What is the required distance between electrical outlets in a commercial retail space?

1 answer

Answer

1065550

2026-05-11 23:55

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You need to think about the utility of the outlets. Will they be near where you need them. You should also alternate circuits so that you have two 20 Amp circuits with one circuit on every other outlet. You also need GFCI. A general residential requirement is any wall location has to be within 6 ft. of an outlet. This is much too far for kitchen counters. I recommend no more than about 3 feet apart in areas where appliances are used.

Answer for USA

The NEC requires that any counter top wall space 12 inches or wider shall have a receptacle (outlet) and no point on the wall above a counter shall be more than 24 inches from a receptacle. This would allow you to place receptacles as much as 4 feet apart but this is not adviseable. I like the 3 feet suggestion and have installed them as close as 2 feet myself. Unless there is a serious cost factor, you need to install more than you think you will need. You are required to have at least 2 - 20 amp circuits serving kitchen counters.

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After considering your question further, you are actually asking what is the minimum distance between outlets. There is no minimum distance. You could line them up one right after another continuously along the counter top if you chose to do so, but I don't know why you would.

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