KITCHEN CIRCUITS

1. Location of Outlets, NEC 210-52(a): Receptacle outlets to be installed so that no point along the floor line in any wall space is more than 6 ft. measured horizontally, from an outlet in that space, including any wall space 2 ft. or more in width.
   
   
2. Two- 20-amp "small-appliance" branch circuits (wired with min. #12 copper or #10 aluminum or copper clad aluminum) are required to serve the kitchen counter outlets. NEC 210-52(b) 1. Lighting loads are not permitted on these circuits. The breaker or fuses should have 20-amp rating. 
   
   
3. Kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room and refrigerator, NEC 210-52(b): Need 20-amp small appliance circuits. See also ampere rating of receptacles
   
   
4. Outlets needed at Counter Tops, NEC 210-52(c): Counters wider than 12" need a receptacle outlet. No point along the wall line can be more than 24" from receptacle outlets.
   
   
5. Receptacle Outlets shall not be installed more than 18" above the countertop. NEC 210-52(c)(5). 
   
   Outlets can be installed above 18", but they cannot  be counted as part of the required number of outlets at the counter. 
   
   
6. Counter space Receptacles & GFCI protection, NEC 210-8(a)6: Where receptacles are installed to serve the countertop surfaces; they shall have Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel (GFCI). , ,
   
   Receptacles installed for disposals, dishwashers and trash compactors, as permitted in NEC section 422-16, are not required to be protected by GFCI.
   
   
7. Receptacle Outlets within 6 ft. from Wet Bar Sinks and Laundry Tubs, NEC 210-8(a)7: Where receptacles are installed to serve the countertop surfaces and are located within 6 ft. of the outside edge of the wet bar sink, they shall have Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel (GFCI). ,
   
   
8. Flexible Cords Serving Appliances in Kitchen, NEC 422-16: May be used to connect appliances to an electric outlet. Maximum cord length should be 18"-36" to connect a Garbage Disposal and 36"-48" to connect a built-in Dishwasher or Compactor.
   
   
9. Face-Up Receptacles in Counter space or Work Surfaces, NEC  210-52(c)5: Are not permitted.
   
   
10. Receptacle Outlets at Island and Peninsular Counter Space, NEC 210-52(c)2 & 3: At least one outlet is required when long dimension is 24" or more and a short dimension of 12" or more.
    
    
11. Branch-circuit conductors supplying household ranges, wall-mounted ovens, counter-mounted cooking units, and other household  cooking appliances shall have an ampacity not less than the rating of the branch circuit and not less than the max. load to be served. 210-19(b).
    
    
12. For ranges of 8 3/4 kw or more rating, the min. branch-circuit rating shall be 40 amperes. 210-19(c).
    
    

13. Neutral Grounding Conductor for Appliances, NEC 250-140:
    In new installations, the grounded conductor, neutral, is NOT permitted to be used as the equipment grounding conductor for grounding electric ranges, ovens, cook tops, and dryers. This means 120/240 volt appliances will have to be installed with four wires (with insulated green ground). 
    
    

14. A min. 40-amperes branch-circuit rating would be as follows:
    No. 8 AWG copper, Type TW= 40 Amps, OR
    
    No. 6 AWG aluminum, Type TW= 40 Amps
    See NEC, Table 310-16 for other applications. There are other exceptions- see 210-19(c).
    
    
15. Receptacle and GFCI circuit breaker .
    
    
16. CALIF: The kitchen's primary light fixtures (general lighting) should be energy efficient- i.e. fluorescent (not incandescent). California Energy Standards. See the following sketches for more clarifications. , , ,