801.1 and E3801.2, switched receptacles

supplied from a general-purpose branch circuit as

defined in Section E3803.2, Exception 1, shall be

permitted.

2. The receptacle outlet for refrigeration appliances shall

be permitted to be supplied from an individual branch

circuit rated at 15 amperes or greater.

❖ Small appliance receptacles are supplied by at least

two 20-ampere branch circuits and include all of the re-

ceptacles in the kitchen, pantry, dining, and similar

areas of a house. The countertop receptacles as well

as all of the other low receptacles (usually installed

around 12 to 18 inches (305 to 457 mm) above the

floor) in these rooms are included on one of the small

appliance receptacle branch circuits. In a dining room,

a receptacle controlled by a wall switch can serve as

the required lighting outlet. Such a receptacle would

not be served by one of the small appliance branch cir-

cuits but would be served by a general purpose lighting

circuit.

The receptacle serving a refrigerator can be in-

cluded on one of the small appliance circuits or can be

supplied by a separate individual branch circuit.

Where it is an individual branch circuit, it can be a

15-ampere or 20-ampere rated branch circuit.

E3801.3.1Other outlets prohibited. The two or more small-

appliance branch circuits specified in Section 3801.3 shall

serve no other outlets.

Exceptions:

1. A receptacle installed solely for the electrical sup-

ply to and support of an electric clock in any of the

rooms specified in Section E3801.3.

2. Receptacles installed to provide power for supple-

mental equipment and lighting on gas-fired ranges,

ovens, and counter-mounted cooking units.

❖ Receptacles for specific fixed-in-place appliances

such as a disposal, dishwasher, or trash compactor

cannot be served by the small-appliance branch cir-

cuits. The small-appliance circuits cannot supply any-

thing else, such as the hood fan over the range.

A half century ago, a receptacle for an electric clock

installed high on the wall was a standard feature in the

kitchen in some areas of the country. The power for a

FIGURE E3801.2 - E3801.3.1

POWER AND LIGHTING DISTRIBUTION

2003 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE COMMENTARYVOLUME 2 38-3

clock is minimal, and although this type of receptacle

outlet is not as common now, it has been permitted for

many years to be served by one of the small appliance

branch circuits. Where a gas range is installed in the

kitchen, a 120-volt receptacle outlet is needed to oper-

ate such items on the range as the timer, lights, and

ignitor. This receptacle can be connected to one of the

small appliance branch circuits.

E3801.3.2 Limitations. Receptacles installed in a kitchen to

serve countertop surfaces shall be supplied by not less than

two small-appliance branch circuits, either or both of which

shall also be permitted to supply receptacle outlets in the same

kitchen and in other rooms specified in Section E3801.3.

Additional small-appliance branch circuits shall be permitted

to supply receptacle outlets in the kitchen and other rooms

specified in Section E3801.3. A small-appliance branch cir-

cuit shall not serve more than one kitchen.

❖ Small appliance branch circuits can serve receptacles

in a dining room. In a formal dining room, where no

cooking is done and it is not likely that any appliances

will be used, itmay seem that the receptacles could be

served by a general purpose lightingbranch circuit, but

these receptacles must be included on one of the two

or more small-appliance branch circuits.

There is not a limit on the number of outlets served

by a small appliance branch circuit. Some electrical

contractors have traditional ways of laying out these

circuits. For example, one practice is that all counter-

top receptacles on one side of the kitchen sink are

wired on one circuit, and another circuit is used for all

receptacles on the other side of the sink. Another

method is to alternate countertop receptacles on two

different circuits so that no two adjacent receptacles

are on the same circuit. Yet another method is to use

three-conductor cable and wire the top half of the du-

plex receptacle on one circuit and the bottom half on

another circuit. These methods are not code require-

ments but only preferences. The code simply requires

that all receptacles in the kitchen, pantry, and dining

areas be served by two or more small appliance

branch circuits.

E3801.4 Countertop receptacles. In kitchens and dining

rooms of dwelling units, receptacle outlets for counter spaces

shall be installed in accordance with Sections E3801.4.1

through E3801.4.5. (See Figure E3801.4.)

❖ This section introduces five subsections. The first four

subsections cover the countertop spaces where re-

ceptacles are required, and the fifthcovers thelocation

of receptacles in those required spaces.

E3801.4.1 Wall counter space. A receptacle outlet shall be

installed at each wall counter space 12 inches (305 mm) or

wider. Receptacle outlets shall be installed so that no point

along thewall line ismore than 24 inches (610mm),measured

horizontally from a receptacle outlet in that space.

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

FIGURE E3801.4

COUNTERTOP RECEPTACLES

❖ See the commentary for Section E3801.4.

❖ Inmany kitchens, there is a short section of countertop

between the refrigerator and the range on which it is

helpful to place items when getting them in and out of

the refrigerator. The literal code requirement is that if

this countertop is 12 inches (305mm) or more wide, a

receptacle is required along the wall at this space.

