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IRC Section E3401 — Branch Circuits and Outlets

Updated Apr 3, 2026
Establishes outlet spacing and circuit requirements for residential buildings.

Section E3401 requires that no point of wall space is more than 6 feet from an outlet, measured horizontally. Kitchen counters require outlets at 4-foot maximum spacing. Bathrooms require minimum one outlet per sink. Outdoor outlets must have GFCI protection. Laundry areas must have dedicated circuits. Each small appliance area must have dedicated circuits.

TAGS
ircelectricalbranch-circuits
DETAILS
section
E3401
category
Electrical
code body
IRC
code year
2021
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