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Electrical Wire and Cable


Wiring Methods for Adding Kitchen Circuits


How should I wire kitchen electric circuits? How to Install Electrical Circuits in a Kitchen for Dish Washer and Garbage Disposal Outlet, Microwave Oven and more.



Home Electrical Wiring Video

Hooking Up a Generator to the House Panel
Using a Circuit Breaker Interlock Kit
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Kitchen Electrical Wiring
Electrical Question: How should I wire kitchen electric circuits?
I want to put in an over the range microwave oven and was wondering if it is okay to put it on the 2-20amp and 40 amp breaker.

My kitchen circuit consists of two 20 amp breakers that are tied together. I have an electrical panel that is maxed out on circuit breaker spaces. There’s 12 gauge wire coming from each of the 20 amp breakers. They feed four kitchen counter outlets and also feed the refrigerator and the washing machine which is on the other side of the wall. The dishwasher has its own circuit and I’ll be splitting it with the new 1/3 hp garbage disposal, according to your Dish Washer and Garbage Disposal outlet and switch diagram. My one other option is to share the micro with the sump pump breaker. Also, on the the Dish Washer and Garbage Disposal switch setup that you show in the wiring diagram, is there a way to do that with a GFCI outlet?

 

Thanks  By The Way for the wiring diagrams.
Thanks for your time!

This home electrical wiring question came from: Randy, from Portland, Oregon.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Randy.

How to Install Electrical Circuits for the Kitchen

Application: Installing Kitchen Circuit Wiring and Circuits.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced, best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, electric drill,  auger bits and extension cord.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and install kitchen electrical circuit wiring.
Notice: Installing additional electrical circuit wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

Electrical Panels and Circuit Wiring

A common mistake about circuit breakers is when a 2-pole breaker is added up as a total value, and this is incorrect. The 2-pole 20 amp circuit breaker is not considered 40 amps, it is two separate circuits of 20 amps. Circuit breakers should not be shared for more than one wire or branch circuit, and typically devices such as a microwave oven requires its own dedicated 20 amp circuit, depending of the size and specifications. From what you have described there is the possibility of circuit overloading of the kitchen circuits that are shared with the refrigerator and the washing machine, which each require their own dedicated circuits. GFCI outlets do not have the capability for being a split or switched outlet such as a duplex receptacle outlet.

See More about Wiring a Kitchen and Home Electrical Circuits

How to Install Kitchen Electric Wiring

Electrical Circuit Breakers
2-pole-circuit-breaker

Home Electrical Circuit Breakers

A guide to home electrical circuit breakers and how they work to protect your electrical wiring. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device.

Guide to Home Electrical Wire Types

Microwave Wiring
Microwave Wiring

Microwave Circuit Wiring

In kitchens it is common practice that if a microwave oven will be installed at a given location, such as Hood-Fan Microwave Ovens, that a Dedicated 20 Amp Circuit is always installed.

Microwave Outlet

GFCI Wiring
GFCI Wiring
This list of articles will help you learn about the features and benefits provided by GFI and GFCI Receptacles and how they are wired.


The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book
Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.


Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


More articles about 120 Volt Kitchen Circuits, Electrical Wiring, Kitchen Electrical and Home Electrical Wiring:
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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

2 Responses to “Wiring Methods for Adding Kitchen Circuits”
  1. Max Stanford says:

    Here’s an odd question, but need to know and couldn’t find it on the Microwave page. Is it important for the microwave to vent? I want to wire an outlet for it into a little hub area/shelf but am unsure how much space I should construct around the microwave or whether I should actually attempt to build a vent around it. Any help is appreciated!

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Great Question Max,
    Yes, there should be room around the microwave, especially in the back area and anywhere there are holes to supply ventilation and air circulation for the internal components to stay cool. You may want to check the owners manual for specific details.
    Dave