Kitchen Remodel With One Small-Appliance Circuit
A single-family kitchen remodel is submitted for rough-in inspection. The plan shows one 20 A, 12 AWG small-appliance branch circuit feeding all countertop receptacles and the refrigerator. A 14 ft straight countertop has receptacles at 3 ft and 9 ft from the left end. An 8 ft by 3 ft island has one receptacle mounted on its side, 12 in below the countertop. The dishwasher is cord-and-plug connected to a receptacle under the counter on the small-appliance circuit. The disposal is on a separate 15 A circuit. GFCI receptacles are installed at the first outlet on each circuit, but no AFCI protection is shown. The builder wants to keep the plan because “the kitchen has been this way for years.” The inspector has flagged the plan before rough-in.
1. Identify at least four National Electrical Code violations in the plan and state the correction for each.
Read the worked answer
At least four independent problems are present:
Only one 20 A small-appliance branch circuit. A dwelling kitchen requires two or more 20 A small-appliance branch circuits. Correction: provide a second 20 A, 12 AWG circuit and divide the countertop/receptacle load between them.
Dishwasher on a small-appliance circuit. The small-appliance branch circuits are not permitted to supply other outlets such as the dishwasher. Correction: give the dishwasher its own branch circuit or another permitted circuit, with the required GFCI protection.
Countertop receptacle spacing. With receptacles only at 3 ft and 9 ft on a 14 ft counter, the left end is 36 in from the nearest receptacle and the gap between receptacles leaves points more than 24 in from a receptacle. Correction: add receptacles so no point along the counter wall line is more than 24 in from a receptacle.
Island receptacle location. The single island receptacle is mounted 12 in below the countertop. Countertop receptacle outlets must be located not more than 20 in above the countertop surface; a below-counter side mount does not meet that requirement. Correction: relocate it above the countertop or use a listed countertop pop-up assembly as permitted.
No AFCI protection. Dwelling-unit kitchen branch circuits require AFCI protection. Correction: provide listed AFCI protection for the applicable 120 V branch circuits. Also verify GFCI requirements for the dishwasher and all kitchen countertop receptacles.
2. Explain how the small-appliance circuit requirement, GFCI, and AFCI requirements interact in this kitchen.
Read the worked answer
They are separate requirements and one does not substitute for another.
- Small-appliance circuits: The kitchen needs at least two 20 A small-appliance branch circuits. These circuits serve the countertop and specified kitchen/dining receptacles and are not general-purpose circuits for the dishwasher or other fixed appliances.
- GFCI: Kitchen countertop receptacles require GFCI protection. The dishwasher branch circuit also requires GFCI protection. Installing a GFCI receptacle at the first outlet can protect downstream receptacles only if wired and listed for that purpose; otherwise each required location needs protection.
- AFCI: The dwelling-unit branch circuits covered by the AFCI rules need AFCI protection, including kitchen circuits. A GFCI receptacle does not provide AFCI protection, and an AFCI breaker does not automatically provide GFCI protection unless it is a listed combination device.
The plan must show both the circuit arrangement and the protective devices. The builder’s “we have always done it this way” argument is not a code defense; the inspector enforces the edition adopted by the jurisdiction.
3. What minimum receptacle layout and circuit arrangement would you require before the rough-in is approved?
Read the worked answer
A compliant layout would include:
- Two 20 A, 12 AWG small-appliance branch circuits for the kitchen countertop and other covered receptacles, with the loads divided between them.
- Countertop receptacles spaced so no point along the counter is more than 24 in from a receptacle; on the 14 ft run, that generally means adding at least one or two receptacles beyond the proposed two.
- At least one island receptacle, located above the countertop or in a listed countertop assembly, not 12 in below the counter.
- The dishwasher on a separate permitted circuit with GFCI protection; the disposal on its own circuit as shown, with GFCI where required.
- AFCI protection for the applicable kitchen branch circuits and GFCI protection for countertop and dishwasher receptacles.
- A panel schedule and drawing that identify the circuits, protective devices, and receptacle locations.
The exact number of countertop receptacles depends on the final wall-line layout, but the 24 in rule must be met at every point, including ends and corners.