2-209 Log #828 NEC-P02
(210-52(B)(1) Exception No. 2)
Final Action: Reject
Submitter: Dan Leaf Palmdale, CA
Recommendation:
Revise:
Exception No. 2: The A single receptacle outlet for refrigeration equipment shall be permitted to be supplied from an additional
individual branch circuit rated 15-amperes.
Substantiation:
Since an individual circuit is specified, a single receptacle is required and specifically indicating this instead of "outlet", which may
contain multiple receptacles, would be helpful to Code users.
1. Present wording does not prohibit use of one of the two required 20-ampere circuits from being an individual circuit supplying a
single receptacle for refrigeration equipment.
2. If one of the two required 20-ampere circuits is an individual circuit for refrigeration equipment, the literal wording of Exception No.
2 can be interpreted as permitting the circuit rating to be reduced to 15-amperes.
3. Exception No. 2 is not needed for a third 20-ampere individual small appliance circuit supplying a single receptacle for refrigeration
equipment; this is not presently prohibited.
4. Where the individual circuit of Exception No. 2 is one of the two required 20-ampere small appliance branch circuits, 220.16(A),
Exception permits it to be excluded from the 1500 volt-ampere load calculation.
I believe the intent of Proposal 2-257 in the 1995 ROP was to permit an individual branch circuit for refrigeration equipment in
addition to the minimum of two 20-ampere small appliance branch circuits to be rated 15-amperes.
Panel Meeting Action: Reject
Panel Statement:
The submitter has not provided adequate substantiation to restrict the refrigerator to a single outlet receptacle. The existing text of
210.52(B) would permit the receptacle outlet for a refrigerator to be installed on one of the small-appliance branch circuits. An
individual circuit for the refrigerator cannot be considered as one of the two small-appliance branch circuits since 210.52(B)(3) requires
that a minimum of two such circuits be provided to serve countertop surfaces. The word "additional" does not improve the clarity of the
existing wording.
Number Eligible to Vote: 13
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 13