Kitchen Wiring Questions
#1
01-04-04, 06:33 PM
Kitchen Wiring Questions
I've got a kitchen with relatively little counter space. The counter is in the shape of an "L", with the sink located on the shorter counter. The sink basically takes up the entire short counter, with maybe 3-4 inches to spare on each side.
Do I need a receptacle on the wall over the sink? I'm thinking I don't because the only counter space to set an appliance on, is on the longer section, which will have 2 receptacles already.
My next question is on the 2 required small appliance circuits. If I have two receptacles over the counter, each fed by a different circuit, can I put the receptacles on the other walls on circuits that extend into other rooms? For example, could I put the receptacle behind the gas range on the same circuit as the livingroom on the other side of the wall?
Finally, is a light required over the sink? I know it is probably a good idea, but is it mandated by code?
Do I need a receptacle on the wall over the sink? I'm thinking I don't because the only counter space to set an appliance on, is on the longer section, which will have 2 receptacles already.
My next question is on the 2 required small appliance circuits. If I have two receptacles over the counter, each fed by a different circuit, can I put the receptacles on the other walls on circuits that extend into other rooms? For example, could I put the receptacle behind the gas range on the same circuit as the livingroom on the other side of the wall?
Finally, is a light required over the sink? I know it is probably a good idea, but is it mandated by code?
#2
01-04-04, 07:48 PM
Member
Sinks don't count as counterspace. One counter ends on one side of the sink, and another counter starts on the other side. Similar to the way a doorway is handled in spacing receptacles in a bedroom. And corners are invisible to measuring distance along the countertop, just like corners are invisible in the doorway. So just pretend that the L was a straight line.
I don't have my code book handy to look up the rest of your questions. If nobody else beats me to it, I'll look it up tomorrow.
I don't have my code book handy to look up the rest of your questions. If nobody else beats me to it, I'll look it up tomorrow.
#4
01-04-04, 08:36 PM
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You cannot mix kitchen type receptacles with other rooms. Kitchen, pantry, DR, nook, etc. can all be shared but no other rooms. The gas range receptacle can be on the small appliance circuit, but doesn't have to be. The hood cannot though.
#5
01-04-04, 09:00 PM
Okay, I guess I'll need to keep that range recep separate from the livingroom circuit. However, am I correct in thinking I can power all the kitchen receptacles, with the exception of fixed appliances such as DW, disposal, etc, from one of the two 20 amp small applicance circuits?
#6
01-04-04, 09:13 PM
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Actually you don't need to keep it separate if you don't want to. It CAN be taken off the small appl. ckts.
All the code says is that you need two 20 amp circuits to the kitchen. They can theoretically be shared with the DR, pantry, b-fast room, or similar room. But only those rooms and no others.
All the code says is that you need two 20 amp circuits to the kitchen. They can theoretically be shared with the DR, pantry, b-fast room, or similar room. But only those rooms and no others.
#8
01-05-04, 03:59 PM
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Sorry. I forgot about the light.
No. No light required by code. It is a good idea though IMO.
No. No light required by code. It is a good idea though IMO.
#10
01-05-04, 04:23 PM
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I basically have a 3" counter that doesn't require a receptacle.
Correct. Any counter less than 12" wide does not need a receptacle.
Receptacles in the kitchen that server neither countertops nor refrigeration equipment are not highly regulated. These receptacles can be on circuits also serving other rooms if you so desire.
Speedy is correct that you may also elect to serve the range igniter from the counter circuit. Just don't get carried away and try to extrapolate this exception to any other receptacles or equipment.
I know of no electrical code requirement for a light above the sink. But whoever uses that sink will be mad at you if you don't put one in -- nobody likes what they are working on to be in their shadow. Don't put any lighting on a circuit serving countertop or dining room receptacles.
Correct. Any counter less than 12" wide does not need a receptacle.
Receptacles in the kitchen that server neither countertops nor refrigeration equipment are not highly regulated. These receptacles can be on circuits also serving other rooms if you so desire.
Speedy is correct that you may also elect to serve the range igniter from the counter circuit. Just don't get carried away and try to extrapolate this exception to any other receptacles or equipment.
I know of no electrical code requirement for a light above the sink. But whoever uses that sink will be mad at you if you don't put one in -- nobody likes what they are working on to be in their shadow. Don't put any lighting on a circuit serving countertop or dining room receptacles.
#11
01-05-04, 06:34 PM
Okay I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but are you saying that once I've provided the 2 required 20 amp branch circuits to the counter receps, that I can use circuits from other rooms to power the other kitchen receptacles? These other receptacles are not over counters, they are just on other walls of the room and power the gas range, refrigerator, etc.
