Kitchen electrical layout is just as important as the kitchen layout itself: a fully functional kitchen can not exist without it.
Electrical outlets and circuits in the kitchen must be carefully considered for kitchen remodeling or renovation projects. The total amount of electrical outlets plus circuits required for your kitchen should be determined and planned out thoroughly. This is not only because you will have to get the approval stamp, but mainly because the kitchen needs to be functional and safe.
Local building codes differ from country to country. You should always check things with local authorities and get a certified professional to help you with planning. However, National Electrical Code adopted in all 50 states, “is the benchmark for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards” and can serve as a good basis to start planning out the electrical layout for your kitchen.
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Kitchen Appliances That Need Electrical Outlets and Independent circuits
The main thing that influences not only the number of outlets but also the number of circuits in the kitchen, is the number of appliances. A fully functional kitchen that uses electrical cooking devices, such as a stove or a cooktop, should be served with 7 or 8 20-amp independent circuits.
Do kitchen outlets need to be on their own circuit?
The time when all the kitchen appliances were served with a single general outlet circuit has long gone since the appliances have become larger and larger in terms of electricity consumption. Nowadays, it’s a common thing, and even a requirement by the building code, to install independent circuits for each of those large appliances, that is not the one that serves either small appliances or lighting.
Having said that, the number of independent circuits needed depends on the appliances you will have in the kitchen. The major fixed appliances require dedicated circuits:
- refrigerators,
- stoves
- washers
- dryers
- electric water heaters
- microwave
- oven
- range hood
- garbage disposal
There is a grey area when it comes to ovens: the modern large built-in ones do require an independent circuit, however, the older smaller ones that usually sit on the countertop, can get away with the combined circuits.
In some cases, it is also OK to put two appliances on the same circuit, for example, cooktop and wall oven, unless the load exceeds the safe capacity of the circuit.
How many kitchen outlets on one circuit
The large kitchen appliances shall be served with independent circuits that do not serve any other device. This means that you can have one outlet per circuit, if that circuit is dedicated to large kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators, stoves, washers, and dryers.
There is a grey area when it comes to ovens: the modern large built-in ones do require an independent circuit and this, is one outlet per that circuit. However, in some cases, it is also OK to put the cooktop and wall oven on the same circuit and this has two outlets on that circuit unless the load exceeds the safe capacity of the circuit.
When it comes to the number of outlets for small appliances per circuit, you should keep in mind the maximum load for that particular circuit, which is usually 20-amp for kitchens. If you assume that there will be a power draw of 1.5 amps for each outlet, it will allow you to have 10-12 outlets.
Outlet requirements for kitchen
During major renovation or in the case of modeling a new kitchen you will have to take into account the outlet requirements. This is not only because of the approval stamp from local authorities but first and foremost because of your own safety.
GFCI / AFCI protection
When deciding what type of outlets to use in the kitchen, the first requirement to be taken into account is to have GFCI and /or AFCI protection. GFCI protection requirement in the kitchen has long been here since the kitchen is considered an area of high moisture.
GFCI protects you and your kids from getting electrocuted from the outlet itself, while AFCI protects the house from the fire that might occur due to unplanned damage of the wire within the wall (for example, you might damage the wire while hanging a picture on the wall, or a mouse might damage it.. ).
AFCI and GFCI serve a different purposes, and they are not interchangeable. Usually, you need both in modern kitchens, as a safety requirement. You can get them separately and install them to coexist on the same circuit, or you can get Dual Function AFCI/GFCI receptacles OR circuit breakers that would do the job. GFCI/AFCI receptacles are electrical outlets that integrate GFCI/AFCI protection. You can recognize it with a red or sometimes white reset button. You can learn more about them here.
Tamper-resistant outlets
Another super important safety measure regarding electrical outlets in the kitchen is to have all the 15 amp and 20 amp outlets tamper-resistant. It means that the outlets have a strong shutter inside that can only be opened when simultaneously two electrical prongs are pushed into an outlet with great force only adults can have. Tamper-resistant outlets in the kitchen must be installed on small appliance circuits, and countertop space including kitchen island countertop outlets, and walls.
Do all kitchen receptacles need to be GFCI?
Not all kitchen receptacles need to be GFCI. As a requirement, countertop and dishwasher receptacles, and any receptacle located within 180cm from the kitchen sink should be GFCI protected.
Even though installing all the kitchen receptacles GFCI protected is the safest option, you can actually save a lot of money by installing regular ones where protected ones are not absolutely necessary.
However, when it comes to AFCI protection, it is required for all the living areas in the house.
You can install Dual Function AFCI/GFCI Receptacle. It provides what is called “feed-through” protection, which means that it fully protects all wiring and extensions attached to the load side.
If you install a Dual Function AFCI/GFCI as the first receptacle in the branch circuit, it will provide protection to the remaining outlets on that circuit. You can use this tip for the circuits on which the countertop outlets are located.
Should refrigerator outlet be GFCI protected?
The Refridgerator outlet does not have to be GFCI protected unless it is within 6ft from the edge of the sink. As a requirement, countertop and dishwasher receptacles, and any receptacle located within 180cm from the kitchen sink should be GFCI protected.
Usually, the fridge would have a dedicated circuit with only one outlet where only the fridge is plugged in. That outlet should preferably be without GFCI protection, so that circuit would not trip off and get all your food spoiled. This is not possible for smaller kitchens where the fridge is usually within a 6ft range from the sink.
