Electrical outlet above cabinets

[Forum_ghost]

Ok, So here is the back story. I am currently doing my backsplash, and decided that before i complete it, i would like to run some under cabinet LED light strips.

While thinking about what i want to do, I've decided that the best way to have this installed and looking as clean as possible is if i had a dedicated light switch at counter level that powers an outlet above the cabinets near the ceiling. my reasons for this is that you won't see the outlet from the ground, so i can simply but an LED kit and plug it in above the cabinets while having the switch turn them on and off.

now the second part to this is that i've decided that i want to turn one of my counter lever kitchen outlets into a switch by capping the neutrals, and making sure that one black wire goes in for power and one out to the outlet etc... my main questions are:

1.) is this a good idea?
2.) is it legal to have an outlet that high?
3.) is it okay to turn one of my outlets into a switch?
4.)once i do the work how easy and how much would it cost for me to have an electrician come in to validate my work so that i don't screw myself down the road?

any help/ advise would be appreciated..... Greg please feel free to chime in

[oakvillehomeowner]

sounds like a good idea to me, but why not add a switch, rather than converting an outlet? it would be a bit more work as you would have to remove the box and put a larger one in, but you should be able to tap into the adjacent outlet for power, and it would be relatively simple to fish the wire to the new switched outlet up high.

i'm pretty sure it would be legal to have an outlet that high. however, i believe the kitchen outlet spacing is governed by code, so by removing one outlet (converting to a switch) you may no longer meet that requirement.

not sure what it would cost for an electrician to come inspect - if it was less than $200 including esa permit fee i would be very surprised.

[GregS]

There is no specification for the height of an electrical outlet. We get them put in at all kinds of heights. I'm with Mike on how the kitchen can govern changing the purpose of a circuit, I recommend just calling an electrician to come in and do the job for you. It probably will be under $500.

[Forum_ghost]

Thanks for the input guys. So I've basically decided to go another route instead of adding/subtracting an outlet.

Thanks again