On the other hand, can I use the (2) 20 circuits to power ALL of the receptacles in the kitchen?
Thanks a lot for your help guys, sometimes it is hard to pull this stuff from the code books.
On the other hand, can I use the (2) 20 circuits to power ALL of the receptacles in the kitchen?
Thanks a lot for your help guys, sometimes it is hard to pull this stuff from the code books.
#12
01-05-04, 06:54 PM
Member
You need to read really closely. I choose my words as carefully as I can.
Note that my prior post specifically excluded "refrigeration equipment". That of course includes the refrigerator. The circuit that powers the refrigerator cannot power anything outside the kitchen or dining room (words chosen carefully -- does not mean that the refrigerator can be on just any circuit in the kitchen).
And of course, simply because I said that other receptacles could be on circuits serving other rooms doesn't mean that anything goes. There are hundreds of other codes to be followed.
No, you may not necessarily use two 20-amp circuits to power all the receptacles in the kitchen. For example, neither of those circuits could power the garbage disposal receptacle.
Note that my prior post specifically excluded "refrigeration equipment". That of course includes the refrigerator. The circuit that powers the refrigerator cannot power anything outside the kitchen or dining room (words chosen carefully -- does not mean that the refrigerator can be on just any circuit in the kitchen).
And of course, simply because I said that other receptacles could be on circuits serving other rooms doesn't mean that anything goes. There are hundreds of other codes to be followed.
No, you may not necessarily use two 20-amp circuits to power all the receptacles in the kitchen. For example, neither of those circuits could power the garbage disposal receptacle.
#13
01-05-04, 07:40 PM
Sorry, I missed the point on the refrigeration equipment. Okay, here is the inventory of receptacle outlets in the kitchen:
--(2) Receptacles mounted over the counter
--(1) Receptacle behind the refrigerator
--(1) Receptacle behind the gas range
--(1) Receptacle on the wall next to where the table would go
There is no garbage disposal, dishwasher, trash compactor, or anything other than what I've mentioned above.
It is my understanding that the two 20 amp small appliance circuits could supply all of the aformentioned receptacles in the kitchen.
--OR--
The two required small appliance circuits would supply the counter receptacles and refrigerator, but the receptacle near the table and the one behind the stove could be on the same circuit as say, the livingroom.
Would this be correct? Thanks.
--(2) Receptacles mounted over the counter
--(1) Receptacle behind the refrigerator
--(1) Receptacle behind the gas range
--(1) Receptacle on the wall next to where the table would go
There is no garbage disposal, dishwasher, trash compactor, or anything other than what I've mentioned above.
It is my understanding that the two 20 amp small appliance circuits could supply all of the aformentioned receptacles in the kitchen.
--OR--
The two required small appliance circuits would supply the counter receptacles and refrigerator, but the receptacle near the table and the one behind the stove could be on the same circuit as say, the livingroom.
Would this be correct? Thanks.
#14
01-05-04, 08:18 PM
Member
Ah, specifics. That's a lot easier to work with than generalities.
Only two receptacles over the counter? If the counter is 8 feet or less long, that will meet minimum code. Your kitchen may be more usable, however, if you install more.
One receptacle on the wall next to where the table would go. That's an eating area. It's not quite the same as "just on other walls of the room." This receptacle must be on one of the small appliance circuits too. This may not be on the living room circuit.
The refrigerator may either be on a dedicated circuit, or on one of the small appliance circuits. I recommend the former but for a small refrigerator in a small kitchen, the latter is okay.
As previously covered, the receptacle behind the gas range for the gas igniter may also be on one of the small appliance circuits, or on any other circuit.
So you are right. Two 20-amp circuits can supply all of the receptacles you mention.
Only two receptacles over the counter? If the counter is 8 feet or less long, that will meet minimum code. Your kitchen may be more usable, however, if you install more.
One receptacle on the wall next to where the table would go. That's an eating area. It's not quite the same as "just on other walls of the room." This receptacle must be on one of the small appliance circuits too. This may not be on the living room circuit.
The refrigerator may either be on a dedicated circuit, or on one of the small appliance circuits. I recommend the former but for a small refrigerator in a small kitchen, the latter is okay.
As previously covered, the receptacle behind the gas range for the gas igniter may also be on one of the small appliance circuits, or on any other circuit.
So you are right. Two 20-amp circuits can supply all of the receptacles you mention.