Where the electrical outlets should be placed
Placing electrical outlets in the kitchen properly means placing them at an appropriate height and within the proper distance from the areas, they are supposed to serve. When it comes to height, you have two options: outlets that are placed at the countertop on the backsplash, and outlets that are placed on the wall.
Electrical outlets for kitchen countertops
Electrical outlets that are positioned above the countertop, are for everyday appliances, such as small coffee machines, toasters, mixers, etc.
When it comes to the outlets located at the counters, the height will vary depending on the height of your countertop. Generally speaking, if you are not using upstand, and the outlet is placed directly on the backsplash, you should have 15cm from the worktop. This dimension might be slightly altered in different scenarios:
- if this particular power outlet is located nearby a light switch on the wall. Usually, light switches are placed at 1.2m height from the floor, and due to aesthetic reasons you might want to align the countertop power outlet to it if they are located in a close proximity
- if you are tiling up the backsplash, you might want to align the outlet with either the lower or upper edge of a tile for aesthetic reasons.
If instead of a backsplash you have an upstand, make sure the power outlet is located 15cm above the upper edge of it.
When it comes to the horizontal spacing of power outlets at the kitchen counter, you might be asking how far apart should outlets in a kitchen be. There are several guidelines to follow:
- the power outlet should be a minimum of 10cm from the hob but preferably keep around 30cm. Ideally, check the manual of the cooktop to find out the exact distance.
- The outlet at the countertop should be 30cm from the kitchen sink, and you should not be able to reach it while standing at the sink. There is definitely logic behind it.
- if a counter section is more than 300cm, you need to have a separate receptacle there, and it needs to be GFCI protected. This rule is valid even if you have a microwave above that counter. The microwave usually sits up on the shelf and needs to have a dedicated outlet.
- in the case of large sections of the countertop, you need to have a power outlet per each 90cm. The logic behind this is that usually, the small devices that you are going to use on the countertop, come with small cords. The length varies from 45-90cm
Keep in mind to install USB plugs in these areas: countertops are often used to charge tablets, phones, and other devices. Another tip is to add that extra socket if you are still not sure if you really need it or not.
In case you do not want receptacles to be visible on the backsplash, you can go for what’s called Plug Mold which is installed under the cabinets. It is more costly and difficult to install than standard receptacles in the backsplash, so keep it in mind.
Check out Plug mold or modular track under the kitchen cabinets on Amazon.
Sockets and switches behind kitchen cabinets
The electrical outlets for fixed or freestanding kitchen appliances usually go behind the kitchen cabinets. The exception might be the wall mount range hood, which sometimes comes with a wire with a plug, for which you need to provide a power outlet behind the chimney cover.
Appliances that are usually plugged in the behind-the-cabinets receptacles are Fridge/ freezers, washing machines, dryers, Dishwashers, microwaves, garbage disposals, and ovens. Once again, these appliances usually require dedicated circuits.
Where to install an outlet for a refrigerator
The position of the refrigerator outlet is quite flexible. You can place it behind the fridge itself, or elsewhere where it can be easily accessible, and the cord can reach it. The height of the receptacle is usually 48 inches from the floor, but you can go for a lower height, as long as it’s not less than 19 inches.
where to place receptacle for garbage disposal
Garbage disposals are connected to the power supply in two ways: sometimes they are hardwired on a dedicated circuit and connected to an electrical switch that is located in the sink base cabinet or on a wall near the sink.
If the garbage disposal is not hardwired, then it is connected via a cord that plugs into an outlet (receptacle) in the sink cabinet. This outlet is controlled by a wall switch. The outlet can function as a split receptacle. It means that one half of the outlet is controlled by the switch on the wall and the other half, which is always powered, can be used for another appliance, such as a dishwasher, for example.
Needless to say, the outlets need to be GFCI protected since they are within 1.8m (6ft) from the sink.
Where to plug stove in kitchen
Where to place a receptacle for the stove in the kitchen depends on whether your stove is free-standing or Drop-in. Built-in electric ranges have circuit wiring directly connected to the appliance’s pane. They do not require an outlet receptacle. On the contrary, freestanding electric ranges do need dedicated receptacles.
Nevertheless, both types of stove receptacles need a dedicated circuit, and they need to withstand 220 volts.
When it comes to the position of the receptacle for the stove, it is usually placed on the lower part of the wall behind the stove itself, or behind a cupboard next to it.
You might be asking, how high you should place the receptacle for an electric stove. Typically the 220volt range receptacle is mounted near the floor, just above the baseboard. Typically, the drawer or the bottom of the stove does not go all the way to the wall, and a distance of approximately 6-8 inches of the room is left at the back.
When it comes to the horizontal positioning of the plug for the stove, you should consider where the center of the will be, and place the receptacle either to the right or to the left in order for the cord to have room to flex around.
Can you put an electrical outlet under a sink?
Putting an electrical outlet under the sink is completely normal. Oftentimes, the outlets for garbage disposal and dishwasher are located exactly under the sink.
The outlet that is dedicated to garbage disposal, is usually controlled by a wall switch. The outlet can function as a split receptacle. It means that one half of the outlet is controlled by the switch on the wall and the other half, which is always powered, can be used for another appliance, such as a dishwasher, for example.
Needless to say, the outlets need to be GFCI-protected.
Conclusion
The electrical layout in the kitchen might be a tricky thing to work on, but knowing local electrical codes and practical rules will help you. The main things to consider are the electrical requirements of the circuits, and receptacles, the number of outlets needed, and their positioning of them.
