It's important to note that fridges in other living spaces, like a basement, are not exempted. If the fridge is in any other room, it will need AFCI protection. GFCI's, on the other hand, monitor the current coming and going.
Traditionally, this requirement applied only to kitchen countertop receptacles, but now any cord-and-plug connection points in the kitchen (such as refrigerator receptacles, disposal receptacles and microwave receptacles) now require GFCI protection.
Refrigerators, 20-amp circuit, GFCI protection required.
GFCI protection is specifically called out for receptacles within a cabinet supporting a sink. GFCI protection was removed for outdoor, non-receptacle outlets. AFCI protection requirements were expanded to include all circuits in dwelling units.
Overloaded Circuit: If the refrigerator is on a circuit that also powers other appliances, the combined load may exceed the circuit's capacity, causing the breaker to trip.
It's important to note that fridges in other living spaces, like a basement, are not exempted. If the fridge is in any other room, it will need AFCI protection. GFCI's, on the other hand, monitor the current coming and going.
A GFCI trips when the outgoing and returning current differ. The startup of the compressor within the refrigerator can cause minor spikes in the flow of electricity, causing the GFCI breaker to shut off power to the outlet.
2: AFCI protection shall not be required on branch circuits supplying receptacles located in hallways, kitchens or laundry areas and GFCI protected receptacles installed in dining rooms.
If circuits are installed in a space for use other than a dwelling unit, AFCI is not required (commercial and industrial spaces are not required to have AFCI protection).
Traditionally this requirement applied only to kitchen countertop receptacles, but now any cord-and-plug-connected appliance in the kitchen such as the range receptacle, refrigerator receptacle, disposal receptacle, and microwave receptacle now require GFCI protection.
Having the refrigerator on its own dedicated circuit is the recommended best practice for most homeowners.
GFCI protection is required for all 125-volt to 250-volt receptacles rated 50 amps or less, not exceeding 150 volts to ground, supplied by a single-phase branch circuit in the following: Basements, all areas, including unfinished portions. Bathrooms, all areas. Crawlspaces, all areas.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) for certain electrical circuits in your home, including the kitchen.
The National Electrical Code requires dedicated circuits for major electrical appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, and electric water heaters because they ensure that appliances can operate safely without overloading the home's electrical system.
AFCI devices detect the signs of arcing which can cause heat to be generated enough to start a fire without flowing enough current to trip the beraker. GFCI devices measure the current flowing in and out of it and trip if there's more than a 5ma imbalance. There are devices that perform both these functions.
Typically, refrigerators aren't plugged into a gfci outlet due to the need to reset the outlet should a fault occur.
NEC 210.12(B) of the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) requires Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) protection for branch circuits supplying all newly installed 120-volt, 15 & 20 amp outlets or devices in kitchens, laundry areas, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, ...
The only time you wouldn't need to add an AFCI breaker to a 15- or 20-amp circuit is if the light fixtures—and the switches to those fixtures—are located in rooms not mentioned above, such as: Basements. Garages. Attics.
That means that the requirements for AFCI protection is required in the areas stated above at all 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-amp receptacles, lighting fixtures, switches, smoke alarms, dishwashers, refrigerators, and so on. 6) Conduit encased in concrete with an AFCI receptacle.
If it's not in the kitchen, it has to be AFCI protected. So that means you can't say it's a kitchen just because you have a sink and a bar fridge, you have to have all the circuit requirements for a kitchen. So you have to have your fridge circuit.
Per 210.8(A)(6), GFCI protection is required for all 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles that serve kitchen countertop surfaces in a dwelling unit. GFCI protection is not required for receptacles serving appliances like dishwashers, or convenience receptacles that do not supply countertop surfaces.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) does not require a garbage disposal to have GFCI protection. GFCI protection for this appliance is optional. The vibration caused by the operation of a garbage disposal can cause electrical connections to separate.
A dedicated outlet for a refrigerator (since nothing else can be plugged into it), doesn't have to be GFCI. And not being GFCI has the advantage that something else can't trip off the fridge/freezer and ruin all your food (like a chest freezer in the garage).
TL;DR: Overloaded Circuits: Plugging multiple high-demand appliances into the same circuit can exceed its capacity, causing the breaker to trip. Short Circuits: A neutral wire contacting a ground wire can create a short circuit, leading to immediate breaker trips when the fridge is plugged in.
Nevertheless, you'll find a 20 Amp GFCI outlet in: Kitchens: Refrigerators, blenders, microwave ovens, and other high-power kitchen appliances. Garages: Drills, saws, air compressors, and other types of power tools and heavy equipment.