NEC's definition of "dedicated"

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Chris Thorne

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A colleague just stumped me with a question. He asked about NEC for a kitchen outlet to serve the ancillary electrics of a gas range.

I said, "Major appliance? If memory serves, code should be for a 20A dedicated circuit."

He replied that he knew about the dedicated circuit requirement, but no one had ever defined the term "dedicated" in his hearing. Nor in mine, as it turns out, so now we're both confused.

If we parse the term "dedicated" rigorously, the implication is that no device other than the target appliance should be physically able to share the circuit.

The appliance should then have provided for it only a single-outlet receptacle at its location, and NEC would presumably forbid the installation of a dual-outlet receptacle in its place. (Leaving aside the possibility of a split dual outlet served by two circuits.)

Is that level of formalism correct? Are we splitting hairs without necessity?
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

We must avoid the confusion in terms...ancillary electrics of a gas range is not interchangeable with "dedicated".

As an example, the ancillary electrics of a gas range could be on one with the SA circuit, but the accompaning range hood with microwave would be on it's own "dedicated" circuit. The MW is not a part of the range, although the hood serves as an "ancillary" component of the range(many communities require a hood vent, but not a MW).
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

Originally posted by Chris Thorne:
A colleague just stumped me with a question. He asked about NEC for a kitchen outlet to serve the ancillary electrics of a gas range.

I said, "Major appliance? If memory serves, code should be for a 20A dedicated circuit."
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There is no NEC requirement that requires a gas stove to have a dedicated circuit.
There is also no rule that requires a dedicated circuit for a "major appliance".
Generally you would size the circuit for the load to be served.
The gas range receptacle can be fed from the required kitchen small appliance branch circuits.

I don't see a defintion for dedicated circuit in the NEC. I do see individual branch circuit which says "A branch circuit that supplies only one utilization equipment"
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

Nevermind this part

[ December 14, 2005, 07:31 AM: Message edited by: electricmanscott ]
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

Actually in kitchens, there is a requirement for refrigeration to be on an INDIVIDUAL BRANCH CIRCUIT if it is not supplied from the SAB circuit. This would mean that the fridge would be on an Individual Branch Circuit (some people call that a dedicated circuit) with a single receptacle.
210.52(B)(1), and exception #2 to (B)(1).
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

Pierre an does an individual branch circuit imply an individual outlet? A branch circuit refers to the conductors between the overcurrent device and the outlet.

The requirement is fridge outlet on sa circuit Or individual branch circuit. So I still say there is no requirement that appliances must be on a dedicated circuit.
I'm just being tommy technical.
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

"Dedicated" is not a code defined term. It is a term that is used in the trade. I agree there is no requirement that a gas range be on an "individual branch circuit". Individual branch circuit is defined as "serving only one utilization equipment". If the refrigeration circuit can only serve one "equipment" then it seems logical that it would need to either be hard-wired or serve a single outlet receptacle, not a duplex receptacle. This also prevents the user from plugging in an appliance that should be GFCI protected to the non-GFCI receptacle.
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

I like your use of the term "imply", as I think that is just what the section/exception/definition does.

Branch Circuit,Individual.
A branch circuit that supplies only one utilization equipment.

If the fridge is attached to the branch circuit by an attachment plug, than the receptacle that the individual branch circuit is supplying is required to be an single receptacle.

I was not trying to state that APPLIANCES in general need to be provided with an individual branch circuit. My comment is in reference to the refrigeration in a residential kitchen.

[ December 14, 2005, 10:02 AM: Message edited by: pierre ]
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

A wealth of replies here! And no small controversy.

>As an example, the ancillary electrics of a
>gas range could be on one with the SA circuit

I would normally agree with that.

I do know a GC who took over a half-completed kitchen job from another GC. Inspector noticed a branch off of the 20A SA countertop circuit into the bay where the range was to be installed, and said, "I can't pass this. You want to have the range on its own 20."

My friend wasn't too put out by this, as there were a few other unquestionable flags that he had to call the spark sub back in for, and this was all on someone else's dime anyway.

But he was curious about the reasoning, and said to the inspector, "Homeowner wants a gas range, the piping and valving are right there. The only electric draw at this station is going to be displays, relays and the internal fan. Not many amps."

Inspector, a grizzled old specimen, shook his head. Said that in his view, one function of code was to anticipate reasonable future changes in use and to do so in a safe way.

The range, he said, would get replaced several times over during the lifetime of the home. And there was no guarantee that the homeowner at that time would select a model that was equally thrifty with current. An occasional range which takes 110 may consume most of a 20A circuit. If that load lives on the countertop SA, and someone plugs in and runs a muscular small appliance from that circuit as well, they're in breaker trip territory.

Whereas with the range on a separate 20A breaker, future modifications are accomodated in a way that minimizes interferences.

He went on to tell a few old-school inspector horror stories about people with regularly tripping kitchen breakers who would mechanically stop the breaker at the panel, instead of fixing the underlying capacity problem. I suppose if I'd seen a few of those, and the resulting disasters, I'd be planning in a belt-and-suspenders way myself.

So the range got its own ckt and the inspector was happy. My friend the GC recalls that his elec sub put in a dual-outlet 20A receptacle and it passed. Presumably because, buried behind the body of the range, nothing else was likely to get piggybacked onto the same circuit via the second outlet.

