Wiring Kitchen Appliances

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jeff48356

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Livonia, Michigan
If I wire each of these appliances to their own dedicated circuit, can the garbage disposal and dishwasher be on 15-amp circuits? They don't draw even anywhere near 15 amps during operation. In fact, the power supply wires inside the units are typically 16 or 18AWG.

I realize that microwaves and refrigerators need 20-amp dedicated circuits, though, due to greater energy consumption.
 
jeff48356 said:
If I wire each of these appliances to their own dedicated circuit, can the garbage disposal and dishwasher be on 15-amp circuits? They don't draw even anywhere near 15 amps during operation. In fact, the power supply wires inside the units are typically 16 or 18AWG.
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Yes, if not over 15 amp. The wiring in the equipment does not have a direct correlation to the circuit size.

I realize that microwaves and refrigerators need 20-amp dedicated circuits, though, due to greater energy consumption.
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Receptacles intended to serve residential couter-top surfaces must be on 20 a SAB circuits. Refrigerators specifically can be on 15a 210.52(B)(1) Exception 2.
Needn't be an individual circuit, though, neither must a microwave be, depending on load.
 
jeff48356 said:
If I wire each of these appliances to their own dedicated circuit, can the garbage disposal and dishwasher be on 15-amp circuits? They don't draw even anywhere near 15 amps during operation. In fact, the power supply wires inside the units are typically 16 or 18AWG.

I realize that microwaves and refrigerators need 20-amp dedicated circuits, though, due to greater energy consumption.
Click to expand...

Yes, garbage disposals and dishwashers may be installed on 15 amp dedicated circuits provided that the appliance doesn't draw more than 15 amps.

Many time you could install both the garbage disposal and the dishwasher on the same circuit provied that the circuit meets the requirements of 210.23(A).

Chris
 
Volta said:
Receptacles intended to serve residential couter-top surfaces must be on 20 a SAB circuits. Refrigerators specifically can be on 15a 210.52(B)(1) Exception 2.
Needn't be an individual circuit, though, neither must a microwave be, depending on load.
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Cord and plug connect microwaves/ rangehoods that are installed above a range must be installed on an individual branch. See 422.16(B)(4)(5).

Chris
 
Smaller disposals, I put on their own 15 amp circuit. Dishwashers, I put on a seperate 20 amp. The inspector in this area checks to see what the manufacturer recommends.
 
sticko said:
The inspector in this area checks to see what the manufacturer recommends.
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Do they enforce what the manufacture recommends or requires?

I don't see how an inspector can enforce what a manufacture recommends. If it is in fact an installation requirement, then there would be grounds to require it. (110.3(B))

Chris
 
raider1 said:
Cord and plug connect microwaves/ rangehoods that are installed above a range must be installed on an individual branch. See 422.16(B)(4)(5).

Chris
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Good point. While the OP didn't mention the hood combo, any with a plug (all that I've seen) would need to comply. Thanks.

I would like to add that while a refrigerator or non-hood microwave may not necessarily require individual circuits, IMO it is always wise in both instances.
 
jeff48356 said:
If I wire each of these appliances to their own dedicated circuit, can the garbage disposal and dishwasher be on 15-amp circuits? They don't draw even anywhere near 15 amps during operation. In fact, the power supply wires inside the units are typically 16 or 18AWG.

I realize that microwaves and refrigerators need 20-amp dedicated circuits, though, due to greater energy consumption.
Click to expand...

The microwave and refridge can be on dedicated 15 a ckts
 
wiring kitchen appliances

wiring kitchen appliances

I thought the dishwasher and the microwave and the refrigerator had to be on their own circuit. Also I thought that the dishwasher and the microwave had to be 20amp, but after reading everyones posts, the manufacturers nameplate will determine if its 15 or 20. Is that correct?
Thanks
Joe
 
Name plate data will tell you the current draw of a unit. Just because you can put two appliances under the same circuit capacity wise doesn't mean the manufacturers warrenty will be valid if you do. Many new appliances will state that to be installed correctly they require a seperate circuit and if you do not the warrenty is no longer valid. Just because you met the minimum standards required by code doesn't get you far enough sometimes. I don't think many homeowners are informed enough about this when they see bids and are choosing the cheapest ones instead of looking at the breakdowns and try to compare apples to apples.
We are installing a Kholer computer controlled shower system in a home, the total draw of the solinoid control system is no more than 2.5 amps but the literature directly espresses that it needs to be on it's own circuit.
For that example, as a homeowner I think it would be pretty tough to risk a few thousand dollar investment by voiding the warrenty because you didn't want to spend the money on a seperate circuit.
 
