Can you put the outlet below the window?

It's hard to imagine that the four 2x4's around the window can't be cut down. Since you're down to studs anyway, can't you cut out for the outlet box, and frame above and below it? That would seem to be simplest way to meet the code requirement. I'd hate to cut into the china cabinet.

I would go for the electrician's idea. If there are 4 2x4's, only two are needed for structural purposes (most likely). Often extra wood will be added in a window opening to fill space when the window was installed if it wasn't sized perfectly to the opening.

Cutting into the 2x4 would be my preference but the KC will not do it. He says the inspector will call him on it, and he won't take responsibility.

The idea of mounting the outlet sideways behind the sink and under the window was mentioned. Somehow the idea of one outlet mounted sideways when all the others are right side up bothered me. Not sure.

Having an outlet in the cabinet side wouldn't bother me, but if you really don't want or need it there ... can you do option #2, but put the outlet in the cupboard section, instead of the drawer section, and use a 'sacrificial' fake cabinet skin (cheap beadboard or a scrap of something). After the inspection, remove the outlet as you planned in option #4, remove the fake skin, then install/reinstall the real cabinet panel?

Does your local code allow a popup electrical socket, per NEC 2011?

[Eclectic Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2104) by Mountain View General Contractor Harrell Remodeling

[Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Denver Design-build Design Platform

I think this is the type of thing that seems very serious when considered in isolation . . . but when you look at the entire room, finished and decorated . . . it's not such a big deal.

The space is 15" from sink edge to cupboard edge, sadly. Now I'm wishing I'd ordered a bigger sink! Ha.

I did consider ordering an extra applied panel for the right side of the china, and patching the inside of the cab after the electrical box came out. But I think, honestly, that a tile patch will be cheaper. If I go with that option, I will have the tile guy cut tile to fit both scenarios when he comes the first time. Then he won't have to drag out all his equipment to chisel out the cut tile and apply the solid tile. Or -- remarkable thought -- I might be able to do it myself. I once tiled and grouted my own kitchen floor and countertop back when that sort of thing was popular and my knees weren't arthritic.

And -- yes, it is always a possibility -- that the outlet won't look as crappy as I think. I guess I could put a vase in that corner and keep it filled with eucalyptus or gladioli.

Ya know, I'm normally very pro-inspection, and I think these laws pertaining to building code really do matter. I don't even run yellow lights, for heaven's sake. But in a case like this, a reasonable homeowner ought to get a little leeway.

Mrs Pete, I hope you are right. I kind of think you might be. I think it will depend on how the plate looks on the tile. How it looks when the light hits it, etc.

Oh, I LOVE those pop-up sockets!!!!

"If you use a shallow work box"

You will likely exceed box fill limits.

If only two studs are required, pull out the extras.

Make SURE they are extra and not part of a local requirement.

Minimum box fill is 2 for receptacle, + 1 for grounds + 1 for hot + 1 for neutral = 5 #12 wires and you need to use a separate outside cable clamp.
Inside cable clamps = +1

This post was edited by brickeyee on Wed, May 1, 13 at 13:43

What about a Sillite?

Just did one of these as LWO suggests, horizontal in a shallow box, had a matching cover plate from cabinet company- the drawer box did not need to be notched
and it fit wires without issue.

Would using Silllites provide any help? I've seen others use them in islands or window trim. It's a single round socket which is installed in a minimal depth of wood. I plan to use these for my island, and possibly the window if required by code (due to enlarged counter-height window).

http://www.silllites.com/photos.php

It may not help in your situation however.

This post was edited by seosmp on Wed, May 1, 13 at 14:43

seosmp, THANK you. Have shown the electrician your link and he says it should work. Have fired off an email to the KC. I would mount the thing in the lower most corner of the applied panel, all the way to the rear. I hope that will work.

Will the electrial code allow for the plug to be placed in a drawer? I thought there was an exception in the code that allowed for a receptacle to be placed below the countertop if there was no space for it on the wall ... ?

Sure - hopefully it will work out!

Angie_DIY - I see we had the same thought! I did not see your post before posting my message :).

Can you place the outlet below the sink, on the back of the sink cupboard wall? That's how it was done in my current house to meet local inspector's code; don't know if this is universally applicable. (It's a quad outlet so there are still 3 open receptacle slots after garbage disposal is plugged in.)

I used sillites and checked with my municipality's electrical inspector beforehand to make sure my applications followed code.

One I set into the end of a stud wall behind my fridge to avoid placing it smack dab in the middle of my peninsula's end panel, ugly for the whole world to see. (It still needed a longer screw to pull it tightly in when I took this pic.)

I used another at the back of my island to satisfy code for outlets on both sides of my island's prep sink.

The footprint is much smaller than a duplex outlet, and works well for when code dictates an outlet but you don't want to use a large, duplex outlet for aesthetic reasons. Code can be so frustrating sometimes!

Circuspeanut, I asked that but they said no. I was agreeable to have one inside the cab, even, but they said no.

Breezy, those look amazing! I am going to put one in my prep island instead of a duplex.

I wonder, honestly, that people don't use them more in backspashes. I use only about 25% of the outlets I have now. If I had just one little circle every few feet, and the GFIs interspersed appropriately, I would be a happy camper and just slap the painted covers on until needed.

Well, sillites aren't cheap, and folks are used to the traditional duplex.

Another electrical tip from an "I hate electrical code" person. Put your GFI outlets upstream of your backsplash outlets so you don't have to install those ugly monsters so visibly. I hid mine in my pantry. They meet code for protecting the rest of the kitchen and are invisible. Granted, I didn't need two GFI duplexes in my pantry, but it was a small price to pay, IMHO.

breezygirl - you can actually get GFI breakers and have all normal outlets.

I'd apply for a variance on the grounds of the 4 2x4s.

Just because they are anal about procedures doesn't mean they won't grant a variance--it usually just means that they need the application in triplicate and a good reason (which you have).

Or if it's not too late, I'd make the china cabinet just enough wider that the counter run wasn't enough to require an outlet.

I was just watching an episode of This Old House online, and saw an idea that you might be able to use.

Here is a link that might be useful: look at 5:45

Seosmp, that is okay. It appears the OP did not see my message either! Glad it will work out.