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#205702 03/23/12 01:23 AM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3
J
JimOVWA Offline OP
New Member
Hi all,

Why is it new homes do not have 20 amp splits in the kitchens? Cost aside (GFCI and wire), wouldn't it be reasonable to install splits? I have a 1500w kettle - 12.5 amp, if I add a griddle at 1500 watts and a toaster and blender???? Blown fuses here all the time. Would it not be more logical, since we are using such high powered items in our kitchens now a days, to up the amps on the kitchen splits? Some kitchens are small so plugs can be limited.

Jim

JimOVWA #205706 03/23/12 10:24 AM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 402
J
Member
A 15 amp split will be sufficient for two of those devices. The 20 amp option was added to allow GFCI receptacles to be used near the sink. Otherwise you would need to install 15 amp GFCI breakers to use split circuits near the sink.
If you like you can install 20 amp splits. If you do it near the sink you will need 20 amp double pole GFCI breakers.

Last edited by jdevlin; 03/23/12 10:25 AM.
JimOVWA #205710 03/23/12 12:54 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3
J
JimOVWA Offline OP
New Member
Thanx for the reply jdevlin...I have searched everywhere and cannot find a reference to 20 amp splits. Seems like this should be in Code and the 15 amp split requirement deleted since we now have so many high powered devices on our counter tops. If you have a 1500w griddle and 1500w coffee maker on a 15 amp breaker your pushing 25 amps....

JimOVWA #205719 03/23/12 05:37 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 402
J
Member
A 15 amp split is minimum. It appears you don't understand how 15 amp split works. There is 15 amps available from each receptacle of the split duplex. That means you can plug in 1500watt griddle AND the 1500 watt coffee maker at the same time.

JimOVWA #205720 03/23/12 06:28 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3
J
JimOVWA Offline OP
New Member
Hey jdevlin,

You are right...( If you have a 1500w griddle and 1500w coffee maker on a 15 amp breaker your pushing 25 amps....)...my bad...sorry...

I understand how a 15 amp split works...I don't know what I was drinking when I wrote that....its just that a 1500 w griddle exceeds 80% of the 15 amp circuit (12.5 amps)....and a non split 20 amp circuit with 2 outlets (kitchen) and 2 - 1500w appliances would get you 25 amps on a 20 amp circuit... That's why I asked about 20 amp splits.

JimOVWA #205722 03/23/12 07:39 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 402
J
Member
The 80% rule only applies when the load is continuous. People refer to that 80% thing way too often when it does not apply.

JimOVWA #205723 03/23/12 09:00 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 947
T
twh Offline
Member
A nice upgrade is to provide each receptacle with its own 20 amp circuit. It takes the same space in the panel as a split 15 amp circuit and can be gfi protected at the receptacle.

JimOVWA #205726 03/25/12 04:35 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 354
P
pdh Offline
Member
What I had planned to do in my new home build is use a duplex 5-15 (at least 2 such circuits, if not a separate circuit for each duplex) on a 20 amp circuit, but also include a single 5-20 next to it. The idea is to have at least 2 circuits that 20 amp appliances cannot use (so the capacity is available for multiple smaller appliances). OTOH, a separate circuit for every outlet would eliminate the complication and you can plug a 20 amp appliance anywhere without worry that plugging a 5 amp appliance somewhere else will cause an overload on a circuit.


jdevlin #205727 03/25/12 04:37 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 354
P
pdh Offline
Member
Originally Posted by jdevlin
The 80% rule only applies when the load is continuous. People refer to that 80% thing way too often when it does not apply.

Maybe he griddles continuously all day long grin


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