What is the minimum length of a hallway in a dwelling unit that requires a receptacle outlet?

In residential settings, the National Electrical Code (NEC) specifies that a receptacle outlet must be installed in hallways that are a certain length to ensure accessibility for plugging in devices. According to the NEC, a hallway must be at least 10 feet long to require a receptacle outlet. This requirement is established to ensure that hallways, which can sometimes be isolated from other areas of the dwelling, provide the necessary electrical access for lamps or other devices.

By specifying a minimum length of 10 feet for this requirement, the Code acknowledges that shorter hallways may not need additional outlets since they are less likely to be used for activities that would require power access. Thus, the stipulation serves to enhance safety and functionality in larger dwellings.