sabc configutation

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gel52

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My question is in regards to the small appliance branch circuits that are serving kitchen countertops. Is there a required or preferred configuration for these 2 circuits?

For simplicity sake, let's say that we have only 6 receptacles serving the only countertop in a kitchen. Should one branch circuit serve receptacles 1,3, 5 and the second circuit serve receptacles 2,4,6? Or should one circuit serve the top outlet in each receptacle while the bottom outlet is served by the second circuit? Or should the first 3 receptacles be served by one branch circuit while the last 3 are served by the second circuit?

I could not find any specs for the configuration in 210.11 or 210.52. Is this something that would be specified by the AHJ?

Thanks for your help.

GL
 
The only problem with splitting the two circuits between the two receptacles in a duplex in you will then need either a 2-pole breaker or a handle-tie on two 1p breakers (if you're on the '08). 210.4(B).

Personally, I run one SABC circuit to the closest recep from the panel, and start with my GFI there. I line-load protect half of the receps on the c'top, then take another SABC homerun to the closest recep from the panel for the rest of receps. Line-load from there.

But that's just me. If you have a humongous kitchen that requires, say 15 receps, one can be on one SABC, the other 14 on the other SABC.
 
gel52 said:
Or should one circuit serve the top outlet in each receptacle while the bottom outlet is served by the second circuit?

GL
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If your running two seperate 2-wire branch circuits, you'll have a box conductor fill to contend with.If your running a 3-wire with a common neutral, your gfi wont work properly.
Rick
 
RUWired said:
If your running two seperate 2-wire branch circuits, you'll have a box conductor fill to contend with.If your running a 3-wire with a common neutral, your gfi wont work properly.
Rick
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A GFCI receptacle will work fine on a 3-wire homerun. It's no different than the 3-wire supply in the service. You could even use a 2 pole GFCI breaker and run both circuits ,GFCI protected with one 3-wire homerun.
 
RUWired said:
Did not know that.
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Messy picture, but you get the idea.

mine.jpg
 
stickboy1375 said:
Messy picture, but you get the idea.

mine.jpg
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That is how I usually feed a whirlpool with motor and heater. Just deviced one this week.

As far as kitchen set up I usually split the recepts in two (numberwise) and feed the closest of each set with HR. I guy I used to work for would do the 1,3,5 / 2,4,6 deal based on if one circuit goes out the next closet receptacle would still be working.
 
360Youth said:
... I guy I used to work for would do the 1,3,5 / 2,4,6 deal based on if one circuit goes out the next closet receptacle would still be working.
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I've seen that done too. On a service call where they kept tripping the breaker.

Their idea of 'spreading out the loads' was to plug in to every other receptacle.

So you just can't win.
 
In my opinion the installation of one receptacle for circuit one and the other 14 receptacles for circuit two is code legal but very poor workmanship. I believe the intent of the code was to divide the load between the 2 circuits, as a inspector I strongly suggest this method when I find this on the Rough In. Most electricians will devide the circuits pretty close.
 
jamesoftn said:
I believe the intent of the code was to divide the load between the 2 circuits, as a inspector I strongly suggest this method when I find this on the Rough
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That strong suggestion better come across as a friendly tip and not as 'this is what I expect'.
 
jamesoftn said:
In my opinion the installation of one receptacle for circuit one and the other 14 receptacles for circuit two is code legal but very poor workmanship. I believe the intent of the code was to divide the load between the 2 circuits, as a inspector I strongly suggest this method when I find this on the Rough In. Most electricians will devide the circuits pretty close.
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I do left of sink, right of sink, hope thats good enough for ya... :grin: :grin: :grin:
 
360Youth said:
That is how I usually feed a whirlpool with motor and heater. Just deviced one this week.
Click to expand...

You have a future in high tech -- not just anyone can verb a noun.
 
tallgirl said:
You have a future in high tech -- not just anyone can verb a noun.
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Quick story...

An english prof was explainging that a double negative actually created a positive and said that in some languages the positives and negatives would always result in the positive but in no language would two positives result in a negative. From the back of the class one of the students resonded, "Yeah, right!"

And now, back to the post. :grin:
 
stickboy1375 said:
Messy picture, but you get the idea.
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Stick, in my # 5 post i was referring to feeding a single duplex with a 3-wire and two GFI breakers. Infinity said a 2-pole gfi would work.
Rick
 
gel52 said:
My question is in regards to the small appliance branch circuits that are serving kitchen countertops. Is there a required or preferred configuration for these 2 circuits?
Click to expand...

There isn't one. What you're getting into is more than just a design issue, it's what folks in my profession call a "quality of implementation issue".

I don't recognize your name well enough to know if you're a journeyman trying to impress a boss, or a contractor trying to make a name for themselves, but the general idea is about the same.

How would you, or any other reasonable person, use the counter space and/or wall space served by those receptacles? Now, divide it up.
 
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