We need a Home Run, no it better be two… SABC

Wenatchee and Chelan Real Estate Inspections

Ah the land of home inspection is so much fun… it really is. I love to learn and think about this profession I now enjoy.

I also love history, so some of these items that we evaluate when performing home inspection are curious to me.

First a little terminology in the electrical world;

Home Run- Home Run refers to the main line that runs from the electrical service panel to the first device in an electrical circuit.

SABC- This is an acronym for Small Appliance Branch Circuit.

Outlet- A point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment.

So during a recent home inspection of a lovely log home I ran into a puzzling issue. The kitchen counter top was served by only one 15 amp circuit. Now I was given a clue because the owner said they were tripping the circuit breaker when running the coffee pot and toaster at the same time. They even marked the circuit breaker in the panel because it tripped often (Sure made my job easier ;).

This is the very reason why the rules for kitchens SABC are there. With our modern kitchen appliances you need two or more circuits to service kitchen counters top receptacles.

So I got to thinking (ouch), when did this rule come into play? I just always assumed that it was for a long while, at least the 60’s.

So I did a little research and this is what I came up with (if anyone has an earlier reference please let me know).

From the NEC (National Electrical Code)

From the 1959 NEC code cycle

Article 220-3 b Receptacle Circuits, Dwelling Occupancies

For the small appliance load in kitchen, laundry, pantry, dining room and breakfast room of dwelling occupancies, two or more 20 ampere branch circuits in addition to the branch circuits specified in Paragraph 220-3 (a or b) shall be provided for all receptacle outlets (other than outlets for clocks) in these rooms, and such circuits shall have no other outlets.

From the 1965 NEC code cycle

Article 220-3 (b) Receptacle circuits, Dwelling Occupancies

For the small appliance load in kitchen, laundry, pantry, family room, dining room and breakfast room of dwelling occupancies, two or more 20 ampere branch circuits in addition to the branch circuits specified in Section 220-3(a) shall be provided for all receptacle outlets in these rooms, and such circuits shall have no other outlets.

So this goes back to the 1959 code cycle which I found interesting.

A very important detail in this is- “such circuits shall have no other outlets.” This means no lights, or other type of outlets can be used on these dedicated circuits (there is an exception for a refrigerator).

So now we have it there needs to be two small appliance circuits installed in the kitchen and they need to be 20 amp circuits.

I know I would blow a fuse if my coffee pot pops a breaker, this is just not acceptable in my world of being a java junkie. Time for Sparky to come to the rescue!

NCW Home Inspections, LLC