alfiesauce said:
Name plate data will tell you the current draw of a unit. Just because you can put two appliances under the same circuit capacity wise doesn't mean the manufacturers warrenty will be valid if you do. Many new appliances will state that to be installed correctly they require a seperate circuit and if you do not the warrenty is no longer valid. Just because you met the minimum standards required by code doesn't get you far enough sometimes. I don't think many homeowners are informed enough about this when they see bids and are choosing the cheapest ones instead of looking at the breakdowns and try to compare apples to apples.
We are installing a Kholer computer controlled shower system in a home, the total draw of the solinoid control system is no more than 2.5 amps but the literature directly espresses that it needs to be on it's own circuit.
For that example, as a homeowner I think it would be pretty tough to risk a few thousand dollar investment by voiding the warrenty because you didn't want to spend the money on a seperate circuit.
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Can you provide anything to back all of this up? :confused:
 
Kohlers warrenty on this shower states at the bottom -
(sorry for the caps, but was to lazy to not copy and paste)
KOHLER CO. AND/OR SELLER ARE PROVIDING THESE WARRANTIES IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. KOHLER CO. AND/OR SELLER DISCLAIM ANY LIABILITY FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

Because the installation instructions state that it requires a seperate 15A circuit if the board blows up and they ask you "is it on a seperate circuit" then they could conclude that the damage was consequential damage and thus not replace it.

~

Subzero states-
This warranty does not cover any parts or labor to correct any defect
caused by negligence, accident or improper use, maintenance, installation, service or repair, including but not
limited to improper removal and reinstallation (whether in the unit or at a remote location) of the condensing unit.

Now this may not be a perfect example as larger subzero units draw a lot of current but their undercounter fridges may not draw as much so maybe you could potentially load them up if the instructions don't say otherwise. But nonetheless it states that improper installation will void warranty.
What that could also mean I suppose is that if you did try to squeak by and load up an appliance circuit with a sub zero because you are allowed to place the fridge on one of the appliance circuits with code then you could end up with an improper installation because of circuit loading- and again void the warranty.
 
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alfiesauce said:
Because the installation instructions state that it requires a seperate 15A circuit if the board blows up and they ask you "is it on a seperate circuit" then they could conclude that the damage was consequential damage and thus not replace it.
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1) I think that is a far stretch

2) Do you picture any company sending an investigator out to the site to verify how the unit was installed?


IMO if it's in the warranty period they are going to just replace the unit and move on.
 
glene77is said:
Alfie,
Good points about reading the "nameplate".
Click to expand...

I doubt you will find a dwelling unit appliance label that requires a dedicated circuit. The label will state voltage and current.

The directions may suggested a dedicated circuit but for that to be an actually requirement it would have to be included in the units listing and not all items in the directions are in fact in the unit listing.

Don pointed out there is a code proposal for the 2011 NEC that should force some light to be shed on all this listing and labeling issue. :smile:
 
iwire said:
I doubt you will find a dwelling unit appliance label that requires a dedicated circuit. The label will state voltage and current.

The directions may suggested a dedicated circuit but for that to be an actually requirement it would have to be included in the units listing and not all items in the directions are in fact in the unit listing.

Don pointed out there is a code proposal for the 2011 NEC that should force some light to be shed on all this listing and labeling issue. :smile:
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(B) Installation and Use. Listed or labeled equipment
shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions
included in the listing or labeling.


What do you think "or labeling" is referring to?
 
Twoskinsoneman said:
(B) Installation and Use. Listed or labeled equipment
shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions
included in the listing or labeling.


What do you think "or labeling" is referring to?
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What do you think I think it means?:-?

What I think is if the tag/label affixed to the unit says 'dedicated circuit' I have to comply

But I have never seen that on home appliance label like a dishwasher or disposal.

On the other hand if the instructions that ship with the unit say 'run a dedicated circuit' that is just a suggestion unless in fact that instruction is part of the listing

used in accordance with any instructions
included in the listing
Click to expand...
 
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