Can a dishwasher be on a small-appliance circuit?

Author: Robert Kemmer  |  Last update: Saturday, August 30, 2025

❖ Receptacles for specific fixed-in-place appliances such as a disposal, dishwasher or trash compactor cannot be served by the small-appliance branch circuits. The small-appliance circuits cannot supply anything else, such as the hood fan over the range.

Is a dishwasher allowed to be on the small appliance circuit?

It is a violation of 210.52(B)(1) and (2) to connect a dishwasher to the two or more 20-amp small-appliance branch circuits required for kitchens.

Does a dishwasher need to be on its own breaker?

Dishwasher Circuit

When installing a dishwasher, the circuit should be a dedicated 120/125-volt, 15-amp circuit.

What counts as a small appliance circuit?

For a small appliance load, including refrigeration equipment in the kitchen pantry, breakfast room, dining room and family room, two or more 20-ampere appliance circuits shall be provided. Such circuits have no other outlets. The outlets in the kitchen shall be supplied by at least two 20-ampere circuits.

Is a dishwasher considered a small appliance?

Major appliance means a residential or commercial air conditioner, clothes dryer, clothes washer, dishwasher, freezer, microwave oven, oven, refrigerator, furnace, boiler, dehumidifier, water heater or stove.

Dedicated Circuits: What Appliances Need a Dedicated Circuit?

What is not a small appliance?

Commercial freezers and commercial refrigerators are not small appliances. These appliances will have more than five pounds of refrigerant. Only household freezers and household refrigerators are considered small appliances.

Is a dishwasher a major appliance?

Major Appliance means any household item such as a water heater, dishwasher, washer, dryer, refrigerator, freezer, stove, range, oven, cooktop, microwave, vacuum, or fan.

What size breaker do I need for a dishwasher?

Requires a 120 volt individual, properly grounded branch circuit with a 3 prong grounding type receptacle, protected by a 15 or 20 amp circuit breaker or time-delay fuse.

Does each kitchen appliance need its own circuit?

Kitchen appliances often contains heating elements and large motors that draw a lot of electrical current. Larger refrigerators, ranges, wall ovens, dishwashers, freezers, and some garbage disposals will need a dedicated circuit.

Can a refrigerator be on a small appliance circuit?

The receptacle serving a refrigerator can be included on one of the small appliance circuits or can be supplied by a separate individual branch circuit. Where it is an individual branch circuit, it can be a 15- or 20-ampere-rated branch circuit.

Can a dishwasher be plugged into a normal outlet?

The simple answer is that it depends on the model of the dishwasher. Most dishwashers come with a power cord plugged into an outlet, but some models must be hardwired. Definitely consult your dishwasher owner's manual or installation instructions.

Can a dishwasher and refrigerator be on the same circuit?

Dishwashers generally require their own dedicated circuit. In the US, they're often shared with an under-sink waste disposer. So yes, you should run a new circuit back to the panel. Otherwise you could run the risk of drawing too much current when the dishwasher kicks on while the fridge's condenser is also running.

What is the NEC code for dishwasher circuit?

The 2023 National Electric Code now requires dishwashers to have GFCI protection, dedicated circuits, and proper cord and plug connections. This keeps homes safe from electrical hazards.

Does a dishwasher have to be on its own circuit?

Yes, a dishwasher typically requires a dedicated circuit. This means that the dishwasher should be the only appliance connected to the circuit to ensure it has enough power and to prevent overloading.

Does a dishwasher count as an appliance?

Major appliances, also known as white goods, comprise major household appliances and may include: air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes dryers, drying cabinets, freezers, refrigerators, kitchen stoves, water heaters, washing machines, trash compactors, microwave ovens, and induction cookers.

Can a dishwasher and gas range be on the same circuit?

Absolutely not a good idea! Your dishwasher needs a 20 Amp circuit, usually can share with garbage disposal only. Your oven, depends on if it's gas or not, usually can need 30, 40, or 50 amps. If it's gas then it's a 20 Amp for ignitor but I still recommend having seperate circuits.

What appliances can share a circuit?

Most lamps, fans, and other low-demand items can be operated on a general-use circuit. Typically, flat-screen televisions, desktop computers and other electronics can be safely operated on a normal circuit, but you should always have them plugged into surge-protected outlets.

How many amps does a dishwasher use?

How many amps does a household dishwasher draw? A household dishwasher typically draws an average of 9 to 12 amps of electric current during its operation. This energy-efficient range allows it to effectively clean your dishes while ensuring a balanced electrical load within your home's system.

Can a microwave be on a small appliance circuit?

These circuits are designed to handle the electrical load of multiple small appliances running simultaneously. So, when installing a microwave oven in a cabinet, it can be connected to one of these small appliance branch circuits.

Can a dishwasher be on a 15 amp circuit?

Dishwashers: typically, a standard 15-amp circuit using a 14/2 NM conduit can readily power an off-the-rack dishwasher. However, if you plan on adding garbage disposal unit to the circuit, you must use a 20-amp breaker and 12/2 wire.

Can a dishwasher and a garbage disposal be on the same circuit?

As such, the dishwasher takes more than 50% of circuit capacity and cannot be on the same circuit with any receptacles. Further, the dishwasher and disposal require more than 20A of power to be provisioned to them, so they cannot share a 20A circuit.

Does a dishwasher have to be on a GFCI?

Kitchen dishwashers installed in dwelling units require GFCI protection whether hard wired or cord and plug connected. Code Change Summary: A new subsection was added regarding dwelling unit kitchen dishwashers. Now, outlets that supply dwelling unit kitchen dishwashers must have GFCI protection.

What are the electrical requirements for a dishwasher?

All receptacles in kitchen now need GFCI. Electric ranges require 240-volt, 50-amp circuits. The following appliances require individual 120-volt branch circuits: Dishwashers, 15- or 20-amp circuits depending on the electrical load, GFCI protection required.

Is a dishwasher considered a built-in appliance?

Built-in dishwashers are typically considered permanent fixtures in a kitchen and are installed under a countertop. They usually offer relatively large capacities, advanced features and custom paneling options to match the kitchen decor.

Who can hook up a dishwasher?

Homeowners with a moderate amount of experience working with plumbing and electricity can learn how to install a dishwasher.

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