Kitchen electrical requirements

Two small-appliance circuits, minimum

At least two 20 A small-appliance branch circuits serve all the receptacles of the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room and dining room, including the countertop ones (210.11(C)(1) and 210.52(B)). The countertop must be served by at least two of them, so two high-wattage appliances can run side by side.

These circuits carry no lighting and no other outlets. The usual exceptions are a refrigerator on its own 15 A or larger circuit, a clock receptacle and the igniter of a gas range.

Countertop receptacles

Every countertop and work surface 12 in or wider needs a receptacle, with no point along the wall line more than 24 in from one (210.52(C)). Islands and peninsulas have their own rules, which changed in 2023. These are spacing rules: draw them carefully on a dimensioned plan, since Planelico does not measure distances on a PDF.

GFCI and AFCI in the kitchen

Since 2023, all kitchen receptacles need GFCI protection, not only those serving the countertop. Kitchen circuits also need AFCI protection, so a dual function breaker is the simplest way to protect each small-appliance circuit. The dishwasher needs GFCI wherever it is, and the range needs it too in the 2023 edition.

Dedicated appliance circuits

Typical kitchen circuits, to be confirmed against each appliance’s nameplate and installation instructions:

• Range or cooktop: 240 V, 40 or 50 A (40 A minimum for a range of 8.75 kW or more).
• Wall oven: 240 V, often 30 A.
• Dishwasher: 120 V, 15 or 20 A, often with the disposal on its own circuit.
• Over-the-range microwave: 120 V, 20 A dedicated is common practice.
• Refrigerator: 120 V, 15 or 20 A individual circuit is allowed and common.

Lighting

A kitchen needs a wall-switch-controlled lighting outlet; unlike a bedroom, a switched receptacle does not count. Because small-appliance circuits cannot carry lighting, kitchen lighting goes on a separate lighting or general-purpose circuit.

Planning the kitchen in Planelico

Mark the kitchen, dining room and pantry with their room types. Planelico puts all their receptacles on at least two 20 A small-appliance circuits, keeps lighting off them, gives each fixed appliance its own circuit in AWG, and protects every kitchen breaker with GFCI or dual function as required. If you merge the small-appliance circuits into one, the validation blocks it.

Quick method with Planelico

1. 1

   Qualify kitchen, dining and pantry

   Their receptacles feed the small-appliance circuits.

2. 2

   Place countertop receptacles

   Follow the 24 in / 12 in rules on your dimensioned plan.

3. 3

   Add the appliances

   Range, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, disposal.

4. 4

   Generate and review

   Two SA circuits, dedicated circuits and DF breakers.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

• NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC)