In bathrooms, at least one receptacle outlet must be located within how many inches of each lavatory basin?

For bathroom installations, the National Electrical Code (NEC) mandates that at least one receptacle outlet must be located within a specified distance of the lavatory basin to ensure convenience and safety for users. The requirement of having a receptacle outlet within 36 inches of the lavatory basin helps facilitate the use of electrical appliances such as hair dryers or electric shavers, which are commonly used in bathrooms. This distance is measured horizontally and ensures that any electrical equipment can be easily accessed without the need to extend cords across wet areas, thereby reducing the risk of electrical shock.

The choice of 36 inches balances user accessibility with safety considerations associated with electrical devices near water sources, a crucial factor in bathroom design. Other distances, such as the options of 30, 42, or 48 inches, are not compliant with the NEC standards and do not provide the optimal combination of accessibility and safety that the 36-inch requirement ensures.