On Wed, 9 May 2007 20:39:21 -0500, Mike Hartigan wrote:

I recently bought a small 7.2 cu ft chest freezer. According to the
documentation, it uses 1.6 amps at 120VAC, so it's not exactly a pig
(the energy sticker says $23/yr). I'm confused by the fact that the
instructions state that it requires a dedicated circuit.

An alternative Q might be: "Why do so many people take only a quick
peek at the instructions before depositing them in the trash can?"

What is the
reason for that?

My conjecture is simply that the folks that wrote the instructions
(and perhaps some others) assume that the owner is not competent
to monitor circuit design/usage and act accordingly. Examples
were given in other responses. Under such assumption, the
only safe recommendation is for a dedicated circuit.

I doubt that NEC requires a dedicated circuit in your circumstance.
Local ordinance *could*, I suppose.

You properly identified usage as 1.6 amps at 120VAC. Check the surge
spec (if any) as well. If both specs are consistent with your
rational expectation of total usage on an existing circuit (with
which you're entirely familiar), I doubt that a dedicated circuit
would be needed.

If existing circuits are all potentially overloaded after adding
freezer amp draw, install a new circuit.

Cheers,
Puddin'

"Mit der Dummheit kaempfen Goetter selbst vergebens!"
-Friedrich Schiller