Dedicated appliance circuits

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Steve33

Member
Location
Boston
Occupation
Electrician
I’m being told by an inspector that I need dedicated circuit for both the shelf mounted microwave and the hood fan/light. I had the hood on one of 4 sabc and the micro on one of the other ones. Is this a 2020 Chang I missed?
 

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
Steve welcome to the forum. The small appliance branch circuit should only serve receptacles on the counter. The microwave if it is sitting on the counter could use the small appliance branch circuit however if it is built into a shelve then IMO it cannot use the small appliance branch circuit. The hood cannot be on the small appliance branch circuit either

(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 counter top 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: In addition to the required receptacles specified by
210.52, a receptacle outlet to serve a specific appliance shall be permitted
to be supplied from an individual branch circuit rated 15 amperes
or greater.
(2) No Other Outlets. The two or more small-appliance
branch circuits specified in 210.52(B)(1) shall have no other
outlets.
Exception No. 1: A receptacle installed solely for the electrical supply to
and support of an electric clock in any of the rooms specified in
210.52(B)(1).
Exception No. 2: Receptacles installed to provide power for supplemental
equipment and lighting on gas-fired ranges, ovens, or counter mounted
cooking units.
 

Electromatic

Senior Member
Location
Virginia
Occupation
Master Electrician
Also, if the hood is plugged in, that receptacle has to be on its own branch circuit. 422.16(B)(4) [stupid IMHO]
 

Hv&Lv

Senior Member
Location
-
Occupation
Engineer/Technician
The microwave if it is sitting on the counter could use the small appliance branch circuit however if it is built into a shelve then IMO it cannot use the small appliance branch circuit

I‘ve never understood that...
I was failed on an install for that exact thing a couple of years back.
I asked the inspector if I put a 1200W microwave on the counter, why is that OK but I couldn’t put a 700W micro in the shelf?
 

GeorgeB

ElectroHydraulics engineer (retired)
Location
Greenville SC
Occupation
Retired
I asked the inspector if I put a 1200W microwave on the counter, why is that OK but I couldn’t put a 700W micro in the shelf?
You know the answer to that :) ... because the code says so. :unsure: Just like my parents used to say. :unsure:
 

Hv&Lv

Senior Member
Location
-
Occupation
Engineer/Technician
You know the answer to that :) ... because the code says so. :unsure: Just like my parents used to say. :unsure:
😂😂
Mine told me the same thing..

I changed it, and for the record I said that to him with a smile on my face. He laughed also and agreed, but still said change it....
No need to start a fight with an inspector.
 

Steve33

Member
Location
Boston
Occupation
Electrician
I guess I see the point , foolish as it may be. The inspector asked if I had taken the 2020 update course as if it was something new. And the hood should not be on that circuit either but I don’t see where it needs a dedicated circuit
Also, if the hood is plugged in, that receptacle has to be on its own branch circuit. 422.16(B)(4) [stupid IMHO]
thats my point, it’s not plugged in, but he wants it on its own circuit and says it’s in the 2020
 

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
This is where it comes from (for the hood)

422.16(B)

(4) Range Hoods. Range hoods shall be permitted to be cordand-
plug-connected with a flexible cord identified as suitable
for use on range hoods in the installation instructions of the
appliance manufacturer, where all of the following conditions
are met:
(1) The flexible cord is terminated with a grounding-type
attachment plug.
Exception: A listed range hood distinctly marked to identify it as protected
by a system of double insulation shall not be required to be terminated
with a grounding-type attachment plug.
(2) The length of the cord is not less than 450 mm (18 in.)
and not over 1.2 m (4 ft).
(3) Receptacles are located to protect against physical
damage to the flexible cord.
(4) The receptacle is accessible.
(5) The receptacle is supplied by an individual branch
circuit.
 
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