NEC and a Kitchen

[sands35]

I have a long term project to untangle the work of a couple generation of previous owners.

Specifically in the kitchen.

There are five separate countertop receptacle circuits. Each serves a separate "logical" counter space, even though some counters are "L" shaped.

Two circuits are "pure" and only serve receptacles (CAFI breaker and gfci outlets, etc.)

One circuit also serves lights over the sink in addition to recepticles. Major ripout to separate as that is an exterior wall, tiled and counter under it. Apparently done during a re-model. (I have not called the AHJ to pull prior permits.)

One circuit serves a hard wired exhaust hood in addition to recepticles. The only NEC requirements I can find are for plugged hoods where the receptacle needs a separate circuit, but no mention of hard-wired.

One circuit serves under-cabinet lights in addition to recepticles. I can probably wire the lights to another outlet on the other side of the wall.

I have no issues with tripping breakers despite using higher draw appliances (hot water boiler, coffee maker, toaster, mixer, etc.)

Questions:

• Do I need to re-wire the hood to another (lighting?) circuit?
• Do I need to re-wire the under-cab and sink lights?
• Or, since I have two circuits (NEC minimum) can I side-step this?

 

[ard]

I see zero issues here with moving on. HOWEVER, I am not an expert...will be interested to hear.

I suppose one might want to know what version of NEC is applicable to your current wiring. (Not if you were to install today, but what was applicable when it was installed...)

 

[sands35]

2014 is the current code revision where I live.

Not sure when the work was done and what code rev it was done under, if it was even done under permit.

 

[jim111]

Regardless of how many sabc's you have, you can't have lighting and vent hoods on any of them according to code. That being said, if everything works without problems, I wouldn't worry about it. If in the future you do any remodeling, you could address those things at that time if you so choose.

 

[sberry]

You need 2 dedicated circuits to the counter tops, after that it doesn't much matter how you do it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You need 2 dedicated circuits to the counter tops, after that it doesn't much matter how you do it.

I am not certain it is specified in the NEC but one circuit should be on the left side of the sink and one on the right side. It is permissible to have more than one receptacle as long as they are all on the left or right side. Again, I don't know if this is code, but I would recommend that those be 20A circuits.

In general, "best practice" is to separate all lighting circuits from all receptacles. That way if an appliance plugged into a receptacle causes a breaker to trip, you are not in the dark !

 

[Norcal]

I am not certain it is specified in the NEC but one circuit should be on the left side of the sink and one on the right side. It is permissible to have more than one receptacle as long as they are all on the left or right side. Again, I don't know if this is code, but I would recommend that those be 20A circuits.

[I]Have no fear, it's not in the NEC.[/I]


In general, "best practice" is to separate all light ing circuits from all receptacles. That way if an appliance plugged into a receptacle causes a breaker to trip, you are not in the dark !

Other then a clock, or power for the lights & controls of a gas range, nothing else is permitted on the 2 required small appliance branch circuits.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Other then a clock, or power for the lights & controls of a gas range, nothing else is permitted on the 2 required small appliance branch circuits.

You are the first person who I have ever heard say that ! Most "experts" kept insisting a gas range could not be on the small appliance branch circuit.

What about a microwave/hood/light unit on the small appliance branch circuit ?

 

[ard]

Not to complicate the conversation but ...

code requires a minimum of 2 SABCs, with speciifc limits on what else they can power.

HOWEVER, (it seems from research) that if there is a third circuit, and it in fact provides for any of the required receptacles in the kitchen (along the counter) then that circuit become a SABC, subject to the same restrictions of the first 2 SABCs.

No?

 

[Norcal]

You are the first person who I have ever heard say that ! Most "experts" kept insisting a gas range could not be on the small appliance branch circuit.

What about a microwave/hood/light unit on the small appliance branch circuit ?

Nope, not permitted. I listed what was allowed in my last post.

 

[sands35]

Nothing else on the 2 required makes some sense. It's not hard to find small appliances that can pull ~1200 watts.

I suppose it comes down to the other 3 that I have. Two I can fix and bring up to current code. One is a major pain, so I'll leave that one alone unless the inspector makes me change it. I guess my excuse would be that the lights that are connected to that outlet are secondary and not likely to be used alone. That particular counter space is too big for me to take out the outlet, so I can't side-step it that way.

 

[sands35]

Nothing else on the 2 required makes some sense. It's not hard to find small appliances that can pull ~1200 watts.

I suppose it comes down to the other 3 that I have. Two I can fix and bring up to current code. One is a major pain, so I'll leave that one alone unless the inspector makes me change it. I guess my excuse would be that the lights that are connected to that outlet are secondary and not likely to be used alone. That particular counter space is too big for me to take out the outlet, so I can't side-step it that way.

 

[jim111]

Not to complicate the conversation but ...

code requires a minimum of 2 SABCs, with speciifc limits on what else they can power.

HOWEVER, (it seems from research) that if there is a third circuit, and it in fact provides for any of the required receptacles in the kitchen (along the counter) then that circuit become a SABC, subject to the same restrictions of the first 2 SABCs.

No?

You are correct Ard

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

You are the first person who I have ever heard say that ! Most "experts" kept insisting a gas range could not be on the small appliance branch circuit.

What about a microwave/hood/light unit on the small appliance branch circuit ?

Microwave should be on its own circuit.

 

[ard]

You are correct Ard

As was your post well before mine.

This is an odd issue, that ive seen discussed before- and some inspectors just blow by it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Microwave should be on its own circuit.

How about a gas range on that same circuit. The only load will be the igniter, a light or 2 and a clock/timer.

