Which appliances require a dedicated circuit?

Author: Lester Carroll  |  Last update: Sunday, June 1, 2025

Appliances That Need to be on a Dedicated Circuit
  • Refrigerators and standing freezers.
  • Heating and cooling systems.
  • Ovens, stoves, and ranges.
  • Hot water heaters.
  • Sump pump systems.
  • Microwaves.
  • Plasma televisions.

Does a 700 watt microwave need a dedicated circuit?

Compact or countertop microwaves can sometimes share the same circuit as the lights and outlets in the kitchen, as they typically draw 700 watts at the most. Larger or built-in microwaves draw a minimum of 1,000 watts, so it's always best that they are on a dedicated circuit.

Do washer and dryer need a dedicated circuit?

In the Laundry Room

Your laundry room should have a dedicated circuit of at least 20 amps. If you have a gas dryer, both your washing machine and gas dryer may be plugged into the same outlet. If you have an electric dryer, it will need its own dedicated 20-amp, 220-volt circuit.

What appliances need a dedicated circuit by code?

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.

Does a dishwasher require a dedicated circuit?

Dishwasher Circuit

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

Dedicated Circuits: What Appliances Need a Dedicated Circuit?

Does a refrigerator need a dedicated circuit?

Yes. In most situations a refrigerator will need its own circuit. This is because a refrigerator is a large appliance that requires a significant amount of energy to run. If it doesn't run on its own circuit, the appliance will likely draw too much electricity and cause the circuit to function poorly.

Does an oven need a dedicated circuit?

A circuit must be dedicated for any built-in oven or microwave. Small countertop models typically have lower wattage than built-in units and can be plugged into a standard outlet on a shared circuit.

Does a hair dryer need a dedicated circuit?

You want to use dedicated circuits for anything that draws large amounts of power on a consistent basis (fridges, HVAC, etc.) or things that pull a sudden and heavy draw (hair dryers, microwaves, etc.).

Can a dishwasher and fridge be on the same circuit?

Can a refrigerator and dishwasher share a circuit? Provided the circuit has a high enough current rating for both on their startup peak at the same time then yes, they can share a circuit.

Does a bathroom need a dedicated circuit?

It is always permissible to pull more than one 20-amp branch circuit for feeding the bathrooms in a dwelling. One branch circuit is simply the minimum permitted for a dwelling regardless of the number of bathrooms.

Does a water softener need a dedicated circuit?

Circuit Protection: Water softeners should be connected to a dedicated circuit with a circuit breaker or fuse to prevent electrical overloads.

Does a garbage disposal need a dedicated circuit?

Garbage disposals should be either hardwired or connected to an outlet through a grounded electrical outlet. A dedicated circuit is generally recommended, although a circuit that is shared with a dishwasher is sometimes appropriate. The best authority on this distinction is the disposal's user manual.

Can a refrigerator and gas stove be on the same circuit?

The best stove to use with the fridge on the same circuit is a full gas stove. Suchstoves merely use the electricity for sparking the burners. In such a case, they do not use sufficient electricity to affect the refrigerator using the circuit.

Can a microwave and TV be on the same circuit?

No other appliance should share the circuit with the microwave oven. If it does, the branch circuit fuse may blow or the circuit breaker may trip.

Does a washing machine need a dedicated circuit?

It's important to have a dedicated circuit for your washing machine because the start-up current of these appliances can be three times its running current.

How many amps require a dedicated circuit?

A 5-20amp dedicated circuit is set aside with a specific purpose, with its own circuit breaker in your electrical box. A dedicated circuit is intended for use with a single appliance only. No other appliances will be plugged into or utilize the energy from this circuit, making it “dedicated” to that single appliance.

Does a microwave need a dedicated circuit?

The Microwaves require 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. Over-the-Range Microwave models should always be on a dedicated circuit.

Does an air fryer need a dedicated circuit?

Generally speaking, these are the appliances you will want to run on a dedicated circuit: Central air conditioning unit. Countertop convection oven. Countertop deep or air fryer.

Does a gas stove need a dedicated circuit?

As the voltage that is present for an electric stove is too powerful for a gas stove to use. A licensed electrician must install a lowered and dedicated 15-20 Amp circuit from the panel to the stove outlet. Too much electricity will overload and fry a natural gas stove.

Can a freezer and washer be on the same circuit?

Probably not. The manual says that the freezer requires its own dedicated outlet to keep from overloading the circuit.

Does a gas water heater need a dedicated circuit?

Answer: Yes. Most modern efficient gas water heaters require 125V, 20 amp power to operate. The electric ready requirement is designed to easily convert the installed 120V electrical circuit to 240V, capable of powering a HPWH.

Does a washer need a GFCI?

In new homes today, GFCI outlets are required to be installed in laundry rooms to help add safety and security to your home. If you're remodeling your laundry room, adding a laundry room, or updating your washing machine, it's a good idea to update the outlet to a GFCI while you're at it.

Does a ceiling fan need a dedicated circuit?

Circuit – Ceiling fans can be installed on general lighting circuits in most cases. Some larger fans may require their own dedicated circuit. Wall switch – The wall switch control must be rated for ceiling fans if it will be used to operate the fan.

Can a refrigerator share an outlet with a TV?

It is not recommended to connect a refrigerator to a multi-outlet. If it is unavoidable, please use one with a power rating of 15 ampere or higher.

Is it code to have a microwave on a dedicated circuit?

Electrical codes do not specifically use the word microwave when defining what can be used on a dedicated circuit. However, a microwave is one of the devices that are required to have a dedicated outlet, especially the type of microwave that mounts in one place.

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