microwave receptacle

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This subject came up as a side issue in another recent thread. I wanted to bring up a viewpoint that ran contrary to the comments in that thread. But it would have side tracked that thread, and I let go. I beg you will allow me to voice my disagreement in this thread, as it is directly related to the question.

I submit that 422.16, and in particular sub-section (B)(4), does not apply to microwave ovens. It applies to range hoods, but that is not the same thing as saying it applies to another device that has a totally different primary purpose, and that also serves the function of a range hood. I further submit, and this is the thing that would have contradicted the opinions stated in the other thread, that the fact that a microwave oven is ?listed as a range hood? does not cause the device to fall under the rules for range hoods.

Let?s take a look at the difference. A basic range hood has a fan, perhaps a light, some metal structure, and no other components. It is the type of thing that could easily be designed for hard wire connections. But 422.16(B)(4) says it is OK to use a plug & cord connection, under certain restrictions.

A microwave oven is all about cooking. I have never seen or heard of one that is designed for a hard wire connection. It would not make sense for an NEC rule to say it is OK to use a plug and cord for a microwave, since all microwaves have plug and cord connections. So 422.16(B)(4) cannot have been intended to include microwaves.

I conclude that the specific requirement that the receptacle serving a range hood be on an individual branch circuit does not apply to a microwave oven, even if that oven is listed as a range hood.
 
The question was asked what if you don't know what will be installed. We have a house with a 12 in cabinet above the stove we mounted a receptacle in this cabinet the homeowner at a future date will install something or may not so what is the answer.
 
Charlie,

CMP 17 disagrees with you. Here is a ROP from the 2008 NEC.

17-17 Log #1118 NEC-P17 Final Action: Reject
(422.16(B)(4) and (5))
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Daniel Leaf Seneca, SC
Recommendation: Delete (5) The receptacle shall be supplied by an individual branch circuit.
Substantiation: Range hoods "permanently connected" (hard wired) do not require an individual circuit. There was no
substantiation in Proposal 17-21 in the 2004 ROP for an individual circuit. The definition of Branch Circuit, Appliance
permits more than one appliance.
Panel Meeting Action: Reject
Panel Statement: The panel intends to retain this requirement. The requirement is for possible replacement by a
microwave oven. The requirement is for a cord-and-plug-connected appliance, and not a hard-wired appliance.

It appears to me from reading their comments that 422.16(B)(4) is meant to apply to microwave/rangehoods.

Chris
 


I'll buy that. As an appliance that is always cord-and-plug and oft-times resting on a counter-top, a microwave oven can get moved all over the kitchen, and is really very little different from a blender or a toaster with respect to the NEC.
 
raider1 said:
Panel Statement: The panel intends to retain this requirement. The requirement is for possible replacement by a
microwave oven. The requirement is for a cord-and-plug-connected appliance, and not a hard-wired appliance.

It appears to me from reading their comments that 422.16(B)(4) is meant to apply to microwave/rangehoods.

Chris
Click to expand...

This makes me rethink this. I guess NEC wants to control what it can, and they are very certain that whatever appliance will be in the rangehood will be better off with a dedicated circuit?
 
My feeling is that it is not possible to require a dedicated circuit to a standard microwave due to the fact that we don't know where it will be placed. But a cord and plug connected microwave/rangehood is a fastened in place appliance, so by requiring a cord and plug connect rangehood to be on an individual branch circuit you would in esscence be requiring an individual branch cirucit for a microwave.

I have never installed a standard rangehood with a cord and plug, I am not sure that the manufactures actually allow cord and plug connection of a standard rangehood. But all microwave/rangehoods that I have installed are designed for cord and plug connection.

Chris
 
cowboyjwc said:
I started to chime in here until I reread the question.

Is the requirement for a dedicated circuit in the 2008 NEC?
Click to expand...

No the requirement is in the 2005 NEC, there is no change in the 2008 NEC

The requirement for the individual branch circuit comes from 422.16(B)(4)(5).

Chris
 
raider1 said:
No the requirement is in the 2005 NEC, there is no change in the 2008 NEC

The requirement for the individual branch circuit comes from 422.16(B)(4)(5).

Chris
Click to expand...

Well yeah, if you want to read all the way to the bottom. :grin:

I would say that the code panel is planning for the future stuff that you guys always tell us inspectors that we cant plan for. I would venture to guess that they were thinking that a microwave will get plugged in there.

Charlie, I can see your point of view, as it does not say that it's for a range hood / microwave, but why would a range hood need a dedicated circuit?
 
raider1 said:
Charlie, CMP 17 disagrees with you.
Click to expand...
They didn’t disagree with me. Rather, they disagreed with deletion of sub paragraph (5). But I am willing to withdraw my suggestion. I see their intent.

I suspect that range hoods draw very little current. So if you had a range hood that is hard wired, and if you shared that circuit with several other loads, it is unlikely that the added load from the range hood would be enough to cause the circuit to trip. Suppose I make up some numbers, just for discussion purposes. Suppose you install a new range hood, and intend to use a nearby existing 20 amp circuit. You might have 15 amps of load from other devices, and add one amp of load for the range hood, and still be OK. Since the range hood is hard wired, the home owner will not be able to simply rip it out and install in a microwave oven in its place. If the HO wants a microwave, they will have to make arrangements for a new circuit.

But suppose the range hood had been plug and cord connected. Suppose it still, just as above, added only one amp to an existing 15 amp load on a 20 amp circuit. Now suppose the HO changes the range hood to a microwave. This will overload the circuit and trip it every time. The only way to prevent this from happening is to make sure that the circuit supplying the receptacle that is installed for the range hood does not have any other loads.

I am glad I raised the question. Thanks, Chris, for helping me find the answer.
 
I am glad I raised the question. Thanks, Chris, for helping me find the answer.
Click to expand...

Charlie, you are very welcome.


They didn?t disagree with me. Rather, they disagreed with deletion of sub paragraph (5). But I am willing to withdraw my suggestion. I see their intent.
Click to expand...

I guess I could of worded my response better, you are correct CMP 17 disagreed with the deletion of the individual branch circuit requirment, not you.:)

I found this ROP very insightful as to the intent of CMP 17 in regards to this section.

Chris
 
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