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What’s a Dedicated Circuit & Where Do I Need Them?

Electrical fires are life-threatening and costly. Knowing the potential causes and preventative measures is important to keep your home and family safe. One reason electrical fires occur is plugging too many devices into a normal 15-amp circuit. Larger appliances need a bigger amp circuit to meet their electrical demands.

Dedicated circuits ensure proper electrical demands are met and prevent safety hazards. A dedicated circuit is an electrical circuit that fits a specific appliance, including dishwashers, ovens, and refrigerators.

Avoid safety hazards with dedicated circuits from Lon Lockwood. Contact us online or call (585) 766-4702.

Why Homes Need Dedicated CircuitsBurned, blackened outlet on a white wall.

The electricity in your home runs through a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker consists of individual circuits that provide different parts of your home with electricity. Dedicated circuits are dedicated to one large appliance at a time and require the proper size wire and circuit breaker to prevent too much electrical current.

When amp requirements aren’t followed, too much current will go through your circuits, which can melt wires and ignite flammable items nearby. If you plug a large device into a small amp circuit, you pose a serious threat to yourself in the form of shocks and burns.

Where Dedicated Circuits Are Used

While a laptop charger or gaming console wouldn’t need a dedicated circuit, examples of what would require a dedicated circuit include:

  • Furnace
  • Hot tub
  • Water heater
  • Washer
  • Garbage disposal
  • Dryer
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerators
  • Freezers
  • HVAC units

If you have any questions about which appliances use a dedicated circuit, contact us at (585) 766-4702 to speak with our experts today.

Hand holding an orange flashlight toward an electrical panel.How To Tell Your Home Has Dedicated Circuits

The easiest way to tell if you have any dedicated circuits is by looking at your circuit box. If you have a modern circuit box, look at the control panel, and it will tell you if there is a dedicated circuit.

If you have an older box or your modern box doesn’t label dedicated circuits, use trial and error to find out if you have one. If you turn off a breaker, jot down which appliances lose power.

An electrician can inspect your home and confirm if you have a dedicated circuit.

Call (585) 766-4702 or contact us online to schedule an electrical inspection today.

Top-Rated Electricians in Webster, NY

Lon Lockwood is family-owned and -operated and the top electrical company in the Webster area. We offer flexible financing options to ensure you get the quality service and needed parts you deserve. Our technicians are highly trained, experienced, and background-checked.

Contact us online or call (585) 766-4702 for reliable electrical services in Webster, NY.