Modern-day electrical appliances typically place higher electrical demands on your home. The National Electrical Code requires dedicated circuits for major electrical appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, and electric water heaters because they ensure that appliances can operate safely without overloading the home’s electrical system.
A dedicated electrical circuit is one that serves a single appliance or electrical fixture. Appliances without a dedicated circuit may draw more current than the circuit can handle, tripping breakers, blowing fuses, and raising the risk of electrical fires. A dedicated circuit serves to protect your appliances, your family, and your home.
What High-End Appliances Need A Dedicated Circuit?
Refrigerator or Freezer – Running a refrigerator via a dedicated circuit is the recommended best practice for homeowners. Most refrigerators use between 3 and 6 amps, but peak draw can spike up to 15 amps. For this reason, refrigerators and freezers should be connected to a 15-20 amp dedicated 120-volt circuit.
Stoves & microwave – New home construction typically includes 50-amp range circuits, since these are sufficient for the vast majority of residential cooking ranges. It is best to install a dedicated circuit, even if you won’t currently be using it. This is becoming the standard not only for ovens or stoves but for every appliance in the contemporary kitchen.
Air Conditioner – Most room air conditioners can be plugged into a standard 110V 15 or 20-amp circuit as long as it’s not shared with any other major appliance. Units with a rating higher than 15,000 BTUs will require a dedicated 220-volt circuit. For the best fit and performance, call a professional to get a precise recommendation based on your existing electrical panel.
Does Your Electrical Circuit Need An Upgrade? Call A Certified Professional
Access to electricity and proper electrical function in a home is necessary to support our normal daily activity. Ensuring the proper appliances are on a dedicated circuit will help prevent a lot of common households electrical risks and help keep your property secure. Although the benefits of dedicated circuits are enormous, their installation can be a difficult process. Such a process is not DIY friendly, so it is best to trust certified professionals.
Book a licensed and certified electrician today. We will come to you and get the job done at the best price.