Does the NEC prevent a 240V, 20A receptacle being installed in a domestic kitchen? The receptacle would supply a 3kW cord- and plug-connected hot water kettle.

I do not know of any restrictions on 240 volt recptacles. I do not see anything wrong with installing the recptacle for your appliance.

Yup, the receptacle is allowed.

However, it may need GFI protection.

[This message has been edited by CTwireman (edited 12-01-2002).]

I think GFCI regulations apply only to 120V circuits.

GFI rules apply to 220v items also. Same as 120v rules. You may be able to get by if the outlet is single and dedicated to only one appliance

2002 NEC 210.8 (A) "All 125 volt single phase 15 and 20 amp recepts in locations specified in 1 through 8 shall have gf protection for personel" I see no requirement for gfci on this installation.

Still firmly attached to your British-style tea-making facilities, eh, Hutch?

Wouldn't it just be easier (and cheaper) to get a 110-volt electric kettle?

I'm sure they sell them here....it's just a small pot with a resistance coil to boil water, right?

NEC 210.8 requires all 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed to serve the kitchen countertop surfaces to be GFCI protected.

Paul, you hit the nail right on the head - it's all down to *power* and the fastest way to achieve phase transition. The highest rated 115V kettle I’ve come across here is 1500W with the majority on offer being only 1000W – I saw one rated at 750W! Morning tea is a must and time is short at that time of day. One cannot beat 3kW of grunt to raise 2 pints of cold water to boiling point in about a minute.

Guys, thanks for your replies. On the same vein I see that 210-6 (a) (2) restricts voltage at receptacles in dwelling units to no more than 120V if the cord and plug-connected loads are less than 1440 volt-amps (or ¼ hp). How does one satisfy the AHJ that this is the case (i.e. a 3kW kettle) – after all, once installed in a new bare house the occupant could plug any 240V device into it.

Install a NEMA twistlock recptacle and cord cap for the applicance, that way the AHJ knows that only that appliance can be plugged into that recptacle. I am not sure off hand which recptacle you would need for 3kw or 3000 watts 240 volt.

That's not a kettle, Hutch! That's an engine boiler!! Hahaha :P

Just a saftey note...you do realize that if you hook up your 220 volt kettle to an American 220 volt socket it will be across two lives, instead of a live and neutral.

I wonder if this can be dangerous...considering the contact with water and such....

A Greek friend of mine (computer geek) who brought his huge 220-volt only high-speed laser printer from Athens hooked it up to a Nema 6-15 socket....it works fine....so I guess it shouldn't be a problem if the equipment is well designed, right?

-
Sven (Still boiling water for tea over a gas burner )

If it's a British electric kettle, there will be no problem running it across two 120V hot legs. Both line and neutral on British-Standard appliances are insulated to the same level. If the switch on the handle is single pole, then the element will stay energized at 120V when it boils and switches off, but that's no big deal.

Just for info: recently installed 20A 2 pole GFI breaker; cost $80. They do exist, but you pay dearly!

I own a 500W kettle. You fill it up in the evening and plug it in. In the morning it has hopefully reached boiling

(I barely dare to use it. It is all metal and make strange noises as it heats up. My dad bought it when he went to high school a long time ago)

Don't own 1 of those fancy tea kettles,but I've got a microwave that can heat it before a cat can lick.......well you get the picture.