Dedicated circuits and modern appliances

C

clemver

Member
Location
PA
Occupation
Electrician
I've been doing a lot of kitchen remodels lately and wondering what everyones feelings are on something.

Most recent one was a very decent remodel. Aside from the standard appliances they had (2) ice makers, (2) wine coolers, and (2) trash compactors. Now per the manufacturer under their electrical specs all it says is "requires dedicated 15A supply circuit". OK, added subpanel it is.

Once the appliances arrive, stickers on them show ratings of like 1.2A. I get that we have to install per manufacturer instructions, but c'mon. With lengthy homeruns, cost of AFCI/GFI combos, and breaker spaces being prime real estate in these houses, I think it's silly.

Now I know a bus full of nuns isn't gonna burst into flames if I combine even SOME of them. But I also know god forbid something happens to their $3000 ice maker and manufacturer finds out it ISN'T dedicated, I'd be more upset than I was buying those 6 extra breakers. Guess I'm just ranting. That is all.
 
Rant is well deserved. Manufacturers are horrible at applying code the their products. Technically the NEC does not use the term dedicated supply circuit so it has no real code meaning. If it said individual branch circuit then that is in the NEC.
 
infinity said:
Rant is well deserved. Manufacturers are horrible at applying code the their products. Technically the NEC does not use the term dedicated supply circuit so it has no real code meaning. If it said individual branch circuit then that is in the NEC.
Click to expand...
Yea can't remember what the exact wording was but, point still stands. I'm not so much worried about code, other than 110.3(B), or failing inspections moreso like I said voiding any warranties because it was hooked up "wrong". BIG quotations around that.
 
I had a similar situation but the ice maker I had to wire was 100 watts. It called for a separate circuit. I didn't install a new circuit. Btw, I believe the reason that the manufacturer calls for a separate circuit is because they don't want any interference on the circuit which may cause an issue with their product.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I had a similar situation but the ice maker I had to wire was 100 watts. It called for a separate circuit. I didn't install a new circuit. Btw, I believe the reason that the manufacturer calls for a separate circuit is because they don't want any interference on the circuit which may cause an issue with their product.
Click to expand...
Absolutely about the reasoning. I'm also imagining something else on the circuit causing a trip, fridge goes out, homeowners livid that the "fridge is busted" and takes it out on manufacturer. Dedicated eliminates that at least that.
 
Unless the mfg sends a tech out for a problem, how would they ever even know the item wasn't on a dedicated circuit? I even doubt a tech would know when he came to check it.
 
Little Bill said:
Unless the mfg sends a tech out for a problem, how would they ever even know the item wasn't on a dedicated circuit? I even doubt a tech would know when he came to check it.
Click to expand...
Or if he would bother. I have never seen one check and they are usually a contractor who is getting paid to get it working not finding out how to weasel out of getting it fixed.
 
clemver said:
Now per the manufacturer under their electrical specs all it says is "requires dedicated 15A supply circuit".
Click to expand...
I would like to offer (without hope of anyone agreeing) the opinion that if this "spec item" was not explicitly included in the product's listing, then we are not required (by the applicable code article) to comply.

Have fun, y'all!
 
charlie b said:
I would like to offer (without hope of anyone agreeing) the opinion that if this "spec item" was not explicitly included in the product's listing, then we are not required (by the applicable code article) to comply.
Click to expand...
I would counter that one circuit can be dedicated to more than one load, especially multiple similar small loads.

charlie b said:
Have fun, y'all!
Click to expand...
1746670040482.jpeg
 
I would argue that dedicated could just mean "other than general". As in, "That 20 amp circuit is dedicated to those two mini fridges and that ice machine "
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top