Does Your Kitchen Renovation Plan Involve
a New Major Kitchen Appliance? Check out this Appliance Outlet Installation
Guide
If you are planning a kitchen remodeling renovation project, chances
are it involves at least one major kitchen appliance. Modern, state-of-the-art
kitchen appliances offer many cutting edge innovations in their
design feature. Programmable digital touch-control features, sleek
stainless steel construction, and one-piece heating surfaces using
space-age materials with heating elements built inside are common
on today’s market.
Perhaps your kitchen renovation plan involves a laundry closet
or laundry area as part of your new kitchen floor plan. You may
want to include a built in kitchen appliance, such as a separate
convection oven or a microwave. At any rate, today’s major
appliances come with major power demands. Special attention is required
to meet stringent building code requirements for electrical service.
How to Figure Appliance Requirements
Of all major appliances, electric ranges require the highest amount
of electrical current. Older homes undergoing a kitchen remodeling
renovation project may not have an adequate circuit to handle a
50 amp appliance.
Figuring out the necessary amperage requirement for a circuit can
be done by dividing the voltage (either 120v or 240v) by the total
number of wattage connected to the circuit. For example, if you
have a circuit sum of 2400 watts on a 120 volt circuit, the circuit
needs to be at least 20 amps. (2400 % 120 = 20)
Most electric ranges require 50 amp 120/240 volt circuits, electric
dryers 120/240 volt 20 or 30 amps, electric water heaters 240 volt
20 or 30 amps, microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers,
and gas dryers are each usually 15 or 20 amps at 120 volts, and
window air conditioners 15 amps at 120 volts or 30 amps at 240 volts.
Things to Consider when Updating a Circuit
While installing or updating a circuit for a kitchen appliance
outlet is a relatively simple home improvement project, there are
requirements that must be met. Wire “gauge” determines
how heavy the wire is. The smaller the number, the heavier gauge
wire. For instance, #6 gauge is much heavier than #12 gauge.
Typically, a 50 amp circuit requires a minimum of #6 gauge wire for
the hot wires, (red and black,) and a minimum of #8 gauge for neutral
wires (white.) A 30 amp circuit would require a minimum of #10 gauge
wire for all; #12 gauge wire is the minimum requirement for
15 and 20 amp circuits. Each size circuit (i.e. 30 amp or 50
amp, 120 volt or 240 volt) has its own style plug and outlet receptacle.
This is to help avoid plugging a 50 amp appliance into a smaller
size circuit. All receptacle types are commonly available at kitchen
appliance stores.
Getting the Job Done Right
In most localities, wiring and outlets for a large kitchen appliance
can be done by a DIY electrical amateur, as long as a licensed electrical
contractor inspects and approves the work. But, if this sounds too
technical, you may want to contract the services of a licensed electrician
to install it for you.
An increasingly popular and convenient way to find a reliable electrical
contractor in your community is at HandyCanadian.com. Post your
kitchen appliance installation project on line absolutely free,
with no obligation.
Electrical service professionals in your area are ready to provide
competitive bids today. To complete your project, and shed a little
light on the ins and outs of new major appliance circuitry.
To locate a reliable electrician, post your project online for
free and receive bids from professionals in your area, ready to
compete for your business. Click
here to post your project.
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