Electrical Switch Height Above Floor

Thier are some devices that don t apply see 1 4.

Electrical switch height above floor.

Installing electrical boxes for outlets. The standard height for wall switches in most rooms excluding those over kitchen counters is 48 inches above the top of the floor covering measured to the bottom of the box. The average height for light switches is 46 inches from the floor to the center of the switch box. For wheelchair users 48 inches is usually specified as the maximum height since higher levels can be difficult to reach when sitting in a wheelchair.

Since the top of the panelboard is more than 6 1 2 feet above the floor the minimum working space height required for this panelboard is the height of the panelboard. Since the standard height of most base cabinets with countertop is about 36 inches this means that the bottom of the switch box should fall at least 40 inches above 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. The height from the floor to the middle of the switch plate should not exceed 48 inches and the minimum height should not be less than 15 inches.

To satisfy the accessibility requirements of the fair housing act however the switch itself should be. Bs 7671 requires that a socket outlet on a wall or similar structure is mounted at a sufficient height above the floor or any working surface to minimize the risk of mechanical damage to the socket outlet or to an associated plug and flexible cord during insertion use or withdrawal of the plug regulation 553 1 6 refers. The clearence needs to be 36 inches and 30 inches wide or the width of the panel whichever is greater. Builders generally use this standard since this height can be reached as comfortably from the standing position as from the sitting position.

This allows the switch to clear a standard countertop. Generally speaking wall switches should be about 4 inches above the countertop. The top of the disconnect switch is only 72 inches 6 feet above the floor. If the counter has no knee space the counter width shouldn t exceed 24 inches and the.

The average height for outlets is 12 inches from the floor to the center of the. The minimum working space height required for this disconnect switch is 6 1 2 feet see figure 1. The ideal light switch height is 48 inches from the floor. This is also true for counter top outlets in the kitchen and bathroom where switches and outlets are at the same height.