But the application of that model -- the intent to minimize the possibility of overloaded kitchen circuits whereever possible -- would lead one to think that either a hardwired or a solo-outlet circuit would be in line with the thinking.

It sounds as though this is to some extent a gray area dependent upon the proclivities of the individual inspector and jurisdiction.
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

Originally posted by Chris Thorne:

It sounds as though this is to some extent a gray area dependent upon the proclivities of the individual inspector and jurisdiction.
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If you are referring to the gas range on a dedicated 20 amp branch circuit it is certainly not a gray area. Simply not required, inspector is a kook.
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

Chris, welcome to the forum.

I agree with Scott. Grizzled or not, the inspector was not doing his job. Sometimes belts and suspenders are a way of concealing a lack of knowledge about the NEC. 210.52(B)(2) Exception #2 clearly allows this installation, and for good reason. The current drawn by a gas range is minimal.

Said that in his view, one function of code was to anticipate reasonable future changes in use and to do so in a safe way.
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Hmm. In the National Fire Protection Agency's view:
90.1(B) Adequacy. This Code contains provisions that are considered necessary for safety. Compliance therewith and proper maintenance will result in an installation that is essentially free from hazard but not necessarily efficient, convenient, or adequate for good service or future expansion of electrical use.
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The range, he said, would get replaced several times over during the lifetime of the home. And there was no guarantee that the homeowner at that time would select a model that was equally thrifty with current. An occasional range which takes 110 may consume most of a 20A circuit. If that load lives on the countertop SA, and someone plugs in and runs a muscular small appliance from that circuit as well, they're in breaker trip territory.
Whereas with the range on a separate 20A breaker, future modifications are accomodated in a way that minimizes interferences.
Click to expand...
That's almost funnier than my "I Am" story. :D
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

pierre,
Actually in kitchens, there is a requirement for refrigeration to be on an INDIVIDUAL BRANCH CIRCUIT if it is not supplied from the SAB circuit
Click to expand...
requirement?? where??
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

Originally posted by augie47:
requirement?? where??
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In general the refrigerator receptacle(s) are required to be supplied by one of the SA circuits.

210.52(B) (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 receptacle outlets covered by 210.52(A) and (C) and receptacle outlets for refrigeration equipment.
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However there is an exception.

210.52(B) (1)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.
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It is kind of strange, if you run a 15 amp circuit it can only supply one piece of utilization equipment. If you run a 20 amp circuit you could just as well call it a third SA circuit and tag as many outlets on it as you like.

Originally posted by pierre:
This would mean that the fridge would be on an Individual Branch Circuit (some people call that a dedicated circuit) with a single receptacle.
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I see no NEC requirement for a single receptacle. I know we have talked about this before but I still do not see any code section to back that opinion.

Branch Circuit, Individual. A branch circuit that supplies only one utilization equipment.
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A receptacle is not utilization equipment. I feel certain if a single outlet is what the CMPs wanted the definition would look more like this.

Branch Circuit, Individual. A branch circuit that supplies only one outlet.

Picture a large facility with one large welder they move around to one of a dozen receptacles. That would be an individual branch circuit for the welder regardless of the fact it has a dozen receptacles. :)

[ December 16, 2005, 05:06 AM: Message edited by: iwire ]
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

IMO,Dedicated circuit would mean that the circuit would be used for no other purpose than for the particular load that it serves, such as the gas appliance that it serves.

In many cases, we must follow 110.3(B). If the instructions require a "Dedicated Branch Circuit", then one must be provided.

In a recent discussion on this subject, I was told that the manufacturer will not warranty the appliance if not on a dedicated circuit. There reasoning was that if another appliance were to have a fault, and it were on the same circuit, it could and has caused damage to their appliance...

shortcircuit2
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

I have always taped the SA circuit for gas range.I do it before the gfci.It simply is just a kitchen wall outlet.I almost always run a frig on its own circuit but on #12 and would be able to put it on a duplex and call it a SA outlet.Or i could call it dedicated but in doing so then it gets a single.
Ask the inspector where he keeps that crystal ball.Not his job to predict future.

Might add that with 12-2 now up to $56 for 250 feet we might need to change our ways.

[ December 16, 2005, 05:48 AM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

"Picture a large facility with one large welder they move around to one of a dozen receptacles. That would be an individual branch circuit for the welder regardless of the fact it has a dozen receptacles."


The welder you are speaking of is not required by code to be on an "Individual Branch Circuit", therefore you can add as many receptacles as you would like.

For refrigeration in a dwelling, you have 2 choices,
1. install it on the SAB
2. install it on an IBC
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

Bob,Pieere...agree individual circul for frig if not on S/A. It was early and I misread pierre's post and though he said it was required to be on a indv circuit (period). we have an inspector in our group who writes his own code at times and he requires a circuit for the frige. never felt it was NEC and thought pierre had found something i hadn't. teach for for getting up a 3 a.m.
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

Originally posted by jimwalker:
I have always taped the SA circuit for gas range.I do it before the gfci.
Click to expand...
I generally use the Microwave circuit. (As long as it's a microwave and not a hood. :)

[ December 16, 2005, 07:58 AM: Message edited by: georgestolz ]
 
Re: NEC's definition of "dedicated"

If the refridge was required to be dedicated then there would be no means of hitting SA circuits or dining or nook circuits from it.Mow is the electrician that wired the kitchen did dedicated the fridge as many do a single 20a recep is required,if not a duplex and go on with it ;)
 
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