What is a Dedicated Circuit?

[JohannaBrightpdrp]

Thank you for a simple explanation. Now I know what I'm paying for. ❤

[bravobanks]

hey chris great explanation, thank you. youre anexcellent teacher

[MoltenSamurai]

Informative. Sometimes it's the simple questions that need answering 😅

[nicknamednickify]

Hi Chris, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought dedicated circuits were supposed to either be hardwired or have a single receptacle at the end. Your drawing shows a duplex, in which case some other thing could also be plugged into the circuit.

[PearlGirl]

Hey Chris! Thanks for the simple explanation! I hope you don't mind answering a question I have about dedicated circuits. 😊 There are 4 electrical outlets in my garage, and they're all controlled by the same circuit breaker. Three of the outlets have only one thing plugged into them (a two-car garage door opener, the optical network terminal for my internet service, and a battery charger that stays plugged into my car's cigarette lighter. For reference, the car has a gasoline engine (not electric) but because it isn't driven regularly, the battery tends to get low if I don't keep it charged.) I'd like to plug a small chest freezer into the fourth outlet, but the manufacturer recommends plugging it into a dedicated circuit. Do I need to hire an electrician to put the fourth outlet on its own separate circuit, or is it safe to plug the freezer into the fourth outlet with my current setup? Any clarification/advice would be very much appreciated!

[hippo-potamus]

many actual plugs can a dedicated circuit have? Can you plug in something else on the lower plug in that duplex refrigerator receptical in your drawing example? Can you for example have (3) duplex outlets (6 plugs) and just make sure for example that if you connect the microwave to one just dont run the coffee maker and toaster at the same time? Because if the logic is dedicated circuit ie individual branch circuit follows the laundry room dryer example of one appliance one plug one breaker then my main panel is going to be filled up with 20 amp kitchen breakers. Thanks for your reply and clarification.