Wet bar small appliance branch circuits

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olly

Senior Member
Location
Berthoud, Colorado
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Master Electrician
This Q is based around a wet bar like in a basement... Say the wet bar has a fridge, sink, and wine fridge... I would think 1- 20A circuit would suffice, opposed to the 2 required for a kitchen. ART 100 describes Kitchen as an area with a sink and permanent provisions for food preparations.

I'm just wondering what the AHJ usually require for this... And does the wet bar counter area require the same outlet spacing requirements a kitchen has?
 
olly said:
This Q is based around a wet bar like in a basement... Say the wet bar has a fridge, sink, and wine fridge... I would think 1- 20A circuit would suffice, opposed to the 2 required for a kitchen. ART 100 describes Kitchen as an area with a sink and permanent provisions for food preparations.

I'm just wondering what the AHJ usually require for this... And does the wet bar counter area require the same outlet spacing requirements a kitchen has?
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Will the sink have a garbage disposal? If so, I put that on dedicated circuit

I believe wet bar counters count the same as kitchen counters for spacing
 
If it's a simple, small wet bar with 3 or 4 foot of counter space, then one circuit would suffice unless there's something planned that needs a dedicated circuit (micro, garbage grinder, dishwasher etc.). If it's a huge affair in an upscale custom home, then I'd add another circuit. Or two.
 
olly said:
No disposal. So 1 circuit is fine?
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I'm with @480sparky
If you have a mini fridge, and one receptacle on each side of the sink then one circuit will be just fine. Just use good judgment on that part.

If I know for certain they are going to use a microwave, I'll usually add another circuit.

If adding that extra circuit means you ran out of breaker spaces and now you have to use a twin breaker, and you're looking at revamping the neutral bar because you ran out of space, that may be a bit more than you want to do
 
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