What Is the Code for Electrical Outlets in a Sunroom?

Receptacle Locations

Receptacles must be located in any space that is considered living space. This includes a sunroom. The outlets must be placed on any wall that is not broken. A broken wall is one that has a doorway, fireplace, sliding wall panels or floor to ceiling windows.

Floor Outlets

Floor outlets are acceptable in sunrooms if you need an outlet where there isn’t enough wall space or where you have broken wall space. The floor receptacle must be listed as a floor outlet with a cover that protects the outlet slots from dirt and debris. Floor outlets come in different shapes including round and rectangular.

Outlet Type

Outlets that you use in a sunroom and other areas of a home must be listed as tamper-resistant of 15 to 20 amps. These outlets have a spring-loaded shutter that blocks the slots from any object that isn’t supposed to be inserted in the outlet. When you plug in a two-prong plug, the spring compresses and opens the shutter blocking the prong slots. If a child would try to stick a screwdriver or other object in the outlet, the spring-loaded shutter would not compress because there is only an object in one slot. The shutter only opens when the prongs touch both slots.

Wall Space

Outlets must be placed on any wall that is at least 2 feet in length. Electrical outlets must not be more than 12 feet apart on any given wall. Outlets can be placed closer if needed. The outlets must be 15 to 48 inches off the floor, but no higher or lower than this on a sunroom wall unless you are using floor outlets.