Renovating your kitchen: the electrical work to plan before opening the walls

Kitchen rules at a glance

The counter

How many outlets

Along the wall behind the work surfaces, no point may be more than 900 mm from an outlet. An isolated work surface longer than 300 mm, squeezed between the range and the fridge for example, needs its own outlet.

At least two circuits

Counter outlets are fed by at least two circuits, each feeding no more than two outlets, and no other outlet connects to them. The Code provides two methods: 15 A split outlets, fed by a multi-wire circuit, or 20 A T-slot outlets, on 20 A circuits. If only one outlet is required, one circuit is enough.

Island and peninsula

A fixed island needs at least one outlet. So does a peninsula, unless the wall next to where it connects already has one.

GFCI near the sink

Ordinary outlets (5-15R and 5-20R) within 1.5 m of the sink are protected by a Class A GFCI. An outlet behind an appliance (fridge, dishwasher, range, garbage disposal, built-in microwave) doesn’t need it if its location makes it inaccessible for a portable appliance.

Appliances

Fridge and microwave

• One outlet for each refrigerator, on a circuit dedicated to it, protected by a breaker rated no higher than the outlet.
• The microwave has its own circuit.

Cabinets

As a rule, no outlet inside a cabinet: an appliance plugged in behind a closed door is a fire risk. The exception: the appliance meant to be there (microwave, cord-connected dishwasher, garbage disposal, inline water heater). Otherwise the outlet must stay de-energized unless the door is fully open.

The range

A removable electric range with a load of 50 A or less plugs into a 14-50R outlet, and a circuit of at least 40 A can supply it. The circuit is sized from its nameplate. The RBQ’s example:

In the house’s load calculation, a range counts as 6,000 W plus 40% of anything over 12 kW. Switching to induction? LogisVert pays $250 for an eligible complete new range; we check the circuit before you buy.

Open-concept kitchens

According to the RBQ, for these rules the kitchen extends no more than 1.8 m from any counter, islands included. Beyond that, outlets follow the rules for other rooms.

Arc-fault, tamper-resistant and neutral

• Arc-fault: 125 V outlet circuits of 20 A or less in a dwelling are arc-fault protected, with no more than 10 outlets per circuit. The Code provides exceptions, notably for counter and fridge outlets.
• Tamper-resistant: tamper-resistant outlets in the dwelling, where the Code requires them.
• A neutral at every switch, new in the 2026 Code: every switch location controlling a fixed light fixture must have a neutral conductor. Electronic dimmers, occupancy sensors and smart switches need it.
• The range and the charger: the 2026 Code clearly frames sharing; an EV charger can share the range circuit through a switching device that feeds it only when the range uses little power. It is all explained in our garage guide.

Lighting

Pot lights in contact with insulation or combustible materials must be approved for that use, IC-rated. LED pot lights are planned with their switches, under-cabinet lights included.

Before opening the walls

1. The plan: we place outlets, circuits and fixtures according to your cabinet and appliance layout.
2. The panel: we check there is space for the new circuits.
3. The load calculation: if you add an induction range, a wall oven or a dishwasher.
4. The work: before the drywall, then the finishing after the cabinets and backsplash.

According to the RBQ, this work must be done by a contractor holding the appropriate licence, even in your own home.

With LTE Électrique

• We draw up this plan with you at the estimate, free and within 24 hours.
• Price announced in advance, fixed or hourly depending on the project; anything unexpected is done only with your approval.
• Drop cloths, shoe covers and a clean site: your kitchen job stays a clean job.
• 2-year labour warranty.