I have read that kitchen appliances are supposed to have dedicated circuits in new construction, but I often find that this is not the case.
Refrigerator’s often share with one or two countertop receptacles and I often find that the dish washer and the disposal are plugged on the same breaker.
Are there exceptions to the rule, or do Kitchen appliances always need their own breaker?
[NEC 210.52(B)(1)] seems to allow the refrigerator to share with countertop receptacles if there are two different breakers for countertop receptacles. I could not find an exception for dishwashers or disposals though.
I’ve been calling out the dishwashers and disposals (in new construction) being on the same breaker but I get pushback. That’s two high amperage devices sharing a 20 amp breaker. Am I being too picky?
I often find dishwashers and disposals on a shared neutral circuit so that’s individual circuits. AFAIK refrigerators aren’t required to be on dedicated circuits. I largely stay out of the code game - especially on new construction. I inspect in multiple jurisdictions and want no part of knowing all the rules and exceptions of each. I’m there to see if it works… not redesign it. In 22+ years running a multi-inspector company I’ve had plenty of callbacks but not one about a new construction house and how anything is designed. I leave it up the tradesmen and AHJs to fight out.
Morning, Robert.
I think I spoke to fast in my last post. Isn’t the rule of, as long as the load does not exceed 80% of the circuit’s overall capacity at play?
Looking forward to your answer.
A 20 amp circuit can be loaded to 20 amps if the loads are by definition non-continuous. Both of these loads are non-continuous. A duplex receptacle is two receptacles. Each receptacle would be limited to a load of 16 amps on a 20 amp circuit or 80%.
In newer construction in my area, I will often see them plugged into a “two circuit” duplex GFCI receptacle in the cabinet under the sink with the two 20 amp breakers handle-tied in the panel.
But I would think it comes down to the rules the local AHJ has adopted.
The NEC would require two circuits if the loads added together were over 20 amps, if one of the loads exceeded 16 amps, or the equipment requires an individual branch circuit as part of the instructions that are part of the listing.
This is similar to a 20 amp laundry circuit where both the washer and dryer are on the same circuit.
I trip the receptacle to which the appliance is plugged in and go see which breaker tripped and reset it. Often I find the same breaker is tripped by more than one appliance or there are additional receptacles on the same circuit as a major appliance.
For example yesterday when inspecting the kitchen receptacles, the two outlets to the left of the Range were on the breaker labeled “Fridge” and the four receptacles to the right of the range were on the breaker labeled “Kitchen”.
Home built 2022.
