Basement Kitchenette Wiring

17 years ago

I am in the process of finishing a basement, and have some questions regarding my kitchenette. There will be a full-size fridge, but no stove, and a small sink with small disposal. There will be a standard small (~700 watt) counter-top microwave sat onto a shelf hanging under the cabinets (not a built in). All circuits shall be GFCI-protected.

Questions...

1. Being only a kitchenette with less than 4' of counter space, including the sink, am I still required to have two separate small appliance circuits?

Essentially, for the kitchenette, I am looking at...

Fridge - 20A

Kitchen Can Lights (2 or 3) (shared with adjacent shop lighting) - 15A

Disposal - 20A

Kitchen Outlets (3 duplex, 1 used for Microwave, 1 on nearby wall) - 20A

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Comments (2)

Ron Natalie
17 years ago
You'd have to ask your local authority, but I suspect most places would consider this subject to the kitchen/pantry/etc... rules.

The amount of counter space is not a determining factor. You can count the one feeding the microwave however.
pharkus
17 years ago
I used to have such a "kitchenette", although I never called it that.

Per code, I had a basement shelf with some general-use outlets near it, into which I, the resident, just happened to have plugged a microwave and fridge into. The whole deal was on a single 20A circuit, labeled "RECEPTACLES - WEST WALL", shared with a couple computers and a TV.

I had the same thing in the garage.

I agree with the need for codes and regulations to guide the safe installation of electrical systems, but when we get to the point where I have to consider rewiring just to plug in a refrigerator and a microwave, that's getting a little ridiculous.
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