The Requirement for the Distance Between a Vanity Top and an Electrical Outlet

Installing Vanity Tops

• You should give careful consideration to the placement of the vanity to provide the correct scale for the room, as well as to avoid obstructions and allow ease of movement in the room. According to the This Old House website, the standard for vanities is between 30 and 36 inches, which gives you a choice for comfortable use of the vanity top. Generally, vanity tops have the holes already drilled for faucet and handle fixtures, which must be connected to water and drain outlets. Electrical outlets should be wired close to the vanity top to provide power for appliances.

Outlets Near Vanities

• Bathroom wiring generally includes at least one outlet near the vanity, positioned so that a cord does not drape over the basin. This provides the greatest safety. Electrical codes only require that outlets be 12 inches above the floor, but placing them too close to the sink can create a hazard. Also, electrical outlets should not be located below the level of the sink, according to ICanFixUpMyHome.com.

GFCI Outlets

• Any outlet installed within 36 inches of a sink or vanity top must have a ground fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI. This type of electrical outlet monitors the flow of electricity in the outlet and cuts off the power when a risk of shock is detected. The GFCI cut-off mechanism works very quickly, and it can protect you from serious or fatal shocks caused by touching water or a grounded metal object, such as a faucet. A GFCI outlet has a button in the center that is used to reset the outlet when it turns off. A GFCI is an inexpensive outlet that you should use to replace older outlets that do not provide this protection against shocks.

Other Electrical Requirements

• Bathroom outlets should be rated for 20 amperes of power if working on standard #12 wire. Install a sufficient number of outlets around the vanity top. You should avoid using extension cords around the hazardous conditions of bathrooms, which can easily become wet or flooded. You should have electrical wiring around vanity tops checked by an experienced electrical contractor to ensure safe operation.