dedicted circuit for microwave?

Status
Not open for further replies.
M. D. said:
Unfortunatley it is a pretty good likeness as well.:)
Click to expand...

Well I probably look more like this guy...

peter%20griffin.jpg


:D
 
Electrician

Electrician

Microwaves are kitchen appliances....and regardless of the amperage...the should be on a dedicated outlet....
 
Last edited:
safeguy said:
Microwaves are kitchen appliances....and regardless of the amperage...the should be on a dedicated outlet....
Click to expand...

So if I have a 3 amp disposal and a 8 amp dishwasher they should be on separate circuits just because they are kitchen appliances?

That makes no sense, can you explain why?
 
tallgirl post #31 said:
And there's a requirement that the counter top SABC receptacles not be above a certain height, so it's not like you could put one someplace "out of the way".
Click to expand...

Receptacles are allowed anywhere in the kitchen. . 210.52(C) says receptacles for counter spaces. . 210.52(C)(5) says located not more than 20" above the countertop. . So a receptacle higher than 20" overr the counter is not for the counter space. . Plugs higher than 20" over the counter don't count toward the satisfying of 210.52(C)(1) spacing.

You can put plugs "out of the way", they just may not count toward 210.52(C)(1).

David
 
Same concept as the 5?' limit of 210.52. . The 5?' limit only applies to "receptacle outlets required by this section". . You can put plugs as high as you like but once you get above 5?' its not counted in the 2'-6'-12' that's required by 210.52(A)(1) + (A)(2)(1).
 
Hello everyone. New member here :D

This is a great topic. I'm surprised this doesn't get more attention. I was doing a kitchen remolded today and I couldn't remember if the microwave needed its own line. I took out the code book and "microwave" isn't even listed. Out of all the things they fill that book with you think they could add something like this!

The job was in a town i never worked in so i just ran its own line. Better to be safe :cool:
 
MA_Electrician1 said:
Hello everyone. New member here :D
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum. :)

Out of all the things they fill that book with you think they could add something like this!
Click to expand...

Why should the code require a dedicated circuit?

In my opinion that is not a safety issue, it is a design decision.
 
iwire said:
In my opinion that is not a safety issue, it is a design decision.
Click to expand...

There's only a discussion about "design decision/issue" if it's a proposal that the CMP doesn't like. . They put in design rules whenever they feel like it. . If they don't like your proposal they should have the guts to say, "We don't think that's a good idea to be required in the code".

When they say "design issue" or "needs technical substantiation/data", then I know what they really mean is that they don't like it, but they want to make it seem as if there's something wrong with your proposal.

It would be so much more honest for them to say, "We don't think your proposal should be a code rule." . Maybe it oversteps the reach they currently feel the code should extend to. . Next cycle that "design issue" could find its way into tyhe code without any "technical substantiation".

I rarely criticize the panels actual decisions. . But I commonly criticize their dishonesty.

David
 
Well most of the inspectors have made me install a home run for a microwave (wall mounted) no matter what the rating is. Ask them to show you in the book if one is needed. They cant.

The issue should be cleared up don't you think?
 
All I can say is, when I turn on my microwave and my toaster oven at the same time the breaker trips. You can bet that as soon as I get around to remodeling my kitchen I'm putting the microwave on a seperate circuit.
 
cowboyjwc said:
All I can say is, when I turn on my microwave and my toaster oven at the same time the breaker trips. You can bet that as soon as I get around to remodeling my kitchen I'm putting the microwave on a separate circuit.
Click to expand...

Is that a safety issue that should be addressed by the NEC (or inspectors going beyond the NEC) or a convenience issue that should be addressed by good design?
 
cowboyjwc said:
All I can say is, when I turn on my microwave and my toaster oven at the same time the breaker trips. You can bet that as soon as I get around to remodeling my kitchen I'm putting the microwave on a seperate circuit.
Click to expand...


I agree I wire all my microwaves on a separate circuit since they can draw 1100 watts but here is a cut from a whirlpool spec sheet.
Electrical Requirements
15 OR 20 Ampere, 120 Volts, 60 Hertz (1/second). AC-ONLY. FUSED ELECTRICAL SUPPLY IS REQUIRED. GROUNDED CIRCUIT IS REQUIRED. A TIME-DELAY FUSE OR CIRCUIT BREAKER AND SEPARATE CIRCUIT IS RECOMMENDED.
 
I would think that art. 210.23(A)(2) would be in effect on microwave /hoods and microwaves with trim kits that are fastened in place. So yes you could get by with a circuit that is not dedicated but you would have to watch the load.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
So yes you could get by with a circuit that is not dedicated but you would have to watch the load.
Click to expand...

Of course it will work without a dedicated circuit.

99% of counter top microwaves are plugged into small appliance branch or general purpose circuits.

That being said I am not against dedicated circuits I am only against the idea the NEC requires them.
 
I don't think the code should become an instruction manual or a fancy how to book,. Here is the thing, the code, IMO, is the least you can do ,... read 90.1 (A) - (D) not a set of very lofty goals,.. yet hard to obtain just the same.
 
Local AHJ requires built in Microwaves to be dedicated 20 amp. OTR's are builtin.
If its not built in how can it be required, as it could move day to day.

If the customer has any previous experience with Microwaves its an easy up sell to make it dedicated.

Same as bathroom receptacles... yes I'm aware of 210.11 C3 but I always advise each bathroom be dedicated 20 amp & I can't think of ever being told not too.
 
cowboyjwc said:
All I can say is, when I turn on my microwave and my toaster oven at the same time the breaker trips.
Click to expand...
The same would likely happen with a counter-top microwave and toaster-oven on an S/A circuit. That's why the 2-SA-circuit requirement is a minimum, not a maximum.
 
Last edited:
Larry and Iwire, I agree that, yes, it is more of a design issue than a NEC concern, but if they thought that is was so important for hairdryers to have a dedicated circuit (I know what it says) then I don't think microwaves will be too far off.

People here are always talking about pleasing the customer and if this is going to be a concern it should just be done and not even give the inspector the chance to make a bogus call.

You know us inspectors we only want you to do it the way we always did it : )
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top