Some installers have omitted the receptacle where the

countertop space is only 9 or 10 inches. This is a case

where good judgment should prevail. For example, a

toaster could be placed at such a countertop space,

and if therewere not a receptacle available, the toaster

cord could be placed across the range to be plugged

in. This would create an unsafe situation. Providing a

receptacle at a 10-inch (254 mm), for example, coun-

tertop space is a good idea, although not a code re-

quirement.

As indicated in Figure E3801.4 of the code, recep-

tacle outlets must not be spaced more than 48 inches

(1219 mm) apart along the wall line of the countertop.

For this measurement, it is not permitted to cut cor-

ners. Notice the measurement at the left of the sink in

the figure. The edge of the sink is considered the be-

ginning of the countertop, and an outlet must be avail-

able within 24 inches (610 mm) of that point. Continu-

ing to the left from that point, themeasurement follows

the wall line.

E3801.3.2 - FIGURE E3801.4

POWER AND LIGHTING DISTRIBUTION

38-4 2003 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE COMMENTARYVOLUME 2

Using Figure E3801.4, it is not correct, for example,

to draw an imaginary line along the front edge of the

countertop in front of the sink all the way to the wall left

of the sink, consider that one countertop, then begin

at that point to measure to the refrigerator. The wall

line in the corner must be included in the measure-

ment.

E3801.4.2 Island counter spaces. At least one receptacle

outlet shall be installed at each island counter space with a

long dimension of 24 inches (610 mm) or greater and a short

dimension of 12 inches (305 mm) or greater.

❖ At an island counter space, one receptacle is required.

More may be installed, for example, at each end. The

24-inch (610mm) spacing requirement does not apply

to the island countertop space, because there is no

wall line. An island might be divided into two counter

spaces by the presence of a sink or cooktop.

E3801.4.3 Peninsular counter space.At least one receptacle

outlet shall be installed at each peninsular counter space with

a long dimension of 24 inches (610mm) or greater and a short

dimension of 12 inches (305 mm) or greater. A peninsular

countertop is measured from the connecting edge.

❖ The connecting edge of a peninsular countertop is an

imaginary line along the front edge of the adjacent

countertop. At least one receptacle is required at the

peninsular counter space. It is not required to be at the

end of the peninsula.

E3801.4.4 Separate spaces. Countertop spaces separated by

range tops, refrigerators, or sinks shall be considered as sepa-

rate countertop spaces in applying the requirements of Sec-

tions E3801.4.1, E3801.4.2 and E3801.4.3.

❖ The intent of this code requirement is to prevent cords

from being stretched or laid across the range or sink or

other separations of the countertop space. The left and

right edges of the kitchen sink are points where the

measurement begins for the countertop space.

E3801.4.5 Receptacle outlet location. Receptacle outlets

shall be located not more than 20 inches (508 mm) above the

countertop. Receptacle outlets shall not be installed in a face-

up position in the work surfaces or countertops. Receptacle

outlets rendered not readily accessible by appliances fastened

in place, appliance garages or appliances occupying dedi-

cated space shall not be considered as these required outlets.

Exception: Receptacle outlets shall be permitted to be

mounted not more than 12 inches (305 mm) below the

countertop in construction designed for the physically im-

paired and for island and peninsular countertops where the

countertop is flat across its entire surface and there are no

means to mount a receptacle within 20 inches (508 mm)

above the countertop, such as in an overhead cabinet. Re-

ceptacles mounted below the countertop in accordance

with this exception shall not be located where the counter-

top extends more than 6 inches (152 mm) beyond its sup-

port base.

❖ The intent of the code rule is that receptacles will be

available for small appliances used on the countertop.

It can be a safety hazard to have appliances plugged in

below the countertop surface because the cord would

be draped over the edge of the countertop, and the

cord could be easily snagged, pulling the appliance off

of the countertop.Where an island or peninsular coun-

tertop does not overhang the cabinetmore than 6inch-

es (152 mm), it is permitted to install the required re-

ceptacle not more than 12 inches (305mm) below the

countertop.

E3801.5 Appliance outlets. Appliance receptacle outlets

installed for specific appliances, such as laundry equipment,

shall be installedwithin 6 feet (1829mm) of the intended loca-

tion of the appliance.

❖ Where the outlet is no more than 6 feet from the loca-

tion of an appliance, it is assumed that the appliance

cord will reach the outlet. The intent is that extension

cords will not have to be used. Common sense should

be used here, and the 6-foot (1829mm)measurement

may not be adequate if the measured distance is sim-

ply from the edge of the appliance space. For exam-

ple, if a 120-volt receptacle for a gas clothes dryer is 6

feet from the edge of the dryer space, the receptacle

placement may satisfy the code rule, but the dryer

cord at the rear of a gas clothes dryer may be at the

opposite side of the space closest to the receptacle.

Consideration should be given to the location of the

appliances such as garage door openers, sump

pumps, clothes washers, etc., so that extension cords

will not have to be used.

E3801.6 Bathroom. At least one wall receptacle outlet shall

be installed in bathrooms and such outlet shall be located

within 36 inches (914 mm) of the outside edge of each lavato-

ry basin. The receptacle outlet shall be located on awall that is

adjacent to the lavatory basin location.

