What is the NEC requirement for kitchen countertop receptacles?

• A. Two or more 20-amp small-appliance branch circuits.
• B. A single 20-amp circuit.
• C. Three 15-amp circuits.
• D. A dedicated 60-amp feeder.

Answer: (A)

Two or more 20-amp small-appliance branch circuits are required to serve kitchen countertop receptacles. This setup ensures there’s enough capacity to run multiple portable appliances at once without overloading a single circuit, and it keeps the outlets used for countertop appliances separate from lighting and fixed-appliance circuits. These circuits supply receptacles along the countertop, including island and peninsular surfaces, but they aren’t intended to power lighting outlets or other non-countertop outlets. A single 20-amp circuit wouldn’t meet the requirement, and options with 15-amp circuits or a dedicated 60-amp feeder don’t align with how kitchen countertop receptacles are intended to be supplied.