Does the electrical outlet for your refridgerator have to be dedicated or can you run it off another outlet?
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Answers:
No it does not have to be dedicated by code, but should be if possible in case you ever want to install a back up generator
Dedicated
It should be a dedicated outlet. But I have hooked up my microwave to the same outlet and have no issues with it since it is not used often or for a long period.
In Canada refrigerators are required to be be on a dedicated (but not split) 15A circuit. The reason is that refrigerators can draw significant power, particulalry on startup of the compressor. While you could connect something else you risk having to go reset the breaker if both appliances come on at the same time.
my fridge is on the same circuit as the rest of the kitchen. I've never had a problem.
while it does not need to be dedicated, just the size of the fridge itself does not warrent getting behind it to plug something else in. That second thing better not draw too much power either and if it was something like a stereo, you would probably get alot of backfeed noise.
For new construction, it needs to be dedicated. If you will not get an electrical inspection, you can have more than one outlet on circuit.
no, it does not. you can if you want to, though, not a bad idea.
i do not know regs for us electrical system, only the UK and a fridge cannot be on a spur as this increases the input when motor switches on, all circuits in the UK now are supposed to be on ring mains if not and you a fire the insurance is null and void. retired builder.
Lots of older homes have this outlet shared with other things.
New homes have a code requirement for this circuit to be dedicated.
I think you need to look at it this way... If the circuit trips, there is nothing obvious in some cases to alert you that the fridge is now off. You could lose most or all of your contents to spoilage. I would think this is enough to justify setting a dedicated circuit aside as cheap insurance.
The Canadian Electrical Code 20th Edition states that it has to be a dedicated 15 amp cct. (unless shared by a clock)
Yes a fridge is a dedicated circut.
So is your/
Dryer
Washer
Stove
Hot water heater
Furnace
Hot tub, etc.
I'm a pirate (old school) bring your home up to code in a practical manner.
I'm still upset about the grounding reduntancy.
Uh- I think Kirk'sWorld's logic is backwards there. I'd prefer to have a lamp or something on the same line as the fridge, and if the light won't work, I'd check to see if the fridge is working too. But whether to put it on a newly-dedicated line or not would depend on what's sharing the line and breaker now. If it's just a floor lamp or something minor, it's not really worth an upgrade. If it's your mirowave, coffeepot, and toaster, then you've got a potentially sticky situation there.
The National Electrical Code does not require a deadicated circuit for a refigerator. The standard for new houses is a deadicated circuit.
To answer your question you can run another outlet off the refrig. outlet. For me the deciding factor would be if it is on a 15 amp or 20 amp breaker. If your refrig. is on a 15 amp breaker and wired with 14-2 I would not add anything to it.
If it is on a 20 amp wired with 12-2 romex I would say you will be OK
ok here is the deal in the united states where the national elctric code is accepted by the state and county that you live in. if you have new constuction or remolding old constuction the refrigerater can be a dedicated circuit. this if im not mistaken has been in effect since 1996.article 210-52 part b-1exception #2. so in short it does not have to be but i find that it is a good idea to do so.
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