?Individual Branch Circuit" for a Kitchen Refrigera

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dpenbert

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If a separate circuit is supplied to a refrigerator in a kitchen, does the receptacle(located behind the refrigerator)have to be a single outlet, or is it ok to have a duplex receptacle with the refrigerator plugged into one of the outlets?
NEC(2002) 210.52(B)(1)(Exception No. 2) states that the receptacle outlet for refrigeration equipment shall be permitted to be supplied from an "individual branch circuit" rated 15 amps or greater.
The definition of an "individual branch circuit" is "A branch circuit that supplies only one utilization equipment".
I have seen this pass inspection where this a dedicated circuit and a duplex receptacle.

Thanks!

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David - St. Louis :cool:
 
Re: ?Individual Branch Circuit" for a Kitchen Refrigera

I guess that technically, the inspector could require a single receptacle, but I've seen lots of duplexes installed on individual circuits. I've been reminded more than once, though " that don't make it right!" :D
 
Re: ?Individual Branch Circuit" for a Kitchen Refrigera

I always put in singles in situations like this. It discourages people from trying to plug things into circuits they weren't supposed to.
 
Re: ?Individual Branch Circuit" for a Kitchen Refrigera

I'd say that if it were on a 15 amp circuit it must be a single receptacle. If it were on a "dedicated" 20 amp circuit it can be a duplex receptacle.
 
Re: ?Individual Branch Circuit" for a Kitchen Refrigera

Originally posted by dpenbert:
NEC(2002) 210.52(B)(1)(Exception No. 2) states that the receptacle outlet for refrigeration equipment shall be permitted to be supplied from an "individual branch circuit" rated 15 amps or greater.
The definition of an "individual branch circuit" is "A branch circuit that supplies only one utilization equipment".
I have seen this pass inspection where this a dedicated circuit and a duplex receptacle.
Click to expand...
The exception is singular, but a duplex is two receptacles. Combine that with the definition of an individual branch circuit as only supplying one utilization equipment and it seems perfectly clear it must be a single receptacle.

Having said that, plenty of inspectors will probably pass a duplex. YMMV :)

edited to fix quoting error

[ February 21, 2006, 06:40 PM: Message edited by: Mike03a3 ]
 
Re: ?Individual Branch Circuit" for a Kitchen Refrigera

Originally posted by j_erickson:
I'd say that if it were on a 15 amp circuit it must be a single receptacle. If it were on a "dedicated" 20 amp circuit it can be a duplex receptacle.
Click to expand...
I agree with John. 15 amp on a single, 20 amp on a duplex. The 20 amp can be a duplex since it would qualify as a small appliance branch circuit.

[ February 21, 2006, 07:07 PM: Message edited by: infinity ]
 
Re: ?Individual Branch Circuit" for a Kitchen Refrigera

I am holding a duplex receptacle, the mfr specs says For 15Amp Branch Circuits Only.

So, 210.21(B)(3) and 210.24 Table says we can use it on a 20Amp branch circuit, eventhough the mfr labeled the device differently.

I'd say 110.3(B)
The mfr labeled the equipment for specific use.

Example:
Just because the NEC says 42 OCPDs are the maximum, it doesn't mean that a panelboard labeled for 40 breakers can have 42 installed.


For those that want to disagree, I have my 1.53KW microwave plugged into it.
:D

[ February 21, 2006, 07:39 PM: Message edited by: throttlebody ]
 
Re: ?Individual Branch Circuit" for a Kitchen Refrigera

Hey Throttlebody,Just for arguemental sake,,you i like to debate(and i usually lose),But does'nt that for 15amp branch circuits only on the back of your recpt. mean,..... when "back wired"?
Rick
 
Re: ?Individual Branch Circuit" for a Kitchen Refrigera

Originally posted by RUWired:
Isn't a 15 amp recpt rated for 1800 watts?
Click to expand...
210.21(B)(2) Maximum Cord-and-Plug-Connected Load to Receptacle

15 or 20Amp Circuit
15Amp Receptacle Rating
12Amp Maximum Load

:D
 
Re: ?Individual Branch Circuit" for a Kitchen Refrigera

Where were my glasses when i was reading that.I guess .75 of an amp is over the allowable amount.But if your running a PF of .90 you actual load is less than 12 amps.
Rick
 
Re: ?Individual Branch Circuit" for a Kitchen Refrigera

I agree with john. But I am sure that I must have passed an inspection with a duplex on a 15 amp circuit at one time or other.Shame on me for catching it.

romeo
 
Re: ?Individual Branch Circuit" for a Kitchen Refrigera

Robert,
Is that a listed receptacle? I ask because UL says that 15A receptacles are suitable for use on 20A branch circuits. The following is from a letter from a senior UL staff engineer.
UL 498, the Standard for Attachment Plugs and Receptacles, has requirements regarding receptacle feed-through terminals. For receptacles rated 15 or 20 A, 125 or 250 V, the feed-through construction is evaluated using a test current of 20 A and is considered suitable for use in a 20 A branch circuit.
Click to expand...
If it is a listed receptacle, then the manufacturer's instruction is not a 110.3(B) instruction. It is not part of the listing and labeling.

Don
 
Re: ?Individual Branch Circuit" for a Kitchen Refrigera

No, Don, I was reading from the labeling of the receptacle, but Rick caught on to what I was doing. It was for the stabs. Actually, the device may say 15A, but the container it comes in says it is suitable for 20A circuits. I was joking around with that part of it. It was not meant to take literal, but to get wheels turning. Nothing wrong with having a lil fun with it. :)
 
Re: ?Individual Branch Circuit" for a Kitchen Refrigera

210.21.B 1 does say an individual receptacle on a dedicated branch circuit.Although it doen`t forbid the use of a duplex it does say that the device must have a rating not less than that of the branch circuit.So 15 amp duplexs are not permitted period.
 
Re: ?Individual Branch Circuit" for a Kitchen Refrigera

210.52 (b) 1 exception 2 reads.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.
The definition for receptacle outlet Receptacle Outlet. An outlet where one or more receptacles
are installed.
So I would have to say yes you are allowed to use a duplex in this situation, but I would make sure that the recep was located in a way behind the refridgerator that it wasn't accesible with out moving the fridge.
 
Re: ?Individual Branch Circuit" for a Kitchen Refrigera

Originally posted by dpenbert: The definition of an "individual branch circuit" is "A branch circuit that supplies only one utilization equipment."
Click to expand...
May I ask where that is defined? I don't see it in Article 100, and I don't know where else to look?

While we're at it,
Originally posted by Mike03a3:. . . but a duplex is two receptacles.
Click to expand...
Can someone show me that in the code? You might infer it from the first sentence of the Article 100 definition of "receptacle." But then, you might not infer that. The second and third sentences further explain a "single receptacle" and a "multiple receptacle." But nothing that I see in Article 100 prevents me from using the word "receptacle" in connection with a single yoke, no matter how many contact devices are on that yoke.

Or am I just getting cynical in my old age, and am I just gunnin' for a debate? :D
 
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