Electrical – Can/how to split a 6/3 50amp line into a 20 amp outlet and a 30 amp outlet

circuitelectricalkitchens

My house has a 6/3 Cu 50 amp cable run to a junction box in the kitchen but we are changing the kitchen to have a built in oven and an induction cooktop in a different location.

The new oven is a 240v 20 amp
The new cooktop is 240v 12 amp

Can I branch the existing 50 amp junction box out to two new outlets, one for the oven, and one for the cooktop?

If so, what is required to do that from the junction box and will I need a different breaker?

Thanks!

Best Answer

2020 NEC Section and Table 210.21(B)(3) say you must use 20A overcurrent protection for 20A receptacles, and 30A overcurrent protection for 30A receptacles, so you would need some type of accessible breaker or fuse panel to tap the existing circuit for receptacles.

However if you have the option to hard-wire your appliances and tap conductors are at least rated for 20A then the 2020 NEC 210.19(A)(3) Ex.1 says you can land ovens and cooktops together on a 50A circuit, but it doesn't allow receptacles.

This is an odd exception that allows reduced taps, for my own comfort I would change the beaker to a 40A.