Why SABC in Dining Rooms?

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TOOL_5150

TOOL_5150

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Location
bay area, ca
Does anyone know why the dining room needs to be a 20A circuit? All the dining room receps I see are rarely used on most homes. I have 4 in my dining room and i have a lamp in 1 and thats it. I know the NEC 'thats the way to do it" but I want to know why.

~Matt
 
TOOL_5150 said:
Does anyone know why the dining room needs to be a 20A circuit? All the dining room receps I see are rarely used on most homes. I have 4 in my dining room and i have a lamp in 1 and thats it. I know the NEC 'thats the way to do it" but I want to know why.

~Matt
Click to expand...

I think it's a holdover from the days of people using warming trays in their dining rooms.
 
TOOL_5150 said:
Does anyone know why the dining room needs to be a 20A circuit? All the dining room receps I see are rarely used on most homes. I have 4 in my dining room and i have a lamp in 1 and thats it. I know the NEC 'thats the way to do it" but I want to know why.

~Matt
Click to expand...

Hot plates and that sort of thing.
 
Ok that makes sence.

In my house we never need hot plates or warming trays... All the cooking was done in the kitchen.:grin:

Thanks guys,

~Matt
 
TOOL_5150 said:
Does anyone know why the dining room needs to be a 20A circuit? ~Matt
Click to expand...

Every time I go over to my aunt & unlce's house (they're both pushing 90), I see a toaster and coffee pot on their dining room table.
 
peter d said:
I think it's a holdover from the days of people using warming trays in their dining rooms.
Click to expand...

Holdover? I wouldn't call it that... We use warming trays (somewhat of a misnomer as these can heat up to 450 degrees and draw 1500 watts) all the time when entertaining. For the big parties we'll have three trays going at once -- have to bring the extension cords out.

One of these days I'll give the little lady 3 dedicated circuits in the dining room. In the interim we make do...
 
i'm not looking at the code right now, but i thought it only said putting the dining receps on the sabc was "allowed" not "required".
 
brantmacga said:
i'm not looking at the code right now, but i thought it only said putting the dining receps on the sabc was "allowed" not "required".
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It's required:

210.52(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 wall and floor receptacle outlets covered by 210.52(A), all countertop outlets covered by 210.52(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.
Exception No. 2: The receptacle outlet for refrigeration equipment shall be permitted to be supplied from an individual branch circuit rated 15 amperes or greater.
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Is 210 saying that you cannot run a dedicated 20A circuit to the dinning that it must come off the S/A cicuit?
 
I think it has more to do with how people used to use their dining rooms, and less with how people use them now. After all, in addition to the dining table, many dining rooms included a piece of furniture called a "buffet". Crock pots, warming trays, and other similar heating appliances are popularly featured on the buffet in the homes of older folk during dinners. Seems like modern floor plans delete the dining room much of the time in favor of a "dining area" in the kitchen.
 
normbac said:
Is 210 saying that you cannot run a dedicated 20A circuit to the dinning that it must come off the S/A cicuit?
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No 210 says you need 2 SABC's. You could take a 20A home run to each dining rec. if you want. No max limit on SABC's.
 
normbac said:
Is 210 saying that you cannot run a dedicated 20A circuit to the dinning that it must come off the S/A cicuit?
Click to expand...

Not at all:

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)
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...it's saying 2 or more SABC :D

Code is minimum...if you want to add 3 additional SABCs for the dining area...you might be tallguy ;) and it'd be quite all right to do that.
 
celtic said:
Not at all:




...it's saying 2 or more SABC :D

Code is minimum...if you want to add 3 additional SABCs for the dining area...you might be tallguy ;) and it'd be quite all right to do that.
Click to expand...

Keyword "or more" Got it must read all words before I panic ;)
 
normbac said:
Is 210 saying that you cannot run a dedicated 20A circuit to the dinning that it must come off the S/A cicuit?
Click to expand...

infinity said:
210.52(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...
Click to expand...

Since you asked ...
 
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TOOL_5150 said:
I know the NEC 'thats the way to do it" but I want to know why.

~Matt
Click to expand...

We could talk forever using this premise.;) :grin:

BTW, when I put raised panels in my dining room , I removed all the receptacles. Don't tell anyone.
 
normbac said:
Is 210 saying that you cannot run a dedicated 20A circuit to the dinning that it must come off the S/A cicuit?
Click to expand...

I don't believe that is how it reads. You must have at least 2 SABCs that cover those areas. You could have 2 circuits cover the kitchen counter areas and one cover the DRM and/or nook and pantry areas. No need to penalize an HO because they have large dining area. I think the only limitation is that a SABC can not cover more than one kitchen.
 
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