Before plugging two appliances into the same outlet, make sure you are not violating building codes or creating a hazard. It is best to plug the refrigerator directly into a suitable electrical outlet. Refrigerators should always be connected to the mains, and extension cords are for short-term use.
Refrigerators do not need special outlets in the United States. Most refrigerators have three prongs, so they need outlets with three insertion points. The volt range of most refrigerators need is between 100 and 120 volts. It is rare for a refrigerator to fall outside of this.
In addition, water can leak from refrigerators, and a broken outlet can electrify an entire area. Some refrigerators are constantly disconnecting the plug, especially those equipped with ice makers, self-defrosting features, or various technical malfunctions that can cause the disconnection. It is highly unlikely that anything will plug into the same outlet as the refrigerator. The refrigerator must not share an electrical outlet with other devices.
Different States Have Different Outlet Regulations
Although the code requires a separate circuit for the refrigerator, this does not limit what the user can plug into this outlet, especially if it is a duplex. If the circuit supplying the refrigerator socket is branching off to another socket, it must be a 20A circuit.
If the circuit supplying the refrigerator socket is a dedicated single circuit, it may be 15-A or 20A. Whether the refrigerator is connected to a dedicated circuit or a general purpose outlet, NEC 422.5 requires the circuit to be connected to a GFCI in Georgia.
This is to prevent other appliances or devices from being powered by the same circuit, ensuring that the refrigerator has enough power to operate properly and protect against circuit overload.
The refrigerator operates on a standard 110/120V (volts) circuit and comes with a standard cable with a 3-conductor grounded plug. The refrigerator uses a 110 to 120 volt plug, which is standard in most homes. refrigerator. Most refrigerators use standard electrical outlets and 100-120 volt electrical outlets.
Also, if you’re dealing with a dedicated circuit that only powers your kitchen refrigerator, you can simply remove the GFCI outlet and replace it with a standard outlet. The refrigerator can use standard electrical outlets and GFCI. Refrigerators usually work well when paired with a standard electrical outlet, but they can also be used with GFCI. For this reason, many people won’t plug their refrigerator into a GFCI outlet.
A Refrigerator Attached to the Right Outlet May Still Malfunction
While your fridge may repeatedly trigger the GFCI output, often it’s not the GFCI’s fault but something with the fridge. If your refrigerator disables GFCI, some components of the refrigerator are most likely faulty and not connected to the outlet.
Keep in mind that even if you don’t put a freezer or refrigerator in your garage, the freezers still need to be connected to a dedicated 120 volt circuit. You must have refrigerators and freezers installed on a dedicated 120 volt 15-20 amp circuit. This will ensure that the refrigerator has enough power to operate properly.
The refrigerator must be connected to a 110-120 volt grounded electrical outlet on a separate, dedicated circuit. You may currently have a smaller refrigerator connected to a common lighting circuit, but during any major renovation, a separate 120/125 volt circuit must be installed for the refrigerator. Refrigerator requires separate dedicated circuit, some codes require it, minimum 15 amps n. 14.20 amps out of 12 is better.
Each outlet is connected to a circuit that can accept a certain number of volts and amperes. If the circuit can accept 120V and you plug in a device that has a 40-60V input, the device will explode. If you connect several electrical devices while increasing the current, the overloaded circuit will be broken.
Attaching Many Electrical Items Overloads the Circuit
If you plug additional electrical items into the outlet, the overloaded circuit will break as the current increases. Adding other electrical devices to this outlet may overload the circuit, tripping the breaker and causing a power outage.
The rest of this article explains topics related to this question in more detail, including how the electrical system in the home works, why certain devices, such as a refrigerator, should only be plugged in individually, and how to know if an outlet can withstand voltage. devices.
To understand why the US National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) encourages residents to plug only one heat-producing appliance into an outlet and recommends against using extension cords and splitters with large electrical appliances, you need to learn more about voltage and amperage.
This is why the National Electrical Code (NEC) recommends using a dedicated circuit for refrigerators, or a circuit that should only be used by this appliance. Many appliances consume a significant amount of electricity, and when multiple devices are used at the same time, this can cause the circuit breaker to trip. To prevent this from happening, make sure the refrigerator has a dedicated circuit. To do this, plug the refrigerator into another outlet and check if it turns off.
What Happens if the Circuit Breaker Malfunctions
If the appliance turns off the circuit breaker and powers the refrigerator and freezer, the backup generator will kick in so that the food doesn’t go bad. An electrician can also help you install GFCI receptacles in your garage to support these devices.
If your breaker keeps tripping because you recently added a refrigerator or freezer, take your time and have a qualified electrician inspect the breaker panel and determine the best electrical solution. When deciding if a dedicated refrigerator circuit is needed, you can also read more about how to reset the breaker in the event of a trip. If your home isn’t new enough, your garage panel or outlet may not be wired correctly to support your new freezer or refrigerator.
Kitchens with upgraded wiring include an outlet (wall socket) for the refrigerator, which is on a separate circuit known as a dedicated circuit. All sockets are connected to a circuit designed for a certain number of volts and amperes. Then, every time the device is connected, electricity passes through it, the circuit is completed, and the connected device starts working.
Let’s see what happens when you plug your refrigerator into a GFCI outlet. A standard household refrigerator plugs into a common household outlet. The refrigerator uses a standard three-pin plug to connect to a household outlet.
These few connectors provide plenty of connectors so you can plug in any device you want. They can be plugged into a standard 110-120 volt outlet if the outlet is three-pin. These appliances have higher power and must be plugged directly into a mains socket.
If you need to use an extension cord, make sure it can handle the refrigerator’s power supply, that it is grounded, and that no other devices are connected to the same extension cord. If you need more storage space for all your cold and frozen treats, be sure to check capacity and circuit codes before plugging two refrigerators into the same outlet.
