What are the specific guidelines for installing electrical wall outlets in a house?
The requirements for outlets, technically called receptacles, are stated in article 26-702 of the Canadian Electrical Code. Basically it says that you shouldn’t have any electrical or extension cords traveling more than 6 feet in any room, more than 2 feet along countertops, or stretched across doorways where someone might trip on them. Keep in mind: • From the edge of a doorjamb, opening, or fireplace, there must be an outlet within 6 feet. • On a continuous expanse of wall, there must be one outlet every 12 linear feet. This 12 feet includes corners but can’t be broken by a door, opening, or fireplace. • There must be an outlet on all walls over 2 feet long. • There must be at least two split-circuit outlets along a kitchen countertop, and no point on the kitchen counter should be more than 24 inches from an outlet. • You can place wall outlets at any height within 5-1/2 feet of the floor. When it comes to determining how many outlets to use on a given circuit, the Canadian Electrica
