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anderik1 · Jul 16, 2009, 08:47 AM

I'm getting ready to install a new patio with a BBQ grill and some other items as part of an outdoor kitchen I'm planning to build and could use some advice. I'm not planning on having very much of a load on the circuit, so I'm planning on running the wiring from one two existing outlets. The circuit will be used to supply electricity to a small mini-fridge, the rotisserie turner on the grill, and probably another general use outlet, say for a blender or some other small appliance. The wood patio will be built right next to the house, so I don't believe voltage loss should be an issue. What I'm having a hard time deciding is where to tap into the existing electrical work. There is a GFI outlet on the existing concrete patio that is adjacent to where I'll be building the new patio, or there is a standard outlet inside the house on the same wall that will abut the new patio. Any recommendations on which to use? Also, I was planning on running conduit under the platform surface of the deck to reach the appliances. Is that the right way to go?

ballengerb1 · Jul 16, 2009, 10:00 AM

What is the current GFCI amperage rating and how many amps does the frig and blender pull?

anderik1 · Jul 16, 2009, 11:08 AM

The blender is 11 amps and I don't have the mini fridge yet, so I don't know the exact amperage on it, and have had a surprisingly hard time finding a ballpark on what a 3-4 cu ft one will draw. Most just say they need 120V/60Hz and a 15 amp circuit, but don't mention their actual draw. The GFCI is on a 20 amp circuit. Also, I should have mentioned that the GFI outlet is mounted in a brick wall. Not sure if that will make a difference when making the connection. Thanks for looking at this!

hkstroud · Jul 16, 2009, 03:10 PM

When shoping for fridge look at the electrical tag, usually on the door. It will give the amperage. Maybe in amps or watts.

rlopez22epik · Jul 16, 2009, 04:05 PM

A receptacle installed for refrigeration equipment may be fed from one of the 20 amp branch circuit, or an individual branch circuit rated 15 amps or greater. This information is regarding for article 210.52(b)(1)NEC. Here's some more info form the NEC 2008 All receptacles installed to serve kitchen counter tops surfaces shall have GFCI protection 210.8 (a)(6) Hopefully this info helps and from the top of my head I do know that all gfci shall be connected to their own dedicated breaker so I wouldn't recommend that you tap it unless you calculate the load for it.

Missouri Bound · Jul 16, 2009, 08:04 PM

If there is any way possible to run a new circuit(s) for your outdoor kitchen, you would be wise to do it. The more you use it, the more you will use appliances outdoors. Installing the patio and appliances is a great investment. One dedicated circuit may take care of your needs, but if you have to pull wire, or dig to trench wire, you may as well look towards future needs... telephone, speaker wiring, intercom... etc.

Best of luck.

anderik1 · Jul 17, 2009, 06:37 AM

Thanks for the advice! I live in Texas basically on a bed of rock, so running a new line would be extremely difficult since I don't have a basement and 6" below the soil is solid rock. The GFCI circuit (20A) that's in the brick is isolated to the outlet on the back patio, one outlet in the garage, and one outlet in front of the house. It's also pretty unlikely that I'd be using anything high draw on the new patio at the same time as the other outlets. And reading all the responses, it sounds like tapping into that dedicated circuit would be better than trying to access the non GFCI one available inside. Which then brings me to the second half of my question:

What is the recommended way to access an existing GFCI outlet set in a brick wall to run additional wiring? I'm assuming the conduit will need to run outside brick wall and be visible until I get to the new deck, but is there a recommended way or special outlet that I can install that will allow making that connection easier?

Thanks again in advance!

tkrussell · Jul 17, 2009, 06:42 AM

What will work best is a weather proof extension box with threaded hubs to connect the surface conduit to, similar to the Raco #5399-0 on the attached catalog page.

http://www.hubbellonline.com/wiring/...ell/pdf/d6.pdf

hkstroud · Jul 17, 2009, 06:51 AM

Is it a brick house or a brick veinier? Do you have a crawl space or on a slab? If crawl space, where is existing cable, in crawl space?

anderik1 · Jul 17, 2009, 07:19 AM

tkrussell -- That looks very promising. It's actually very close to what I had envisioned in my head, but didn't know if such a thing existed.

hkstroud -- The house is brick veneer on a slab (no crawl space).

tkrussell · Jul 17, 2009, 10:24 AM

If you have my luck, anything I think of someone else has already invented it and got it on the market.

These weather proof extensions work slick, and are your only choice to do what you want.

Keep in mind that all of the new outlets you install outdoor at the patio must be GFI protected. You can connect to the LOAD side of the existing GFI in the brick, which will protect these new receptacles.

Just don't keep too much costly food in the fridge in the event the GFI trips, and spoils the food.

anderik1 · Jul 17, 2009, 03:16 PM

Thanks again for the advice. It does sound like a perfect fit. I don't plan on using the fridge for any long term storage, probably just day of use then turn it off again.