Do the major appliances in your home run without a hitch? Or do you frequently trip breakers when you run too many things at once? If your circuit breakers seem to trip more often than you know is normal, there’s a good chance your home needs more dedicated circuits.
What exactly are those and why do you need them? Read on to find out.
What Are Dedicated Circuits?
A dedicated circuit has its very own circuit breaker and it only supports one outlet. That means only one electrically powered device can draw voltage from that circuit at any given time. Generally, these circuits are 15 or 20 amps, just like the rest of the circuits that power your home. However, some dedicated circuits might be 30 or even 50 amps depending on what they’re assigned to power.
If you take a look at your electrical panel, you should see at least a couple of circuit breakers that are labeled for a single appliance, such as a washing machine or refrigerator. Those circuit breakers belong to dedicated circuits, meaning they’re dedicated to powering just one device or appliance.
Why Are Dedicated Circuits Important?
Dedicated circuits are designed to protect your major appliances from electrical damage, and they also function to prevent overload-related fires and electrocution.
Operating major appliances on non-dedicated circuits can be extremely risky as these devices can draw more current than a non-dedicated circuit can handle. If that happens, the wiring may overheat, which will cause its insulation to break down. Ultimately, the excess current could start a fire within your walls.
How Do You Know If You Need More Dedicated Circuits?
If you have to be careful about which appliances or other electrical devices you run simultaneously, you probably need more dedicated circuits. What exactly does that mean? Here are a few examples:
● You can’t operate your microwave at the same time you run your toaster oven.
● You can’t run your blow dryer without tripping a circuit.
● You can’t plug anything into a specific outlet in your kitchen or a breaker will trip and your refrigerator will stop running.
If any of the above sounds familiar, it’s time to contact an electrician who can install more dedicated circuits in your house.
Household Appliances That Need Their Own Circuits
Electrical appliances and other devices that must be plugged into dedicated circuits will either have a notation on the device itself or in the operating manual. According to the National Electric Code, the following appliances need dedicated circuits:
● Refrigerators
● Large ovens
● Electric ranges
● Air conditioning and heating units
● Dishwashers
● Washing machines and dryers
● Large microwaves
● Water and sump pumps
● Garbage disposals
● Chest or standup freezers
● Water heaters
● Hot tubs and saunas
Does Your Minneapolis Home Need Dedicated Circuits? Contact Harrison Electric
If you don’t have enough dedicated circuits in your Minneapolis home, our team at Harrison Electric can fix the problem! For over 30 years, we’ve specialized in comprehensive residential electrical service for Twin Cities homeowners, and all of our electricians are fully licensed, bonded, and insured. To schedule a service appointment or learn more about how we can help you, feel free to request a quote online or give us a call today at 763-544-3300.