Replies

1. 
   brownbagg | Jun 16, 2005 03:31pm | #1

   2 20 amp counter circuits
   20 amp microwave circuit
   20 amp refrigerator circuit
   20 amp garabage disposal circuit
   lights need to seperate
   all counter gfi

   garabge disposal can be a plug in
   if microwave sets on counter does not need seperate cicuit
   smoke detecter must be on circuit with some else cannot be seperate and must be connected.

2. 
   BillHartmann | Jun 16, 2005 06:19pm | #2

   "I'm renovating the kitchen which was last renovated in '88, and I understand that I need to bring the electrical up to current code (assumption #1, touch one thing, you gotta touch everything)."

   Not true, depends on both your just what you are doing, the local adminstrative codes, and AHJ interpretations.

   You could completely gut a kitchen, of all floor, cabinets and DW and replace the same. If you don't touch the electrical you don't have to upgrade it. Or often you can run a new circuit without updating the others.

   However, some locals might require full upgrade if you are doing more than a certain dollar value or % changes. All subject to local interpretation.

   And some locals will allow you to "make it better than it was" if bringing everything up to code is too difficult.

   You are required to have 2 or MORE 20 amp small appliance circuits. Which if the electrical was updated in 1988 you should have.

   Now those 2 circuits can serve the counter top receptacles and wall receptacels in the kitchen, dinning room and pantry. They can include the refigerator, gas stove ignitor and a clock hanger receptacle.

   But you can't have any lighting on it.

   ALL receptacles that serve the counter top need to have GFCI protection. But no others do. And make sure that the refigerator is not feed through from a GFCI.

   This gives you a check list of where recetpacles for the countertops are required.

   For appliances the rule is that if the appliance (by name plate rating) requires more than 50% of the rated circuit then needs a separate circuit. Other wise they can share others figuring 125% of the larges and adding each of the others.

   But kitchens are an area that can have lots of local interpretations, so I would check first.

   But I know that Fairfax county has lots of checklist and standard conditions online so you can check their first.

1. 
   Ken | Jun 17, 2005 02:48am | #6

   That's a great summary, Bill. Thanks. I was trying to minimize changes to the service panel and since I would need to replace (2) 15A circuits with (2) 20A circuits, I'll need to get someone to help. The thing that's straining my brain is that I've got a penninsula and two small, 21" & 24" wide counters. So applying your guidance and considering that the island isn't held to the same spacing requirements, I'll only have 5 outlets in the kitchen. That doesn't seem to justify (2) dedicated circuits.From reading more on the code, the 20A outlets are for the kitchen, dining, breakfast room and pantry. I might be able to rewire some outlets in the dining room, but it's probably 15A. Am I right in thinking that if I put those outlets on the 20A circuit, I need to rewire those with 12ga?

1. 
   BillHartmann | Jun 17, 2005 04:09am | #7

   "Am I right in thinking that if I put those outlets on the 20A circuit, I need to rewire those with 12ga?"Yes.While the code does not spell it out I think that the idea is that the counter top have diversity. That is there are 2 different circuits on the counter top so that the toaster might be on one and the coffee maker on the other one.And that is the reason for allowing dining room/breakfast knook/pantry to be on those circuits. Because you might have the coffee maker, or warming tray or counter top microwave in those areas.

1. 
   brownbagg | Jun 17, 2005 05:37am | #8

   And that is the reason for allowing dining room/breakfast knook/pantry to be on those circuits. Because you might have the coffee maker, or warming tray or counter top microwave in those areas. a local code here is, If those areas are seperated by a wall, then they cannot be on that circuit, must be open space.

3. 
   reddog | Jun 17, 2005 12:08am | #3

   I'm surprised that none of the responses to your question did not pass on this pertinent fact:  Receptacles in kitchens require closer spacing than in other parts of the house.  Basically, they can be spaced on 4' centers, but the way it's addressed in the NEC is that no space along the wall line can be no more than 2' from an outlet.  Each small counter space 18" wide or over must have its own outlet.

   Red Dog

1. 
   BillHartmann | Jun 17, 2005 12:20am | #4

   "Each small counter space 18" wide or over must have its own outlet."Actually it is 12".I ment to post this link, but it got lost.http://www.codecheck.com/pg27_28electrical.html#rough

1. 
   reddog | Jun 17, 2005 12:49am | #5

   Oops!