Clothes Washer / Kitchen Refrigerator / Residential

[scnkapc]

Is a residential clothes washing machine required to be on a 20amp circuit?

Is a residential kitchen refrigerator required to be on a 20amp circuit?

 

[jumper]

Nope and nope.

A 20 amp laundry circuit is required for a dwelling unit, but you do not have to plug the washer into to it.

A kitchen fridge may be on a 20A SABC, or its own separate 15A or greater circuit.

 

[charlie b]

Yea, what he said.

 

[Little Bill]

Nope and nope.

A 20 amp laundry circuit is required for a dwelling unit, but you do not have to plug the washer into to it.

A kitchen fridge may be on a 20A SABC, or its own separate 15A or 20A circuit.

Fixed it for you!

 

[jumper]

Fixed it for you!

Thank you, but look at what the code says.

Exception No. 2: The receptacle outlet for refrigeration
equipment shall be permitted to be supplied from an individual
branch circuit rated 15 amperes or greater.

 

[kwired]

Thank you, but look at what the code says.

Exception No. 2: The receptacle outlet for refrigeration
equipment shall be permitted to be supplied from an individual
branch circuit rated 15 amperes or greater.

If you would happen to run into a refrigerator requiring something other than a 15 or 20 amp circuit it is still covered this way. Some dwellings have kitchens that may be highly desired by people actually working in commercial kitchens.

 

[jumper]

If you would happen to run into a refrigerator requiring something other than a 15 or 20 amp circuit it is still covered this way. Some dwellings have kitchens that may be highly desired by people actually working in commercial kitchens.

I know that, I was playfully teasing Bill for correcting my quote.

 

[Little Bill]

Thank you, but look at what the code says.

Exception No. 2: The receptacle outlet for refrigeration
equipment shall be permitted to be supplied from an individual
branch circuit rated 15 amperes or greater.

Just trying to keep with the OP's question. I haven't run into any resi. refrigeration units that require more than 20A. Not saying there are none, just that I have never run into it.

 

[kwired]

I know that, I was playfully teasing Bill for correcting my quote.

I guess I should have mentioned Bill as my comment was directed at his correction as well as what you quoted from NEC than it was at you.

 

[jumper]

Just trying to keep with the OP's question. I haven't run into any resi. refrigeration units that require more than 20A. Not saying there are none, just that I have never run into it.

Me neither, the only I have really seen that even takes a 20A is a Viking Sub-Zero freezer.

 

[jumper]

I guess I should have mentioned Bill as my comment was directed at his correction as well as what you quoted from NEC than it was at you.

That is okay, Bill and I were just playing. You go ahead and try and get him some learning, he won't listen to me.

 

[kwired]

Just trying to keep with the OP's question. I haven't run into any resi. refrigeration units that require more than 20A. Not saying there are none, just that I have never run into it.

Nothing says you can't put a commercial refrigeration unit in a dwelling, and it does happen in some cases.

 

[scnkapc]

Clothes Washer Article Number

Clothes Washer Article Number

Now that you guys have beat the refrigerator to death, what is the code article for residential clothes washers to be on a 20 amp circuit?

 

[Hendrix]

see post #2

 

[scnkapc]

(A 20 amp laundry circuit is required for a dwelling unit, but you do not have to plug the washer into to it.)

If it's required as stated in reply #2, what is the code article?

 

[jumper]

(A 20 amp laundry circuit is required for a dwelling unit, but you do not have to plug the washer into to it.)

If it's required as stated in reply #2, what is the code article?

210.11(C)(2) Laundry Branch Circuits. In addition to the number
of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, at
least one additional 20-ampere branch circuit shall be provided
to supply the laundry receptacle outlet(s) required by
210.52(F). This circuit shall have no other outlets.

 

[charlie b]

. . . what is the code article for residential clothes washers to be on a 20 amp circuit?

To clarify what others have already posted, the article in question speaks of providing a circuit for the "laundry." It does not say which specific item of laundry-related equipment is intended to be plugged into that outlet.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

If that is the only outlet serving the laundry then it must be a 20 amp circuit. 210.11(C)(2). You could have a 15 amp circuit for the washer and a 20 amp circuit for another outlet in the room. In all my years of wiring I have never nor have I seen anyone install a 15 amp circuit for the washer. I have seen it in jobs done before I started over 35 years ago.