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Why are kitchens and bathrooms required to be on separate 20-amp receptacle branch circuits?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
The NEC doesn't provide justifications for its requirements, but the likely reason is simply the amount of amps often drawn in kitchens and bathrooms because of all the appliances specific to these locations. NEC 210.11 requires a minimum of two 20 amp circuits for counter top receptacles in the kitchen, called Small Appliance Branch Circuits.
It is my understand of the code that these small appliance circuits in the kitchen can also cover the dinning room, and similar areas in a dwelling, and while most electricians seem to frown on this, one of these circuits can be used for the refrigerator receptacle. One can also supply receptacles for any electrical stuff on gas-fired ranges. Dishwashers and waste disposals are not plugged in on counter tops so presumably need to be supplied by (a) circuit(s) other than these. On counter tops in the kitchen all receptacles must be GFCI protected.
The bathroom circuit is intended to either a) serve a GFCI receptacle at the sink and can also serve another such receptacle in another bathroom, but in this case cannot serve other loads in the bathroom, or b) can serve the receptacle and other permissible loads in the same bathroom but no loads outside of it.
Answer
In real life, our kitchen circuit also serves the dining room. Because we did not increase the capability of the circuit when we added the microwave, the dining room light dims out when we use the microwave. There would be similar issues with kitchen and bathrooms sharing one circuit.
It is funny how real life so often is "out-of-code". Following the current code, the lights in the dinning room would not dim because the two-small appliance circuit described above is only intended to serve receptacles in the kitchen and dinning room, and similar spaces in a dwelling, and so putting lights (any lights that are not lamps plugged into to wall receptacles) on them would not be permitted. In other words, your lights and your receptacles should not be on the same circuit, according to the NEC
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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Why are kitchens and bathrooms required to be on seperate 20-amp receptacle branch circuits?
In today's homes, electrical appliances abound in the kitchen and bath, so you need different circuits if you want to be able to run things at the same time. For instance, your 1500 watt hair dryer is 12.5 amps (at 120 volts) and your toaster over might be another 1500 watts, meaning you'd overload a 20-A circuit if both were in use at the same time on the same circuit.
What would a GFCI protect you from?
Death possibly. If your body completes the electrical circuit, the ground fault interrupter will switch the power off and save you from electrocution. Required where electricity is being used around sinks (kitchens, bathrooms) and outdoors.
Where are GFI circuit breakers required for single family home?
Check with your local building department for specifics, but generally they are required in kitchens, baths, and outdoors
How can I install a 110 receptacle alongside a 220 receptacle using the 220 receptacle wires for power?
While you can physically do this it violates the Electrical Code. 110 Volt and 220 Volt receptacles are required by the Electrical Code to be on separate breakers for safety reasons, this would put them on the same 220 Volt breaker.
What is a dedicated outlet?
A dedicated outlet is a single circuit from a single or double pole breaker to a specific outlet or receptacle for a single specific device or appliance. An example of this would be a circuit for a refrigerator, microwave, dryer, range, etc..This is typically referred to as a "dedicated circuit". A dedicated circuit usually is supplying power to only one or perhaps two receptacles, such as a computer station. An example in your home under current code is your washing machine is required to be on a dedicated circuit. Dedicated receptacle circuits may be either 15 or 20 amp.A dedicated circuit is just what it sounds like. I'ts a circuit dedicated to one particular device. Most receptacle (you may call them outlet's) circuits will power several outlets. A dedicated circuit will power only one specific outlet or appliance. Some examples would be a refrigerator, a garbage disposal, or a microwave.
Do most kitchens have a 20amp outlet?
By today's NEC standards, all kitchens are required to have to have a minimum of two 20 amp circuits.
Why are kitchens and bathrooms required to be on seperate 20-amp receptacle branch circuits?
In today's homes, electrical appliances abound in the kitchen and bath, so you need different circuits if you want to be able to run things at the same time. For instance, your 1500 watt hair dryer is 12.5 amps (at 120 volts) and your toaster over might be another 1500 watts, meaning you'd overload a 20-A circuit if both were in use at the same time on the same circuit.
Where are gfci outlets required?
GFCI receptacle's must protect any outlet that is within 6 feet of a water source, outside the home, in a garage, on a deck, in a sunroom, in a bathroom, unfinished basements, kitchens, & crawl spaces.
What are the main difference while applying kirchoffs laws to dc circuits and ac circuits using meter readings?
For DC circuits, an alebraic sum is required. For AC circuits, a phasor sum is required.
What would a GFCI protect you from?
Death possibly. If your body completes the electrical circuit, the ground fault interrupter will switch the power off and save you from electrocution. Required where electricity is being used around sinks (kitchens, bathrooms) and outdoors.
Do electric circuits have two switches?
They can, but not required.
Are all new bathrooms required to be ADA compliant?
All Public restrooms.
Are gfci receptacles required in kitchens?
No, you could use a GFCI circuit breaker instead.
Is a receptacle required in a hallway in a home when the hallway is 8 ft long?
no,only if its 10ft or more.
Is a receptacle required in a bedroom on a 3 ft wall space behind the door?
No, not behind a door.
How do you wire Resistors required for led combination circuits?
in series
What wire would you use for a receptacle in kitchen?
To answer this question more information is required, as to the appliance electrical consumption.
