Appliance garage? Now add another circuit!

[infinity]

Yes you can supply a receptacle inside an appliance garage with a SABC.

I agree with Charlie although the wording could use some work. Don't you think that the name small appliance branch circuit would apply to a small appliance in an appliance garage?

 

[LarryFine]

Don't you think that the name small appliance branch circuit would apply to a small appliance in an appliance garage?

"I certainly do, Ollie!"



I think the concern is that the garage receptacle(s) is not (readily) accessible, because of the enclosure and/or because appliances are likely to remain plugged in, and hard to reach to unplug in an emergency.

If I were wiring for one, I would give it its own circuit with a quad or two duplexes. And I would make sure the flanking receptacles were within four feet of one another.

If the garage were really four feet wide (wow), I would make it with two doors with a stationary panel between them, and place a counter-top receptacle there.

 

[wwhitney]

So what's inside the garage would simply be an additional SABC.

No, I would say it would be any circuit other than an SABC. You can still make it 20A if you like.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[wwhitney]

I agree with Charlie although the wording could use some work. Don't you think that the name small appliance branch circuit would apply to a small appliance in an appliance garage?

It seems to me that the question is how to apply 210.52(B)(1)'s phrase "all countertop outlets covered by 210.52(C)".

2020 NEC 210.52(C)(3) says "Receptacle outlets rendered not readily accessible by appliances fastened in place, appliance garages, sinks, or rangetops as covered in 210.52(C)(1), Exception, or appliances occupying dedicated space shall not be considered as these required outlets." So my responses have been based on the idea that any such receptacle is not a "countertop outlet covered by 210.52(C)," and as such may not be supplied by an SABC, per 210.52(B)(2).

Are you saying that a receptacle that "shall be not considered as" the required outlet is still an outlet "covered by 210.52(C)"?

Cheers, Wayne

 

[LarryFine]

So, you build a housing for small appliances, install a branch circuit and receptacles to plug these small appliances into, and you can not call it a small-appliance branch circuit. Why?

Other than what you may or may not be allowed to call it, what is the physical, electrical, or any other difference between this circuit and the other, genuine SABCs? In name only?

I have no problem with saying that they do not qualify as serving the counter-top, only with saying that only counter-top receptacles can be on SABCs. Wall receptacles can be on them.

 

[wwhitney]

Other than what you may or may not be allowed to call it, what is the physical, electrical, or any other difference between this circuit and the other, genuine SABCs? Name only?

Following on the logic so far, if the space is designed for a specific set of appliances, they should be on branch circuit(s) sized to the load. The 210.52(C) counter receptacles would be for the unspecified general kitchen appliances that may get moved around. Same thing as a 210.52(A) wall receptacle vs a receptacle specifically installed by a window for a window A/C.

I'm not 100% convinced by the above but leaning that way. If you had a built-in microwave or coffee station installed in a cubby whose bottom surface is just an extension of the countertop, it certainly would need to be on a specific-purpose branch circuit, and not an SABC (and so it could be on a 15A branch circuit). Change that from a built-in appliance to a countertop appliance that is sized to occupy the entire cubby (maybe 1/2" clearance all around), and I think that's still true (see the language from 210.52(C)(3) about "appliances occupying dedicated space.")

So the question is whether the "appliance garage" with multiple smaller appliances is more like "appliances occupying dedicated space," or more like a regular open countertop. Seems like the former to me.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[LarryFine]

So your logic is that only non-specific-purpose receptacle circuits are SABCs?

What about a refrigerator on a counter-top circuit?

 

[wwhitney]

So your logic is that only non-specific-purpose receptacle circuits are SABCs?

Really the crux of my argument or at least concern is in post #24. I don't see how a receptacle that we are told "shall not be considered as the required outlet" by 210.52(C) can be considered an outlet "covered by 210.52(C)."

What about a refrigerator on a counter-top circuit?

250.52(B)(1) says that the SABCs shall serve, in the designated areas, all:

- wall and floor receptacle outlets covered by 210.52(A)
- countertop outlets covered by 210.52(C)
- receptacle outlets for refrigeration equipment

So that one's easy, refrigeration equipment is a distinguished class of appliance always allowed on SABCs regardless of the receptacle location. And required to be on an SABC, unless you put it on a 15A individual branch circuit per Exception 2.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[wwhitney]

OK, here's a relevant example: kitchen countertop, upper cabinet 16" above the countertop, receptacle inside the cabinet just above the bottom of the cabinet so it's not more than 20" above the counter, under cabinet lighting LV transformer plugged into the receptacle.

Is the receptacle allowed to be an SABC? If no, how is the appliance garage receptacle different, as they are both receptacles inside of cabinets?

Now change the load from undercabinet lighting to an undercabinet mounted motorized can opener. Does the answer change?

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Frank DuVal]

So, you build a housing for small appliances, install a branch circuit and receptacles to plug these small appliances into, and you can not call it a small-appliance branch circuit. Why?

I agree! You can put as many SABC in a kitchen as you or the person paying the bill wants, as long as the number is 2 or greater.

Why do people get wrapped around the number 2? It is a MINIMUM!.

I have NEVER installed only two SABC in a residence. I don't do Tiny Houses.

 

[Frank DuVal]

Wall receptacles can be on them.

Exactly! As required in the dining room.