Adding a new electrical circuit to your home also requires that you add a new circuit breaker to the electrical service panel.
Double pole, or 2 pole, circuit breakers provide 240 volts in various amp ratings. They are becoming more common in homes as they protect downstream branch circuit wiring and power cords. Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) break a circuit instantly when a short is detected.
|
|
A “dedicated circuit” is a circuit that serves only one home appliance. You’ll need a dedicated circuit for each of these major appliances:
- Refrigerator
- Freezer
- Electric range
- Microwave
- Water heater
- Washer
- Dryer
- Dishwasher/garbage disposal
- Furnace
- Air conditioner (central and window)
- Sump pump
- Hot tub/Sauna/Jacuzzi
Why do major appliances need a dedicated circuit?
Dedicated circuits help protect your appliances, your home and your family. Having multiple major appliances on a single circuit will usually overload the circuit and “trip” the circuit breaker, halting the flow of electricity. After tripping too many times, the breaker wears down and won’t trip. If the breaker does not trip, the electrical overload will overheat the wiring insulation and could lead to an electrical fire.
Dedicated circuits help protect your appliances, your home and your family. Having multiple major appliances on a single circuit will usually overload the circuit and “trip” the circuit breaker, halting the flow of electricity. After tripping too many times, the breaker wears down and won’t trip. If the breaker does not trip, the electrical overload will overheat the wiring insulation and could lead to an electrical fire.
A circuit needs to be the right size for various appliances to supply enough power, which is measured in amps (the unit of electric current). Choosing the right circuit size is critical. If the circuit is too small, the corresponding circuit breaker will trip constantly. And at some point the breaker will wear out.
For most major appliances these are the recommend circuit sizes:
15 to 20-amp circuit
30 or more-amp circuit
For most major appliances these are the recommend circuit sizes:
15 to 20-amp circuit
- Microwave
- Electric oven
- Garbage disposal
- Dishwasher
- Washing machine
- Trash compactor
- Space heater
- Refrigerator
- Room air conditioner (or window)
- Gas furnace
30 or more-amp circuit
- Electric water heaters
- Electric ranges
- Electric dryer
- Central air conditioner
- Electric furnace
|
Print this check list: |
| ||
Your Vision.. Our Quality.. Impressive Results.
We proudly service all of Orange County California, Most areas of Los Angeles and San Diego Counties and Inland Empire. Trip charges and service restrictions may apply.
Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Habra, La Palma
Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster and Yorba Linda
© 2018 Penney Electric Inc.
All Rights Reserved. All text, images, graphics, animation, videos, music and other materials on this website are subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Penney Electric Inc.
These materials may not be reproduced, distributed, modified or re-posted to other websites without the express written permission by Penney Electric Inc.
714Electrician.com owned and operated by Penney Electric Inc
Serving the following zip codes
92648, 92649, 92646, 92656, 92801, 92802, 92804, 92805, 92806, 92807, 92808, 92821, 92823, 90620, 90621, 92625, 92626, 92627, 90630, 92624, 92629, 92610, 92708, 92831, 92832, 92833, 92835, 92840, 92841, 92843, 92844, 92845, 92646, 92647, 92648, 92649, 92602, 92603, 92604, 92606, 92612, 92614, 92618, 92620, 92694, 90631, 90623, 92651, 92653, 92677, 92637, 92630, 90720, 92655, 92691, 92692, 92660, 92661, 92662, 92663, 92657, 92865, 92866, 92867, 92868, 92869, 92870, 92688, 92672, 92673, 92675, 92701, 92703, 92704, 92705, 92706, 92707, 90740, 90680, 92679, 92780, 92782, 92861, 92683, 92886, 92887