Small appliance branch circuit question

[cppoly]

In addition to the two small appliance branch circuits required to have of a load of 1,500 VA each, two questions about running a dedicated circuit to a specific appliance in the kitchen (as allowed per exception in 210.52(B)(1)):

1) Is this dedicated circuit considered a small appliance branch circuit?

2) Is there a 1,500 VA requirement for this dedicated circuit OR does this dedicated circuit get the specific appliance wattage? For instance, let's say 800 watts for a microwave. Would 1,500 VA or 800 VA be required in the panel?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

In addition to the two small appliance branch circuits required to have of a load of 1,500 VA each, two questions about running a dedicated circuit to a specific appliance in the kitchen (as allowed per exception in 210.52(B)(1)):

1) Is this dedicated circuit considered a small appliance branch circuit?

2) Is there a 1,500 VA requirement for this dedicated circuit OR does this dedicated circuit get the specific appliance wattage? For instance, let's say 800 watts for a microwave. Would 1,500 VA or 800 VA be required in the panel?

1) It can be as in a refrigerator but it would not be for a dishwasher. It must be accessible to the kitchen counter.

2)Not sure what you are asking here. Do you mean for calculation purposes

 

[cppoly]

Thanks.

Yes, for calculations. I'm asking if you choose to run a dedicated circuit in the kitchen (for a refrigerator, microwave, etc.), if this required to be considered a SABC with a 1,500VA load OR is this load specific to the appliance (400 watts, 800 watts, etc.)? In other words, for each dedicated circuit you run to a specific receptacle, does each load need to be 1,500VA or only the load of the appliance?

Here's the exception I'm referring:

210.52(B)(1)

Exception No. 2:
In addition to the required receptacles specified by 210.52, a receptacle outlet to serve a specific appliance shall be permitted to be supplied from an individual branch circuit rated 15 amperes or greater.

 

[charlie b]

A dedicated circuit for a specific load need not be a SABC. it is counted at its rated load. It can even be a 15 amp circuit, as the exception you cited clearly states.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Except fot the small appliance branch circuit and laundry you would use the appliance VA

 

[Dennis Alwon]

If the dedicated circuit was a receptacle that landed on the kitchen counter and was able to be utilized by other appliance then it would be calculated at 1500 VA.

 

[wwhitney]

If the dedicated circuit was a receptacle that landed on the kitchen counter and was able to be utilized by other appliance then it would be calculated at 1500 VA.

Partially disagree--if the receptacle is in addition to the required 2'/4' receptacles, then you can declare the dedicated circuit not an SABC (whether it is 15A or 20A or more), and count it according to the rating of the intended load.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[charlie b]

Wayne, I need to disagree with you on this point. 210.11(C)(1) calls for two or more small appliance branch circuits. 210.52(B)(1) says those two or more shall serve all kitchen countertop receptacles.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Partially disagree--if the receptacle is in addition to the required 2'/4' receptacles, then you can declare the dedicated circuit not an SABC (whether it is 15A or 20A or more), and count it according to the rating of the intended load.

Cheers, Wayne

Where is that wording? If it lands on the counter, IMO it is counted as 1500. unless direct wired

 

[wwhitney]

Wayne, I need to disagree with you on this point. 210.11(C)(1) calls for two or more small appliance branch circuits. 210.52(B)(1) says those two or more shall serve all kitchen countertop receptacles.

But 210.52(B)(1) has an exception, as quoted in post #3. So if we use an individual branch circuit to serve a specific appliance, even on the countertop, then that branch circuit need not be an SABC (indeed, it is allowed to have only 15A OCPD, which is not allowed for an SABC).

Cheers, Wayne

 

[wwhitney]

Where is that wording? If it lands on the counter, IMO it is counted as 1500. unless direct wired

210.52(B)(1) Exception 2, as quoted in post #3. That's an exception to the 210.52(B)(1) language that "the two or more" SABCs "shall serve . . all countertop outlets covered by 210.52(C)." It lets us put a countertop outlet on an individual branch circuit for a specific appliance.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Dennis Alwon]

210.52(B)(1) Exception 2, as quoted in post #3. That's an exception to the 210.52(B)(1) language that "the two or more" SABCs "shall serve . . all countertop outlets covered by 210.52(C)." It lets us put a countertop outlet on an individual branch circuit for a specific appliance.

Cheers, Wayne

So how does one define that circuit, as a receptacle, only for an appliance. It is all moot because the difference in the calculation will probably not be enough to worry about.

I agree with what you said. I read the exception in 210.52 and read 220.52 as 210.52(B)(10)

 

[wwhitney]

So how does one define that circuit, as a receptacle, only for an appliance.

Well, on the plans it will show as for a specific appliance, and the load calc would include the load of that appliance. And in the field, it will be installed as an individual branch circuit, which likely means the circuit has only one outlet (although that is not required).

Cheers, Wayne

 

[david]

So you guys would conclude if not to serve the counter top it would not need GFCI protection unless 6 ft from the sink?

 

[wwhitney]

So you guys would conclude if not to serve the counter top it would not need GFCI protection unless 6 ft from the sink?

The language in 210.8 has changed recently. In the 2023 NEC 210.8(A)(6) just says "kitchens" and so would apply regardless.

In the 2020 NEC, it says "kitchens--where the receptacles are installed to serve the countertop surfaces." That is not necessarily synonymous with being a 210.52(C) receptacle on an SABC. I think that language would also cover a receptacle on an individual branch circuit to serve a specific appliance that lives on the countertop surface, if the appliance is not fixed in place.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[david]

edit: i just read that 2023 requires all kitchen rec to be GFCI protected.

 

[david]

The language in 210.8 has changed recently. In the 2023 NEC 210.8(A)(6) just says "kitchens" and so would apply regardless.

In the 2020 NEC, it says "kitchens--where the receptacles are installed to serve the countertop surfaces." That is not necessarily synonymous with being a 210.52(C) receptacle on an SABC. I think that language would also cover a receptacle on an individual branch circuit to serve a specific appliance that lives on the countertop surface, if the appliance is not fixed in place.

Cheers, Wayne

I think from a liability point i would agree but the language in 2020 doesnt seem to suport that " countertop surfaces'

 

[charlie b]

And in the field, it will be installed as an individual branch circuit, which likely means the circuit has only one outlet (although that is not required).

I believe it is required. By definition, an individual branch circuit serves only one utilization equipment.

 

[charlie b]

I believe it is required. By definition, an individual branch circuit serves only one utilization equipment.

I just started a new thread on this issue, to avoid sidetracking this one.