Typically, in modern kitchen designs, the floor plan includes a space specifically intended for a refrigerator. In fact, such designs preclude installing a refrigerator anywhere else without remodeling the kitchen. Thus, the space is intended as a "dedicated space" for a refrigerator, both by design and use. However, unlike the exception for non-GFCI protected wall outlets in garages, the term "dedicated space" is not used for any part of the exceptions pertaining to non-GFCI protected wall outlets in kitchens.
The requirement for GFCI protection of kitchen outlets applies to outlets serving countertops. It seems that once a refrigerator is in place, the outlet in the space for the refrigerator would be inaccessible for any other use. The NEC requirement for GFCI protection of outlets only applies to outlets which serve countertops and the exception to GFCI protection also applies to outlets for food waste disposers, dishwashers, and trash compactors - outlets typically located inside and near the back of kitchen base cabinets.
The exception for a kitchen wall outlet in a space designed and intended for a refrigerator would seem to imply (without using the term "dedicated space") that, like the exception for garages, the non-GFCI protected outlet intended for the refrigerator is, in fact, serving a dedicated space because that space is intended for nothing other than a refrigerator, an appliance that "is not easily moved form one place to another and that is cord-and-plug connected."
In addition, most kitchen wall outlets in such spaces designed and intended for a refrigerator are less than six feet from a countertop. Since there is no requirement that a refrigerator be installed or that, if one is installed, it will prevent ready access to the outlet, the outlet could potentially "serve a countertop." Does anybody know why the NEC doesn't include the term and concept of "dedicated space" with regard to the exception for this specific kitchen wall outlet?
Just curious
The requirement for GFCI protection of kitchen outlets applies to outlets serving countertops. It seems that once a refrigerator is in place, the outlet in the space for the refrigerator would be inaccessible for any other use. The NEC requirement for GFCI protection of outlets only applies to outlets which serve countertops and the exception to GFCI protection also applies to outlets for food waste disposers, dishwashers, and trash compactors - outlets typically located inside and near the back of kitchen base cabinets.
The exception for a kitchen wall outlet in a space designed and intended for a refrigerator would seem to imply (without using the term "dedicated space") that, like the exception for garages, the non-GFCI protected outlet intended for the refrigerator is, in fact, serving a dedicated space because that space is intended for nothing other than a refrigerator, an appliance that "is not easily moved form one place to another and that is cord-and-plug connected."
In addition, most kitchen wall outlets in such spaces designed and intended for a refrigerator are less than six feet from a countertop. Since there is no requirement that a refrigerator be installed or that, if one is installed, it will prevent ready access to the outlet, the outlet could potentially "serve a countertop." Does anybody know why the NEC doesn't include the term and concept of "dedicated space" with regard to the exception for this specific kitchen wall outlet?
Just curious
