[RocketManZ]

Need some help with kitchen circuitry.

I'm updating some of the existing electrical in my kitchen and I want help understanding what should be on its own circuit, etc. I have some electrical experience so i'm going off of rusty knowledge. Here are the things I'm looking to get updated:
-Outlets on countertops (Already have enough in the proper locations)
-Microwave
-Gas Stove
-Refrigerator
-Dishwasher
-Food Disposal
-Instant Hot

If you had all of these items, how would you wire them all? What would share circuitry? What would have its own? Would you use 15 amp/20 amp for various connections? I am in the USA.

Outlets/Appliances
From what I recall, you need 2-20amp circuits for countertop appliance outlets, and they must be GFI protected. Is this correct? So half the outlets on 1 circuit, and half on the other?

Microwave and Gas Stove
-Can these 2 share 1-20amp circuit? The gas stove is a minimal draw, but I think I remember some saying these should be separate. Can they be together or must they be on their own? Or can 1 of these units share a circuit with something else?

Refrigerator
Can this share with anything or must it be on its own circuit? 15amp or 20amp? Can this be run off the appliance circuit?

Dishwasher
Does the dishwasher need its own circuit or can it share with anything? 15 amp ok? If it can share, what can it share with (Food Disposal or Instant Hot)?

Food Garbage Disposal and Instant Hot Water
My garbage disposal pulls 7 amps (7 amps x 120 volts = 840 watts). Instant Hot is a 1300 watt unit (11amps I think). Can these share a 20amp circuit? Or should they be on separate 15 amp circuits, or share with something else? Or a 12-3 line?

All tips appreciated!

 

[brric]

By code, refrigerator and gas stove receps may be on the SABC. I prefer a separate circuit for the fridge. Many installations use a 20 amp circuit for a DW combined with the disposal. I would recommend a separate circuit for the point of use water heater. Separate circuit for the MW although it could be combined with the gas range recep.

 

[Speedy Petey]

by code, refrigerator and gas stove receps may be on the sabc. I prefer a separate circuit for the fridge. Many installations use a 20 amp circuit for a dw combined with the disposal. I would recommend a separate circuit for the point of use water heater. Separate circuit for the mw although it could be combined with the gas range recep.

+1....

 

[RocketManZ]

By code, refrigerator and gas stove receps may be on the SABC. I prefer a separate circuit for the fridge. Many installations use a 20 amp circuit for a DW combined with the disposal. I would recommend a separate circuit for the point of use water heater. Separate circuit for the MW although it could be combined with the gas range recep.

+1....

Thanks to you both. Have a few more related questions.

So combining the Microwave and Gas range would be acceptable?

Do you pull a separate 20 amp for the fridge to have a better chance of the circuit not breaking and spoiling the food?

Where are GFCI's required in my layout? I already know the SABC's will need 1 to start each chain. How about the other things that will be separate such as the Dishwasher/Disposal/Instant Hot/Etc?

Is AFCI something I should also be considering?I'm guessing this may be local code specific and may or may not be needed?

Thanks!

 

[gregzoll]

Yes, because the ignition circuit hardly uses anything for the gas range. Most times it is just using milliamps to keep the clock running. Most Microwaves are going to use at most 12 amps.

For my Kitchen, I have my Countertop Microwave on top of a portable dishwasher that has its own circuit for both. We do not use them both at the same time, so it makes things easier.

I have a total of three counter top SABC's and one circuit for lower wall outlets that are for the Fridge and Dining room. I have the circuit for the DW and Microwave, one for the right of the sink for a GFCI outlet, and then another circuit on the opposite wall that is for three counter top outlets, one down low for the Gas stove. Then I have the one lighting circuit that is 15 amps, and a 15 amp for the Disposal. I have one other line pulled for above the stove, if I ever get the Kitchen done, that will be for a range hood or over the range Microwave, depending on the final plans when we start looking at cabinets.

I ended up using two 6"x6" boxes in my Basement for the junctions for the two counter circuits on the Sink side of the Kitchen and the other for the lower wall outlets. It made it a lot more flexible for me, while I was doing the circuits, because some stuff was being moved around when I did that work when I ran all new electric for our house.

 

[gregzoll]

Kitchens are not required to have AFCI outlets. They are required to have GFCI and also the Tamper proof style on all but the Fridge, which is your choice. It is easier to just grab a box of the Pro Leviton GFCI outlets and the 15 amp TP outlets at your local Electrical warehouse.

I hit our local warehouse all of the time, because they are cheaper on the wallet and my step sister works the customer pay desk, so I get to stop in and see her when I have to pick stuff up. Of course I do find that I always find something that I need that I never intended to get when I go in there.