minimum distance between a gas cooktop and a light switch

[Will O'Neal]

I have a light switch above a gas range - is there minimum distance between the two?

Somehow the light to turn on the under cabinet lighting was placed directly above (~10 inches) the gas range. Is this a problem?

 

[homeowner in burbank]

I have a light switch above a gas range - is there minimum distance between the two?

Somehow the light to turn on the under cabinet lighting was placed directly above (~10 inches) the gas range. Is this a problem?

That is very bad form, to require a person to reach over the range to flip a switch. Whether your inspector is going to tolerate it is another question. I would hope that on sale of the house that the home inspector and buy's real estate agent would flag it.

I once relocated a switch and outlet that were just as you describe.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Will O'Neal]

Thanks for your answer. If I needed to search the electrical codes for my state on this, do you have any idea what terms I would use? I'm in Virginia.

 

[Jadnashua]

Well, think of it this way...on many ranges, the control knobs (electric and sometimes gas) are on the rear panel of the stove...IOW, you're reaching over the stove burners to turn things on, adjust, often the oven, and maybe a timer, plus maybe a lamp, and often a lot lower than 10" above the top. While maybe not the best idea to have it above the stove...it probably isn't a code violation.