What does the last part of this paragraph mean?

All kitchens are now required to be
supplied by two 20-amp circuits “over and
above any requirements for dedicated
outlets for stoves, etc.”

What are you quoting this from?

The two dedicated 20 amp circuits are for the counter top receptacles. The additional kitchen dedicated circuits would be for the refrigerator, built in microwave, garbage disposal/dishwasher, garbage compactor, etc…

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I’m questioning where this is from since the OP says that they’re now required. That requirement has existed in the NEC for at least 60 years.

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Stove excluded, has all other kitchen equipment such as fridge, dishwasher and microwave been required to be on a separate circuit for 60 years?

No, but the two 20 amp small appliance branch circuits have been required which seems to be what the OP is asking.

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Thanks for answering. I took the thread sideways for my edification. :smile:

No problem, the first part of the sentence just struck me as odd “All kitchens are now required to be
supplied by” because some form of this requirement has existed for decades.

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I suspect it is a NACHI course.

The refrigerator does not require a dedicated circuit unless the instructions call for it. The NEC allows it on the SABC.

A countertop microwave does not need a dedicated circuit. A cord and plug connected range hood does. A microwave hood typically calls for a dedicated circuit.

Robert, I’m curious - have we been required to have two circuits beyond the required individual ones for 60 years? I haven’t had many kitchens that need two appliance circuits, although I haven’t looked to see how many I have had. Mostly I hope to find functioning GFCI protection where close to a water source.
Come to think of it, most kitchens do have multiple GFCI circuits.

I took a quick look at the 1965 NEC and the minimum of 2-20 amp small appliance branch circuits for the kitchen were required in that code cycle. I believe that it may have been somewhere around the 1959 or 1962 NEC when they went from one 20 amp circuit to two 20 amp circuits.

I interpret that as, by modern standards, two 20-amp circuits should be provided just for the easily-reachable countertop receptacles, based upon the simple fact that most families have a tendency to run small microwaves, toasters, toaster ovens, coffee makers, blenders, and so forth, all in combination. If you only have one 20-amp circuit, a typical family might trip the breaker on a regular basis (a nuisance). I interpret the 20-amp for a bathroom the same way, people running curling irons and hair dryers at the same time.

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