randallforty
New member
Can someone tell me what home appliances require dedicated circuits.
dedicated circuits
- Thread starter randallforty
- Start date
- Status
goldstar
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: dedicated circuits
In addition to those appliances Bennie indicated it is sometimes wise (although not required) to have a separate circuit for a permanently installed microwave unit and a large refrigerator (i.e Sub-Zero, etc). I know it eats up 2 points in the breaker panel but the microwave units sometimes draw an excessive amount of current on start-up and technically, I don't believe they should be considered part of the kitchen counter small appliance circuits.
You can wire to the refrigerator before you continue on to the counter-top receptacles but if something downstream of that first receptacle causes the breaker to trip and you don't realize it (say just before you go to bed) you'll end up losing a whole referigerator full of food. I suppose you could use the same argument if the fridge were on its own circuit but if that happened then you have a problem with the fridge.
Just my opinion !!!
In addition to those appliances Bennie indicated it is sometimes wise (although not required) to have a separate circuit for a permanently installed microwave unit and a large refrigerator (i.e Sub-Zero, etc). I know it eats up 2 points in the breaker panel but the microwave units sometimes draw an excessive amount of current on start-up and technically, I don't believe they should be considered part of the kitchen counter small appliance circuits.
You can wire to the refrigerator before you continue on to the counter-top receptacles but if something downstream of that first receptacle causes the breaker to trip and you don't realize it (say just before you go to bed) you'll end up losing a whole referigerator full of food. I suppose you could use the same argument if the fridge were on its own circuit but if that happened then you have a problem with the fridge.
Just my opinion !!!
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: dedicated circuits
When installing any equipment, read the instructions. There are times the instructions will require a circuit, also you will be able to see the current the equipment draws.
Pierre
When installing any equipment, read the instructions. There are times the instructions will require a circuit, also you will be able to see the current the equipment draws.
Pierre
Re: dedicated circuits
Randall;
Here in Tennessee, in the three jurisdictions in which I work, the following are required to be fed by a dedicated circuit in a single or two-family dwelling: Clothes washer ("Laundry"), Dryer, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Whirlpool, Water heaters.
In addition some inspectors will require that dedicated circuits not terminate in a duplex type receptacle, but in a single receptacle.
Chris
Randall;
Here in Tennessee, in the three jurisdictions in which I work, the following are required to be fed by a dedicated circuit in a single or two-family dwelling: Clothes washer ("Laundry"), Dryer, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Whirlpool, Water heaters.
In addition some inspectors will require that dedicated circuits not terminate in a duplex type receptacle, but in a single receptacle.
Chris
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: dedicated circuits
Actually a dedicated circuit should be one that works hard all day, goes to bed at night without any trouble and is up in the morning to greet you with a cup of coffee!
Pierre
Actually a dedicated circuit should be one that works hard all day, goes to bed at night without any trouble and is up in the morning to greet you with a cup of coffee!
Pierre
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: dedicated circuits
Bennie, I gotta take exception to your comment.
A dedicated circuit feeds a certain type of load such as a circuit dedicated to a bathroom or small appliance brance circuits. An individual brance circuit feeds a single piece of utilization equipment.
Bennie, I gotta take exception to your comment.
A dedicated circuit feeds a certain type of load such as a circuit dedicated to a bathroom or small appliance brance circuits. An individual brance circuit feeds a single piece of utilization equipment.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: dedicated circuits
I like Pierre's definition.
I like Pierre's definition.
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: dedicated circuits
Me too.Originally posted by iwire:
I like Pierre's definition.
G
Guest
Guest
Re: dedicated circuits
Branch Circuit: The circuit conductors between the final OCPD and the outlet or outlets it supplies.
Branch Circuit, General Purpose: A branch circuit that supplies a number of outlets of lighting & appliances.
Branch Circuit, Individual: A branch circuit supplying only one piece of equipment.
Branch Circuit, Multi-Wire (residential): A branch circuit consisting of two hot conductors having a 240-volt potential between them, and a grounded conductor having a 120-volt difference between it and each hot conductor.
Branch Circuit, Small Appliance: A branch circuit supplying portable household [kitchen] appliances.
../Wayne
[ September 04, 2003, 05:13 PM: Message edited by: awwt ]
Branch Circuit: The circuit conductors between the final OCPD and the outlet or outlets it supplies.
Branch Circuit, General Purpose: A branch circuit that supplies a number of outlets of lighting & appliances.
Branch Circuit, Individual: A branch circuit supplying only one piece of equipment.
Branch Circuit, Multi-Wire (residential): A branch circuit consisting of two hot conductors having a 240-volt potential between them, and a grounded conductor having a 120-volt difference between it and each hot conductor.
Branch Circuit, Small Appliance: A branch circuit supplying portable household [kitchen] appliances.
../Wayne
[ September 04, 2003, 05:13 PM: Message edited by: awwt ]
Re: dedicated circuits
When one says 'dedicated circuit', is it essentially defined as being dedicated ungrounded and grounded conductors? Or, just ungrounded? Either way, I see the dedicated circuit as being 'isolated' from any other branch circuitry--including the neutral. Whether the circuit is required to be dedicated for high load demand or just continuous 'up-time' reliability, I would keep all current carrying conductors 'isolated.'
I'm sure that refrigerators will soon be required as dedicated circuits for the reason goldstar states:
Just my two cents...
When one says 'dedicated circuit', is it essentially defined as being dedicated ungrounded and grounded conductors? Or, just ungrounded? Either way, I see the dedicated circuit as being 'isolated' from any other branch circuitry--including the neutral. Whether the circuit is required to be dedicated for high load demand or just continuous 'up-time' reliability, I would keep all current carrying conductors 'isolated.'
I'm sure that refrigerators will soon be required as dedicated circuits for the reason goldstar states:
It seems the NEC gears more and more towards the benefit of the consumer. Which is also beneficial for electrical contractors too--more work.
Just my two cents...
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