We just heard of an interpretation, that "small appliance" circuits include any other receptacle installed in a kitchen, for plug and cord connected appliances, ie; garbage disposal,dishwasher,trash compactor,or microwave installed over a range, and they had to be on a 20 amp circuit, no matter what the rating of the appliance was. Thoughts?
What is a small appliance circuit?
- Thread starter slaet
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bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: What is a small appliance circuit?
A circuit that serves a small appliance may indeed be a "small appliance" circuit, meaning the circuit just happens to serve a small appliance, but those are not the same as the ones described by 210.11(C)(1) and 210.52(B).
All wall, floor, and countertop receptacles in the areas specified in 210.52(B)(1) are to be served by "small aplliance" circuits. Any other outlets in those rooms must be on circuits other than the small appliance and should be sized and rated based on 210.19(A)(1) and 210.23(A).
A circuit that serves a small appliance may indeed be a "small appliance" circuit, meaning the circuit just happens to serve a small appliance, but those are not the same as the ones described by 210.11(C)(1) and 210.52(B).
All wall, floor, and countertop receptacles in the areas specified in 210.52(B)(1) are to be served by "small aplliance" circuits. Any other outlets in those rooms must be on circuits other than the small appliance and should be sized and rated based on 210.19(A)(1) and 210.23(A).
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: What is a small appliance circuit?
Seems that what we call it might depend on if it's hard wired or has a cord
Seems that what we call it might depend on if it's hard wired or has a cord
luke warmwater
Senior Member
Re: What is a small appliance circuit?
My thoughts are it is hogwash, and someone is in need of more continuing education classes (and possibly more coffee during). See Bryan's post.
Who is "We" and who's interpretaion?
My thoughts are it is hogwash, and someone is in need of more continuing education classes (and possibly more coffee during). See Bryan's post.
jimwalker
Senior Member
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- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: What is a small appliance circuit?
Even with a cord lets look at a frig..It can be on a 15
Even with a cord lets look at a frig..It can be on a 15
electricmanscott
Senior Member
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- Boston, MA
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- Massachusetts Master Electrician, one man show.
Re: What is a small appliance circuit?
Not a very accurate interpretation. All of those appliances could conceivably be on 15 amp circuits. I think typically "Small appliance circuits" are for the counter use receptacles that serve "Small appliances". The appliances you list are not small appliances.
allenwayne
Senior Member
Re: What is a small appliance circuit?
Here we are required to have any and all receptacles in a kitchen/nook/dining area on a 20 amp circuit.Counter top receptacles are required to be gfci protected by 2 small appliance circuits,remainder can be either gfci protected or not.We usually hit the dining area then hit #1 gfci.Then # 2 gfci is a hr then hit the nook or required wall receptacles in kitchen area.
Here we are required to have any and all receptacles in a kitchen/nook/dining area on a 20 amp circuit.Counter top receptacles are required to be gfci protected by 2 small appliance circuits,remainder can be either gfci protected or not.We usually hit the dining area then hit #1 gfci.Then # 2 gfci is a hr then hit the nook or required wall receptacles in kitchen area.
electricmanscott
Senior Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
- Occupation
- Massachusetts Master Electrician, one man show.
Re: What is a small appliance circuit?
I assume you have local code ammendments aw.
I assume you have local code ammendments aw.
allenwayne
Senior Member
Re: What is a small appliance circuit?
No just ths 2002 NEC,yes you can dedicate a refridgerator with a 15 amp circuit but all others have to be 20 amp. BTW I dont have our guys use #14 for ref.to much chance of getting mixed up with a lighting HR when it would be pulled in same area.If you can show me a code referance that allows # 14 for receptacle outlets other than the few exceptions in a kitchen,nook,or dining area I`d like to hear it.
No just ths 2002 NEC,yes you can dedicate a refridgerator with a 15 amp circuit but all others have to be 20 amp. BTW I dont have our guys use #14 for ref.to much chance of getting mixed up with a lighting HR when it would be pulled in same area.If you can show me a code referance that allows # 14 for receptacle outlets other than the few exceptions in a kitchen,nook,or dining area I`d like to hear it.
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Hospital Master Electrician
Re: What is a small appliance circuit?
AW's right, two 20A circuits running the entire dining/nook/kitchen area is bare-bones code. More than two is up to you. The fridge is specifically mentioned to be on one of the two SA circuits. 210.52(B)(1).
Feelin' all right, Scott?
AW's right, two 20A circuits running the entire dining/nook/kitchen area is bare-bones code. More than two is up to you. The fridge is specifically mentioned to be on one of the two SA circuits. 210.52(B)(1).
Feelin' all right, Scott?
Re: What is a small appliance circuit?
How about This ??
(B) Small Appliances.
(1) Receptacle Outlets Served. In the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room, or similar area of a dwelling unit, the two or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits required by 210.11(C)(1) shall serve all receptacle outlets covered by 210.52(A) and (C) and receptacle outlets for refrigeration equipment.
Exception No. 1: In addition to the required receptacles specified by 210.52, switched receptacles supplied from a general-purpose branch circuit as defined in 210.70(A)(1), Exception No. 1, shall be permitted.
Charlie
How about This ??
(B) Small Appliances.
(1) Receptacle Outlets Served. In the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room, or similar area of a dwelling unit, the two or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits required by 210.11(C)(1) shall serve all receptacle outlets covered by 210.52(A) and (C) and receptacle outlets for refrigeration equipment.
Exception No. 1: In addition to the required receptacles specified by 210.52, switched receptacles supplied from a general-purpose branch circuit as defined in 210.70(A)(1), Exception No. 1, shall be permitted.
Charlie
electricmanscott
Senior Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
- Occupation
- Massachusetts Master Electrician, one man show.
Re: What is a small appliance circuit?
Yes all the other counter or general use receptacles are to be on the 20 amp sa circuits I know that. The appliances listed in the original question can not be on those circuits nor do they have to be 20 amp circuits. As for getting 14 and 12 mixed up one cable is yellow the other is white. I won't even start the "Once the minimum is satisfied you can do whatever you want" debate. Oops the smiley was meant for George
[ January 29, 2005, 05:33 PM: Message edited by: electricmanscott ]
[ January 29, 2005, 05:33 PM: Message edited by: electricmanscott ]
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Hospital Master Electrician
Re: What is a small appliance circuit?
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