can a fridge ever exceed 15A

amakarevic

my fridge is currently on a 20A dedicated circuit. i am thinking that 20A for a fridge is too much as i recall that a 15A is enough. i am doing some rewiring and want to go switch it to a 15A circuit with a AWG14 cable. just making sure that's OK.

Gac66610

I'm just a little curious, why fix it if it's working?
All newly constructed homes I do have their refrigerators on 20a circuits

electures

The NEC allows a dedicated 15a circuit for the frig. Check the manufactures instructions before you make a decision.

__________________
All responses based on the 2011 NEC.
If you live in New Jersey click
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
. All other states click
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
.
Please check with local, county and state officials as laws may vary.
Sizing motors
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
. Online motor calculator
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
. Online calculators
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
.

stickboy1375

Unless a subzero is being installed, I generally just install a 15 amp circuit, sub zero is one manufacture that requires a 20 amp circuit... even though it is not required load wise.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

amakarevic

part of the cable runs outside and hangs off the wall, maybe 6 ft. since i have the basement ceiling exposed and can access the joists, i was gonna run a new 14 gauge cable and leave some slack on the kitchen end so that when i renovate the kitchen in the future, i can get rid of the outside portion of the cable.

i am a minimalist and hate stuff visible if they can be hidden.

Gac66610

I would replace it also, didn't know it ran outside. I believe you received the answers needed. I also like things neat and tidy.

amakarevic

in my case it borderlines a clinical obsession. i can't function in chaos, start getting seizures...

kevinp22

i would still run 12 awg cable. cost difference is minimal, voltage drop is reduced, and you have the choice to make 15A or 20A

Gac66610

Well then, we shall call you "Monk"?

stickboy1375

I wouldn't, most fridges draw 6 amps... total waste of money. unless of course you have the #12 just laying around...

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

kevinp22

mine draws 5.5.

maybe im the one with the clinical obsession. probably not borderline in my case.

after all, im the one with the 8 ground rod system with #4 awg wire

stickboy1375

I use # 4 also, but only because we only stock one wire size... 8 ground rods? total waste.. it serves no purpose.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.