Upgrading Kitchen Elec to 20 Amps

[tjbnwi]

The Romex running to my undercabinet lights in the kitchen is 12 gauge. And in the service panel, there are 2 20-amp circuit breakers. This doesn't include the large 220v breaker for the oven. So, I am in business.

Not necessarily, if the manufacture instructions for the machine require a separate 20 amp circuit for their unit, you cannot use the existing. The manufactures instructions override the code requirements. The UL approval is dependent on their instructions being followed. The NEC requires all electrical items to be "listed", violate their instructions and it is no longer a listed item. Your insurance company may not cover a loss if it is caused by the machine being installed improperly.

Are the under cabinet lights wall switched? If so you would not want to use that wiring.

I don't mean to come off as an a$$, just don't want you to have an issue latter. 

Tom

 

[mastercabman]

The Romex running to my undercabinet lights in the kitchen is 12 gauge. And in the service panel, there are 2 20-amp circuit breakers. This doesn't include the large 220v breaker for the oven. So, I am in business.

Not necessarily, if the manufacture instructions for the machine require a separate 20 amp circuit for their unit, you cannot use the existing. The manufactures instructions override the code requirements. The UL approval is dependent on their instructions being followed. The NEC requires all electrical items to be "listed", violate their instructions and it is no longer a listed item. Your insurance company may not cover a loss if it is caused by the machine being installed improperly.

Are the under cabinet lights wall switched? If so you would not want to use that wiring.

I don't mean to come off as an a$$, just don't want you to have an issue latter. 

Tom

You are right,most of those machine require to be on a single circuit.But we need to know for sure what kind of coffee machine he is dealling with.

 

[extiger]

I think you are right about the need of the new machine being on a separate circuit. I'll have my contractor deal with it.

I went through this drill when I built a different house and my garage/shop posed a challenge because of my 5hp single phase tablesaw. At the time we simply allocated certain bench/wall sockets to specific breakers so we could isolate the electrical hogs. I had the circuit for the saw rated at 30 amps. I think it was 10 gauge wiring. In the end, the Baldor motor was rated at 19amps at startup. The machinery dealer told me he had never heard of an instance where that  motor would pop even a 20 amp breaker. The 30amp thing was just my ego talking. Which befuddled my contractor.

The new espresso  machine hasn't been chosen. But it will be one of those Italian jobs costing over $1000. With dual boilers they draw slightly more than 2000 watts.

 

[denovich]

Espresso: Have a look at the *gasp* Australian-designed Breville.  http://www.brevilleusa.com/beverages/espresso.html  I have what was previously their top of the line machine, the 860XL.  It's an excellent machine.  I've run about 50lbs of beans through it in the last few months and have had zero issues.  It pulls a lovely shot.  Their new dual boiler machine looks even better.  I suspect it's the best machine under $2k on the market.  It would be very nice being able to brew & steam at the same time.  I have a few of their other appliances and have been extremely pleased with them. 

(FWIW: I am a coffee snob (I've roasted my own beans, mod'd my coffee makers with PID temperature controllers, etc), I was into molecular gastronomy and sous-vide cooking before it was cool, but my tastes are not overbearingly snobby (some things can be "good enough")  So take my opinion with the appropriate amount of salt (I'd recommend a nice Fleur de Sel.))