Receptacle outlets shall not be installed in a face-up posi-

tion in the work surfaces or countertops in a bathroom basin

location.

❖ Where a bathroom lighting fixture contains a recep-

tacle, it does not satisfy the requirement for the bath-

room wall receptacle per Section E3801.1, because

required receptacles are in addition to any that are part

of a lighting fixture. A receptacle in a lighting fixture

must beGFCI protected, and the bathroom lighting cir-

cuit is usually not supplied from a GFCI protected cir-

cuit.

E3801.7 Outdoor outlets. At least one receptacle outlet

accessible at grade level and not more than 6 feet, 6 inches

(1981 mm) above grade, shall be installed outdoors at the

front and back of each dwelling unit having direct access to

grade.

E3801.4.2 - E3801.7

POWER AND LIGHTING DISTRIBUTION

2003 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE COMMENTARYVOLUME 2 38-5

❖ Any dwelling unit that has direct access to grade re-

quires an outdoor receptacle both at the front and back

of the dwelling. But a receptacle that is part of a yard

lightmounted on a post, for example,would not satisfy

this requirement. Where a dwelling unit has a balcony

or deck accessible only through a door from the inside

of the house, an outdoor receptacle at the balcony or

deck locationmay not satisfy this requirement if the re-

ceptacle is not accessible at grade level. If it is not over

61/2 feet from the ground and can be reached from

standing on the ground, it counts as the required re-

ceptacle.

E3801.8 Laundry areas. At least one receptacle outlet shall

be installed to serve laundry appliances.

❖ Section E3603.3 requires at least one 20-amp rated

branch circuit for the laundry area.Typically, this circuit

supplies a duplex receptacle to serve a clothes washer

and a gas-fired clothes dryer. See Section E3801.5 for

receptacle location requirements. Laundry area is

not defined but is interpreted as including an ironing

area within the laundry area, meaning that multiple re-

ceptacle locations could be supplied by the required

laundry branch circuit. Bear in mind that a 20-amp

rated branch circuit is nearly at capacity when serving

both a washer and dryer.

E3801.9 Basements and garages. At least one receptacle

outlet, in addition to any provided for laundry equipment,

shall be installed in each basement and in each attached

garage, and in each detached garage that is provided with

electrical power. Where a portion of the basement is finished

into a habitable room(s), the receptacle outlet required by this

section shall be installed in the unfinished portion.

❖ The code does not require that a detached garage be

supplied with electrical power. But if it has power, then

it must have at least one receptacle. Because there

are many uses and activities in garages and unfin-

ished basements that require power, an unfinished

basement or an unfinished portion of a basementmust

have at least one receptacle to avoid the overuse or

unsafe use of extension cords. Section E3809.1 pro-

hibits the use of flexible cord as a substitute for fixed

wiring in the dwelling and indicates that cordsmust not

be run through holes in walls, ceilings, or floors.Where

receptacles are installed at appropriate locations, the

receptacles will reduce the need for extension cords.

E3801.10 Hallways. Hallways of 10 feet (3048mm) ormore

in length shall have at least one receptacle outlet. The hall

length shall be considered the lengthmeasured along the cent-

erline of the hall without passing through a doorway.

❖ The length of an L-shaped hallway is also measured

along the centerline and includes the total L- shaped

length. The purpose for this requirement is tomandate

supply power for a vacuum cleaner. This results in

convenience and safety by helping avoid the use of ex-

tension cords.

E3801.11 HVAC outlet. A 125-volt, single-phase, 15 or 20

ampere-rated convenience receptacle outlet shall be installed

for the servicing of heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration

equipment located in attics and crawl spaces. The receptacle

shall be accessible and shall be located on the same level and

within 25 feet (7620 mm) of the heating, air-conditioning and

refrigeration equipment. The receptacle outlet shall not be

connected to the load side of the HVAC equipment discon-

nectingmeans and shall be protected in accordance with Sec-

tion E3802.4.

❖ When servicing or repairing HVAC equipment, a tech-

nician usually needs power tools, instruments, or

equipment. To avoid the necessity of a technician

dragging an extension cord through the attic or crawl

space, a receptacle outlet provides the necessary

power.

Ideally less outlets per run are better, and breaking the outlets on each wall to be different power runs allows you to keep power on in the room while working on another branch within the same room. Rule of thumb is 180 watts assumed load per outlet. Do the math and go that route.

Lots of good info anyway Bill.

Sherrie, I totally agree with you on government documents. Always too wordy to get to a single point. But if they were simple anyone could do it. Part of getting licensed is the ability to make sense out of what they are talking about. As a pilot we have a book called the Far Aim This booklet goes in to every detail about flying a plane and the federal air system. To understand this book is a great feat. But you can purchase a simplified book that covers everything in this several hundred page book that is only about half its size. But you cannot use this book when you take any tests because its simple. And we wonder why taxes are so high in the country.

1000w / 120 v = 8.33 amps

Max load amps allowed on a Circuit is 80%

20 amp circuit = 16 amps #12 wire

15 amp circuit = 12 amps #14 wire