2014 210.52(B) - Refrigerator on its' own circuit

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

sfav8r

Senior Member
Location
San Francisco Bay Area
A friend of mine just failed an inspection in a jurisdiction we don't work in. He said that they failed him (he's a GC) because the 2014 210.52(B) requires that the refrigerator be on it's own circuit. I said that I believe the inspector misread the exception that ALLOWS the refrigerator to be on its own circuit. I sent him a cut and past from my 2017 PDF (210.52(B). The inspector told him that the 2017 doesn't matter (I agree) but that the 2014 specifically states the refrigerator must me on its own circuit. I don't have my 2014 copy here. Did I miss something in 2014? Anybody care to cut and past a copy of the 2014?

Thanks
 
Inspector is incorrect. If you use a separate circuit for a refrigerator then it can be on a 15 amp circuit otherwise, it is part of the small appliance branch circuit. Now Calif. may have some amendments.
 
The 2013 edition of the California Electrical Code (i.e., the current edition) does not alter the language in the NEC for article 210.52(B)(1) and its exception 2. Here is the text:
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.
Click to expand...
The "shall be permitted" words do not require that the fridge be on a separate circuit. The inspector is wrong, as Dennis has already said.
 
sfav8r said:
It seemed unlikely that they would have required it in 2014 then went back in 2017. . . .
Click to expand...
You mentioned that this project is in a jurisdiction other than that of your own home. Is it still in California? If so, then do keep in mind that the 2014 and 2017 editions of the NEC are not relevant, and I would not mention them to the inspector. The 2013 CEC is all that matters.

 
charlie b said:
You mentioned that this project is in a jurisdiction other than that of your own home. Is it still in California? If so, then do keep in mind that the 2014 and 2017 editions of the NEC are not relevant, and I would not mention them to the inspector. The 2013 CEC is all that matters.
Click to expand...

The CEC 2013 is relatively the same as the 2014 NEC.

So far my experience with CA inspectors has been then usually refer back to the NEC instead of the CEC.
 
edward said:
The CEC 2013 is relatively the same as the 2014 NEC.

So far my experience with CA inspectors has been then usually refer back to the NEC instead of the CEC.
Click to expand...

I agree. There is very little difference between the NEC and CEC. I have never had an inspector reference the CEC.

While the NEC and CEC don't directly specify a dedicated circuit for refrigerators the instruction for all of the built-in type (sub-Zero, Viking, etc.) specify a dedicated circuit.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top