The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires dedicated circuits for most of the appliances in your home. Basically, a dedicated circuit provides an electrical connection from a break box for a specific purpose. It supplies power to your electricity-hungry appliances without overloading the system. No other appliances are plugged into or utilize the energy from this circuit, which makes it “dedicated” to that single appliance. Furthermore, it is important to match the right wire size with its recommended amperage to meet your home’s electrical needs.
Appliances that Require Dedicated Circuits
NEC recommends dedicated circuits for specific home appliances, some of which include:
- Refrigerator
- Electric Range
- Microwave Ovens
- Freezers
- Water Heater
- Dishwasher
- Garbage Disposals
- Heat Pump
- Sump Pump
- Jacuzzi/ Sauna/Hot Tubs/ Whirlpool
- Furnace
- Wall Ovens
Safety Reasons for Dedicated Appliance Circuits
The first advantage of having dedicated circuits is that they promote safety. These circuits extend the lifespan of the circuit breaker, preventing frequent tripping of the breaker. Also, having high-level current conduction on a separate channel alleviates the potential overloading of your domestic wiring system. In fact, it is one of the primary reasons for time-to-time breaker trips.
Basically, when an overload occurs, there is an excess load on the breaker. Breakers safely work with the standard power supply to the appliance or the home. As a result, if this limit is exceeded, the breaker automatically trips. This is usually the situation when you try to install a new appliance to a connection that can hardly support its current power supply needs, or if you try to install a high-power appliance in a circuit whose amperage doesn’t match the appliance. However, if you have a dedicate wiring for that, you’ll prevent safety risks while increasing both the breaker’s and the appliance’s lifespans.
Contact Your Local Electrician
Contact Tim Kyle Electrical Services to learn more about dedicated circuits and ensure your major appliances are correctly plugged in. Named “Carroll’s Best” for 2017, Tim Kyle is your first choice electrician in Carroll County, MD.