Robert Green wrote:
"RBM" wrote in message news:4ad9a5ed$0$4973

stuff snipped

When I said that the Nec doesn't require a dedicated circuit for a fridge,
I
didn't mean to imply that a dedicated circuit wasn't a good idea, or even
required by the refrigerator manufacturer. Nec is a minimum requirement.

Understood. If the Canadians think a dedicated line is a good idea, I
assume they've got reasons based on experience. There are lots of good
reasons to dedicate a line, like making it easier to supply just that device
with a generator or not having to shut it off to service any other devices
on that circuit. It's so cheap and easy that it's almost crazy NOT to do
it.

If your fridge is in a kitchen, and the outlet is behind the fridge, gfci
protection is not required. If the circuit and outlet are properly
grounded,
it will be perfectly safe, and not vulnerable to ground fault related
anomalies

Why does having the outlet blocked have anything to do with it? Not sure I
follow that reasoning.

Kitchen countertop receptacles have to be GFCI protected. A receptacle
behind a refrigerator is not a countertop receptacle.

Isn't the whole purpose of having something like a GFCI to act as a "last
line of defense" in case something very unlikely occurs like a cord getting
frayed and passing power to the metal case? Even a little current leakage
might be enough to kill someone.

The requirement for commercial kitchens to have refrigeration on GFCI
receptacles was because people were getting shocks. (Homes probably have
greater care taken of equipment.)


Now arc-fault interrupters seem to be a more contentious case. The folks I
know that have installed them report they are plagued with nuisance
tripping. I wonder if it's just another case of it taking time for the
manufacturers to fine tune the product?

Starting 2008 much more sensitive AFCIs were required. The old ones
detected a 75A arc (and would only detect an arc from H-N or H-G).
Starting 2009 they have to detect a 5A arc (and can detect a loose
arcing connection). I would think detecting a 5A arc without tripping on
normal arcs (like turning off a switch) would be a real challenge.
At the same time (IMHO a dumb idea) they were required for far more
areas of a house.

I haven't heard about major nuisance trips. Have other people?

--
bud--