While most electrical circuits in the typical home can safely power multiple lighting fixtures and small appliances, there are many situations where a dedicated circuit will be required to safely power appliances that have higher voltage requirements.
What Is a Dedicated Circuit?
As the name implies, a dedicated circuit provide power to an appliance through a single, dedicated circuit. Appliances that require dedicated circuits have higher voltage requirements than can be safely supplied by a standard 120-volt household receptacle, so a dedicated 220-volt receptacle needs to be installed. Generally speaking, any equipment that runs on 220-volt power will need its own circuit.
Dedicated circuits are required to prevent excessive electrical loads that could cause wiring to overheat, which has the potential to cause an electrical fire. The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires most major appliances to have dedicated circuits.
Here are some of the most common situations where you will need a licensed electrician to install a dedicated circuit in your home.
Kitchen
Kitchen appliances often contains heating elements and large motors that draw a lot of electrical current. Larger refrigerators, ranges, wall ovens, dishwashers, freezers, and some garbage disposals will need a dedicated circuit.
Microwaves
A circuit must be dedicated for any built-in oven or microwave. Small countertop models typically have lower wattage than built-in units and can be plugged into a standard outlet on a shared circuit.
Laundry Room
Clothes washers and dryers have high powered motors and heating elements which need a dedicated power source to prevent overloading the electrical system.
Do all EV Chargers Require a Dedicated Circuit?
It will depend on the type of charger. Level 1 EV chargers are commonly supplied by the manufacturer when purchasing an electric vehicle. They can be plugged into a standard 120 Volt, 20 Amp circuit wall outlet.
Level 2 chargers are high powered to charge EV batteries much faster. For this reason they need to be plugged into a 220-volt receptacle, or hard-wired to a 220 dedicated circuit.
Heating and Air Conditioning
Heat pumps, furnaces and air conditioners require a lot of energy and will need to each have a dedicated circuit. Ductless mini-split systems and electric baseboard heating is also going to require a dedicated circuit. Some window air conditioners may also require a dedicated circuit.
Other Appliances
Other appliances that will require a dedicated circuit include:
- Water heaters
- Sump pumps
- Pools, hot tub and jacuzzis
- Some workshop power tools
Appliances That Do Not Need a Dedicated Circuit
Many compact or portable appliances do not need dedicated circuits. Examples include portable fans, ceiling fans, countertop cookers, food processors and small space heaters. While they do not require dedicated circuits, it’s important to know that some small appliances can easily overload circuits when used in combination with other devices. Examples include, power tools, toaster ovens, coffee makers, hot plates and blenders and other small appliances.
It’s important to follow all federal, state and local laws when adding a new appliance to your home. Have questions about dedicated circuits? Call Central Heating Plumbing Cooling & Electrical. Our licensed electricians can help determine what appliances in your home will need a dedicated circuit.
