[eddy current]

My guess is the kitchen is not so small that it only requires one circuit, it’s probably old and only has one circuit originally, but is large enough to need more.

 

[eddy current]

Maybe it’s overkill but we run all ours individual 20a circuits to each counter receptacle. Quite often 4-5 runs to a moderate size kitchen plus another if they have an island.

Yes that is overkill

 

[eddy current]

. That would be 20A since a 3 wire split is two circuits.

The code says two branch circuits. Yes a split is made up of two circuits, but it is ONE branch circuit.
So you can have two duplex receptacles on a split branch circuit or you can have two duplex receptacles on a 20 amp single branch circuit.

 

[eddy current]

Okay, you know your definitions better than me, eddy. I was just thinking two breakers, two circuits. 😊

No, I’m just older and remember when the code was strictly for splits. I also remember when they changed the code and added the 20 amp option.

 

[eddy current]

that being said is it therfore illegal to pull one single 14-3 wire to a kitchen requiring 2 receptacles?

Yes, you would need two 14/3’s if you only had two duplex receptacles.
You could pull one 12/3 and have two separate 20 amp duplex receptacles using two separate 20 amp breakers though

 

[eddy current]

wouldn't a 12-3 still be considered one single branch cct though?

If it was powered by a two-pole breaker yes. But two separate breakers is two circuits

 

[eddy current]

Is that an Ontario ruling?

No. Do you consider two separate breakers sharing a neutral as a single branch circuit? I don’t.

 

[eddy current]

14-010 Protective and control devices required Except as otherwise provided for in this Section or in other Sections dealing with specific equipment, electrical apparatus and ungrounded conductors shall be provided with a) devices for the purpose of automatically opening the electrical circuit thereto, i) if the current reaches a value that will produce a dangerous temperature in the apparatus or conductor; and ii) in the event of a ground fault, in accordance with Rule 14-102; b) manually operable control devices that will safely disconnect all ungrounded conductors of the circuit at the point of supply simultaneously, except for multi-wire branch circuits that supply only fixed lighting loads or non-split receptacles, and that have each lighting load or receptacle connected to the neutral and one ungrounded conductor; and

just researching this but if you consider that a split receptacle needs to be on a breaker tie correct me if I'm wrong but that's considered one single branch cct.

Yes a 15 amp split duplex receptacle is considered a single branch circuit and that is why you would need to run two of them to meet code.

The code also allows 2 x 20 amp duplex receptacles on their own circuit which can be done with either 2 separate cables or can be done with a single 12/3.

Minimum, you need either 2 single 20 amp duplex receptacles on their own circuit, OR 2 single 15 amp split duplex receptacles on their own circuit for a kitchen counter.

 

[eddy current]

There's the other thing where someone told me the kitchen receptacles cannot be placed such that two of them side-by-side are on the same circuit, that they have to be staggered. That's not true.

That actually used to be a code requirement but it was removed. I can check the old books and find out when it was removed.

 

[eddy current]

There's the other thing where someone told me the kitchen receptacles cannot be placed such that two of them side-by-side are on the same circuit, that they have to be staggered. That's not true.

This is from the 2002 CEC. They removed the “adjacent” requirement in 2006.

26-722(b)(iii)

 

[eddy current]

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[eddy current]

I have another question on this subject. so If I understand the rule correctly any isolated counter space greater than 300mm shall require a receptacle?

26-722 D) iV)
at least one receptacle (5-15R split or 5-20R) installed at each permanently fixed island counter space with a continuous long dimension of 600 mm or greater and a short dimension of 300 mmorgreater;

the wording here is a bit odd if it's 300 or greater and 600 or greater isn't it essentially just 300 or greater? 🤔

26-722(d)(iii) is about counters along a wall which include any counter, isolated or not. So any kitchen counter along a wall with a measurement of 300mm along the wall line or longer needs a receptacle. Also, there shall be no space along the wall further than 900mm from a receptacle so a very long counter would need a receptacle every 1800mm.

26-722(d)(iv) and (v) are for kitchen counters on islands and peninsulas, not along a wall. Any island or peninsula that has 300 x 600 of useable counter space or larger will require a receptacle.