Appliance Circuit Installation

The Importance of Dedicated Circuits for Larger Appliances

Many homeowners don't realize that some of their larger appliances may need special dedicated circuits that can handle the load put on them from larger appliances. Trying to run these appliances on other outlets will equal not only frustration, but it can also be extremely dangerous and will simply result in constant flipped circuits or blown fuses.

Our specialized electrical technicians are trained to know exactly which areas of your home will require these appliance circuits.  Common places include the kitchen, laundry room, home gym, and garages.

Common Household Appliances Requiring Dedicated Circuits

Some of the most common appliances needing dedicated circuits include:

• Electric Ranges
• Wall Ovens
• Refrigerators
• Microwaves
• Freezers
• Dishwashers
• Garbage Disposals
• Electric Dryers
• Clothes Washers
• Space Heaters
• Furnaces
• Heating and Air Conditioning Units
• Sump Pumps
• Water Heaters
• Water Pumps
• Central Vacuums
• Whirlpools, Jacuzzis, Hot Tubs, and Saunas
• Home EV Charging Stations

Benefits of Having the Correct Dedicated Circuit

Some of the benefits to having the correct dedicated circuit means you'll meet electrical safety codes and will ensure the safety of you, your family, and your home. The correct circuit will also maintain the manufacturer's warranty since you have installed a properly grounded circuit.

All homes have one or more dedicated appliance circuits installed, but as appliances are added, many homeowners quickly realize they need more. There are some telltale signs that usually indicate that will usually indicate that new or additional dedicated circuits are necessary.

Without the appropriate dedicated circuit the appliance will draw more current than the circuit can handle creating a problem where the writing will overheat. The insulation around the wire can breakdown or melt which in turn will cause a situation where the current is no longer safe and can cause a fire. 

When the insulation has melted away it gives the current the ability to ignite other nearby flammable materials.  Thankfully, circuit breakers should be able to immediately recognize that the appliance is drawing too much of the current and will trip. If you have a circuit that continues to trip it is a good indicator that you need a licensed electrician to come out and inspect the circuits and potentially install a new dedicated circuit.

What is the Most Common Room For Services? 

The most common room requiring additional circuits is the kitchen. From the list above you can see just how many appliances require their own dedicated circuits.  As you improve your home you may add things like a dishwasher or garbage disposal.

As you add these items it will be necessary to increase the number of circuits available in this room. Additionally, the outlets above your countertop will need to have at least two individual circuits on GFCI outlets, as this is the area where homeowners plug in multiple smaller appliances.

Other large appliances that commonly need new dedicated circuits include items like sump pumps, air conditioners, and water heaters.  These items run intermittently, which can cause surges to the electricity. Without a dedicated circuit, you may see your lights, television or computers flicker off and then on again.