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Electrical Circuit Requirements for Kitchens

Usually a kitchen is using more electricity than any other rooms in the home, and the NEC(National Electrical Code) stipulates that kitchens should be amply served by multiple circuits. For a kitchen that uses electrical cooking appliances, this means it needs as many as seven or more circuits. Compare this to the requirements for a bedroom or other living area, where a single general-purpose lighting circuit can serve all the light fixtures and plug-in outlets.

Most kitchen appliances were plugged into ordinary general outlet receptacles before, but as kitchen appliances have become larger and larger over the years, it’s now standard—and required by building code—for each of these appliances to have a dedicated appliance circuit that serves nothing else. Besides, kitchens require small appliance circuits and at least one lighting circuit.

Please notice that not all local building codes have the same requirements. While the NEC (National Electrical Code) serves as the basis for most local codes, individual communities can, and often do, set standards by themselves. Always check with your local code authorities on requirements for your community. 

01. Refrigerator Circuit

Basically, a modern refrigerator requires a dedicated 20-amp circuit. You may have a smaller refrigerator plugged into a general lighting circuit for now, but during any major remodeling, install a dedicated circuit (120/125-volts) for the refrigerator. For this dedicated 20-amp circuit, 12/2 non-metallic (NM) sheathed wire with a ground will be required for the wiring.

This circuit usually does not need GFCI protection unless the outlet is within 6 feet of a sink or located in a garage or basement, but it generally does require AFCI protection.

02. Range Circuit

An electric range generally needs a dedicated 240/250-volt, 50-amp circuit. That means you’ll need to install a 6/3 NM cable (or #6 THHN wire in a conduit) to feed the range. However, it will only require a 120/125-volt receptacle to power the range controls and vent hood if it’s a gas range.

During a major remodeling, though, it’s a nice thought to install the electric range circuit, even if you won’t currently be using it. In the future, you may want to convert to an electric range, and having this circuit available will be a selling point if you ever sell your house. Please remember that an electric range needs to push back to the wall, so position the outlet accordingly. 

While 50-amp circuits are typical for ranges, some units may require circuits up to 60 amps, while smaller units may require smaller circuits—40-amps or even 30-amps. However, new home construction typically includes 50-amp range circuits, since these are sufficient for the vast majority of residential cooking ranges.

When a cooktop and wall oven are separate units in kitchens, the National Electrical Code generally allows both units to be powered by the same circuit, provided that the combined electrical load does not exceed the safe capacity of that circuit. However, typically the use of 2-, 30-, or 40- amp circuits are run from the main panel to power each separately.

03. Dishwasher Circuit

When installing a dishwasher, the circuit should be a dedicated 120/125-volt, 15-amp circuit. This 15-amp circuit is fed with a 14/2 NM wire with a ground. You may also choose to feed the dishwasher with a 20-amp circuit using 12/2 NM wire with a ground. Please ensure to allow enough slack on the NM cable so that the dishwasher can be pulled out and serviced without disconnecting it—your appliance repairman will thank you.

Note: dishwashers will need a means of local disconnection or panel lock-out. This requirement is realized by a cord and plug configuration or a small lockout device mounted on the breaker at the panel to prevent shock.

Some electricians will wire a kitchen so the dishwasher and garbage disposal are powered by the same circuit, but if this is done, it must be a 20-amp circuit and care must be taken to make sure the total amperage of both appliances does not exceed 80 percent of the circuit amperage rating. You need to check with local code authorities to see if this is allowed. 

GFCI and AFCI requirements vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Usually, the circuit requires GFCI protection, but if AFCI protection is required or not will depend on the local interpretation of the code.

04. Garbage Disposal Circuit

Garbage disposals do the job of cleaning up the messes after meals. When loaded down with garbage, they use a good bit of amperage as they grind up the refuse. A garbage disposal requires a dedicated 15-amp circuit, fed by a 14/2 NM cable with a ground. You may also choose to feed the disposer with a 20-amp circuit, using 12/2 NM wire with a ground. This is often done when the local code allows the disposal to share a circuit with the dishwasher. You should always check with your local building inspector to see if this is allowed in your locale. 

Different jurisdictions may have different requirements requiring GFCI and AFCI protection for garbage disposals, so please check with your local authorities for this. Including both AFCI and GFCI protection is the safest approach, but because the GFCIs can be prone to “phantom tripping” due to motor start-up surges, professional electrician often omit GFCIs on these circuits where local codes allow it. AFCI protection will be required since these circuits are operated by a wall switch and the disposal may be wired to plug into a wall outlet.

05. Microwave Oven Circuit

The microwave oven needs a dedicated 20-amp, the 120/125-volt circuit to feed it. This will require 12/2 NM wire with a ground. Microwave ovens come in different varieties and sizes, that means some are countertop models while other microwaves mount above the stove.

Although it’s common to see microwave ovens plugged into standard appliance outlets, larger microwave ovens can draw as much as 1500 watts thus need their own dedicated circuits.

This circuit does not need GFCI protection in most areas, but it is sometimes required where the appliance plugs into an accessible outlet. AFCI protection is usually needed for this circuit since the appliance is plugged into an outlet. However, microwaves contribute to phantom loads, so you would consider unplugging them when not in use.

06. Lighting Circuit

Certainly, a kitchen wouldn’t be complete without a lighting circuit to brighten the cooking area. One 15-amp, 120/125-volt dedicated circuit is required at least to power the kitchen lighting, such as the ceiling fixtures, canister lights, under-cabinet lights, and strip lights.

Each set of lights should have its own switch to allow you to control the lighting. You may want to add a ceiling fan or maybe a bank of track lights in the future. For this reason, it’s a good idea to install a 20-amp circuit for the general lighting use, even though code only requires a 15-amp circuit. 

In most jurisdictions, a circuit that supplies only lighting fixtures does not require GFCI protection, but it may be needed if a wall switch is located near the sink. AFCI protection is generally required for all lighting circuits.

07. Small Appliance Circuits

You will need two dedicated 20-amp, 120/125-volt circuits atop your counter-top to run your small appliance loads, including devices such toasters, electric griddles, coffee pots, blenders, etc. Two circuits are required at least by code; you can also install more if your needs require them.

Please try to imagine where you will place appliances on your countertop when planning the circuits and the location of outlets. If in doubt, add additional circuits for the future.

Circuits powering plug-in receptacles serving countertop appliances should always have both GFCI and AFCI protection for security consideration.


Post time: Mar-01-2023