NEC 210.52(B)(1)

What it means on the job

The NEC requires a minimum of two 20A small appliance branch circuits to serve the kitchen countertop receptacles. A refrigerator is permitted (but not required) to be on one of these circuits. However, best practice is to provide a dedicated circuit for the refrigerator so that a tripped breaker on the small appliance circuit does not de-energize the refrigerator and spoil food.

Tested in 1 CraftIQ puzzle

  • code-checkDedicated Kitchen Circuits
Practice this code — free

Related NEC sections

NEC 210.19(A) Informational Note / high-rise office Single Line Diagram

This branch circuit EXCEEDS the enforced 3% maximum, so it is not compliant. Calculation (single-phase): Vd = 2 x I x R x L / 1000 = 2 x 20A x 1.93 x 85 / 1000 = 6.56V. The circuit is 120V nominal, so VD% = 6.56V / 120V x 100 = 5.47% — NOT 2.7% (2.7% only results from erroneously dividing by 240V, the wrong nominal for a 120V circuit). At 5.47% the drop exceeds both the project-enforced 3% branch maximum and the NEC 210.19(A) Informational Note 3% recommendation. To meet 3% (3.6V max) at 20A over 85 ft would require roughly 8 AWG copper, or the load/length must be reduced.

NEC 210.20(A)

NEC 210.20(A) requires that continuous loads (3+ hours, which applies to IT equipment) not exceed 80% of the branch circuit breaker rating. Loading to 95% will cause nuisance tripping and violates the continuous load derating requirement.

NEC 210.4(B)

When a shared neutral (multi-wire branch circuit) is used, the neutral must be identified as to which circuits it serves. Additionally, simultaneous disconnect of all ungrounded conductors sharing the neutral is required.

NEC 210.52(H)

This installation passes. NEC 210.52(H) requires at least one receptacle outlet in a dwelling hallway 10 feet or more in length — this 12-foot hallway has one, so the requirement is met. The 6-foot spacing rule of NEC 210.52(A) applies to the wall space of habitable rooms (kitchens, bedrooms, living areas), NOT to hallways. Knowing which spaces each part of 210.52 governs is the whole game: halls need one outlet, habitable-room wall space needs the 6-foot rule.

NEC 210.8(A)(1)

All 125V, 15- and 20-amp receptacles in a bathroom must have GFCI protection to protect against shock near water.

NEC 210.8(A)(3) / 406.9(B)(1)

Outdoor receptacles at dwellings require GFCI protection per NEC 210.8(A)(3) and must have an enclosure that is weatherproof whether or not the attachment plug cap is inserted (in-use cover) per NEC 406.9(B)(1). There is no NEC minimum height requirement for outdoor receptacles, though local codes may specify one. The installation meets code with GFCI protection and a wet-location in-use cover.

CraftIQ explanations are original educational commentary written in trade language and verified against the cited standards. Always confirm requirements against the code edition adopted by your jurisdiction — this is training material, not a substitute for the code book or your AHJ.