many of those large fridges have two compressors. I mave an older model sub-zero dual compressor side by side unit. its nameplate says 12 amps. I have a single 20 amp circuit for my kitchen and part of the living room. ive only tripped the breaker about 2 time in the 10+ years ive had the fridge and it was from running way to many appliances at the same time. Im guessing it is a rare event that all of the circumstances come together where the fridge actually draws 12 amps. i bet it is drawing less than 6 most of the time
When i bought the fridge i was going to run a dedicated circuit untill i discovered the conduit and boxes were already overfilled. running new consuit would have required major demolition. i just decided to plug it in and hope for the best. after finding out that i works just fine, im glad i didn't do the major demolition for the new circuit. however for new construction, i would definitly want such a big fridge on its own circuit.
