If you're pulling a permit for this you will need to follow the code. It's pretty strict. For example, you need two dedicated circuits for your backsplash receptacles ( they call it the "small appliance" circuits.) I think your popcorn popper and cofee maker go on those. Your MW needs its own circuit. Depending on your city/town code, you may or may not need seperate circuits for the DW, disposal (in our town they can share.) The fridge cannot go on the small appliance circuit but doesn't need it's own circuit (ie it can go on your general lighting circuit). And then there are the rules about receptacle number and placement!!! I'd highly recommend getting a new book from the library or bookstore (or Home Depot) that outlines how to rewire a kitchen remodel, so you get the basics at least. Then you can make a diagram and take it to your code officer and make sure he approves before you start your work...

The microwave is a backsplash appliance as well. I certainly am going to meet code; the question is how much over the code should I go on this.

You should post on the electrical wiring forum - you'll get better advice there particularly from licensed electricians.

My understanding is that above a certain amperage, the MW needs its own circuit, at least in my town... we gave the MW a dedicated circuit, not combined on the 2 "small appliance" countertop circuits.

BUMP

If you only buy one reference, then the "NEC 2008 Handbook," published by the NFPA is a good option. It presents the code along with descriptive material and important cross-references to other parts of the code that are relevant to a topic.

If you have the room for the number of breakers needed to provide individual circuits for appliances, then you may find doing so advantageous. At a minimum, a failure of one device will not affect operation of another.

kas

"Best practice" is to give the MW and the toaster oven their own dedicated circuits. That way you can be sure that you won't trip a breaker by plugging in a coffee pot or rice maker at the same time you're MW thawing some frozen broccoli and cooking garlic bread. It may not be that often that you will trip a breaker with them on the 2 separate countertop appliance circuits, but tripping a breaker WILL happen without dedicated circuits. And, it's Murphy's Law that that breaker will trip at the most inconvenient time possible and give you miscooked results just when you were really really depending on everything to be done at a certain time. Like when you invite your boss over for dinner looking for that promotion and want to really impress her.