Residential Electrical Services
Dedicated Circuits
in Vancouver, WA
A dedicated circuit runs from your electrical panel to a single outlet or appliance. Nothing else shares it. That's the point. When your microwave trips the breaker every time you run it with the toaster, or your home office equipment shuts down when the AC kicks on, you need a dedicated circuit. Newman Electric installs dedicated circuits for homeowners across Vancouver, WA. Ryan and the crew add 120-volt and 240-volt circuits for kitchens, laundry rooms, home offices, workshops, and any appliance that needs its own breaker.
Dedicated Circuit Guide
Which Appliances Need a Dedicated Circuit?
If an appliance draws more than half the capacity of a shared circuit, it needs its own breaker. Some are required by code. Others are just a good idea because they draw too much power to share.
Standard 120-Volt Circuits
- Microwave 20A dedicated circuit
- Dishwasher 15A or 20A dedicated circuit
- Garbage disposal 15A or 20A dedicated circuit
- Refrigerator 15A or 20A dedicated circuit
- Bathroom heater 20A dedicated circuit
- Home office setup 20A dedicated circuit
- Chest freezer 15A dedicated circuit
- Washing machine 20A dedicated circuit
Heavy 240-Volt Circuits
- Electric range/oven 40A or 50A dedicated circuit
- Electric dryer 30A dedicated circuit
- EV charger (Level 2) 40A or 50A dedicated circuit
- Hot tub / spa 40A or 50A dedicated circuit
- Heat pump / AC 20A - 50A dedicated circuit
- Electric water heater 30A dedicated circuit
- Welder / shop tools 30A or 50A dedicated circuit
- Sauna / steam shower 30A - 50A dedicated circuit
Code-required circuits: The NEC (210.11(C)) requires dedicated circuits for kitchen countertop outlets, laundry rooms, and bathrooms. These aren't optional. If your home was built before these rules took effect, or if a kitchen remodel added new appliances, Newman Electric can bring your circuits up to current code.
The Process
How Newman Electric Adds a Dedicated Circuit
Adding a dedicated circuit is one of the most common jobs Newman Electric does. Most take a few hours. The timeline depends on routing and how accessible your panel is.
Check the panel
We open the panel and see if there's space for a new breaker. We check the wire gauge, the panel capacity, and figure out the best route to run the new circuit to the outlet location.
Run the wire and set the outlet
We run new wire from the panel through the walls, attic, or crawlspace to where the outlet goes. For 240V circuits, we install the right receptacle type (NEMA 6-20, 10-30, 14-30, or 14-50 depending on the appliance).
Connect, label, and test
We land the wire on the new breaker, label the circuit in the panel, and test the outlet. For circuits that need a permit, Newman Electric handles that and schedules the inspection.
Code & Requirements
Dedicated Circuit Code in
Vancouver, WA
Dedicated circuits fall under NEC Article 210 (Branch Circuits). Washington state follows the 2023 NEC under WAC 296-46B. Newman Electric follows all branch circuit code requirements for dedicated circuit installations.
- Required Kitchen Circuits (NEC 210.11(C)(1))
Kitchens require at least two 20-amp small appliance circuits for countertop outlets. These circuits serve only the kitchen and dining areas. If you're running a microwave, toaster oven, and coffee maker on one circuit, that's why the breaker trips. Newman Electric adds dedicated circuits so each heavy-draw kitchen appliance has its own breaker.
- Laundry Circuit (NEC 210.11(C)(2))
Every home needs at least one 20-amp dedicated circuit for the laundry room. This circuit can only serve laundry room outlets. If your washer shares a circuit with basement lights or other rooms, it's not up to code. Newman Electric runs a dedicated laundry circuit as part of panel upgrades, remodels, and standalone circuit additions.
- Permissible Loads (NEC 210.23)
A single cord-and-plug appliance can't draw more than 80% of the branch circuit rating. On a 20-amp circuit, that means no single appliance should draw more than 16 amps. If your appliance exceeds that on a shared circuit, it needs its own dedicated circuit.
