ICC Residential Electrical Inspectors Practice Exam

Kitchen countertop receptacles shall be served by ___________ 20 ampere rated branch circuits.

1. 1

2. 2

3. 3

4. 4

The correct answer is: 2

Kitchen countertop receptacles must be served by two 20 ampere rated branch circuits to accommodate the diverse power needs of kitchen appliances. This requirement is specified in the National Electrical Code (NEC) to ensure safety and functionality. By having two dedicated circuits, homeowners can use multiple appliances simultaneously without the risk of overloading a single circuit. For example, while one appliance like a toaster oven is in use, another device, such as a coffee maker, can operate on the second circuit without tripping the breaker. Furthermore, the configuration allows for a balanced distribution of electrical load and minimizes the potential for voltage drops that can occur when too many devices are connected to one circuit. This setup ultimately increases convenience in the kitchen, where power needs can be substantial due to multiple electrical devices operating concurrently. The other options do not meet the NEC requirements for kitchen countertop receptacles, as a single circuit would not safely support the simultaneous use of multiple appliances and could lead to overloading, while three or four circuits would be excessive and unnecessary for typical kitchen operations.