SABC

[tom baker]

Got an email asking about load calc for small appliance branch circuit...
The code says at least two appliance circuits at 1500va per circuit for the kitchen. If I run a dedicated micro circuits do I count that as a 3rd appliance circuits or do I just add the micro into the appliance calc(I.e micro 1200va+dish 400va+ disp 1100va.) also, if I did run a third circuites to say an island is my calc now 3 circuites at 1500 va for the kitchen?

 

[Little Bill]

As far as the NEC load calculations, you just need to show the two SABC. The dishwasher and disposal are not part of the SABC. You would need to add them according to the nameplates of each.
IMO, you could have 5 SABC and not add much if any to the load. So I'm guessing the code panel took into consideration the fact that not all of any added SABC would be used at the same time so they went with two.

Same principle as adding branch circuits in excess of the required for the square footage of the house. You still figure the load based on the sq ft of the house.

 

[ActionDave]

if I did run a third circuites to say an island is my calc now 3 circuites at 1500 va for the kitchen?

Yes, it is.

 

[Ponchik]

If it is an additional SABC then it is added as such. If it is a microwave circuit then
it is added as an appliance circuit

 

[Smart $]

If it is an additional SABC then it is added as such. If it is a microwave circuit then it is added as an appliance circuit

A 'countertop' microwave is not a fixed-in-place appliance.

All receptacle outlets in the kitchen must be served by an SABC per 210.52(B)(1).

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Tom, IMO if the mw is built in and not on the counter then you would use the nameplate wattage. If you add a counter circuit then, as stated above, you need to add a 3third small appliance branch circuit. Now it is 1500 va times 3 not 2.

 

[Little Bill]

As far as the NEC load calculations, you just need to show the two SABC. The dishwasher and disposal are not part of the SABC. You would need to add them according to the nameplates of each.
IMO, you could have 5 SABC and not add much if any to the load. So I'm guessing the code panel took into consideration the fact that not all of any added SABC would be used at the same time so they went with two.

Same principle as adding branch circuits in excess of the required for the square footage of the house. You still figure the load based on the sq ft of the house.

I stand corrected on the 3rd (or more) SABC being counted. I read 220.52(A) as saying "......for each 2-wire SA branch circuit required by 210.(C)(1)" meant only the two required. But 210.(C)(1) actually says "two or more". So if you do the "or more" than that adds to the total.

 

[Ponchik]

A 'countertop' microwave is not a fixed-in-place appliance.

All receptacle outlets Serving the counter

in the kitchen must be served by an SABC per 210.52(B)(1).

I did not mean a counter top MW. I was half way asleep when I posted.

 

[Smart $]

I did not mean a counter top MW. I was half way asleep when I posted.

Being half way asleep is no excuse. I'll only accept all the way asleep.