Note to greg1707:
1. Under 2011 NEC, a refrigerator in a residential kitchen is not required to be GFCI protected. It can be on a SA circuit upstream from the GFCI. I think good practice is to run a separate unprotected 20 amp circuit for the refrig.
2. If you ran a 15 amp separate circuit for the refrig and it had GFCI protection, the GFCI device would be behind the refrig. I think this is a Code violation because it is not readily accessible. (if you have a GFCI breaker, that is Code legal.)
3. I think it is a bad idea to run a 15 amp circuit to two stationary appliances that are rated 11 amps and 6.7 amps. That is 17.7 amps. But it may not be a violation. There is a rule that a dedicated circuit to one appliance is limited to 50% of the circuit rating, but I do not think that applies to two appliances. (but it should)
4. If the manufacturer requires a separate 15 amp circuit, it is a Code violation to share that circuit.
5. It is not required, but I run a separate 20 amp circuit to the range hood anticipating a future MW at that location.
I suggest you return to the job, run a separate circuit to the range and remove the GFCI if it is behind the refrigerator.
Incidentally, I do not buy this "refrig are better nowadays, so put them on a GFCI." Most of them are much worse...I think you know why.
1. The refrigerator does not require GFCI. The receptacle it is plugged into may require GFCI - depends where it is located. If it also is a receptacle serving a kitchen countertop - then it must be GFCI protected. If it is located in a garage, unfinished basement, within 6 feet of a sink, then the
recepacle will require GFCI. The refrigerator itself does not require GFCI.
2. I agree.
3. The code you are looking for is 210.23(A) (1&2):
(1) Cord-and-Plug-Connected Equipment Not Fastened in Place. The rating of any one cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment not fastened in place shall not exceed 80 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating.
(2) Utilization Equipment Fastened in Place. The total rating of utilization equipment fastened in place, other than luminaires, shall not exceed 50 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating where lighting units, cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment not fastened in place, or both, are also supplied.
The 50% rule applies to
fastened in place utilization equipment that is 50% or more of the branch circuit rating.
4. I agree
5. I do not know if refrigerators are better or not than they used to be. I think they have improvements, but also have setbacks, most of which have little to do with whether or not there will be ground fault issues. I have had cases of pretty old refrigerators or freezers tripping GFCI's long ago when they are used in basements, garages, etc. but were just fine before moving them to that location. In each case there was an existing problem with the appliance, it just did not have a GFCI to expose the problem until they moved it to the garage or basement.
The appliance is most likely under warranty. Although much of what you mentioned could be inspected by an electrician, I would personally leave it to an appliance repairman.
I agree. I have also seen many appliance repairmen that think the GFCI is at fault when it trips, and I have to find the problem for them. Bottom line is they do not understand GFCI.