Trish what you have is actually a perfectly normal situation which meets the code rules in many electrical jurisdictions.
Bc electrical code kitchen receptacles.
Once receptacles have been installed in the building and have met electrical code standards the construction company is free to use those receptacles for basic use regardless of whether or not they have gfci outlets.
Understanding the kitchen split receptacle circuit.
This directive provides clarification on the interpretation of section 26 of the bc electrical code.
For safety reasons gfci outlets are required if the receptacle is being used to give power to construction tools or equipment.
It will work either way but if you going to put a receptale below the countertop by underside or side of island the thing ya have to keep in your mind is the distance of overhang of counter.
The code doesn t require more than one receptacle outlet in an island or peninsular countertop space regardless of the length of the countertop unless the countertop is broken as described in 210 52 c 4.
However this requirement predates the requirement for counter receptacles and circuits.
No more than 12 outlets should be on a branch circuit.
A 20 amp receptacle is designed to accept the special plug on heavier use appliances and if such an appliance plugs into a 15 amp circuit there is a danger of drawing too much power and.
There is no danger to installing 15 amp outlet receptacles on a 20 amp circuit in fact this is the standard practice but under no circumstances should a 20 amp receptacle be installed on a 15 amp circuit.
This is what is known as a split receptacle kitchen circuit.
It is fed by a 2 pole 15a circuit breaker and uses 14 2 cable.
Does a receptacle on a kitchen island have to be mounted on the counter top.
Most of it however originates from people who work in the field.
These kitchen designs mean that electrical contractors need to find new ways to satisfy rule 26 712 d iii which outlines the number of receptacles needed and provides a method to determine location.
Outlets must be no more than 1 8m apart measured along the wall behind a counter top and no more than 900m from a sink stove or end point.
Electricians contractors and other industry professionals.
Or can it be on the underside of it or perhaps on the side of the island.
Each fixed kitchen island or peninsula larger than 600m x 300m requires at least one outlet 15a split or 20a t slot.
It provides instructions about the location of panelboards placement of receptacles in closets balconies and counters altering existing branch circuits and the location of outlet branch circuit type arc fault interrupters.
Electrical code basics and recommended practices for kitchen renovation often seem like pointless rules cooked up in an office boardroom as electrical code eventually does get hammered out across conference tables.