Wall Socket and switch are part of decoration when you buy a new house in New York, US. But how many qty is suitable for a new house?
That's a great question, and the number of sockets and switches required in a new house in New York, US, is based on the National Electrical Code (NEC), which is adopted by New York State, as well as local amendments.
There is no single "total number," as it depends entirely on the size and layout of your house, but the code specifies minimum spacing requirements for safety and functionality.
Here are the key minimum requirements for receptacles (sockets/outlets) and switches in a new dwelling:
Minimum Quantity Requirements for Electrical Outlet (Receptacle)
The NEC follows a "6-foot rule" for general living spaces (like bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, dens, etc.) to prevent the use of long extension cords
| Area | Minimum Requirement | Key Details |
| General Habitable Rooms | Receptacles must be placed so that no point along the floor line of any wall space is more than 6 feet (1.8 meters) from a receptacle outlet. | This essentially means outlets must be spaced no more than 12 feet apart. Any wall space 2 feet or more in width must have an outlet. |
| Kitchen Countertops | Must be placed so that no point along the wall countertop is more than 24 inches (600mm) from a receptacle. | This means spacing must be no more than 4 feet apart. Any section of countertop 12 inches or wider must have an outlet. Kitchens also require at least two 20-amp small-appliance branch circuits to power these outlets. |
| Bathrooms | At least one 20-amp receptacle outlet must be installed within 3 feet of the outside edge of each sink basin. | GFCI protection (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter) is required for all bathroom receptacles. |
| Hallways | At least one receptacle is required for hallways that are 10 feet or longer. | |
| Laundry Areas | At least one 20-amp branch circuit receptacle outlet must be provided for the laundry equipment. | GFCI protection is also required for laundry area receptacles. |
| Garage | At least one receptacle in each vehicle bay and at least one switched lighting outlet. | All receptacles must have GFCI protection. |
| Outdoors | At least one receptacle at the front and back of the house, readily accessible from grade level. | All exterior receptacles must be GFCI protected and weather-resistant (WR). |
| Basements (Unfinished) | At least one receptacle in each separate unfinished portion. | Must be GFCI protected. |
Minimum quantity Requirements for Switch
| Area | Minimum Requirement | Key Details |
| General Rooms | At least one wall switch near the point of entry to control lighting. | This can control a permanent ceiling/wall light fixture or a receptacle for plugging in a lamp. |
| Stairways | Requires 3-way switches at the top and bottom of each flight of stairs. | This allows the light to be turned on or off from either end. |
| Garages | At least one switched lighting outlet. | |
| Attics/Crawlspaces | Must have a switched lighting outlet if used for storage or containing equipment (like a furnace). |
Important Considerations for NY:
Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI): In NY, new construction and certain renovations require AFCI protection for almost all 15- and 20-amp branch circuits that supply outlets in living areas (bedrooms, living rooms, etc.) to protect against electrical fires from arcing.
Tamper-Resistant (TR) Receptacles: These are typically required in all accessible areas of a dwelling unit to prevent objects from being inserted into the slots.4
Local Code Amendments: While the NEC is the baseline, specific cities or counties in NY (like NYC, which has its own electrical code) may have slightly different or stricter requirements. Always check with your local building department or a licensed electrician.
For the most accurate and safe plan, you should consult with a licensed New York electrician or electrical engineer who is familiar with the current local building and electrical codes in your specific county or municipality.
Would you like me to search for the contact information for a building or code enforcement office in a specific county in New York to help you get started?