How to Install an Electrical Receptacle on a Kitchen Island | Ask This Old House

In this video This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman solves a problem for a homeowner by adding an outlet to her new kitchen island.

Master electrician Heath Eastman takes us to a house call. A homeowner explains that despite her relatively recent kitchen renovation, she has no outlets on her kitchen island. After discovering that the previous electrician did run wires to the island, Heath tracks them down and gets to work.

Difficulty: 3/5
Time: 3 hours
Cost: Under $100

Where to find it?
Heath installs a receptacle to a kitchen island without an existing receptacle. He explains at least one receptacle is necessary for any island or peninsular countertop to be to code.

After turning off the power by flipping the switch on the main breaker, Heath uses a Non-contact voltage tester pen to ensure the wires aren't live. He suggests using painter's tape and the electrical box to create a guide to cut into the cabinetry with an oscillating multitool. Next, he uses a level to check that the electrical box is perfectly vertical. Heath uses a hand drill to screw the electrical box into place before removing the knockouts. Once the knockouts have been removed, he runs wires through the box and connects the corresponding wires leading from the outlet. Restore power after replacing the receptacle cover.

National Electrical Code 210.52(C)(2) Island and Peninsular Countertops and Work Surfaces
* One receptacle needed for first 9 square feet
* Another receptacle needed for the next 18 square feet
* A third receptacle needed for the remaining 18 square feet

Materials:

Tools:

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From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How to Install an Electrical Receptacle on a Kitchen Island | Ask This Old House

[TENTHIRTYONE]

I love when I too open up a wall in my 60 year “This Old House” and find it pre-wired for the exact project I want to complete.

[teeing]

Love how everything always goes right on "This Old House", never any issues.

[RCinginSC]

How to install an island receptacle:
Step 1: Get lucky AF and have 95% of the wiring done ahead of time.

[sinjon]

Very convenient that he happened to have the conduit and connectors he needed, also that the junction box was there

[jonrobinson]

He took an unreasonable amount of care notching out an area covered by a face plate. I'm in awe. Having said that he is an excellent teacher

[garbo]

WARNING : Going by the 2023 NEC you do not have to install a receptacle on any residential kitchen islands but have to supply a wire and box . Safety concern because too many kids & adults have got hung up on a island cord ( guess on receptacles installed on sides & not the top ). They make nice pop up receptacles that mount on top of Island counter top & dome cost less then $75.

[woodrowwilliams]

I was looking forward to seeing how this was done if there were no wires already going to the island.

[Nikodymus]

Even though it’s usually pretty easy, I love seeing these videos! They help homeowners realize that home repair is not impossible!!

[garbo]

Not required but was taught to always cut the metal jacket on type MC & AC ( Yeah BX ) at a 45 degree angle especially on steel jackets to prevent sharp edge cutting into a wire. Also when you install a wall case seems a better fit if you remove the 4 little ears on devices before securing them with the 6/32 screws.

[MechPaul]

This should be renamed, "How to install an outlet from an existing junction box". The title is misleading as it doesn't have any of the complexity of putting the cable through the floor to get to the island.

[tycobb]

I know the dialogue between the contractor and the homeowner is scripted and a little campy, but it feels wholesome. I think that’s why TOH has stayed so popular.

[bltzr]

I'm 10 years in trade, my partner asks me 'are you watching videos of your work after your work?' YES I DO :)

[victorlee]

The most difficult part is cabling between counter top and the socket on the marble wall. The cable existed already.

[MrRichardyc]

I think NEC changed the code to make outlets below countertop borderline illegal for potential burn accidents due to dangling cable from a hotpot to the outlet. Most inspectors will fail the inspection if you have a receptacle where he has it.

[danimkn]

I am living and working (as electrician) somewhere there we don't even have such boxes and same wiring code but i am still watching it, knowing i will never do it 😁

[salvadorsepulveda]

Nice job Heath, I learn something new every time. 👏

[bradpaulp]

I'm only here for the homeowners reactions when the installer asks them to use a tool they have not used before. lol. But, she seemed very happy to have her mixer on the counter now.

[Faruk]

I love how these guys only do work in a perfect world. There is a junction box with wiring already in place, how convenient.

[Chrissers]

4:21 When trying to create an even space around the box, don't use the metal tab at the top as your reference point, use the top of the box.

[DougFishercsc]

No longer allowed under the 2023 revision to the NEC.. No outlets under countertop level. Have to use a more expensive popup or build a two-level island and put it in the riser. I think a lot of builders are just omitting them, though my understanding is they are supposed to provide a feed to a junction box in the cabinet so one can be installed later, if desired.