- Appliance Branch Circuits (NEC 422.10)
Fixed appliances like dishwashers, garbage disposals, and water heaters need their own branch circuit. The circuit must be rated for the appliance's nameplate amps. Newman Electric sizes dedicated circuits to match the exact appliance.
Customer Reviews
What Customers Say About Newman Electric
"We were in a pinch selling our house and needed a designated circuit put in ASAP. I called Newman Electric and they came out the same day! The job was completed professionally, promptly and all involved were very kind! I would recommend Newman Electric for all of your needs. Awesome group!!"
"We recently purchased a different house that had an electric range and we wanted a gas range. We went to go about replacing it. Ordered the new range, got a gas line installed. At the last minute we realized we would need a new plug in to supported a 120 connection. I called the people doing the gas line to get a recommendation for an electrician..."
"Came home at 3pm on a Thursday to discover I had some confounding sort of electrical issue. I couldn't figure it out and called Newman at 3:35. By 4:30 they were leaving having diagnosed the issue and replaced two breakers and GFCI outlets. There was an emergency extra fee for immediate response but they were very up front about it and did awesome work. A+ job"
Common Questions
Dedicated Circuit FAQs
It depends on the circuit type, the distance from the panel, and how the wire gets routed. A 120-volt dedicated circuit with a short run is at the low end. A 240-volt circuit that runs across the house or through finished walls costs more. Newman Electric gives free estimates. We come look at the job and give you a price.
If a breaker trips when you run a specific appliance, that's a strong sign the circuit is overloaded and the appliance needs its own dedicated circuit. If you're adding a new appliance that draws more than 12 amps on a 120V circuit, or any 240V appliance, it needs a dedicated circuit. Newman Electric can check your panel and tell you what's needed.
If you're running a desktop computer, monitors, a printer, and other equipment, a dedicated circuit is a good idea. It prevents your work setup from losing power when someone runs a vacuum on the same circuit. Newman Electric installs 20-amp dedicated circuits for home offices across Vancouver, WA.
It depends on the available breaker spaces and total panel capacity. Newman Electric checks both during the estimate. If your panel is full but has capacity, we can sometimes add a tandem breaker. If the panel itself is maxed out, you might need a panel upgrade first.
It depends on the scope of work. Adding a single 120V outlet on a new circuit doesn't always require a permit. Adding a 240V circuit or multiple circuits does. Newman Electric pulls the permit when one is required and handles the inspection.
Most dedicated circuits take 2 to 4 hours. The main variable is routing. If the panel is in the basement and the outlet is in the kitchen, the wire has to go through the floor or walls. If the panel is on the same level and nearby, it goes faster. Newman Electric gives you a time estimate when we quote the job.
Related Services
Other Circuit and Wiring Services
Electrical Panel Upgrade
More space for new circuits
Outlet Installation
Add or replace outlets
Kitchen Electrical
Kitchen circuit upgrades
EV Charger Installation
240V charger circuits
Hot Tub Wiring
Outdoor 240V circuits
Heat Pump Wiring
HVAC electrical circuits
Electrical Repair
Fix tripping breakers
Remodel Electrician
Circuits for remodel projects
Service Area
Dedicated Circuits Across
Vancouver & Clark County
Newman Electric installs dedicated circuits for homes across Vancouver, WA and Clark County. Kitchen circuits, laundry circuits, home office circuits, workshop circuits, and 240V circuits for heavy appliances. We add whatever your panel and your appliances need.
We also serve Cowlitz County. Longview, Kelso, Woodland, and Kalama.
Need a Dedicated Circuit
for Your Home?
Newman Electric adds dedicated circuits for homeowners across Vancouver, WA. Kitchen appliances, home offices, workshops, and 240V heavy equipment. The estimate is free.