NEC requires dedicated circuit for fridge?

[PCustoms]

Finishing a litchen remodel, did 2 20A circuits on either side of the sink, and a dedicated 20A outlet behind the fridge. No dishwasher, garbage disposal or microwave.

Does NEC require the fridge to be dedicated?

I forgot to run a line to an in cabinet oulet to power the under cabinet lights. One (easy) option is to come off the fridge outlet box.

 

[jim111]

Fridge can be but not required to be dedicated. Other option is fridge on small appliance circuit. Neither way can under cabinet lights be added to circuit with fridge and be code compliant

 

[PCustoms]

Fridge can be but not required to be dedicated. Other option is fridge on small appliance circuit. Neither way can under cabinet lights be added to circuit with fridge and be code compliant

Ok, what makes it not compliant? I'd have a 20A circuit with 2 outlets wired with 12 AWG.

 

[jim111]

Lighting can not be on small appliance circuit

 

[PCustoms]

Lighting can not be on small appliance circuit

****, figured I was missing something. Have to figure out what to tap into I guess.

Forgot about the lights as I was buttoning up wiring and drywall prior to insulation last fall.

 

[jim111]

Any lighting circuit access or general purpose circuit would work, even going back to the panel if that's easier or closer

 

[PCustoms]

Any lighting circuit access or general purpose circuit would work, even going back to the panel if that's easier or closer

Panel is going to be easiest. All lighting circuits are on the opposite wall or run through the attic (now under 2" foam and 18" cellulose). Outlets come up from the basment below, again everything buried in sprayfoam. Literally rewired the entire house and forgot this 1 circuit!

Found some more information regarding SABC and lights, it seems legal if they are plugged in? What if the outlet is then switched?

Idea was to come off the counter outlet with a dimmer, then go up to an oulet inside the cabinet above the fridge. Dimmable Transformer is then plugged in, feeding 24v to the LED.

 

[jim111]

Not legal to dim a receptacle, but perfectly fine to plug in what you want on countertop outlet receptacle

 

[PCustoms]

Not legal to dim a receptacle, but perfectly fine to plug in what you want on countertop outlet receptacle

D'oh, knew that too! Trying to get this done in between coats of poly on the cabinets, brain is half engaged.

Got a couple options figured out, may end up using a low voltage dimmer on the output of the transformer, thanks for the help.

 

[cdestuck]

Can you cut open a square in the back of the base cabinet and drywall to fish up a wire

 

[PCustoms]

Can you cut open a square in the back of the base cabinet and drywall to fish up a wire

Yes, sort of.

See posts above, can't tie direct to the SABC. Need to dig out the sketches I did when I fished all the new wires and see if I can tap into the box on the backside of the wall.

If not, I can either do a home run to the panel (seems a waste for a couple watts of LED) or tie into an existing outlet and use a lug in transformer with a remote mounted 24v dimmer.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Fridge can be but not required to be dedicated. Other option is fridge on small appliance circuit. Neither way can under cabinet lights be added to circuit with fridge and be code compliant

If the fridge outlet is dedicated and NOT on SAB circuits, then what code forbids him from putting his under cabinet lighting on the dedicated fridge circuit?

 

[mikegt4]

If the fridge outlet is dedicated and NOT on SAB circuits, then what code forbids him from putting his under cabinet lighting on the dedicated fridge circuit?

The word "dedicated".

 

[mm08822]

210.52(B) (1) exception 2.....if refrigeration equipment is not included on sabc's, then an individual bc is permitted for it.
"Individual bc" meaning only a single load served by it.

 

[mm08822]

Lighting can not be on small appliance circuit

This is correct, but in OP's case, the fridge ckt is not a sabc. It is on a dedicated branch circuit.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

210.50(B) (1) exception 2.....if refrigeration equipment is not included on sabc's, then an individual bc is permitted for it.
"Individual bc" meaning only a single load served by it.

Is there a specific code that mandates that only a single load can be on an individual BC?

 

[mm08822]

The exception noted (210.52 b1 e2) specifies an individual branch ckt is required for refrigeration equipment if not placed on a sabc.

The definition of a "branch ckt, individual" in art 100 is "a branch ckt that supplies only one utilization equipment."

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The exception noted (210.52 b1 e2) noted specifies an individual branch ckt is required for refrigeration equipment if not placed on a sabc.

The definition of a branch ckt in art 100 is "a branch ckt that supplies only one utilization equipment."

Thanks. I was looking at the wrong definition- branch circuit vs individual BC.

 

[mm08822]

The exception noted (210.52 b1 e2) specifies an individual branch ckt is required for refrigeration equipment if not placed on a sabc.

The definition of a "branch ckt, individual" in art 100 is "a branch ckt that supplies only one utilization equipment."

The context of this requirement is for small appliances located in a kitchen, pantry, dining room, or similar area of a dwelling unit - the primary food prep/consumption areas in a dwelling.


Garages, basements, bar areas, decks, pool house, etc. where a secondary refrigerator is used could follow the 80% max rule of a load on a general purpose branch ckt.

 

[ddawg16]

What is the latest word on AFCI's/GFCI's and the Fridge ckt?

I ran a dedicated 20A to my fridge last year when I did my kitchen 'redux'....inspector never asked about it. He did check all of my counter top ckts but never asked about AFCI. (plenty of GFCI protection already)

Personally, I don't want an AFCI or GFCI having a false trip on the Fridge ckt. Which is one of the reasons I like it being on it's own dedicated ckt.

 

[mm08822]

If the frige recept is located such that it can not serve the countertop, then it is exempted from requiring gfci protection.

 

[jim111]

If the frige recept is located such that it can not serve the countertop, then it is exempted from requiring gfci protection.

That is correct, however it is required to be arc fault protected under current NEC

 

[mm08822]

That is correct, however it is required to be arc fault protected under current NEC

Agreed, and if locally adopted.