outdoor recepticle height?

[Innovate1]

Apparently code only gives a max height of 6.5' ... I am just doing a few on the outside for plugging in outside equipment and the required one by the AC unit. Thinking 18 - 24 inches would be convenient but as long as I have some flexibility wanted to check for others input. 30 x 40 with two OHD in the 30 ft wall. Planned one on the outside of each OHD, none between although just one between would be plenty for anything I can imagine. One on the other end by AC. And one about in the center of the 40 ft walls.

 

[CJ7VFR]

Where I live in New Jersey, in my town, they have a requirement of a minimum of 24 inches above where the ground meets the foundation, measured from the ground to the bottom of the box that the receptacle is mounted inside. It is also the same distance for a receptacle mounted above a deck, porch or other type of landing.

The maximum height is not specified, as some receptacles can be mounted in boxes that are installed in soffits and up high on gable ends of a house if a light fixture is needed there.

This goes for receptacles that are on homes and other buildings as well as outbuildings like sheds, detached garages and barns and what-not.

Jim

 

[Innovate1]

I am guessing that 24" requirement is for snow. The ones on the house are at 12" to the bottom of the cover which has worked fine but seems a little low. Planning to go with 18" for the garage.

 

[MikeF2316]

I installed an outlet in the outside wall in my den at the standard inside height. On the other side of that wall is my patio, where I also needed an outlet. So I temporarily removed the new inside outlet and drilled straight through. This made running the new wire up inside the wall very easy. (The patio is 14 inches lower than the inside floor at that point which gives a height of well over 24".)

 

[u2slow]

I like switch or countertop height for most receptacles. Things within 36" of the ground easily get blocked by clutter, or smashed from moving things around. YMMV.

 

[dscheidt]

Apparently code only gives a max height of 6.5' ... I am just doing a few on the outside for plugging in outside equipment and the required one by the AC unit. Thinking 18 - 24 inches would be convenient but as long as I have some flexibility wanted to check for others input. 30 x 40 with two OHD in the 30 ft wall. Planned one on the outside of each OHD, none between although just one between would be plenty for anything I can imagine. One on the other end by AC. And one about in the center of the 40 ft walls.

Put one by the man door too, if there is one. For general purpose outlets, lower is better, it keeps the cord closer to the ground where it's less likely to be tripped over. But they need to be high enough to stay out of snow, and rain splash.