What Is A Small Appliance Circuit?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The dedicated small-appliance branch circuits are exclusively

used for the kitchen wall and countertop receptacles

and the ancillary areas and must not be used to supply lighting loads or any other non-kitchen areas.

How many outlets can go on a small appliance circuit?

Although there is no maximum number of small-appliance branch circuits, there is a minimum. In accordance with 210.11(C)(1),

at least two 20A small-appliance branch circuits

must be provided for all receptacle outlets required by 210.52(B).

Can a dishwasher be on a small appliance circuit?

A kitchen requires minimum of two 20-amp small appliance circuits, and they must be GFCI-protected. … A

dishwasher and disposal can share a single circuit

, but only if the combined rating of the two appliances does not exceed the circuit amperage rating.

Can a refrigerator be on a small appliance circuit?

2 Answers. In the US, under the NEC, a

residential kitchen fridge is not required to be on a dedicated circuit

. It is certainly a good idea and best practice, but not a requirement. A fridge can be on one of the minimum two required “small appliance branch circuits”.

Can a microwave be on small appliance circuit?

A portable trash compactor, dishwasher

and microwave are legal to plug in to the small appliance circuits

. put them in a cabinet and they are not.

How many outlets can you run off a 20 amp breaker?

The answer to the question how many outlets on a 20 amp circuit is

ten outlets

. Always comply with the 80% circuit and breaker load rule, allowing a maximum load of 1.5 amps per receptacle. Remember that your circuit, wire sizes, and outlets must be compatible to avoid overheating and electrical hazards.

Can two circuits go on one breaker?

What Is a double tap? If your home has a double tapped circuit breaker, this means that

two wires (conductors) are connected to one specific circuit breaker

or one terminal on the same circuit breaker. You may also hear this condition referred to as a “double lug.”

What appliances need a dedicated circuit?

  • Electric oven, stove, or range.
  • Refrigerator.
  • Stand-alone freezer or chest freezer.
  • Dishwasher.
  • Microwave.
  • Garbage disposal.
  • Toaster oven.
  • Countertop convection oven.

Does dishwasher have to be on its own circuit?

Because of the power it needs,

a dishwasher should always have its own circuit

, separate from the two individual appliance circuits that are often positioned above your countertop. … You can feed the dishwasher a 20-amp circuit with a ground. This will mean running cable from the breaker box to the dishwasher.

What appliances require a 20 amp circuit?

A 20-amp circuit is used to power appliances like

microwave ovens, toasters

, as well as blenders.

Does a refrigerator need a separate circuit?


Having the refrigerator on its own dedicated circuit

is the recommended best practice for homeowners. … You should have refrigerators and freezers installed on a 15-20 amp dedicated 120 volt circuit. This will avoid an electrical overload due to your current wiring not being capable of handling the additional power.

Does a refrigerator require a 20 amp circuit?

Refrigerator Circuit

A modern refrigerator requires a

dedicated 20-amp, 120/125-volt circuit

. You may currently have a smaller refrigerator plugged into a general lighting circuit, but during any major remodeling, a dedicated 120/125-volt circuit for the refrigerator should be installed.

Can fridge and microwave be on same circuit?


There is no way to power a refrigerator and microwave on the same circuit

. … The 2020 version of the NEC states that you can’t power a microwave and refrigerator on the same circuit because each of these appliances requires a dedicated circuit.

Do I need a separate circuit for a microwave?

Microwave ovens often demand dedicated circuitry, but this isn’t always a necessity. The National Electrical Code requires it for all fixed equipment, so

a circuit must be set aside for any built-in oven

. Small or older countertop models draw less power than modern full-size units.

What is considered a small-appliance load?

Small appliance loads

Small appliance circuits are calculated at

1,500 VA each

. Therefore, 4,500 VA is added to the general lighting load. These outlets are not to be connected to the circuits supplied by the general-purpose or special ap-pliance circuits.

Can garbage disposal be on small-appliance circuit?

Section 210.52(B)(1) requires that all 15 and 20 ampere 125 volt receptacles in the rooms specified must be supplied by 20 ampere small appliance branch circuits. Receptacles used for dishwashers and waste disposals would likely be in those rooms.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.