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Looking at a kitchen’s electric requirements
September 26, 2024
Architects are blending style with safety in the kitchen space
Electricity, running through millions of wires buried in the ground or hidden behind thick walls, is an extremely crucial requirement of one’s home. Today, architects and designers have weaved electronic gadgets and appliances into a home in the most innovative manner, and this is particularly evident in the kitchen. There is little in a kitchen, which does not have an electric current running through it.
Known as the heart of a home, the kitchen is the most dangerous part of the house as well, and electricity is a major component in making it so. Moreover, the unpredictable reaction of electricity to weather and other external factors adds a few notches to the danger quotient. Whether a homeowner is remodelling the kitchen or starting from square one, the electrical requirements will differ from the rest of the house, especially safety requirements.
A four-plex outlet is preferred over it as it doubles the plug-in capacity. Photo Courtesy: Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
For the kitchen, architects have made electrical safety a necessity. From wiring for basic appliances to sophisticated ones, today architects are undertaking various measures to ensure safety. The use of electric testers is on the rise, which enables one to test circuits and electric appliances before they can be purchased. The device can also be used to check old appliances.
In the past, builders and electricians were unable to predict the technological innovations in the field of kitchen appliances, which has become common today. The change has been drastic, so much so, that the number of circuits required for an entire house merely five decades ago is now used in a modern kitchen alone.
Most kitchens were built with one, or maybe two, receptacle circuits. These pull illumination from the general lighting circuit, which is responsible for powering ceiling lights. Moreover, today, a simple 40-watt bulb under the sink cabinet can light up the dark corners. Therefore, there are varied electrical requirements in the kitchen that have come up, which architects are now intelligently adopting in their designs.
Moreover, ovens and cook-tops require an individual 220-volt circuit, which the architects are sure to incorporate in the modern kitchen. Photo Courtesy: Le Creuset on Unsplash
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)
Decades-old kitchens today are quite underpowered, as, during those times, the idea of safety was quite different to what is perceived now. Today, while remodelling or creating a new kitchen, architects are adding ground-fault-protected circuits. These have become mandatory by safety codes today.
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are designed to evade electrocution. This is achieved by cutting off the electrical current when one unintentionally comes in contact with a livewire. The GFCI has become essential under the standard codes of requirements in prominent countries. Here, along with outlets within 6 feet of the water source, all the receptacles that are servicing the kitchen islands and countertops are required to be installed with GFCI. Keeping the codes in mind, architects and designers, along with homeowners, are consciously making an effort to ensure that all kitchen outlets are GFCI protected.
Powering every gadget is yet another option that designers are adopting. Photo Courtesy: Kwon Junho on Unsplash
Upgrading the wiring
During the overhaul of a kitchen, many designers opt for upgrading the wiring, which is an extremely easy process. But this is possible only if the service panel has enough space for new breakers. More often than not, the panel is small; therefore, upgrading both the service and the panel is necessary. In most markets, this process can be a bit pricey for homeowners, but architects are well-aware that incorporating the process is a necessity in today’s times.
Talking about power
Most kitchens, barring the very recent constructions, were built at least a decade ago. Hence, they wouldn’t have circuits that are dedicated to larger applications producing heat or cold. Therefore, while re-designing or re constructing a new kitchen, architects are rectifying this by powering smartly. For large appliances like refrigerators and microwaves, different circuits are being used. While building the design, the circuit for plugging in a computer is kept separate from that serving the microwave oven. Moreover, ovens and cook-tops require an individual 220-volt circuit, which the architects are sure to incorporate in the modern kitchen.
Today, architects and designers have weaved electronic gadgets and appliances into a home in the most innovative manner, and this is particularly evident in the kitchen. Photo Courtesy: Eric Mclean on Unsplash
Furthermore, if the kitchen is spacious, the space above the counter is generally installed with receptacles with two 20-amp circuits, designed to serve appliances like coffee makers, blenders, and microwaves, among other things. Powering every gadget is yet another option that designers are adopting.
Duplex outlet
Nowadays, duplex outlets with a minimum of four feet difference between them, are being used increasingly. However, a four-plex outlet is preferred over it as it doubles the plug-in capacity.
Innovative technology is responsible for changing today's electrical requirements as those that existed ten years ago hold little to no relevance today. Similarly, future requirements will evolve to suit the needs of that time. In recent times, builders, architects and designers are increasingly conscious of the electric requirements of the kitchen and are ensuring that the homeowners are also aware. With the increasing use of lighting and other technologically-oriented gadgets in the kitchen space, safety will be a priority.
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