Which statement about refrigerators and circuits is correct?

Which statement about refrigerators and circuits is correct?

• A. A refrigerator must always be on a shared circuit with other outlets.
• B. A refrigerator may be supplied by a separate 15-amp circuit.
• C. A refrigerator requires a dedicated 20-amp circuit.
• D. Not allowed to be on separate circuits.

Answer: (B)

Refrigerators are motor-driven loads with a noticeable startup surge. To keep the fridge running reliably and to avoid nuisance trips or voltage dips that could affect other outlets, it’s common to give it its own circuit. A separate circuit on 15 amps is a typical, acceptable arrangement because many refrigerators draw well under 15 amps during normal operation, and the dedicated line handles the startup surge without overloading other devices. So the statement that a refrigerator may be supplied by a separate 15-amp circuit is correct. It reflects a practical and code-acceptable approach in many residential installations. The other options imply stricter requirements or prohibitions (shared circuits, a mandatory 20-amp dedicated circuit, or not allowing separate circuits), which aren’t accurate in general practice.

Refrigerators are motor-driven loads with a noticeable startup surge. To keep the fridge running reliably and to avoid nuisance trips or voltage dips that could affect other outlets, it’s common to give it its own circuit. A separate circuit on 15 amps is a typical, acceptable arrangement because many refrigerators draw well under 15 amps during normal operation, and the dedicated line handles the startup surge without overloading other devices.

So the statement that a refrigerator may be supplied by a separate 15-amp circuit is correct. It reflects a practical and code-acceptable approach in many residential installations. The other options imply stricter requirements or prohibitions (shared circuits, a mandatory 20-amp dedicated circuit, or not allowing separate circuits), which aren’t accurate in general practice.