 

[sands35]

A gas range can be on a SABC (along with a plug in clock). Gas ranges only draw low amps for the igniters.

 

[sands35]

Not to complicate the conversation but ...

code requires a minimum of 2 SABCs, with speciifc limits on what else they can power.

HOWEVER, (it seems from research) that if there is a third circuit, and it in fact provides for any of the required receptacles in the kitchen (along the counter) then that circuit become a SABC, subject to the same restrictions of the first 2 SABCs.

No?

That's the way I read it too. If it's an outlet in the kitchen serving a counter-top, it's a SABC and it doesn't matter if there are 2 or 10 circuits, they are all to be treated as SABCs.

The part that's easy to forget is that dining and eat-in areas will have outlets and those are SABCs too (people will use a high watt hot plate or crock pot in the dining room). So those can't share the circuit with outlets or lights. So that outlet on the other side of a shared wall that isn't in the kitchen or dining area is a no-no as well as sharing with the lights. (there is an exception for switched outlets - since those are typically used as lighting circuits, they can be non-SABCs, rated at 15 amps circuits, and shared with the lights.)

I did read someplace that there is a six foot rule for outlets *just* outside the dining/kitchen area - those are to be considered SABCs too?

 

[checkthisout]

That's the way I read it too. If it's an outlet in the kitchen serving a counter-top, it's a SABC and it doesn't matter if there are 2 or 10 circuits, they are all to be treated as SABCs.

The part that's easy to forget is that dining and eat-in areas will have outlets and those are SABCs too (people will use a high watt hot plate or crock pot in the dining room). So those can't share the circuit with outlets or lights. So that outlet on the other side of a shared wall that isn't in the kitchen or dining area is a no-no as well as sharing with the lights. (there is an exception for switched outlets - since those are typically used as lighting circuits, they can be non-SABCs, rated at 15 amps circuits, and shared with the lights.)

I did read someplace that there is a six foot rule for outlets *just* outside the dining/kitchen area - those are to be considered SABCs too?

Come on guys, google is your friend.

The two or more 20A, 120V small-appliance branch circuits serving the kitchen, dining room, and similar areas [210.11(C)(1)] must serve all wall, floor and countertop receptacles [210.52(B)(1) and (2)] and the receptacle for refrigeration equipment.

These circuits cannot supply the outlets for luminaires or appliances, but exceptions to this section allow the small appliance circuits to serve clocks and gas-fired ranges, ovens, or counter-mounted cooking units [210.52(B)(2)]. You can supply the refrigeration equipment receptacle from an individual branch circuit rated 15A or greater [210.52(B)(1) Ex 2].

Kitchen countertop receptacles, as required by 210.52(C), must be supplied by at least two 20A, 120V small-appliance branch circuits [210.11(C)(1)]. Either or both can supply receptacle outlets in the same kitchen and in other rooms allowed to be served by the small appliance branch circuits [210.52(B)(1)].

 

[checkthisout]

To summarize, the kitchen and dining area need 2 20 amp circuits serving the receptacles.

Dishwashers, range hoods and fans, microwaves, trash compactors, refrigerator etc all need seperate circuits.

 

[Zeke]

To summarize, the kitchen and dining area need 2 20 amp circuits serving the receptacles.

Dishwashers, range hoods and fans, microwaves, trash compactors, refrigerator etc all need seperate circuits.

Right, and add one more for the garbage disposer.

 

[sands35]

Come on guys, google is your friend.

The two or more 20A, 120V small-appliance branch circuits serving the kitchen, dining room, and similar areas [210.11(C)(1)] must serve all wall, floor and countertop receptacles [210.52(B)(1) and (2)] and the receptacle for refrigeration equipment.

These circuits cannot supply the outlets for luminaires or appliances, but exceptions to this section allow the small appliance circuits to serve clocks and gas-fired ranges, ovens, or counter-mounted cooking units [210.52(B)(2)]. You can supply the refrigeration equipment receptacle from an individual branch circuit rated 15A or greater [210.52(B)(1) Ex 2].

Kitchen countertop receptacles, as required by 210.52(C), must be supplied by at least two 20A, 120V small-appliance branch circuits [210.11(C)(1)]. Either or both can supply receptacle outlets in the same kitchen and in other rooms allowed to be served by the small appliance branch circuits [210.52(B)(1)].

To summarize, the kitchen and dining area need 2 20 amp circuits serving the receptacles.

Dishwashers, range hoods and fans, microwaves, trash compactors, refrigerator etc all need separate circuits.

Fridge equipment is an allowed exception on a SABC, but separate is OK.

Google works for that.

 

[checkthisout]

Fridge equipment is an allowed exception on a SABC, but separate is OK.

Google works for that.

Har. Most all refrigerators manuals specify a dedicated 15 amp circuit.

Manufacturers installation instructions supersede any NEC rules.

To wit: GE and Hotpoint refrigerators, compact refrigerators, wine chillers, beverage centers, and standalone icemakers:

Requires a 120 volt individual, properly grounded branch circuit with a 3 prong grounding type receptacle, protected by a 15 or 20 amp circuit breaker or time-delay fuse.
Should be on a dedicated circuit. This is recommended for best performance and to prevent overloading house wiring circuits.

 

[ddawg16]

There is one advantage of putting the fridge on it's own ckt....

less chance of killing power to the fridge if you plug in something else and trip the breaker.

My Fridge is on it's own breaker.

My kitchen has 3 dedicated 20A ckts.

The Microwave 'used' to have it's own ckt....but my new oven also has a microwave. So that outlet now powers the garbage disposal.