Inspector Pain and Small Appliance Circs

[titan1021]

Hey Guys,

I've got an inspector insisting that the two small appliance circuits in a residential kitchen can't serve any other receptacles other than the counter-top receptacles.
This is the first I've heard of this in over 20yrs in the trade. When I showed him the code sections below, he told be that the City goes by the 2019 CEC
(California Electrical Code) not the NEC. Well I just reviewed the CEC and of course its word for word the same.
Is this inspector an idiot, or I am missing something?

210.52(B)(1)

(B) Small Appliances

(1) Receptacle Outlets Served

In the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room, or similar area of a dwelling unit, the two or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits required by 210.11(C)(1) shall serve all wall and floor receptacle outlets covered by 210.52(A), all countertop outlets covered by 210.52(C), and receptacle outlets for refrigeration equipment.

210.52(B)(3)

(3) Kitchen Receptacle Requirements

Receptacles installed in a kitchen to serve countertop surfaces shall be supplied by not fewer than two small-appliance branch circuits, either or both of which shall also be permitted to supply receptacle outlets in the same kitchen and in other rooms specified in 210.52(B)(1). Additional small-appliance branch circuits shall be permitted to supply receptacle outlets in the kitchen and other rooms specified in 210.52(B)(1). No small-appliance branch circuit shall serve more than one kitchen.



Thanks

 

[kwired]

He is wrong.

"Receptacles installed in a kitchen to serve countertop surfaces shall be supplied by not fewer than two small-appliance branch circuits," is potentially a part of this that is misinterpreted.

In fact in a NEC minimum install you could have just two 20 amp circuits supplying all the kitchen receptacles, the dining room receptacles, breakfast room, pantry, and similar rooms (other than dedicated appliance outlets outside of refrigeration equipment)

 

[infinity]

I've got an inspector insisting that the two small appliance circuits in a residential kitchen can't serve any other receptacles other than the counter-top receptacles.

He wrong. You have provided the correct code sections he needs to actually read them again. As kwired said the locations that can actually use the two circuits is pretty expansive.

 

[Fred B]

While code may "allow" the minimum of 2 branch circuits that is also allowed to be used throughout the kitchen and similar area, I would also consider what loads are being put onto these circuits before expanding beyond just "typical" countertop application. Many of these "small appliances" when used together would easily go beyond 20A while if even not be enough over to trip the breaker, but it can overtime lead to long term damage of the breaker by the minimal overage.
Seen recently on several locations that have simply added a portable heater equivalent wattage of a larger crock pot to the 20A circuit for a breakroom that has refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker and toaster oven. The addition of the heater was enough over a short period to create multiple tripping events at a minimum to actual failure of the breaker.

 

[ptonsparky]

While code may "allow" the minimum of 2 branch circuits that is also allowed to be used throughout the kitchen and similar area, I would also consider what loads are being put onto these circuits before expanding beyond just "typical" countertop application. Many of these "small appliances" when used together would easily go beyond 20A while if even not be enough over to trip the breaker, but it can overtime lead to long term damage of the breaker by the minimal overage.
Seen recently on several locations that have simply added a portable heater equivalent wattage of a larger crock pot to the 20A circuit for a breakroom that has refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker and toaster oven. The addition of the heater was enough over a short period to create multiple tripping events at a minimum to actual failure of the breaker.

We cannot anticipate how a customer may load up a circuit. Well, maybe we can but stupidity on their part, is their issue.

 

[Fred B]

We cannot anticipate how a customer may load up a circuit. Well, maybe we can but stupidity on their part, is their issue.

To some extent we who are trained need to. People in general are ignorant of the potential. If it can be avoided by the simple act of adding one more circuit shouldn't we, even if not absolutely required? I usually look at the amount of countertop space and consider the potential of small appliances that might be used at one time based on space and then recommend a third or even a fourth if kitchen is very large.
That code section is not about limiting the number of branch circuits but is simply a minimum. We are however required to consider loads when sizing.

 

[infinity]

To some extent we who are trained need to. People in general are ignorant of the potential. If it can be avoided by the simple act of adding one more circuit shouldn't we, even if not absolutely required? I usually look at the amount of countertop space and consider the potential of small appliances that might be used at one time based on space and then recommend a third or even a fourth if kitchen is very large.
That code section is not about limiting the number of branch circuits but is simply a minimum. We are however required to consider loads when sizing.

There are two separate issues, code minimum and design. If the customer is paying for the minimum then they get two circuits which is code compliant and there is no need to consider anything else. If you're free to design and build then most of us won't install only two circuits.

 

[kwired]

There are two separate issues, code minimum and design. If the customer is paying for the minimum then they get two circuits which is code compliant and there is no need to consider anything else. If you're free to design and build then most of us won't install only two circuits.

And inspector should only care that code minimum has been met.

Tract homes being built about as cheap as possible more likely to only have just the two required circuits supplying all the outlets required to be on the SABC's.

A small kitchen regardless of what it is in, also more likely to have just the two circuits and no more.

 

[titan1021]

While code may "allow" the minimum of 2 branch circuits that is also allowed to be used throughout the kitchen and similar area, I would also consider what loads are being put onto these circuits before expanding beyond just "typical" countertop application. Many of these "small appliances" when used together would easily go beyond 20A while if even not be enough over to trip the breaker, but it can overtime lead to long term damage of the breaker by the minimal overage.
Seen recently on several locations that have simply added a portable heater equivalent wattage of a larger crock pot to the 20A circuit for a breakroom that has refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker and toaster oven. The addition of the heater was enough over a short period to create multiple tripping events at a minimum to actual failure of the breaker.

I agree, when given the opportunity I do limit the areas that the SA's serve for the reasons you mention. This particular project I was dealing with existing construction and circuits.

 

[titan1021]

There are two separate issues, code minimum and design. If the customer is paying for the minimum then they get two circuits which is code compliant and there is no need to consider anything else. If you're free to design and build then most of us won't install only two circuits.

I agree, when given the opportunity I make sure that there is more than enough circuits in the kitchen for my clients. This particular project I was dealing with existing construction and circuits.

 

[ramsy]

This particular project I was dealing with existing construction and circuits.

Inspector may be correct if existing SABC powers disposer, dishwasher, lights, range-hood/microwave, under cabinet insta-hot, RO filtration equipment, or outside plugs sharing same wall with kitchen.

You may not have installed it that way, but the inspector can't pass it like that.

 

[ramsy]

he told me that the City goes by the 2019 CEC (California Electrical Code) not the NEC.

Most AHJ's in California saddle combination inspectors with code standards from several different trades, so newer inspectors may never see National versions.

You must translate your NEC citations into their State adopted format, so 2017 NEC becomes the California Electrical Code (CEC) 2019 California Code of Regulations Title-24 Chapter-3