I am redoing a kitchen and have a question regarding circuits. I have only five 20 amp branch circuits as the box is full and don’t plan on upgrading. I have two circuits for small appliances outlets (left/right). I have a dedicated circuit for microwave. I have a dedicated circuit for a dishwasher. That leaves me with only one circuit for the fridge and/or garbage disposal. Which one should I put on the dedicated circuit and which one should I share a circuit with and what circuit.
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To properly answer this question the wattage of the devices is needed and your jurisdiction.– Ed BealCommented Feb 11, 2022 at 15:54
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California. Fridge is 6a. Garbage disposal I haven’t purchased yet.– Mak2290Commented Feb 11, 2022 at 16:04
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I'd put it on the microwave circuit unless Code or instructions say you can't. How often do you use both at once? Also feel free to give yourself a third countertop circuit and have the fridge on that, no chef ever complained of too many. A typical kitchen heat appliance is 1500W, and 20A circuits only have 2400W, so you can't run 2 per circuit. Fridges are typically 120W if even that. Just arrange the GFCIs so the fridge is NOT on GFCI - so nuisance trips don't spoil food.– Harper - Reinstate MonicaCommented Feb 11, 2022 at 20:14
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Do you know how much current your dishwasher pulls?– ThreePhaseEelCommented Feb 12, 2022 at 5:13
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1 Answer
With the information available your only safe answer is to provide the disposal a dedicated circuit, and put the fridge on one of the small appliance circuits. The Code says:
NEC 210.23(A)(2) Utilization Equipment Fastened in Place. The total rating of utilization equipment fastened in place, other than luminaries, shall not exceed 50-percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating where lighting units, cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment not fastened in place, or both, are also supplied.
answered Feb 12, 2022 at 17:19
