Fridge in college dorm common area

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Krusscher

Senior Member
Location
Washington State
Occupation
Electrician
They want to install a new fridge in a dorm common area that wont fit with the cabinets so they want to put it in an area where they have some microwaves plugged in. I am wondering if the wording in the installation instructions would require a dedicated circuit as it just calls for a "dedicated outlet". I realize its a bad idea to put the microwaves on the same circuit so I would probably have them move those to where the fridge was. I haven't decided what im going to do with the other outlets on that circuit I'm just wondering if I would need to make it a dedicated circuit.
 

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They want to install a new fridge in a dorm common area that wont fit with the cabinets so they want to put it in an area where they have some microwaves plugged in. I am wondering if the wording in the installation instructions would require a dedicated circuit as it just calls for a "dedicated outlet". I realize its a bad idea to put the microwaves on the same circuit so I would probably have them move those to where the fridge was. I haven't decided what im going to do with the other outlets on that circuit I'm just wondering if I would need to make it a dedicated circuit.
I am thinking that they are wanting a dedicated circuit……even though it does say dedicated outlet. It seems like more and more manufacturers are requiring their appliances be installed on a dedicated circuit…..even when the amp draw is low enough not to need it.
 
The consequences of too many microwaves, or even a casual visiting coffee pot, overloading the circuit that serves the refrigerator argues against circuit sharing, especially in a dorm common area.
No individual will have responsibility for avoiding overload (Paradox of the Commons?) and in many cases the breaker panel door will be locked, making it hard to restore power to the fridge.
 
The consequences of too many microwaves, or even a casual visiting coffee pot, overloading the circuit that serves the refrigerator argues against circuit sharing, especially in a dorm common area.
No individual will have responsibility for avoiding overload (Paradox of the Commons?) and in many cases the breaker panel door will be locked, making it hard to restore power to the fridge.
I’d venture to say most college age kids wouldn’t even notice that the fridge isn’t working until someone gets food poisoning…
 
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