Small Appliance Circuits

[toma]

I have to direct wire a dishwasher in a kitchen. I am going to start a new 20 amp circuit in the panel box for it.

I would also like to add another counter top receptacle to this new 20 amp circuit I will be starting for the dishwasher.

I looked in the code book, and could not find anything about having a dishwasher on a dedicated circuit. The only thing I could find is that if 4 or more small appliances(the dishwasher is considered a small applaince, correct?)are on the same circuit(article 220-17), then a demand factor must be used.

I know alot of electricians would put a dishwasher on its own circuit.

Now my question is this: would it be a violation of the NEC to NOT put a dishwasher on a dedicated circuit?

 

[charlie b]

Re: Small Appliance Circuits

Originally posted by toma: The only thing I could find is that if 4 or more small appliances ? are on the same circuit (article 220-17), then a demand factor must be used.

No, it says that a demand factor may be used. It?s a way of reducing the size of a feeder or a service, to avoid overbuilding. But you don?t have to use the demand factor.

Now my question is this: would it be a violation of the NEC to NOT put a dishwasher on a dedicated circuit?

There is no such prohibition. The primary requirement of interest is that there must be two 20 amp circuits to serve countertops. There are intended for the toasters and coffee pots. The last time I installed a new dishwasher in my own home, I gave it its own circuit. You are right in saying that most electricians would want to do this. But the code does not explicitly require the dishwasher to be on its own circuit.

ALL THAT NOTWITHSTANDING, ARE YOU CERTAIN THAT THIS TYPE OF WORK IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN SAFELY DO YOURSELF?

 

[websparky]

Re: Small Appliance Circuits

toma,

You may have a recptacle (GFCI) also as long as you can meet this and it is in addition to the two required 20A kitchen circuits.

NEC 2002 210.23 Permissible Loads. (A)(2) Utilization Equipment Fastened in Place. The total rating of utilization equipment fastened in place, other than luminaires (lighting fixtures), shall not exceed 50 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating where lighting units, cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment not fastened in place, or both, are also supplied.

Hope this helps,
Dave

 

[gregoryelectricinc]

Re: Small Appliance Circuits

NEC 210-52 B(3)

(3) Kitchen Receptacle Requirements. Receptacles installed in a kitchen to serve countertop surfaces shall be supplied by not fewer than two small-appliance branch circuits, either or both of which shall also be permitted to supply receptacle outlets in the same kitchen and in other rooms specified in 210.52(B)(1). Additional small-appliance branch circuits shall be permitted to supply receptacle outlets in the kitchen and other rooms specified in 210.52(B)(1). No small-appliance branch circuit shall serve more than one kitchen.

Does this not mean that the "fastened in place, Hard-wired" dishwasher can't share a circuit with a countertop receptacle no matter how many small appliance circuits are provided?? :roll:

 

[bennie]

Re: Small Appliance Circuits

A small appliance is a toaster, coffee pot, frying pan. crock pot, mixer and etc.

A large appliance is a anything that can't be picked up and easily moved. The only large appliance permitted on a small appliance branch circuit is a refrigerator.

These are my own definitions, not chisled in stone.

If you can pick it up easily, it is small. If you need two people, it is large.

 

[hornetd]

Re: Small Appliance Circuits

210.52 (B) (2) specifically forbids having any load other than receptacles, refrigerration equipment, and gas applance igniters and controls on the small appliance branch circuits.

The handbook commentary reads
The small-appliance branch circuits illustrated are not permitted to serve any other outlets, such as might be connected to exhaust hoods or fans, disposals, or dishwashers.
--
Tom

 

[electricmanscott]

Re: Small Appliance Circuits

Weather it needs it's own circuit may be open to debate. You can not feed it from the small appliance branch circuits no matter if you have two or ten.

 

[michael nye]

Re: Small Appliance Circuits

just put it on it's own circuit like it should be and bring a counter circuit while you doing the DW and you'll have a much better installation.

 

[toma]

Re: Small Appliance Circuits

Thanks guys!

After reading your replies to my post, I looked in Mike Holt's UNDERSTANDING THE NEC(1999 NEC) and found that the kitchen small appliance circuit should not supply a dishwasher.

This forum is great!

 

[wildman]

Re: Small Appliance Circuits

looking through some past post....came across (toma) July 11, 03. dishwasher on circuit by itself....what about adding garbage disposal to dishwasher circuit? Violation or not?

 

[hornetd]

Re: Small Appliance Circuits

Originally posted by wildman:
looking through some past post....came across (toma) July 11, 03. dishwasher on circuit by itself....what about adding garbage disposal to dishwasher circuit? Violation or not?

As long as the ampacity of the circuit is greater than or equal to the smaller of the two loads and 125% of the larger of the two loads I don't see a problem.
--
Tom

 

[wildman]

Re: Small Appliance Circuits

lots of appliances in the kitchen....dishwasher,garbage disposal, trash compactor, even small ice making machines that can be installed under the counter and take the place of the old ice maker in the refrigerator.was asked to install a towel warmer in the kitchen so the owner would have a warm cloth to dry her hands after rinsing off in the sink. manufacturer directions recommended a dedicated 20 amp circuit.I have heard of towel warmers in the bathroom, but the kitchen! comments welcome!