Mounting Height For Wall Switch

Generally speaking wall switches should be about 4 inches above the countertop.

Mounting height for wall switch. 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. For unobstructed forward and side reach the federal minimum height is 15 inches and the maximum is 48 inches. The minimum allowable height according to the fair housing act is 15 inches from the floor. 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.

42 floor to bottom of light switch box some installers use 48 to the top of the box 44 to top of box for bath vanity receptacles. The electrical equipment itself may have a height that is less than 6 1 2 feet but if it is mounted so the top of the equipment is higher than 6 1 2 feet the minimum working space height shall be the equipment height. The ideal light switch height is 48 inches from the floor. 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.

For example a panelboard is installed next to a disconnect safety switch on a concrete block wall. 44 to 46 most electrical switches above floor to bottom of box. Whenever there is an obstruction such as reaching over a countertop the maximum height is reduced up to 4 inches depending on the size of obstruction. As shown in the pictures above there are varying mounting heights for switches depending on the application.

This is also true for counter top outlets in the kitchen and bathroom where switches and outlets are at the same height. When installing switches in a workshop some woodworkers put them 52 inches from the floor so they can. 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 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.

Installing electrical boxes for light switches and wall outlets installing electrical boxes for light switches the average height for light switches is 46 inches from the floor to the center of the switch box. 48 floor to center of light switch max per nfpa.